Why won’t so many Brits wear a mask

[IloveConkers]

I live in mainland Spain where I haven’t seen a single person without a mask in a supermarket since March 2020. I hear it’s the same in Germany and Italy. What is it about so many British people that makes them not do it when it’s clearly safer. I returned to the UK for a visit and found it horrifying. I was even looked at with disdain for wearing one! I just don’t get it!

I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing

[quote liltreasuretree]@Topseyt You do realise that you can be asymptomatic with covid?
Therefore if someone does have the virus and isn't wearing a mask then the likelihood of transmission to you is higher than it would be if they were wearing mask. That is why you should 'give a shit', especially if you have reduced lung capacity normally even without the virus.[/quote]
I do realise that. I still don't give a shit because I can't go around policing other people's lives. Nor would I want them to police mine.

Sometimes I will use my exemption if I am finding things difficult. How do I know which of them are exempt and why?

I refuse to live my life in a state of heightened anxiety even though for various reasons I have been identified as CEV. So no, I don't give a shit what others are doing. I won't lock myself away at home all the time either.

I don’t think Brits are necessarily (much) bolshier than other nationalities - - IMO it’s because there’s virtually zero enforcement. Unlike in some other countries, shops don’t insist and the police aren’t prowling around, ready to take tough issue with any refuser. Anyone who doesn’t feel like wearing one (who the hell does?) can say, if challenged, that they’re exempt, and there’s sod all anyone can say or do.

@mogsrus

I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing

That is not how it feels though when your lungs struggle. It may not actually affect your oxygen says, but it certainly feels like an additional obstruction.

You clearly have no issues, so good for you. Others do. You cannot necessarily see their issues so quit the laughter at exemption please.

@mogsrus

I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing

It's quite shocking to realise there are still such dim people around with such ridiculous views.

Why aren't we seeing people walk around with goggles on? If you want proper protection, please think about your eyes.

I feel desperately sorry for those genuinely exempt because the many people who are not wearing masks when they should are making life very difficult for them.

My cousin, who is a middle aged, private school educated TWAT Tory believes it's a way to control the masses and take away our civil liberties so he won't comply for that reason...
He's very upset his 3 year old hasn't been able to enjoy a birthday party......

Most people are wearing them again where I live. They stopped for a while when restrictions were lifted and we didn’t have to for a bit. But since the rules have most people seem to have dutifully put them back on.

@mogsrus

I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing

At least you’re owning your ableism I guess 🤷‍♀️

My daughter is exempt. She has Tourette’s.

She tried to wear a mask the other day but ended up stuffing it into her mouth and right down her throat until she choked. The time before that, she headed butted a set of metal railings until she knocked herself out.

Masks make her hit and scratch her face and head until she’s bruised and bleeding, head butt walls, hit herself with objects and cause huge tic attacks.

Nothing to do with being able to breathe

I wear a mask when I have to but I personally don't think wearing a piece of cloth over your mouth makes any difference to whether you catch/spread COVID or not.

There’s the problem, OP, neatly summarised by a PP.

Time to trot out, Asimov, who’d consider that post a sterling example of ‘the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'

"I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing"

People will continue to tell you what happens when someone tries to wear one but you still won't get it and I suspect will get off on distressing people.

@Cyrilgoggin

I feel desperately sorry for those genuinely exempt because the many people who are not wearing masks when they should are making life very difficult for them.

Don't feel sorry for them people with disabilities don't need pity, they need awareness, understanding. My 12 year old son has multiple complex issues he needs society in particular grown adults to understand that there is more than one definition of being vulnerable.

@mogsrus

I never fail to laugh at the word exemption, what are you exempted from.? It’s small piece of cloth that’s worn for about 20 mins in a shop or whatever, it’s not going to do you any harm

FYI @DontTellThemYourNamePike 👆this👆 is the type of person who is making life 'more difficult' for people who can't wear masks.

@mogsrus

I’m sorry, it’s just I fail to see what there is intolerable about a bit of cloth for 20 mins, it’s not going to stop you breathing

Then I suggest you open your mind and look around you and understand other peoples positions and difficulties. The majority of this thread is disgusting calling people selfish, thick. Ignorant etc for not wearing a mask. The irony

Mllke I completely agree that people with disabilities need greater understanding. I still feel sorry for those unable to wear masks. The selfish people who are just choosing not to wear them make life more difficult for them.

@Cyrilgoggin

I feel desperately sorry for those genuinely exempt because the many people who are not wearing masks when they should are making life very difficult for them.

It’s not those who are not wearing masks when they could who drove my daughter to a breakdown and agoraphobia earlier this year.

It’s the people who think it’s acceptable to call her a cunt, to tell her she shouldn’t leave the house if she can’t wear a mask, that she’s thick and selfish. The attitudes on this thread and the countless others over the last year and a half.

No one knows whether someone has a hidden disability

And this constant “well, in other counties there are no exemptions” - people post this like it’s a good thing

Are you actually advocating that people with disabilities, hidden or otherwise, be shut up inside their houses? Unable to work? Go to school? Use public transport? Shop? Attend medical appointments?

@InTheMiddle23

Why aren't we seeing people walk around with goggles on? If you want proper protection, please think about your eyes.

And ear defenders 🤣🤣

Alloalloallo I think I've expressed myself badly. Of course I think there should be exemptions. I find it disgusting the way people who are exempt are treated. I'm really cross at the people who are not exempt but don't wear masks as people who are genuinely exempt get lumped in with them as just being selfish people. It's a dreadful situation.

@mogsrus

I never fail to laugh at the word exemption, what are you exempted from.? It’s small piece of cloth that’s worn for about 20 mins in a shop or whatever, it’s not going to do you any harm

I'm guessing from wearing a face covering?

@Cyrilgoggin - sorry, the second part of my post was separate from my reply to your quote, I should have posted a second post so it didn’t get mixed together - that bit wasn’t directed at you

Because, even with all the mask wearing, here and in Spain and everywhere else, cases are still rising. It's a virus. It will keep mutating until it dies out. Wearing a mask makes no difference. What would make a difference is the Government encouraging everyone to boost their immune systems by eating properly and exercising, rather than pumping chemicals into everyone on a 6 monthly basis. Wear a mask if it makes you feel better but keep your nose out of everyone else's business.

Aye alright @BlaBlaSmthSmth keep yer hair on. I get that there's judgement towards people who don't wear masks. But why do you suppose that is? Could it be because a large proportion of those people CAN wear them, but choose not to? It's impossible to know who has a genuine reason when no proof of medical exemption is required.

In NI there has been no relaxation of the requirement to wear masks in shops etc. Compliance was extremely high at the beginning, but has waned significantly over the last few months. Are there thousands of people who suddenly can't wear masks, or is it mask fatigue? I know what I think and it's pathetic.

Putting to one side all the discussions about whether masks prevent the spread of infection and the reasons why people are exempt, I can’t help but agree that there are people who think the mask wearing rules do not apply to them.
I live in a small market town close to two big cities and everywhere I’ve been in the last few days there have been people not wearing masks on public transport and in shops. Even allowing for the fact that many of them could be genuinely exempt it would still leave a significant number who for whatever reason feel the rules don’t apply to them. Of these there would undoubtedly be some who if they were asked to put one on would, but there are others who if appearances are anything to go on would tell you where to go in no uncertain terms.
Call me naive if you want, but I do not believe that if masks had no proven worth we would be being told to wear them, and this being so even if members of the government can’t follow their own rules it seems a small price to pay for those of us who aren’t exempt to do so.
On a different note I was in Chester late afternoon yesterday and even at that time mingled in with all the shoppers there were groups of grown men and women obviously out for a good time, already worse for wear and with many hours of drinking time left in the pubs and clubs.. Whilst I don’t blame them for enjoying themselves whilst they can, I think that with Omicron spreading as rapidly as it is they were doing themselves and others no favours and contributing to the fact that we are fast heading towards more restrictions being placed upon us all.

How do so many people still think that mask wearing is pointless?

Here's just one recent report on the findings of mask wearing research: www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/17/wearing-masks-single-most-effective-way-to-tackle-covid-study-finds

It's only pointless where it's done incorrectly. What happened in England was that it ceased to be mandatory so pretty quickly fewer and fewer people stopped wearing masks in shops, etc. The govt should never have changed the rules on mask wearing.