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!

It's such an easy precaution to take I don't understand the objections to it.

It is easy for you. But not everybody is you.

It is easy for me to not drive and not own a car, but I don’t trot about going “oh it’s so EASY and it makes such a huge difference to air pollution and rates of ill health caused by sedentary lifestyles, I cannot imagine why anyone ever drives anywhere!”

@Anonymous48

I also live in a different country and I don't understand this attitude either. Just because it wasn't a legal requirement people stopped wearing them? How about you wear a mask because it protects people around you? And of course there is much evidence that they do help prevent the spread of the virus, so just because PP "think" they don't do anything doesn't make it the case.

What's all this with people being exempt too? That isn't even a thing where I live. If there's somewhere that masks are required you don't have a choice.

I'm also shocked that kids don't wear masks. They were required for all school children where I live until very recently (where our case numbers have gone way down) and for places that require masks it's for everyone aged 2 and older. They seem to manage just fine here!

This is exactly how it is where I am. I keep reading on social media how “friends” are exempt due to panic attacks etc…

There are no exemptions in the country where we live..you just have to get on with it. No one loves wearing a mask but it is what it is and you get used to it. It’s especially bad on days like today when it’s 37 degrees 😩.
My now 7 year old (was 5 at the beginning of this) wears her mask with no problem during school/out and about etc…

@CovidCurious

Is it safer? I wear a mask where legally required and in places where they are not legally required if asked to wear one, because if my wearing a mask makes someone feel more comfortable I don't particularly mind. But I've not seen any data that makes me think wearing a mask is clearly safer than not.

This, in a nutshell.

flashria 19:22
I wonder if you'll be expecting your surgeon and supporting medical staff to be wearing an " unpleasant, suffocating, dehumanising and dystopian" contraption if you have a medical procedure and don't wish to get a wound infection.

It's just 3ply fabric, if you can breathe under your duvet at night I'm sure you might be able to manage to breathe through a mask without suffocating!

I wear a mask constantly for over 45hrs a week for work and I'm still alive.....

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.

A pity these Spanish medics weren't wearing their masks op;

Nearly 70 Spanish medics Covid positive after Christmas party.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59561876

And what on earth happened here??

German Doctor Who Boasted Of Giving 20,000 Homemade Covid Vaccines Under Investigation.

www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/11/30/german-doctor-who-boasted-of-giving-20000-homemade-covid-vaccines-under-investigation/

@flashria

"They are unpleasant, suffocating, dehumanising and dystopian". Give me a break! They are none of those things.

But they are! How can you say they aren't? They are unpleasant because they make your face all wet and hot, and suffocating because you can't get a proper breath, dehumanising because we make relationships, connections and perceptions of others from our facial expressions, and dystopian because in our society (and almost all societies) we have had the custom of showing our faces to each other openly. Surely all of that is just fact?

That is definitely not all fact. I think you need a different mask! I have never had a mask make my face all wet and hot, and of course you can get a proper breath! A mask doesn't cover your whole face. Facial expressions still come through, especially through the eyes. And as for the dystopian argument, you really lost me there. We are going through a temporary period in our history where, in order to protect each other, it is wise to wear a face mask.

@Silverswirl

Because they are fucking horrible to breathe through and actually unless you wear the right ones do little. Also covid is a mild virus or cold for the vast majority HTH

Not this again! it’s not been an mild virus in our family including family in the USA who were sold this lie but actually died a horrible death.

In general we've been pretty loose about adherence to medical guidance re covid as a country, masks being one element of that. But I really don't know why.

It's a similar case with respect to vaccine hesitancy in England compared to countries with a higher take up rate.

Because exempted is self declared on any grounds here

There are no exemptions in the country where we live..you just have to get on with it. No one loves wearing a mask but it is what it is and you get used to it. It’s especially bad on days like today when it’s 37 degrees 😩.
My now 7 year old (was 5 at the beginning of this) wears her mask with no problem during school/out and about etc…

There are no exemptions where I live either abd you either wear a mask or stay at home.

Even young children wear them and it’s the norm to see them coming out of school all masked up.

I felt very vulnerable when in the UK recently but a big part of that was the population there compared to the very quiet country where I live. It was blooming scary. Masses and Masses of people. I’d never seen so much potential Covid around me.

much science/evidence shows it beneficial
And at least an equal amount shows there are no benefits (other than psychological)🤷‍♀️

I’m triple jabbed, and still wear mine every day. I have to wear one at work, and also obviously I wear in shops, trains, etc.

I’m in Scotland, where mask wearing was never removed.
However, I’m constantly infuriated at the people who wear it under their nose. Like a willy hanging over your trousers…. 😡

I've not worn one since June or whatever. I'm not playing Rona anymore

however, I’m constantly infuriated at the people who wear it under their nose. Like a willy hanging over your trousers

Or even under the mouth. I find incorrect mask wearing a lot more annoying in some ways

Arrogance. Disdain for education and professional occupations that used to earn people respect and a good standing in society. The incorrect assumption that looking at videos on Youtube is 'research' and makes their opinion as valid as people who have studied virology for years.

This is nothing compared to the people who ignore self isolation rules and even worse those who have follow the “you can’t test positive if you don’t get tested”

Loads of people in that category.

Because we are all selfish.

Oh and stupid and racist.
er ... violent and zenophobic. Those as well.

When is everyone going to get the memo?

Can't there be some sort of official announcement? Then we can stop with these wide eyed and wondering threads about The English British.

OP, you are in an echo chamber. It’s only the enlightened, progressive types that frequent this forum, so you’ll get everyone agreeing with you about how thick, inward looking, science denying Brits are. Otherwise known as ‘mask zealots’.
While most people just go about their business not wearing one whenever they are not required to.

@Laiste

Because we are all selfish.

Oh and stupid and racist.
er ... violent and zenophobic. Those as well.

When is everyone going to get the memo?

Can't there be some sort of official announcement? Then we can stop with these wide eyed and wondering threads about The English British.

Exactly

BJ voters. They love him being all cheeky chappy and rule breaking because they like to feel he and they are a better class of unhygienic scruffs, therefore bacteria and virus' know better and steer clear.

Basically arrogant entitled twats that think they are better than.

They were probably looking with disdain at the horrified expression you were pulling at them. Not at you not wearing a mask.

I think they just like to have something to complain about, or they think the rules don't apply to them. It is embarrassing, the number of adults here who spit the dummy about wearing a mask.

Ah because we brits are all about our individual rights, and freedom, we can do and say what we like, we know better!

Those scientists and highly educated people know nothing.

Obviously I say this in jest. I am triple vaxxed and wear my mask since they were introduced. I wear them at work on 12hr shifts, they really aren’t a big deal

Is this the horrified face you were pulling at people?

@Laiste

Because we are all selfish.

Oh and stupid and racist.
er ... violent and zenophobic. Those as well.

When is everyone going to get the memo?

Can't there be some sort of official announcement? Then we can stop with these wide eyed and wondering threads about The English British.

We are also arrogant BoJo lovers don't forget that.

Horrid English that we are.