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.

I don't really mind wearing one. We're going to the zoo next week and are being encouraged to wear one there. I think if people aren't wearing them properly though they just shouldn't bother. The number of people with their nose poking out above it is silly really.

Maybe if NS spoke in a cut glass accent you'd like her more.

FFS. What has class got to do with anything? I come from a rough council estate so not exactly cut glass myself.

I don't care what she looks like, what gender or sex she is, what she wears or what accent she has. I think she is actually a very good speaker. I don't like her or her politics though.

And we should be giving her a hard time. we should always be giving those in power a hard time. That's they way that we get points across as no-one else seems to bother.

I said on another thread that I was at Glasgow Fort with DD this week. It was fairly busy - probably because Braehead and Silverburn are still mostly closed. Everyone was distancing. Everyone was very respectful of each other's space. Shops were limiting the number of people getting in and everyone was happy to queue. No moaning. 20 people at a time in a big shop like Hobbycraft. Lots of floor markings, sanitiser, staff behind screens.

With all those measures there is simply no need to make us wear masks. It's pointless.

@totallyyesno, which doesn't make it any more right.
Anyway, my contact in Italy tell me that you are lucky to find people in shops with masks. Over there too makes no sense. With the exception of Lombardy (and some bits of the north) new cases have been in single digits for a long time. In the meantime businesses fail and thing will only get worse. Do we really want an autumn of mass unemployment (before maybe the virus picks up again)? A better strategy is required.

2m social distancing is VERY difficult for some shops and other situations. It is stopping some from opening and causing big outdoor queues which are miserable when it's cold and wet. Smaller retailers are going bust for this rule.
Whereas wearing a facemask is not a big ask really for most people for the duration they're inside a shop.

And while I know that statistically the people in my community are very unlikely to have it right now, when the hordes start to return by air from their holidays sharing big sweaty humid hotels with thousands of English and other nationalities and then a confined aeroplane all together for four hours then I'd rather everyone who comes near me is wearing a mask!

Anyway, my contact in Italy tell me that you are lucky to find people in shops with masks
I'm in Italy. Everyone has masks indoors. I'm yet to see one person over the age of 5 without a mask indoors.

If they were that helpful they’d have been advised in early March, pre lockdown, when twats were cramming into supermarkets to panic buy bog roll, soap and pasta, and many more people had the virus. Not now, when you’re more likely to bump
Into Lord Lucan riding Shergar than someone with Coronavirus in the supermarket.

Just tokenism and arse about tit.

@SockYarn that's good to know, we were thinking of going along next week. Need to get some clothes for DS. Are people ok with shopping in family groups or should I be looking at going alone?

There were lots of groups there. |Massive queue outside Clarks of people waiting to get kids' feet measured.

I cried when I heard this.

I am hearing and visually impaired.

I cannot lip read through a mask. Sound is muffled through a mask. Social distancing is hard as I need to move closer to hear and I cannot see distances properly.

More and more of my independence is being stripped away due to this stupid pandemic, and NS trying to one-up Boris.

I'm having to rely on hearing friends and relatives.

I get the need for safety, but it puts ME in greater danger, plus I think its a bit too late for face masks and the figures are lower anyway?

I fucking hate Nicola Sturgeon.

Enforcing the 2m rule would be so much more effective.

For finishing off the economy.

The numbers are low and we're nearly at the stage of eradicating the virus here in Scotland. However, it's crucial we get the economy rolling again and this means less social distancing, schools back and plenty of holiday makers in and out of the country. Numbers are very likely to rise again. Therefore I think it's sensible to introduce masks. Would have been good to have them at the beginning of the pandemic but PPE sourcing was all a bit of a shitshow and they worried people would buy all the PPE up and there wouldn't be enough for key workers. I have no problem at all wearing one and I'm glad they've been introduced. Unless people have a medical need to avoid them then I don't see the problem. It's about protecting others and I'm happy to do my bit.

I really don't see the problem with face masks. Everyone is wearing them according to the rules here (elsewhere in EU) and no one is making the kind of fuss about it you see on MN.

username2020 this must be awful for you though, I'm so sorry.

@Arkadia
Only children 5 or under exempt from wearing masks in shops / public transport (in London it is 11 or under). Yet, from tomorrow children can play outside with others from 2 households with no social distancing.

I really, really don't understand the logic. I wanted to start supporting my local shops again and would've been happy to queue to get in if numbers restricted and 2m in place but won't bother since masks will be mandatory. I will continue to purchase everything I need online. Probably from Amazon / Ebay.

Our NHS board just put out a fb post on Sunday saying masks should be worn from Monday. At least 3 months too late...

how can I make my anti-mask wearing views known? I don't recall any public consultation on this one issue?

I'm going to email my MSP. I have ptsd due to traumatic event involving suffocation amongst other things. I find even thinking about wearing one difficult due to the memories they bring up yet it's been turned into masks = good, not wearing one selfish/irresponsible/horrible without any discussion of why people might struggle. According to our local minister, anyone not wearing one isn't Christian. Guess I won't be going back to Church after this. Dh went to the shops wearing one today, he said he didn't see a single person using one correctly. I'd be okay if there was an end date but the thought that this is it for the long term terrifies me.

@username2020 - I'm so sorry about your situation - I am planning to write to my MSPs about the appalling lack of consideration of those with visual / hearing impairments.

I can't see properly because of masks interfering with how my varifocals sit on my face and constant misting up issues but this is no where near as bad as your issues though.

Thank you. I am so upset by it.

I honestly feel Nicola Sturgeon is just doing this to make a political point and trying to make herself look better after all the eg care home criticism.

All that hard work on the BSL Scotland Act and now its well fuck you.

I have already emailed my MSP and Christina McKelvie (the latter whom said they were 'advising' clear face masks - aye very good. shop owners will definitely pay extra for a mask that is only 'advised'.).

If everyone with an invisible disability affected by this emails their MSP then we can have a UTurn similar to the schools one. There must be a better way (visors instead like hairdressers??)

UserName2020 for you. What a terrible situation this places you and so many of us with disabilities in. I'm not hard of hearing but I have disabilities and one involves auditory processing issues so I can relate to an extent. I have to ask people to repeat what they said often enough without them making it even more difficult for us.

Stupid question but I want to email my MSP but she's currently out of action because of a brain haemorrhage. Should I contact her office as normal or is there a general SNP contact I should use?

I also have Autism, a neurological problem and mental health issues and I can't tolerate anything on/around my face. I'm dreading having to constantly explain myself to store staff and nosy fucker members of the public who think that it's their business to confront people about not wearing a face covering.

Dinosauratemydaffodils for you too. I'm so sorry for what you've suffered and that this ridiculous ableist piece of legislation is going to make your life even harder.

@DesmondTheMoonbear

I also have Autism, a neurological problem and mental health issues and I can't tolerate anything on/around my face. I'm dreading having to constantly explain myself to store staff and nosy fucker members of the public who think that it's their business to confront people about not wearing a face covering.

This is totally my fear too and it WILL happen, no matter how much NS goes on about 'exemptions'.

Equality has gone so far backwards, not just for disabled people, but in terms of gender equality.

Women are more at risk of losing their jobs due to childcare issues.

Webinars, online courses, videos - none of them have captions.

I think you could email your list MSP?