I don't understand the mask rules

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

OK, I do understand the new mask rules - we now have to wear masks in shops and on public transport. But I don't understand the rationale for this.

I don't have an issue with wearing a mask, and I'm.aware that some areas of the UK have never stopped wearing masks in public. But in England it now seems that, if I pop into the Co-op for a pint of milk, I have to wear a mask, but if I'm in a cinema, theatre, nightclub, for several.hours then I don't.

For what it's worth, even when it was no longer mandatory I've continued to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. But I don't understand the logic for bringing it back in some spaces but not others.

Surely it should be mandatory in all indoor public spaces or what's the point?

Government won't need to wear them in the Commons, quite convenient for them

The number and frequency of people using supermarkets and public places are higher than those going to the cinema etc. They seem to be hitting those high numbers first.

Public transport not places

I do wear a mask but that's not to protect me, it's to protect others.

It just seems such a half-hearted measure, there's no point. I'm watching the news where they are saying they need time to analyse the variant and its transmission, and therefore need to take a precautionary approach.Which seems eminently sensible. So why not mandate mask wearing in indoor public spaces whilst the investigations are carried out?

@scaevola mask wearing won’t make any significant difference. Scotland and Wales kept their mask wearing rules since July when England dropped theirs, but they have had and still have worse COVID rates than England.

Ultimately there will be myriad peer-reviewed analyses of the various measures published in the future but not until after the emergency coronavirus legislation ends, which will hopefully be in March 2022.

Until then we have to put up with appeasement measures that will make no difference except in the minds of some of the population.

The action which really did make a difference was opening up in July. This has meant hundreds of thousands of new but mild COVID infections which have raised immunity not just to one spike protein from Oct 2020 as the vaccines do, but elicit multivalent antibodies to the many current circulating variants protecting us all to a greater degree. All those who have had COVID the vast majority mildly) since July are contributing to the end of the pandemic.

If they say all indoor places Boris will have to wear one

But I don't understand the logic for bringing it back in some spaces but not others
If you bring back mask wearing in 50% of spaces it cuts 50% of transmission. Of course it would be better to bring back mask wearing in 100% of spaces, but that would affect the economy too much. 50% is better than nothing.

Scotland's rates are not worse than England but are in fact lower and have been stable for a while

Vulnerable people don’t have much choice about going shopping or on public transport, so these rules make these spaces a little safer for them. Vulnerable people have mostly been avoiding pubs, clinics, cinemas, etc for almost two years now anyway.

Most scientists say masks do help reduce the spread but the degree to which they help will depend on what type of mask you choose. Thin bits of fabric obviously won’t do a lot, that’s why some countries set a standard type of mask that need to be worn.
If you choose an n95 or FFP2 masks they will protect you and others.
Even without this new variant, coming into winter with huge community spread like we have now, it makes sense to do all we can to reduce it.

@Cariah

But I don't understand the logic for bringing it back in some spaces but not others If you bring back mask wearing in 50% of spaces it cuts 50% of transmission. Of course it would be better to bring back mask wearing in 100% of spaces, but that would affect the economy too much. 50% is better than nothing.

Noooo. It depends where most transmission is happening. This is way too simplistic.

Indeed. These 'rules' are completely nonsensical. Unfortunately they are still too many people who are unable to use common sense and question what we are being told.

I just wear my buff in the winter, it covers my mouth so serves its purpose

We went to the theatre in London recently. An attachment to booking details requested we wore masks, so me and DD did, but I would say maybe only 10-20% were wearing masks.
I'm not thinking masks are going to stop covid btw- I know they only have a minor effect but I think after July a lot of people (and many on MN said they would) "binned, or burnt" their masks and were quite adamant about not wearing them again. I've always been quite cautious and actually bought some more in summer thinking we may well need them in the Autumn or winter. I've continued to wear in shops and on public transport anyway.

@Tubsen

I just wear my buff in the winter, it covers my mouth so serves its purpose

It serves no purpose. If it makes you feel clever getting round the rules, then well done you.

It's a face covering so no getting round the rules here, it was suggested to wear a scarf at the start

Wearing a mask in the supermarket and transport isn’t going to do much.
Hopefully this virus isn’t going to be bad but it seems to be very transmissible.
Take your own precautions, get the vaccine, keep yourself healthy with a good diet and vitamin d, if the virus is going to spread, it’s going to spread.
We can let it ‘drip’ to stop overburdening the nhs, but ultimately, it’s the only way out.

For now it makes no sense you’re right, I think IF the variant starts to show signs of becoming an issue then we will soon mandate them for all public spaces along with social distancing until the inevitable restrictions and lockdown are needed.

@EmmaGrundyForPM

I do wear a mask but that's not to protect me, it's to protect others.

It just seems such a half-hearted measure, there's no point. I'm watching the news where they are saying they need time to analyse the variant and its transmission, and therefore need to take a precautionary approach.Which seems eminently sensible. So why not mandate mask wearing in indoor public spaces whilst the investigations are carried out?

The economy. People have got to do essential shopping, there not being enough delivery services for everyone to stay out of Tesco, and in many cases public transport isn't a choice. So those sectors probably won't be much affected by bringing masks back. Non-essential shopping perhaps somewhat. But it would be devastating for things like clubs, bars and pubs. People just wouldn't go.

We don't actually have the legislation yet, so it's inevitably going to be confusing at the mo. Just have to hope the text of the rules is clear. Not always been the case during this pandemic!

@Howshouldibehave

As long as hundreds are still packed maskless inside schools, I would imagine things will continue to spread.

Very true unfortunately 😢

I'm a primary teacher...since September I've had 17 out of my class of 30 off with positive tests (not just them either...it's been entire families!) plus my TA and my 1:1 support. God only knows how I've not caught this virus...I've been full time in my class since it started! I had 22/30 in my 'key worker bubble' last year, so no teaching from home (apart from the 4 times our bubble closed due to positive cases!)

If we had still been closing due to positive cases this year, I wouldn't have done a full week in school yet! My first positive case was on the Friday of the first week back in September 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️😱

Goodnight grandma what a sensible post.

It’s just the PM making a token and ‘benign’ gesture to prepare and soften us for more crap that’s coming. I expect masks will be back for hospitality sometime next month.

I do what I can to balance the risk and convenience. So far, luckily, everyone in my extended family is healthy and covid-free.

I do online shopping most of the time, and always wear a mask indoor and in the crowd (eg. School pick up). Sometimes I was the only one or one of the few wearing mask, but I knew I made informed decision. Always carry a hand sanitizer and use frequently. We take vitamins and probiotics daily to strengthen immune system. I do not go to crowded place unless essential. In addition to news, I also read academic papers to know about the facts and take actions accordingly.

To be fair, we managed to have a long and relaxing holiday overseas this summer, got recharged, which helps us to be more tolerant of the winter

@GoodnightGrandma

But nothing is stopping you wearing a mask in those places, or just not going to them to avoid the risk. You don’t have to wait to be told, you can make a decision which is in your own best interests.

Masks prevent you spreading it to others rather than preventing you catching it.

Look at Europe , mask mandates and vaccine passports and their numbers aren’t good. As many have pointed out supermarkets have the largest volume of people , how many supermarket workers have died ? How many shop closed due to illness

They were working when covid was at its peak with no masks and are often without masks in the stores today because it’s optional