Why are we still wearing masks?

[Couldntrememberthewordbasket]

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

@SoupDragon

I don't find them dehumanising in the slightest. I still feel like a human wearing one, I don't think anyone wearing one looks less like a human.

It's just a phrase trotted out by the "filthy rag" brigade.

Maybe if you were hard of hearing and relied heavily on lip reading to go about your daily life then you would appreciate how dehumanising it feels when every normal interaction is more difficult than it needs to be.

@Angel2702 - my post is logical but you are of course free to draw your own conclusions. Out of politeness I do cover my mouth in those circumstances which you mention to divert my exhalations away from those closest to me.

Yes, the lack of critical thinking of some over the past couple of years has been astounding.

IMO, those who say others lack critical thinking is actually the ones lacks them. It's so cliché, feel embarrassing to read.

Kids above 12 wear them all day at school, day in day out. Plus teachers before I get shouted out.
Yet adults take them off at work. They don’t have to wear them to pubs or nightclubs or restaurant. So once again we are placing restrictions on children for the sake of the older generation.

For what it’s worth my boys wear them all day without complaining. DS2 even walks home in one as he forgets to take it off. So not coming at this from a personal stance, just the hypocrisy..

And the articles about breathing in chemical particles all day do worry me.

I too would like to know why during the time that England didn't have a mask mandate last summer and Scotland and Wales did that the rates were lower in England. Surely you would have expected to see the opposite if masks were that effective?

One general trend is many people think the mask offers better protection than it does and don't practice social distancing as much. The enforced social distancing with limited numbers in shops came to an end when masks were first mandated. Could it be that social distancing plays a bigger role in stopping transmission than masks do?

Obviously social distancing AND masks offer the best protection but with the false sense of security that masks give many people, people then got closer to each other and wiped out any minor benefit of the masks?

Lickings in the shade. I get a sore throat doing supermarket run.ead before that the mouth was the most germ laden part of the human body, put a dogs

That went wrong sorry

England stopped, wales and Scotland do don’t. No difference in rates between the countries but masks are really the number one way to stop transmission!

There is no arguing with it, it’s become a religion and any attempt to say but they evidence doesn’t bsck that up is needed with scorn. Given most mask mandates are to look good I assume they will stay fir ever in those countries that have skewsdy had them for two years. I cannot see a time most European countries will ever stop

It's the new virgin ring imported from the USA, who wears the worst hair shirt

We (UK) did have daily deaths below 40 for months. In May 2021 daily deaths were really low.
From April 10th 2021 daily deaths did not rise above 40 until the 13th of July (the beginnings of the Delta effect).

If i remember mask wearing then was widespread during those months? And of course we also had a good vaccine roll out

Was mainly a reply to tealights post

I cannot see a time most European countries will ever stop

They will when they consider the negatives-

Hard of hearing struggling with lip reading in every day places like shops.

Young children struggling with speech because they no longer see months move.

Crimes being committed and masks making it harder for witnesses.

Autistic people who struggle enough with reading facial expressions.

The long term risks of particals and chemicals on the lungs.
Just a reminder at one point people thought asbestos was great. They don't think that any more.

Mask wearing has made me realise my hearing is not as good as I thought as I clearly benefit by being able to see mouths.

Anyway, I don’t much like it, don’t really believe that it helps much if at all. I look forward to it becoming a personal choice once more.

In lighthearted news-

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10400153/Wearing-facemask-makes-attractive-opposite-sex-study-finds.html

@rainrainraincamedowndowndown

Yes, the lack of critical thinking of some over the past couple of years has been astounding.

IMO, those who say others lack critical thinking is actually the ones lacks them. It's so cliché, feel embarrassing to read.

It's a valid argument. I doubt the vast majority of people would be aware peer-review papers let alone how to access them, or question who in the media benefits from the fear-mongering headlines they create, and how. Just two examples.

@SoupDragon and we are all looking at you with your silly flappy bit of wet cloth in front of your snoz, thinking exactly the same thing about you

@Tealightsandd

Masks (particularly N95/FFP2 and FFP3) work well at reducing transmission.

Indeed. In laboratory conditions, if they are worn and maintained properly, every time, by everyone. Unfortunately, they are not.

I cannot see a time most European countries will ever stop

Really? I definitely can. As soon as the Government stops enforcing it, I bet many people will be relieved not to have to wear them.

*They will when they consider the negatives-

Hard of hearing struggling with lip reading in every day places like shops.

Young children struggling with speech because they no longer see months move.

Crimes being committed and masks making it harder for witnesses.

Autistic people who struggle enough with reading facial expressions.

The long term risks of particals and chemicals on the lungs.*

I'd also add the need for the immune system to be exposed to germs - this is especially important for children!

Completely agree that your immune system needs to be exposed to colds/ viruses, this is how you build immunity.

I have never stopped because a) it protects others from me b) it probably protects me from others and c) it takes years off me without the expense of cosmetic surgery.

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.

Masks are compulsory In many settings in England!

Young children struggling with speech because they no longer see months move.

@Lockdownbear

What an odd thing to say. Do you only talk to your children at school and in shops? Do you wear a mask at home?

@Lockdownbear

The long term risks of particals and chemicals on the lungs.
Just a reminder at one point people thought asbestos was great. They don't think that any more.

Are you comparing masks to ... asbestos?