Would you comment on a non-mask wearer when in public?

[92miles]

If you passed a fit young person coming into a busy venue as you were exiting, and that person wasn't wearing a mask, would you say anything to them?

I wouldn't because you've got no way of knowing if that person is exempt. It is also possible the person does have a mask and had simply forgotten to slip it on. I think they will pretty soon notice others wearing masks and it will remind them if that's the case.

I've witnessed other people making comments to non mask wearers when in public though.

Analogies like that are always terrible. Easy to pick holes in so people are never able to really get their point across properly and it descends into arguing over the analogy itself rather than making any headway in terms of improving understanding.

@XenoBitch

They don’t need any as there is no requirement to provide proof for face mask exemption. The analogy was good as you would expect the four year olds to wear seatbelts unless they was exempted from doing so, much like people wearing face masks unless exempted.

Think the number of people with genuine exemptions is pretty small.
What is far, far worse are those who jump on the exemption bandwagon, piss all over mask wearers, and make things worse for those who are genuinely exempt.
And - walking round the supermarket - you can tell as they have a sneery ‘I don’t care’ attitude, have absolutely no concept of social distancing, think they own the aisle and reach over me to get to the carrots.

It doesn’t really matter what the proportion is - the OP’s question is whether you would challenge. The guidance always was that members of the public should not challenge those not wearing masks, has that changed? I would not challenge - apart from anything else I am not sure I always notice who is and isn’t wearing a mask in places like the supermarket (though I notice those who get in my personal space and I’m sure many of them are wearing masks too!) - but also I don’t believe I have any innate ability to tell who is exempt and who isn’t so I’m not going to take it upon myself to challenge. It’s one case where I think the guidance is correct.

My friend is except and once when going to the supermarket with her ( I was wearing my mask ) a very big intimidating man walked right up to her and shouted in her face
YOU ARE PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK!

My 4ft 11inch friend replied
Yeah well your putting your self at risk, approaching people you know nothing about.
He sneered back.
Well I'm wearing my mask !
My friend replied... no your at risk from a smack in the mouth !
He left quickly and I did the rest of my shopping trying to fight a panic attack.
It was awful and definitely put her in fight or fight mode.
Imagine if that was some one with severe anxiety, they would probably be terrified to leave the house again.
She has many health conditions and said she just lost it, fed up of strangers judging her and expecting to know her medical history.

"and make things worse for those who are genuinely exempt."

Those that harass people who are exempt are the ones that make things worse.

No I wouldn’t challenge. And I’ve never seen anyone challenge - people are doing their bit, and minding their own business.

I definitely observe though.

No. Today after 18 months of mask wearing j became a non mask wearer.
In a busy shopping centre.
I’ve abided by every rule, had all my jabs and covid within the last 2 months.
But wearing a mask for extended hours whilst walking around and caring for and trying to talk to 3 kids who can’t hear me properly gives me a migraine. Literally a migraine. I can’t breathe and my kids can’t hear my instructions.
Just not doing it now for long periods (was around 5 hours today)
If that makes me selfish or whatever, then yes I’m selfish but I can tell you around 1/3 of people at that shop it centre were either exempt or selfish too

@Underhisi

"and make things worse for those who are genuinely exempt."

Those that harass people who are exempt are the ones that make things worse.

Yep. Nobody is making anyone harass unmasked people. If people are going to take it on themselves to behave that way, own it.

@Underhisi

"and make things worse for those who are genuinely exempt."

Those that harass people who are exempt are the ones that make things worse.

I've been trying to write a long post that basically says the above. There's a staggering lack of understanding and compassion on here, often from those who are claiming that others are 'selfish'

A couple behind me in the supermarket this morning were sniggering at those wearing masks - referring to them as sheeple and deliberating getting close to others. My friend works in ICU she challenged them - they lost a 28 year old and a 38 year old yesterday on the ward. She couldn’t give a flying xxxx what anyone thinks - she speaks up because it’s necessary otherwise you are as bad as them.

Btw a ffp3/2 mask is easier to wear than a surgical mask and protects you extremely well as well as others.

If you get up close to me in a shop without a mask and are leaning over others not keeping distance and you are laughing at others then you are very very unlikely to be exempt.