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Original poster

Why are we still wearing masks?

273 replies

Couldntrememberthewordbasket · 13/01/2022 23:16

I’m not in the U.K.

Where I am, we still have to wear masks in the supermarket/petrol stations etc..we’ve never not had to,
The U.K. don’t, right?
Why are we still having to do this? I can’t see it ending, will be so very odd going shopping without masks

OP posts:
Lockdownbear · 14/01/2022 08:02

Though they do probably serve as a reminder to social distance, so there may be some benefit there.

Actually research suggests they provide a false sense of security and encouraging people to stand closer.

If masks made a difference Scotlands covid rates should be much lower than England's but it's not so why are we wearing masks?

SunshinePiggy · 14/01/2022 08:02

@lockdownbear I didn't think children were required to wear masks in the UK? Different ages in different parts, I thought, but generally not under 12? I'm not sure, I can't keep up with it, but I had the impression that in England at least children were not wearing masks so I'm not sure why there is a concern about the effects on children in particular. I might be wrong though, I'm sure I read a thread that said 5 and up had to wear them in Scotland at one point.

I'm in SE Asia and as @tealightsandd said, for us mask wearing is much more normalized. I'd never worn one before covid but lots of people (including foreigners and children) did when air pollution was bad (a few months a year) and also when unwell. Children here have been required to wear masks throughout the pandemic from age 2. I always finds the threads about children interesting because of course it is more challenging to expect small ones to wear something they are unused to, but if everyone around them is doing it then (mostly) they just get on with it. Obviously some find it more difficult but my youngest has been wanting to wear one since before she was 18 months old. She can keep it one for quite a while without difficulty.

I haven't read all the research (on either side) because, for us, it is what it is. I can't change it so I won't expend energy on worrying about the possible detrimental effects or weighing them up against the benefits. I imagine we will be mandated to wear masks in many settings for years to come, and social expectations will continue even when the restrictions relax. I don't love it but I'm fine with it. It makes my job more difficult but people here are much more community-minded (and much more likely to toe the line when instructed, which obviously has both pros and cons!)

3scape · 14/01/2022 08:03

Masks and social distancing would be great takeaways from this. But still as most people don't wash their hands they seem largely wasted.

Lockdownbear · 14/01/2022 08:04

@Peas252

You only have to wear masks if you want to in the UK.
The UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales.

Scotland and Wales still have compulsory masks. Not sure about NI.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2022 08:05

Scotland and Wales still have compulsory masks.

Unless you say you're exempt. Or do you have to prove an exemption there?

MarshmallowFondant · 14/01/2022 08:05

Scotland never stopped wearing masks, we've had to wear them in shops and public spaces since July 2020. Secondary aged pupils (11.5 plus) have had to wear them in school since they went back in August 2020.

Personally I think that at this stage with so many vaccinated and boosted they are pretty pointless. But they are a very visible symbol and Nicola Sturgeon is not going to drop them any time soon.

BurntToastAgain · 14/01/2022 08:07

@3scape

Masks and social distancing would be great takeaways from this. But still as most people don't wash their hands they seem largely wasted.
No they wouldn’t. Social distancing has been harmful in so many ways. And mask wearing isn’t great either in a culture where we value seeing each others’ faces.

Necessary evils rather than great positives to hold on to.

Peas252 · 14/01/2022 08:07

@Lockdownbear

Thanks for the geography lesson Biscuit

I think you'll find that most places in the "UK", masks are seen as optional.

MarshmallowFondant · 14/01/2022 08:07

@Tealightsandd

Don't worry OP. It's understandable you were confused. The government has hardly been very clear about things and they did, against scientific advice and common sense, get rid of masks for a few months (in England. The devolved nations were more sensible).
I saw something online that since March 2020 there have been over 200 changes in the rules. Not just about masks but all the other stuff too. And I think that's just in England.

EVERYONE'S confused.

Lockdownbear · 14/01/2022 08:09

Scotland had masks from age 5 and up. But not in the primary schools. They stopped little kids having to wear them in summer.
Secondary children from age 11 have been masked up all day in school including at their desks not just in corridors.
Adults in offices remove masks at their desks. Not kids

londonrach · 14/01/2022 08:11

England stopped for a couple of months in the summer but back to wearing them for several months now.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 14/01/2022 08:12

In England "face coverings are now required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport"

"In indoor settings where a face covering is not legally required, you should still continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet."

"Some people, including children under 11, are exempt from having to wear face coverings in any setting. Furthermore, anyone with a health condition or disability, which means they cannot wear a face covering, has a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering."

All of the above is from gov.uk. Masks were not mandatory from August to December circa, however many people still continued to wear them. We have been in Scotland a few times during the pandemic and it was only on our last visit in October that there was a significant difference in policies.

Sparklingbrook · 14/01/2022 08:12

One thing I'm not confused about is mask wearing. It was mandatory unless exempt, then it wasn't when cases dropped then it was again when they were on the rise. That's it.
It's not a big deal, where I live the majority are just wearing their masks and getting on with it.

DontBlameMe79 · 14/01/2022 08:13

@Lockdownbear

Scotland had masks from age 5 and up. But not in the primary schools. They stopped little kids having to wear them in summer. Secondary children from age 11 have been masked up all day in school including at their desks not just in corridors. Adults in offices remove masks at their desks. Not kids
How does Sturgeon get away with having secondary school kids in masks all day with the high vaccine levels? How she maintains community support is beyond me. Maybe because they can’t vote yet?
Lockdownbear · 14/01/2022 08:13

I think you'll find that most places in the "UK", masks are seen as optional.

Certainly not in Scotland - hence my rant and frustration at the lack of open conversation about risks of masks and not just the "keep you safe" approach.
So many little ones are struggling with speech and language but nursery staff are masked up.

justasking111 · 14/01/2022 08:15

It's an inconvenient truth that Wales had the highest rates in Europe right through the summer when we continued to wear masks. Scotland and NI has higher figures than England .

So tell me how masks work??

maddening · 14/01/2022 08:16

Wales didn't wear them at one point, during the eat out to help out I was in Wales and at that point they did not wear masks in shops etc. I looked like a jumper in my mask 🤣 my Welsh friend noted that it made it easy to spot the incomers 🤣

GoodnightGrandma · 14/01/2022 08:19

I’ve worn my mask right through.

MarshmallowFondant · 14/01/2022 08:22

How does Sturgeon get away with having secondary school kids in masks all day with the high vaccine levels? How she maintains community support is beyond me. Maybe because they can’t vote yet?

Because her marketing strategy, her USP, is being Not Boris. She cares more than Boris, she has the interests of the Scottish population at heart, she makes statements like "with a heavy heart" kidding on she really doesn't want to be making us wearing masks or distancing from granny, but really she's rubbing her hands together in glee at being Not Boris.

Because being Not Boris is strengthening her campaign for independence, which is all that matters to her. People thinking she really cares so much more and "could cry" about cancelling nativity plays or school exams (again) are deluded. It's all about independence. Although to be fair, at the moment Boris is doing a great deal of the work for her.

DynamiteFilledRadish · 14/01/2022 08:22

@justasking111

It's an inconvenient truth that Wales had the highest rates in Europe right through the summer when we continued to wear masks. Scotland and NI has higher figures than England .

So tell me how masks work??

I'd like to hear the answer to this too.
SoupDragon · 14/01/2022 08:26

Until exemptions have to be proved, masks are basically optional. If you don't want to wear one, just claim an exemption, apparently no one can question this.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 14/01/2022 08:27

i have always worn a mask in the shops and felt so guilty when i forgot the other day

Lalliella · 14/01/2022 08:33

@Lillyhatesjaz

I think we temporarily stopped because Boris couldn't get enough tory votes to continue restrictions and it is embarrassing for him to have to rely on the Labour Party to get legislation through.
^^ yep this. It’s much more important for Boris Johnson to be popular and successful politically than for thousands of lives to be saved. That’s completely reasonable and the way a country should be run. Sorry if your country is inferior to ours OP.
Lalliella · 14/01/2022 08:34

@maddening

Wales didn't wear them at one point, during the eat out to help out I was in Wales and at that point they did not wear masks in shops etc. I looked like a jumper in my mask 🤣 my Welsh friend noted that it made it easy to spot the incomers 🤣
A jumper? What sort of insult is this @maddening? Grin
Lockdownbear · 14/01/2022 08:35

How does Sturgeon get away with having secondary school kids in masks all day with the high vaccine levels? How she maintains community support is beyond me. Maybe because they can’t vote yet?

Gawd only knows but I suspect lack of a strong opposition is half the problem. Same as at WM we need a strong opposition.

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