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Original poster

Who is planning to ditch masks as soon as we are legally allowed?

999 replies

polar81 · 17/01/2022 09:25

Is anyone else planning to ditch the masks asap? The only reason I wear one atm is because of the legal mandate and it will go as soon as that's dropped.

If you are staunchly pro-mask then this is probably not the thread for you! I know all the arguments on both side and they have been fully rehearsed on this board for the last 2 years. I am simply interested to gauge how many people also want to ditch masks asap, when the law allows.

It would be fab if we could have a thread on this topic that didn't include the words- selfish, it's no hardship, why wouldn't you?, we're in a pandemic ffs, I wear my mask to protect others etc.... that's lovely, and we already know!

OP posts:
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GirlInACountrySong · 20/01/2022 08:50

Seems it's moved dates and it's no masks from today!

Significant drop in mask wearers in our store today so far. Most early customers are stocking up for a days trade and I have hardly seen a mask at all!

TheMerrickBoy · 20/01/2022 09:04

We;ve known about covid for 2 years, even if not as much as we know now. Agreed it hasn't been 2 years of restrictions yet. 1 year 10 months and some days, so yeah, a big difference there.

CoffeeWithCheese · 20/01/2022 09:07

I'm exempt anyway as they cause me real distress and I can hit the point of passing out or throwing up very very quickly. I'll ditch the lanyard of shame again straight away and the pressure of feeling eyes on me and that I need to keep on trying to find more and more desperate and expensive solutions going is an utter relief to me. I cried yesterday when it was announced.

Monsterathai · 20/01/2022 09:14

@CoffeeWithCheese

I'm exempt anyway as they cause me real distress and I can hit the point of passing out or throwing up very very quickly. I'll ditch the lanyard of shame again straight away and the pressure of feeling eyes on me and that I need to keep on trying to find more and more desperate and expensive solutions going is an utter relief to me. I cried yesterday when it was announced.
I'm so pleased for you- it must be a big relief!
RainCloude · 20/01/2022 09:16

Definitely ditching here. I can't browse properly in shops with one on. I wear glasses and the combination seems to affect my peripheral vision, I become much more clumsy and feel like I'm cut off and drowning. I also hate seeing others in them but that's just personal.

VikingOnTheFridge · 20/01/2022 09:25

@Sunshine1235

I think most people will ditch them, they did last time. I remember being on public transport the day before the mandate came back in and barely anyone was wearing one, the next day everyone was. I think it shows most people are just wearing them because they don’t want to break the rules
Oh absolutely. I think the question is more how long it will take. I noticed there was a tailing off over a couple of weeks last time rather than it being an immediate thing, but then that was before Partygate.
Monsterathai · 20/01/2022 09:48

I think it will be quicker this time, simply because we've done it before in the summer. I remember being desperate to get my mask off and feeling like I had to ask in shops if they still required people to wear them etc before taking the plunge .... most weren't at all bothered (and seemed glad to not have to wear them all day either), so it's straight off this time!

VikingOnTheFridge · 20/01/2022 09:58

Yeah could be. They haven't been back that long now, whereas in summer 2021 it had been a year so people were more used to them. Also I suspect compliance has probably been lower this time anyway, so the pool of people who've actually been sticking to mask rules may be smaller.

Phos · 20/01/2022 10:00

Me. Don’t see the point. Half of people with them on aren’t wearing them properly, and lets be honest it did nothing to stop omicron did it? Covid isn’t going away, we need to get on with it now.

SueSaid · 20/01/2022 10:44

Can't wait. Like everyone I've found them unpleasant and uncomfortable to use. It will be great to ditch them.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 20/01/2022 11:16

I will be ditching them and immensely grateful to do so. No more choosing between masks causing me a problem and not wanting to get dirty looks/being stressed about being challenged.

Seems it's moved dates and it's no masks from today!

What does it really matter though? Nothing magically changes at midnight next Wednesday/Thursday.

2X4B523P · 20/01/2022 12:07

I wonder how long it’ll be before we start getting posts saying that shops will refuse entry to people without masks?

Last time masks became a personal choice supermarket messaging was that they was encouraging people to wear masks but there was no legal requirement to do so.

Then between the announcements and the 19th there was many desperate posts on here hoping for shops to refuse entry to people without, even though they wasn’t when it was the law!

Whammyyammy · 20/01/2022 13:10

@GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin

I will be ditching them and immensely grateful to do so. No more choosing between masks causing me a problem and not wanting to get dirty looks/being stressed about being challenged.

Seems it's moved dates and it's no masks from today!

What does it really matter though? Nothing magically changes at midnight next Wednesday/Thursday.

My thoughts exactly. Has the virus been instructed that things are going to be different from Thursday. They're a waste of time and the majority of us want to ditch them, so why not from today.
Whammyyammy · 20/01/2022 13:12

@2X4B523P

I wonder how long it’ll be before we start getting posts saying that shops will refuse entry to people without masks?

Last time masks became a personal choice supermarket messaging was that they was encouraging people to wear masks but there was no legal requirement to do so.

Then between the announcements and the 19th there was many desperate posts on here hoping for shops to refuse entry to people without, even though they wasn’t when it was the law!

Last time some shops did this round by me for a week or so, but most people just avoided them and used other shops.

Either they do this and end up closing due to lack of custom, or follow the advice and don't make up own silly litlle rules....

GirlInACountrySong · 20/01/2022 13:23

It's the publics mindset I think.... majority are so glad they are gone they have ditched them today...early

Fine by me! We have never really enforced it in retail anyway

Xenia · 20/01/2022 13:25

Girl I don't think that's right. It is no masks in schools from today 20th but masks on trains and shops until 27th still required (and probably on the tube for 40 years until S Khan is no longer running it)

Thirtytimesround · 20/01/2022 13:29

I like my mask. It keeps my nose cosy in cold outdoors. It keeps the pollution smell away on busy roads. And it protects me from gross germs of strangers.

I do not take health advice from Boris Johnson.

housemaus · 20/01/2022 13:37

@Thirtytimesround

I like my mask. It keeps my nose cosy in cold outdoors. It keeps the pollution smell away on busy roads. And it protects me from gross germs of strangers.

I do not take health advice from Boris Johnson.

Yeah this is pretty much how I feel.
MaybeHeIsMyCat · 20/01/2022 13:40

I don't enjoy wearing one (mine is tight to protect me so marks my face!) but will carry on with FFP2 ones as I need to

Monsterathai · 20/01/2022 13:45

I don't think anyone takes health advice from Boris Johnson- I think an awful lot of people do not want to wear masks, believe they do nothing (caveat here before anyone asks- I am am not, and do not profess to be, that rare pinnacle of mankind that is an epidemiologist Grin) - I simply don't want to be criminalised for not wearing a mask. Anyone who wants to keep their nose warm you can rock right on. Fortunately, from next week my nose can be as cold as I bloody well like Wink

DynamiteFilledRadish · 20/01/2022 13:51

@Thirtytimesround

I like my mask. It keeps my nose cosy in cold outdoors. It keeps the pollution smell away on busy roads. And it protects me from gross germs of strangers.

I do not take health advice from Boris Johnson.

Do you want me to buy you a scarf?? I'll send you one. They're a revelation. Keep your nose warm. Amazing invention.

Why do people have to make up these ridiculous "excuses". If you want to wear your mask 24/7 then please feel free, nobody is stopping you.

GirlInACountrySong · 20/01/2022 14:11

@Xenia

Girl I don't think that's right. It is no masks in schools from today 20th but masks on trains and shops until 27th still required (and probably on the tube for 40 years until S Khan is no longer running it)

Yes I know. Next week no longer required in retail settings. Just today people seem to be ditching them early. A lot less wearing them today

Xenia · 20/01/2022 14:30

I agree. Until they are removed from the tube too I will not be happy.

iCouldSleepForAYear · 20/01/2022 14:33

I started wearing masks to the shops as soon as the case for them started to be published in the news. But even then, it would be nice to not have to worry about wearing a mask in the shopping centre or supermarket anymore. And nice to be able to attend school nativity plays and assemblies again, without having the audience all masked up. If I have my glasses on, they fog up, even though I paid extra for an anti-fog coating.

I don't think I'd want to wear one in a nightclub or bar. I can't imagine enjoying myself with one on.

I could see myself still wearing one on an airplane, though, even if mandates are dropped. Maybe also a crowded bus or train, especially in winter. Keeping the cold away from my asthmatic lungs. 😷

ilovesooty · 20/01/2022 15:06

At least now people who wear them will be doing so by choice and will probably wear them properly.