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.

Completely agree OP.

Just more random diktats plucked from thin air so that the SNP can be seen to be in “control” (they clearly aren’t out and about in the community where NO rules are being adhered to any more).

I feel sick to my stomach about it. As if all this hasn’t been unsettling enough for kids and vulnerable people for months already and now they want everyone in masks?

My mum who has had a head cancer and has a facial disfigurement as a result and finds it hard enough to communicate is absolutely distressed by all this as although they’ve said some people don’t need to wear them she is terrified of being challenged for not wearing one even though it’s uncomfortable makes life even more difficult for her. This is the mental anguish they are putting people through with this utter nonsense, all with an eye on the prize (SNP).

Five cases in the 6 million people in Scotland! There will probably be more people with flu or meningitis or norovirus in Scotland today.

Yup, SNP BAD!!!!

How dare they attempt to take measures to suppress a virus that kills people to the point that it stops killing people, won't resurface, and we can all get on with something resembling the normality that Mumsnet has done nothing but whine about losing since March.

What a bunch of bastards!

Honestly. The SNP could cure cancer, end world hunger, AND make every citizen in the UK an overnight billionaire, and the usual identity types in here would still be raging and moaning about Nicola Sturgeon. It's laughable.

@XDownwiththissortofthingX you speak as thoUgh the SNP is using its own money to research, monitor and come up with strategies for the Covid crisis instead of just cherry picking random things from the uk gov strategy which they are party to.

This is political posturing and nothing more.

“The SNP” bad got old a long time ago.
We live in a democracy and can criticise politicians/political parties if we want.

to the point that it stops killing people, won't resurface,

Won't resurface? Good luck with that. Planning on sealing off Scotland into a little Covid-free bubble until the vaccine comes along? No travel in and out of the country?

This was never the aim and it's quite scary that the SNP genuinely think that Scotland is the one country in the world which will eradicate Covid, never to return. But of course when there is a localised outbreak, it will be the fault of Boris / Westminster / those germy English people.

Honestly. The SNP could cure cancer, end world hunger, AND make every citizen in the UK an overnight billionaire, and the usual identity types in here would still be raging and moaning about Nicola Sturgeon. It's laughable.

I voted for them at the last 2 elections. I might even vote for them again. Masks however are a major problem for me. I have a letter written by my psychiatrist stating I don't need to wear one but I live in a rural area where everyone knows everyone. My choices are distress myself by wearing one to the point I'm so stuck in flashbacks I can't function or explain my trauma to everyone. Neither sound "normal" to me.

@XDownwiththissortofthingX, I don't want to break it to you, but you can suppress the virus as much as you like, but it will still be with us. It is not going to go anywhere anytime soon.

Anyway, just back from Clarks; don't know whether to laugh or cry... The shop assistants go around with (literally) a Zimmer frame half covered in plexiglass. They then put it in front of the child and measure their feet.

Maybe if NS spoke in a cut glass accent you'd like her more.
It would be more impressive than her political stance that's for sure.

How bloody patronising is that people think we judge her on her accent. Unlike her my parents couldn’t afford to buy their council house 🤷‍♀️ Anyway I judge her on the pure shite she spouts.

@Arkadia were the Clarks staff also wearing masks and visors whilst using the special screens? That's what I saw in England - total overkill.

I'm upset and scared. I feel like we are sleepwalking into a police state. Like the beginnings of Gilead. The (tiny) risks do not equate to me being FORCED to wear a mask. Surely this is violation of human rights?!

@Lickyicelollies, the had a surgical mask, not one of those "welder" plexiglass face covers I see in Farmfoods.

Whole situation is a joke now.

Are they going to make people wear masks when the pubs open? Arbitrary and ridiculous (just like having to walk round a snaking barrier to get into Asda now there’s no one on the door any more so no queue so why the barriers?).

Looking outside my window right now cos the sun is shining there are about 20 teens sat on the common having a rare old time, about 30cm between them all.

The point is that there is no evidence that wearing masks now will make any difference. If masks had been made compulsory at the beginning or peak of this I would have happily worn them even if it was just NS telling me to.

But now it makes no sense and so is as I've said, a random rule put in just to keep control - next it will be you can only buy milk if you hop on one leg while patting your head and rubbing your tummy.

And yes the "SNP bad" stuff got old a long time ago. Unlike the SNP MPs, I've not signed anything saying I'm not allowed to criticize them. I'd gladly give them credit for curing cancer or making us all billionaires but that's not going to happen. No investment in NHS even when they were given extra money by MW to do so. There is more merit for them to keep folk poor and blame WM. I'd happily pay extra tax for things and they have the power to raise it.

The honest answer is that things need to be paid for and there isn't a magic money tree, a bit of honesty about this in terms of an adult conversation wouldn't go amiss.

But it’s not that big a deal surely? I agree that the conflicting info often given on the rules is painful, but don’t see the masks in shops as a big imposition. (Disclaimer am not in Scotland, but have been happy to wear a mask when shopping - most people in my supermarket seem to)

I also wonder, give that at Clarks' they are ready to face ebola infected zombies, couldn't they have opened two months ago, or no sooner had they come up with that design?

@crumpet, no it is not a huge deal, but when you don't trust those who issue the rules because you can see they have ulterior motives, everything is more difficult. On top of that, when you don't see the logic of what NS is doing...

I think she has a grand idea in her head of this race to be the first of the nations to get to 0 on the o-meter of everything and stand up at her wee lectern and sock it to Boris and WM that using all their intel, ideas, advice and money Scotland has killed the corona dragon through the heart and now the Kingdom of Scotland can be great again under her majesty’s leadership...

When really it’s just pure luck.

It is a big deal to many of us as you will see if you read the thread, Crumpet those of us who can't wear a face covering because of disabilities or mental health are going to have to explain ourselves to store staff and/or members of the public who may challenge us. That can be incredibly stressful and upsetting.

Agree @DesmondTheMoonbear and also put people off shopping whe they desperately need our custom.

If I was doing something like getting a shoe fitting or a hair cut or whatever that involved me being in close proximity with someone I would of course wear a mask for their protection even if I think it's guff. Dashing through sainsburys using the self scan and exiting and paying while not getting near anybody - what is the point?

I'm just going to avoid the shops. It's too depressing. Everyone I spoke to today said they'd stick with shopping online, it is probably another blow to the economy!

Exactly especially when for the last 4 months every man and his wean has been breathing all over you in the meat aisle of Asda twice a week and guess what we’re all still here to tell the tale.

The vast majority of infections are always have been happening in clinical or care home settings. Transmission in the community is currently negligible. Even less so when you are not having any direct or prolonged contact with other people.

As a pp said if I was having a podiatrist appointment or getting glasses fitted I will wear a mask, fine.

But to pop in to town for a wander round the shops?

I also think - as if retail wasn’t already on its knees - it’s going to be hardest on customer facing retail workers all this.

I was at a well known Department store yesterday. Parked behind it where a group of about 10 men were unloading a truck and having a break all sat inside the trailer of the truck together no distance no masks having a right old laugh together some were vaping too.

Meanwhile I walk round the front of the shop and every worker is wearing a mask and bloody gloves (nonsense) and standing there pure misery in their eyes - I asked one of them how it was and she said they must wear it all day, no exceptions, only taking it off to eat, and it was hot and annoying but that was the rule. They even have wardens (redeployed security guards) patrolling the shop to make sure all sales assistants were masked up.

If I was a young person in that job I’d be looking for something else right now.

No staff, no customers = no shops.

Nicola hates business anyway so she’s probably over the moon.

@MumofHunter, your hero could have done this months ago when it would have made sense, not now. What was the point of all those three months? That's the question you ought to ask.

Well that’s it I will have to do all the shopping, will never get my husband in Lidl’s now.

Really I cannot believe how little respect and empathy you show for shopworkers. You've obviously never been wearing masks.
Again, before I get slated, this is in NO WAY aimed at people who have a genuine reason not to wear a mask. ONLY people who can easily wear one but refuse to wear a mask when shopping indoors.

Are we reading the same thread? Here (Aberdeenshire) dh who has been wearing a mask says 99 percent of the population are not. From his video chats in Costco, the 1 percent that have been dont have a clue what 1m looks like, let alone 2.

I haven't been in a shop since mid march and won't be going in one any time soon but how are people supposed to know the difference between a "karen" as you so charmingly put it and someone with an acceptable reason? I'm accepting no medical care/no shopping myself for the foreseeable future, but at least I have someone who can shop (although he's so angry on my behalf, he just wants to order online) and who can take the children to medical appointments. What happens to those that don't have that but don't want to be challenged by someone like you in Asda?