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Original poster

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

512 replies

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/07/2020 14:33

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.

OP posts:
OOAOML · 13/07/2020 21:52

I'm finding the masks help my mental health, but then I have a history of being germ-phobic and overly fussy - before we left the office to work from home it was a relief not to feel judged for thorough hand-washing etc. I feel that masks are helping with my anxiety, and I hate the thought of having to get back on buses with lots of people not wearing them. I walk a lot more now, not sure how that will go in winter.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 13/07/2020 22:00

But as I've already said, the lanyard thing isn't a solution for those who don't have an official diagnosis or have it recorded via their GP. There will be people who don't want to wear one as they've been subject to abuse or violence where their mouth and nose have been covered, they may not have even shared that with partners and families, so now they are in a situation where they can't get anything official and can't even explain their reluctance. So they either have to get on with it and wear one and risk a panic attack or continue to work round being able to go to the shops. Or maybe for some people, they might be able to get one but don't want to explain their private medical details to neighbours or whoever they might bump into the shops why they have a lanyard.

OP posts:
Dinosauratemydaffodils · 13/07/2020 22:00

Could you push GP for a video call?

I had a massive breakdown mid lockdown, nearly got sectioned (and yes, fear of masks becoming mandatory featured in that). We're done video chats previously and she's adamant it needs to be in person.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:11

@WaxOnFeckOff that does make sense but there has to be some kind of compromise. Many scientists across many different countries feel that this will be effective and whether we like it or not this is the situation we are in. Trying to find solutions is preferable than just shooting them down. Sadly, many people due to illness, trauma, disability, and a myriad of other reasons struggle to do certain things. Certain routine medical examinations are unthinkable for some. Being around or near men can be unbearable for others but we as a society are unable to protect everyone all the time. Masks are our new reality and we need to find the best way forward that we can.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:12

I'm so sorry to hear that dinosaur and it's disheartening that your gp won't try to find a way forward with you. My practice is seeing some patients through a window believe it or not. Is there a chance she would meet you mask free in the car park?

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:12

I'm so sorry to hear that dinosaur and it's disheartening that your gp won't try to find a way forward with you. My practice is seeing some patients through a window believe it or not. Is there a chance she would meet you mask free in the car park?

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 13/07/2020 22:18

sonic the compromise is that it' should never have been made compulsory, just strongly recommended if that and then people wouldn't be in this position. masks don't need to be any sort of reality at the moment, especially in open situations with the current levels of infection. There are circumstances where they might make sense but not for walking in large open shops. There should be guideline based on cubic feet of the shop.

OP posts:
MumofHunter · 13/07/2020 22:20

hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/shop.html

You can get a hidden disability sunflower lanyard and facemask excempt card here. The sunflower lanyards have been around for years and the whole point of them is so shops/ transport/ anywhere really knows the person has a hidden disability and they don't need to explain it.

I hope you feel better soon.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 13/07/2020 22:22

Is there a chance she would meet you mask free in the car park?

Hadn't thought of outside. She's happy to see me minus a mask but the practice manager says one must be worn in the waiting room etc.

Masks are our new reality and we need to find the best way forward that we can.

That's my biggest fear.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:24

Well the actual scientists charged with giving advice across the globe disagree with you . A strongly advised would have probably ended up with a compliance rate of around 25- 30 percent? Pointless.

People who can but just don't want to wear masks should be getting on with it so that people are less likely to challenge people like dinosaur who clearly really shouldn't be wearing a mask.

Please remember that those doing the challenging are coming from a place of fear and are probably absolutely terrified of catching the coronavirus either because they or family members are vulnerable.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:24

Well the actual scientists charged with giving advice across the globe disagree with you . A strongly advised would have probably ended up with a compliance rate of around 25- 30 percent? Pointless.

People who can but just don't want to wear masks should be getting on with it so that people are less likely to challenge people like dinosaur who clearly really shouldn't be wearing a mask.

Please remember that those doing the challenging are coming from a place of fear and are probably absolutely terrified of catching the coronavirus either because they or family members are vulnerable.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:24

Well the actual scientists charged with giving advice across the globe disagree with you . A strongly advised would have probably ended up with a compliance rate of around 25- 30 percent? Pointless.

People who can but just don't want to wear masks should be getting on with it so that people are less likely to challenge people like dinosaur who clearly really shouldn't be wearing a mask.

Please remember that those doing the challenging are coming from a place of fear and are probably absolutely terrified of catching the coronavirus either because they or family members are vulnerable.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:26

Sorry dinosaur I don't mean they are our new reality forever but I think they'll be around for 5-6 months or so with some continuing beyond that as we've seen in Asia.

I genuinely don't mean forever and I don't mean to frighten you!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 13/07/2020 22:30

People who can but just don't want to wear masks should be getting on with it so that people are less likely to challenge people like dinosaur who clearly really shouldn't be wearing a mask.

So how exactly does that work then? How do you know that pretty much everyone who doesn't want to wear one doesn't also have issues similar to Dinosaur that they don't want to talk about?

So if 25-30 percent is pointless then what has the advice up to now meant? Nothing? so folk have already been doing things that are pointless and in fact the time where even that would have made a difference, they weren't recommended as the same "scientists" were saying there wasn't any point? I appreciate that we've learned more as time has gone on but really? Did they actually ever think that it wouldn't be spread by breath? Or were the experts mistaken or lying?

OP posts:
Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 13/07/2020 22:31

I appreciate that people are scared which is why there needs to be proper education and proper information given to get people's fear level to that appropriate to the risk. Which it isn't currently.

OP posts:
Mascotte · 13/07/2020 22:36

We shouldn't just destroy our lives because people are irrationally scared

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:37

So angry.

The way I and other posters have said. By wearing some visible sign that they cannot. Solutions are not always pleasant and sadly, and I mean that truly, individuals will need to weigh up the lesser of two evils. The way sexual assault survivors might do when their smear test comes round. It's shit. It's horrific and I'm not trying to minimise that but people have to make these shitty decisions all the time. The majority of people can wear a mask or will have no problem displaying some kind of I cannot wear a mask symbol.

The science is and always has been evolving on this. Whitty et al said it from day dot. Masks have always been on the horizon. The fear was that it would encourage a rush on PPE and that people would be less likely to social distance. Social distancing has pretty much broken down anyway. As the behavioural scientists predicted it eventually would, so there has to be another level of protection inserted.

This is where you say, contrary to scientists and medical experts, that masks don't work. If you think you know more than them then more power to you! 👍🏻

Anyway that's England just announced that they are mandatory now as well so you're probably cool with it now.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:38

I appreciate that people are scared which is why there needs to be proper education and proper information given to get people's fear level to that appropriate to the risk. Which it isn't currently.

So it's not to be feared then?

Mascotte · 13/07/2020 22:41

The virus isn't to be feared. The risks have been grossly exaggerated to encourage compliance with draconian legislation.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:41

We shouldn't just destroy our lives because people are irrationally scared

I'm sorry but who are you to decide people's level of fear. Have you been on the coronavirus boards where people have been suffering for weeks if not months. It's not just about the low death rate. What other consequences are there of this illness.

Mascotte · 13/07/2020 22:42

But apparently you are able to judge other people's fear and risk? Makes no sense.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:43

@Mascotte okay doke 👌🏻

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 13/07/2020 22:44

Anyway that's England just announced that they are mandatory now as well so you're probably cool with it now.

Don't be so fucking ridiculous.

OP posts:
sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:45

@Mascotte I'm acknowledging that people are both frightened of masks and also frightened of coronavirus.

You, who must be a world leading scientist, are claiming that the virus sweeping across the world killing thousands is no biggie and people are being ridiculous.

Catch yourself on.

sonicbook · 13/07/2020 22:45

@Mascotte I'm acknowledging that people are both frightened of masks and also frightened of coronavirus.

You, who must be a world leading scientist, are claiming that the virus sweeping across the world killing thousands is no biggie and people are being ridiculous.

Catch yourself on.