Why are Sainsbury's (and others) asking for continued mask wearing?

[jowly]

To keep their staff well? ( many don't wear one even now)

To give customers a sense of security?

I'm very willing to wear one if there's a reasonable reason to.. and I get all the theories why we may be wise to. But why are supermarkets going for this request? Why is it in their interest?

Am I missing the obvious?

@nocoolnamesleft

We're still in a pandemic. I presume they've twigged that Boris is lifting the mask mandate well before the scientific evidence would suggest it, because he's more interested in saving his politic career than saving lives.

Pragmatically, they'd like the clinically vulnerable to still feel able to come and spend money. And they'd like enough staff to be able to work to be able to sell stuff.

This is how I feel.

@OneInEight

Because they have decided that on balance they will get more customers and profits if they mandate mask wearing than if not.

To be picky though, they aren’t mandating it and won’t be refusing entry to those not wearing one. It will be “encouraged”

They are simply trying to keep everyone happy, some staff still feel safer wearing one, whilst majority can' t wait to see the back of them, they are intolerable wearing them for absolute hours daily. Then you have the same regarding customers, so this is the easiest option for them, as always you are never going to please everyone.
l dont like the smug attitude of mask wearers who only come in for 20 mins max and then are able to take theirs off, don' t point the finger at non mask wearer staff, ( they were the ones out on the frontline from day one) you try working and wearing one for eight hours everyday.

I will still wear a mask in the supermarket - I have done since they started - it’s not a big ask - Boris is a tosser so I’ll make my own mind up.
Sains prob wants customers to feel safe to shop there.

@Iggly

There is zero proof of that

Bold claim.

Show us some evidence then! You won’t find any.

l dont like the smug attitude of mask wearers who only come in for 20 mins max and then are able to take theirs off, don' t point the finger at non mask wearer staff, ( they were the ones out on the frontline from day one) you try working and wearing one for eight hours everyday

I agree. One of DS's friends works in a supermarket and had to wear a mask while lugging and lifting huge cases of bottles and other heavy stuff about for 8 hours. For months now. Hardly comparable to popping into Sainsburys for half an hour tops to get something for dinner.

I guess it's mainly to protect their staff.

Sainsbury's are following the science and the WHO. Johnson is desperate to save his job.

Who do you trust?

As a sop to the Covid crazed

@WouldBeGood

As a sop to the Covid crazed

Or a sensible protection of the vulnerable?

Despite the stupidity of those ignorant of science.

Virtue signalling to some of their customer base (I'm guessing middle class grey pound). Aldi may not have declared it officially but they too had signs on the door after the last restrictions eased asking customers to still wear them

Because Boris is making it up as he goes along

Because they realise Boris’ reasons for removing masks is political and not scientific, and they’re trying to stop the spread in the supermarket so staffing levels don’t drop too low.

Masks do make a difference - we have lots of evidence of this in my work place when we’ve had outbreaks it’s usually when staff have socialised together. Those who have been with them at work but wearing a mask have avoided it.

Much naivety on this thread about how businesses work.

Despite the stupidity of those ignorant of science.

If you have any scientifically proven data to show that non-clinical mask wearing has any effect on omicron spread then please share it.

@AndAnotherNewOne

Sainsbury's are following the science and the WHO. Johnson is desperate to save his job.

Who do you trust?

What does "following the science" mean here? Presumably to minimise transmission of many infections the science would always point towards mask wearing, and indeed as little interaction as possible?

It's nothing to do with science or goodwill, merely FOOTFALL!

Most of the staff in our Sainsbury's didn't wear masks the last time rules were relaxed.

@jowly

From tomorrow the rules change

The rules now say masks are not compulsory not that they are forbidden. I wore mine all through last summer when they were optional. Covid hasn't actually gone away. What has changed is that Johnson is trying to curry favour with his backbenchers who are anti-mask, anti-lockdown.

merely FOOTFALL!

And that's fine. Their customers are their prerogative.

Just been to Tesco and every person I saw was wearing a mask.

@NeedAHoliday2021

Because they realise Boris’ reasons for removing masks is political and not scientific, and they’re trying to stop the spread in the supermarket so staffing levels don’t drop too low.

Masks do make a difference - we have lots of evidence of this in my work place when we’ve had outbreaks it’s usually when staff have socialised together. Those who have been with them at work but wearing a mask have avoided it.

@NeedAHoliday2021 How does that work then when the science says that wearing a mask is supposed to protect others, not the individual wearing it?

Because when working the positive staff (who aren’t aware they’re positive at that point) are also wearing masks). They do offer some protection to you but yes they biggest benefit is protecting others.

@AndAnotherNewOne

Sainsbury's are following the science and the WHO. Johnson is desperate to save his job.

Who do you trust?

There isn’t any science that tells us that wearing masks during the pandemic, has controlled the spread.

Covid hasn't actually gone away.

And it isn't going to, so the logical conclusion of your point is what? Wear masks forever?

There comes a point where the benefits of wearing masks are outweighed by the disadvantages. Some people are there already. Some won't be for ages. Hence the current situation.