From the random box of covid restrictions we now get....

[WaxOnFeckOff]

Facemasks in shops.

I mean really, what is the point now? If they were useful then the time when they were useful was months ago.

Surely the chance of catching covid in a shop is minute, the chance of then being ill is more minute and the chance of dying is vastly remote.

It just feels like it another thing to say just to keep control? I have no problem doing things that make sense and protect others, but really? Public transport where you may be in the vicinity of someone for longer seems fair enough but shops doesn't make sense.

IME so far, having a mask dangling from your neck without even being worn seems to give people carte blanche to stand less than a foot away from others.

Row brewing down here

inews.co.uk/news/uk/coronavirus-lockdown-reopening-brow-bars-beard-trimming-eyebrow-threading-523447?ito=social%7Cfacebook%7Cfb_theipaper&fbclid=IwAR3wZg1vtarwfdn7Xk-ATR3vl0rMyjXSimXCzaNCaGPDAd60YmARSP5iWa8

I can't remember if I've already said it but face masks will be a nightmare for me.

I'm hearing impaired, visually impaired, speech impaired, got anxiety disorder, got reynauds syndrome, got a weak lung (thanks to bad pneumonia), got balance problems, got an assistance dog and I think I may be on the spectrum too although not diagnosed.

I find it difficult enough entering a shop, especially with an assistance dog, without having to prove face mask exemption as well. Although I am exempt, I do have a face mask and I feel I may have to wear one because I don't want any more challenges and discrimination than I already encounter.

I can't lip read. I struggle to social distance. I struggle enough to be independent and go to work.

I am thinking of going to a farmers market today. I don't know if face masks are expected to be worn by customers? I don't know if the stall holders will have face masks? I am going with my non-disabled husband although he (and my dc) have asthma.

@YonBonnieBanks they're just mandatory indoors. Though who knows what's expected in our brave new world. I hope it goes ok.

This is very useful for those who are exempt and for those who need help understanding:

disabilityequality.scot/face-covering/

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

My experience at a different large supermarket was similar. People wandering around with their noses poking out or masks around chins, including staff. No attempt by anyone to SD now they have masks. I found myself being the same as I was so bloody uncomfortable and wanted to get my shopping done as quickly as possible. So last week I would've kept my distance and taken my time - this week no.

I have now bought and tried 3 different types of masks and they are all uncomfortable - I think because they are designed for men (I am quite petite face / head wise) and I fiddled with mask and glasses constantly. I do not see the point

Back from the farmers market. Very few stalls and wasn't impressed with what was on offer. No fruit/veg stalls and hardly any meat stalls. Mainly snack vans.

Hardly any people either. Maybe it will get better over time.

Social distancing was encouraged with some kind of fencing around each stall. Hand sanitizer also available.

Unfortunately I did experience people shouting at me to stand back (I'm visually impaired but you can't really tell) so that was upsetting. I also struggled with the toilets one way system.

Hardly any stall holders were wearing masks though which was good from a lip reading perspective.

If they had more stalls / better choice, I might return.

I got some cakes. They were stale or brick hard. So another reason not to bother. Shame as farmers markets have real potential for those attracting these customers who cannot / will not wear a mask.

Spent today at Blair Drummond. You would never know there is a pandemic about. Hardly anyone cared about social distancing, lots were ignoring the one way system and whilst they were very good at wiping down the rides there were all the climbing frames etc full of people which weren't being cleaned. Masks in the shop was hit and mix, plenty on chins again.

Kids loved it, I found it very stressful.

@pigoons

www.waterstones.com/book/invisible-women/caroline-criado-perez/9781784706289

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

Spent today at Blair Drummond. You would never know there is a pandemic about. Hardly anyone cared about social distancing, lots were ignoring the one way system and whilst they were very good at wiping down the rides there were all the climbing frames etc full of people which weren't being cleaned. Masks in the shop was hit and mix, plenty on chins again.

Kids loved it, I found it very stressful.

This is the reason I'm happy to stay at home still as much as possible.

It's like we're back to normal.

@HelenaDove
Interesting book link - will order it later. I had read somewhere that a lot of the PPE doesn't fit women very well but hadn't realised how much of an issue it actually is. I always have trouble getting glasses too and they try to steer me to the teen ranges ...

YY @pigoons I remember reading about that just after lockdown started.

Saw this on the news down here.

www.itv.com/news/2020-07-12/seriously-ill-children-at-risk-due-to-ventilator-equipment-shortages-charity-warns

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

Spent today at Blair Drummond. You would never know there is a pandemic about. Hardly anyone cared about social distancing, lots were ignoring the one way system and whilst they were very good at wiping down the rides there were all the climbing frames etc full of people which weren't being cleaned. Masks in the shop was hit and mix, plenty on chins again.

Kids loved it, I found it very stressful.

That's a shame Dinosauratemydaffodils - I was at Blair Drummond on Tuesday and thought it was a brilliant way to still have a day out and a bit of a break whilst still keeping to the rules. Probably helps that my DC are too old for the play equipment so we stayed well away from it, but we had a lovely day walking round looking at the animals and were able to stay 2m away from others easily and other groups stayed away from us too. It made me feel so much better getting to go somewhere!

I think its ridiculous that the governments are saying 'unless exempt' without making it clear what these exemptions are. Who is really going to go and do a search?

So if you aren't visibly disabled, you must be 'at it'.

For lip reading, its the other person (not the lip reader) who is exempt, so shop workers for example are allowed to (briefly) take their masks off if a customer is deaf and needs to lip read.

Will they do that if asked? Aye right. Will other customers understand why that face mask has been taken off? Yup, sure.

There needs to be clearer guidance to shops and their staff. It needs to be more public what an exemption is. There needs to be a reminder of the equality act.

I also think the governments should say something like "if someone is wearing a sunflower lanyard, they are exempt, here's how to get your lanyard (eg through your doctor)" There needs to be a proper scheme in place to help disabled people avoid face mask challenges.

I agree totally and it's also not always about disabilities, victims of abuse may not always have sought support or even told their partners or family so would not be able or willing to access a lanyard or similar. Given the current low community incidence it should have been left as non compulsory albeit with a stronger message if appropriate.

No matter though as NS has anecdotal evidence that everyone is complying, well done Scotland

Japan, South Korea, China....have all had new outbreaks and these are countries where mask wearing is the norm.

mainly due to pollution which is less of a problem here and also cultural expectations, rather than the pandemic itself.

So masks do not help.

There's been...what...24 new cases in 2 days in Scotland? 7 in care homes (not shops) and we haven't been told where the others were - Glasgow has 12 I think, what about the other areas? and where were they? shops? trains?

There should also be a clear plan for when this stops. My town was dead today. And even people who don't mind masks don't want yo do things like shop idly for pleasure wearing them.

Nicola banging on today that everyone is being so GOOD with complying with her law about masks.

Why do you think that is Nicola? Perhaps because we don't want a £60 fine?

Totally pointless posturing. Unfortunately seems like England is following suit.

There is definitely an argument for wearing masks when you're up close and personal with someone for extended periods. Like if you were going to see a lawyer for a face to face discussion, or perusing rings for an extended period in a jeweller's shop with help of an assistant.

But for walking round Asda or grabbing a coffee from Starbucks? Utterly pointless. And now she's saying she wants people to wear them walking round large, airy centres like Braehead and Starbucks.

Mental.

Silverburn. Not starbucks.

I love a shopping centre but won't be going until this bollocks is done with.

For personal reasons I'd always advise keeping more than 2m from a lawyer anyway 😂

Imho utterly pointless. I now only go to large tesco and self checkout all the way. I wear hearing aids and the loops get tangled around them. Refreshing normality on Saturday in a wee local coffee shop with staff (behind screens) not wearing them and customers not expected to either (after all you can't if you are about to drink coffee in their pavement and garden area)

What worries me is that they started off saying just on public transport. Then it was in shops. Now she;s making noises about masks in shopping centres.

What next? All kids back to school in a government approved mask? Walking outside - you need a mask?

It's terrifying.

What next? All kids back to school in a government approved mask? Walking outside - you need a mask?

Ds wore one yesterday to pop in a shop with dh. Once the novelty wore off, he kept asking if he could take it off. Fastest ever decision making in a souvenir shop ever. I guess I'd be home schooling if we're expected to send 5 year olds to school in masks or moving.

I'm trying to decide if I'm being petty ordering my massive Amazon basket given that I could source everything locally if I chose. The answer is probably yes but it's very tempting.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils I'm buying everything I can online owing to the unpleasantness of shopping as it is now.

Carla Pierle
@cpierle2u
·
22h
Replying to
@mloushin

@jhaskinscabrera
and
@justin_hart
I was an RN working in the operating room. We wore masks during surgery only. Masks came off between surgeries. We received breaks, rarely having to wear a mask longer than four hours at a time. In addition, surgery ORs are kept cold with excellent ventilation. FACTS MATTER

(from Twitter)