Mask wearing where you live?

[julieca]

Went to the supermarket today which was busy and only a few people were wearing masks. Nearly everyone was not. I have noticed over the last few months the amount of mask-wearing going down, and now very few people wear masks outside of the GPs surgery 9where they are still compulsory).
So are people wearing masks where you live, or have they mainly given up?

Other countries have protests against various Covid restrictions so I don’t think we’re that much of a difference.

The idea that you can't be happy and wear a mask, that if you wear one you are terrified of something, that people not wearing a mask are more fun.

I wear a mask because I’m not vaccinated, not because I’m scared of the virus, but to be respectful to others being as all the data shows that if I have it, there’s more chance of me passing it to others.
I find it odd that so many people who have had the vaccine are very against wearing masks.

@NoisyBrain

Just out of interest, why has Germany had such a surge in cases recently? I mean, if there’s 100% compliance with mask wearing and vaccination rates are good. Genuinely interested to know the cause being reported by German govt/media, not being goady.

Germany's vaccination rates are only similar to ours, and I understand they've recently removed masks etc in some places, including some schools.

Portugal has very high vaccination levels, Spain also good.

UK has not budged much recently, stuck in the high-60s.

[quote Timescale]@OnceUponAWhine would you rather the pp coughed on you without a mask?? I wouldn’t.[/quote]
No, I’d rather no virtue signalling whilst they still have a covid cough. I’d rather sit with someone with no mask and no cough, thanks. Not sure the PP is in any position to judge others without a mask when they are out and about with a confirmed covid cough. Also proves what a load of nonsense bull the vaccine passports are- which we have here in Scotland- vaccinated but with cough, come on in. Unvaccinated but no cough, not welcome. Ridiculous.

Covid coughs can go on for months. I still have one six weeks after being infected. Do you really think I should stay at home all that time?

@Mynameismargot

I find the attitude towards masks from what I presume are English people given people are still wearing masks in other parts of the UK so interesting. The idea that you can't be happy and wear a mask, that if you wear one you are terrified of something, that people not wearing a mask are more fun.

It's really fascinating. We all wear masks indoors here(and on the street too lots of times) and still manage to joke and laugh, still manage to smile and be pleasant be to each other. There is something going on in the psyche of the English public that doesn't seem to be there in most other European countries. I wonder if it is connected to the high rates of ill health in the England vs other European countries that made people not be able to wear masks there? There is something causing really negative connotions towards mask wearing which just isn't where I live at all. We all seem able to wear masks and live life too but the two of those things just don't seem to something a lot of the English public can manage to do in tandem.

I think you’re reading a few posts and extrapolating to an entire nation. I live in England but grew up in another country. I have lots of friends and relatives there and there is a spectrum of opinion about the various covid restrictions and mitigations, just as I see in England. England isn’t so unusual as all that

@Againstmachine

It's amazing how many on here like there being no exemptions in other countries, like that is something to aspire to, it isn't it's foul and disgusting the anti disability sentiment.

I'd argue that the multitude of self-identifying as exempt that went on when masks were mandatory in the UK is far more disablist. Pretending to have a disability is abhorrent and far more disgusting than having a certified exemption.

@Mynameismargot yes I agree. Sadly mask-wearing has become highly politicised in England and thus some people imbue wearing masks with a whole load of meanings that other countries have not.

@julieca

Covid coughs can go on for months. I still have one six weeks after being infected. Do you really think I should stay at home all that time?

Do you really think others should have to stay at home if they don’t want to wear a mask, in order for you to go about your business as normal? Why are we still having the conversation about masks? Let people choose how they manage their risk, just as you can with your cough. I actually do not care if you wear a mask or not, with or without a cough, but I do care that others are being judged on threads like this by people who believe they are saving everyone else by wearing a mask. You’re really not.

I think you’re reading a few posts and extrapolating to an entire nation. I live in England but grew up in another country. I have lots of friends and relatives there and there is a spectrum of opinion about the various covid restrictions and mitigations, just as I see in England. England isn’t so unusual as all that

Yes I agree. There are obviously flare ups in other countries around issues and England has been quite compliant generally. But for some reason it’s seen as particularly bad

I'd argue that the multitude of self-identifying as exempt that went on when masks were mandatory in the UK is far more disablist. Pretending to have a disability is abhorrent and far more disgusting than having a certified exemption.

No it isn't no exemptions is much worse you are excluding disabled people out of society.

Having a few poeple claiming they are is neither here nor there, and isn't excluding the disabled from society at all and is Not worse at all.

“I'd argue that the multitude of self-identifying as exempt that went on when masks were mandatory in the UK is far more disablist. Pretending to have a disability is abhorrent and far more disgusting than having a certified exemption.”

What multitude was pretending to have a disability? Is there an estimated number?

Few countries would see lots of mask wearing without mandates. There are good arguments for continuing to have mandates, but it’s not that people in England are especially selfish or irresponsible. Remove mandates in most countries and most people would stop wearing them.

Germany has lifted some restrictions lately, medical masks can be used instead of FFP2 since the 1st of November - at least in my state - and schools and indoor events have also relaxed requirements a bit.

Just in my city there have been some large scale festivals and conferences happening in the past 2/3 weeks, other states trialled full theatres and concert halls with no mask wearing.

I also think it’s to do with testing. On the 11th of October free asymptomatic testing (by qualified professionals) was stopped and no one I know has taken a test since. You can still get boxes of home LFTs quite cheaply, but no one bothers anymore. Before it was encouraged, and even compulsory at some workplaces, to be tested regularly, so many asymptomatic cases were picked up that way.

I wonder how many cases were missed by the reduced testing in the last month, people who inadvertently went about their normal life and contributed to the spread?

Plus there was a big drop in temperatures nationally at the beginning of November. I have no idea if that had anything to do with it but you keep hearing that it gets worse in winter so who knows.

Forgot to add, free asymptomatic testing has been re-introduced as of this weekend and everyone is encouraged to get a free test at least once a week. It was only schools and healthcare setting that were receiving them for free this past month, so let’s see if this helps bring the numbers down.

@RichTeaRichTea

“I'd argue that the multitude of self-identifying as exempt that went on when masks were mandatory in the UK is far more disablist. Pretending to have a disability is abhorrent and far more disgusting than having a certified exemption.”

What multitude was pretending to have a disability? Is there an estimated number?

Yes, how many and how do you know? I actually think it's odd to frame it as pretending to have a disability. Many people with a disability can easily wear a mask, while some who would not normally consider themselves to have a disability struggle significantly for mental health or trauma related reasons.

I live in SW London and commute to the centre by train and tube.

I’ve noticed a big increase in mask wearing over the last week or so in all places - I was out shopping yesterday and mask wearing must have been around the 70% mark; a month ago it was no more than a third. Same across most shops, better compliance pin the tube, etc.

Canary Wharf workers mostly still think they’re bulletproof while on the Isle of Dogs though.

I went to a university open day last week and could count on one hand the number of face masks I saw (including staff and on a nursing course as well) which I was quite shocked by as there were obviously lots of people from all over the country talking and sitting close together . I felt a bit weird wearing one myself but as I wear one all day at work i automatically put one on when I go anywhere indoors that's a public place .

Today 18:44 julieca

@Mynameismargot yes I agree. Sadly mask-wearing has become highly politicised in England and thus some people imbue wearing masks with a whole load of meanings that other countries have not.“

Doubt it. People are people and will behave accordingly, certainly Europe-wide.
Japan, Singapore and China not so: people have been wearing masks there for decades out of courtesy,

@bumblefeline

Sorry if it has already been said have not RTFT. But that's precisely why the family should wear masks because they are around it all day so that if they are in the early days of having it they don't pass it to others who aren't around it all the time. Same with you with your cold, whereas you wearing a mask hasn't stopped you getting a cold hopefully you wearing a mask will stop others getting your cold.

I guess I'm saying thanks for wearing a mask and there is a definite benefit for people wearing masks, slightly for themselves but mostly for others. Who wouldn't want to wear a mask in a shop for around an hour if there is a chance (however slight) that doing so could save someone else from serious illness or death. We've got to have each others backs :))

Really @ParkheadParadise Ive bought loads.

@Nidan2Sandan Same here Elderly wearing them mostly. I also wear a mask if im going into a medical setting but thats it.

twitter.com/RWTaylors/status/1459921821311160330?s=20

Drakeford doing the hypocrisy dance whilst telling everyone else to avoid indoor crowds and wear a mask.

Again, I'm in Scotland where the majority wear them.
Even if the figures showed it didn't make a huge difference, I like the "courteous" element.
"I'd rather not risk your or my life" regardless of efficacy.

The figures in Scotland are no better than in England despite the requirements to wear masks in England being dropped 4 months ago 🤷‍♀️
Out I about in a couple of bars in Glasgow west end last night
You are supposed to wear masks to go to bar/toilet,very few were