For the first time this weekend I was a bit WTF

[RunningStrong]

Generally, through Covid, I've tried to be sensible but not obsessive.

I've kept my distance, washed my hands, followed all the regulations, but equally been keen to get back to "living" as restrictions have been lifted, whilst trying to still be sensible.

Until now I've found most places still quite quiet, most people still keeping their distance and wearing masks in confined spaces. E.g. I went to the theatre in London 4 weeks ago and practically everyone in the auditorium and on the train wore a mask.

This weekend, I did the same. The train into London (so masks not compulsory) was rammed with mostly football supporters. Packed in like sardines as in the old days and practically no one, football fan or otherwise was wearing a mask. Perhaps 3 in the whole carriage.

The same at the theatre (and likely a completely different demographic). This time I didn't see anyone at all wearing a face covering.

So, two entirely different groups happy to be in crowded conditions without a mask.

I'm not worried for my health. I've had my vaccination and I'll take my chances, but I am getting concerned about what happens in terms of restrictions, if numbers keep increasing and no one is taking any precautions at all.

And yes, I realise I am part of the problem.

But this has been happening for ages! Since July (and the euros) it’s strange there are two worlds, people being cautious socialising with other cautious people and those going back to normal socialising with others who feel the same. Often the two groups have little idea of each other exsistsnce (as you wouldn’t know how crowded soho is on a Saturday night if you are never there!) but it’s been this way for a while without a big rise in cases so it seems to be working.

It does lead to those of us who span both leading a strange life! I went to a gig with 5000 people, no masks, no social distancing, singing dancing etc. Then the next morning wore a mask to pop into my local coffee shop for five minutes to buy a take away…they are still strictly enforcing masks and social distancing and still will not put out sugar pots for risk of passing the virus!

But it’s all good for now, room for everyone and but this is probably not something new just something you yourself haven’t done so didn’t realise others were doing it!

No, as I said I have been doing it. Exactly the same trip 4 weeks apart and the change is really marked.

I haven't worn a mask anywhere (other than in the dentist waiti g room) since the legal requirement to wear one was dropped. It feels completely normal and I don't really notice whether others wear them or not.

Why not pop to your local school where there is no social distancing or mask wearing and limited hand washing and a few open windows?

Nothing has changed there for weeks.

I went to London on August 8th (which is six weeks ago) for a week and spent hours on public transport and at museums, theatre etc and there was hardly any masks at all.

@BluebellsGreenbells

Why not pop to your local school where there is no social distancing or mask wearing and limited hand washing and a few open windows?

Nothing has changed there for weeks.

I work in school but I will not be that person. Schools really don't have people packed in like a train carriage.

@BluebellsGreenbells

Why not pop to your local school where there is no social distancing or mask wearing and limited hand washing and a few open windows?

Nothing has changed there for weeks.

Or any warehouse, distribution centre, manufacturing plant, sorting office or supermarket (all of whom have worked throughout, right from the start)

I hardly ever wear a mask unless medical appointment or public transport .

If your worried wear a mask .

I've been wearing masks everywhere except work, as it's strongly discouraged at work. Guess where I caught covid? That's right -work! In a secondary classroom with several children who then tested positive later in the day. I have been double jabbed and I feel awful but I'm obviously still at the milder end of symptoms as I'm ok at home in bed taking as much medicine as I'm allowed.

I've noticed far fewer people wearing masks anywhere though. I wear one to go into any shop, I'm often the only person wearing one. I haven't ventured to any more exciting places really, because I don't want to pass it on to anyone more vulnerable than me.

I get the tube almost every day and would guess that mask wearing is at about 30-40%, though less late at night. Agree that hardly anyone wears a mask at the theatre any more, now that everyone has realised that (unlike the tube) it's not compulsory any more.

Despite all this the case rate is going right down where I am in SE England

@Imnothereforthedrama

I hardly ever wear a mask unless medical appointment or public transport . If your worried wear a mask .

2 points.

1. this was public transport
2. As I said, I'm not worried about me, but about what happens re restrictions if everyone (like me) carries on as if there's nothing to worry about.

I feel I'm in a parallel universe. I don't think (personally) that masks are much more than "theatre" in non-clinical environments. But I live in London and think most people ARE using them on public transport (compulsory anyway) and voluntarily in crowded spaces ... Not everywhere, but sensibly. When I look around anyway! And currently I'm in Scotland, where there seems to be even more compliance generally - but higher cases regardless.

It's like we are all seeing different things. Perhaps we are ...

@RunningStrong

Generally, through Covid, I've tried to be sensible but not obsessive.

I've kept my distance, washed my hands, followed all the regulations, but equally been keen to get back to "living" as restrictions have been lifted, whilst trying to still be sensible.

Until now I've found most places still quite quiet, most people still keeping their distance and wearing masks in confined spaces. E.g. I went to the theatre in London 4 weeks ago and practically everyone in the auditorium and on the train wore a mask.

This weekend, I did the same. The train into London (so masks not compulsory) was rammed with mostly football supporters. Packed in like sardines as in the old days and practically no one, football fan or otherwise was wearing a mask. Perhaps 3 in the whole carriage.

The same at the theatre (and likely a completely different demographic). This time I didn't see anyone at all wearing a face covering.

So, two entirely different groups happy to be in crowded conditions without a mask.

I'm not worried for my health. I've had my vaccination and I'll take my chances, but I am getting concerned about what happens in terms of restrictions, if numbers keep increasing and no one is taking any precautions at all.

And yes, I realise I am part of the problem.

Can I just ask was the train of football supporters mostly young men (20's-30's - with or without families)?

I took a London train this weekend and was also curious as to who wore masks and who didnt.

No, I'd say the football supporters were majority middle aged men. Not many kids. Some younger couples actually, rather than all male groups.

We went into London to the theatre last week, 1st time in 2 years, dh worked in London pre covid but has been wfh since covid. We have been reasonably cautious all along, I still wear a mask when I go shopping, it’s not a difficult thing to do and it if makes some difference or reassures people than that’s great, I realise I’m in a minority. Train into London, hardly any masks, tubes in London, hardly any masks, took covid passport for theatre, not checked, theatre hardly any masks. Actually I would say West End pretty much back to normal, I was surprised.