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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:
anon444877 · 03/07/2020 10:51

I don’t fancy my chances of getting the kids to keep scarves over their faces, has to be harder to take off than that!

Did you see the Scottish cot death charity reminding people not to cover under 5s? They’ve seen a rise in babies with faces covered. If you know anyone with an under 5 might be best to make sure they know it doesn’t apply to the under 5s.

SockYarn · 03/07/2020 11:02

@Arkadia yes - face covering can be anything.

But the messaging is not clear. Nicola blethers on about face coverings, then is seen in her wee tartan mask. Shops are selling "face coverings" which are blue surgical style masks.

Although I do think they intended there to be a difference in the two terms, face mask and face covering now means the same thing. And dementors aren't going to be happy with people covering their face with a snood or a bandana. You'll still get hissed at and WHERE IS YOUR MASK???? from the covid prefects.

username2020 · 03/07/2020 11:08

Its very distressing to read through some of these posts and yet people don't seem to understand why we are so stressed - this ignorance is why!

The issue is NOT that we have to wear face masks. The issue is that some of us CANT and we are not really sure what to do other than stay indoors and lose all our independence cause we need to rely on deliveries and non disabled friends and relatives. We are also stressed because we cannot all of us prove our exemption.

To be called a 'Karen' is horrific.

nextslideplease · 03/07/2020 11:17

like giving out condoms at a baby shower

that's so funny and so true

SockYarn · 03/07/2020 11:28

I am currently sitting in the GP surgery wearing a blue surgical mask and it is UNBEARABLE. Around potentially sick people - even without covid - and for short periods it has to be done. In shops no way. And if it's the law, well it will be in and out as quickly as is humanly possible. Definitely no browsing and no non essential trips. Sweaty sticky uncomfortably awful.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 03/07/2020 11:31

The issue is that some of us CANT and we are not really sure what to do other than stay indoors and lose all our independence cause we need to rely on deliveries and non disabled friends and relatives. We are also stressed because we cannot all of us prove our exemption.

This. I can prove my exemption (psychiatrist's letter) but it means I still couldn't go in any local shops because it says exactly what caused the trauma, not something I want anyone I know knowing. I was up at 4am last night stressing about this because where does it end, will we need them for parents evening, museums... it just feels like my life is over and yet again my uselessness is affecting my children.

Dh is angry and wants to leave the country. He's a citizen of another EU country as well and has a job that can be done anywhere. I who had a childhood being dragged around continental Europe didnt want that for my children but this is my worse nightmare, literally. When I finally fell asleep I woke up screaming because I couldn't breathe.

I'm not sure who is annoying me more, the aggressive pro camp or the no for civil liberties reasons camp. Certainly neither are helping me feel safe going into a shop even with a letter so I imagine that's 10 x worse for those with conditions which are harder to prove.

tabulahrasa · 03/07/2020 11:42

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

The issue is that some of us CANT and we are not really sure what to do other than stay indoors and lose all our independence cause we need to rely on deliveries and non disabled friends and relatives. We are also stressed because we cannot all of us prove our exemption.

This. I can prove my exemption (psychiatrist's letter) but it means I still couldn't go in any local shops because it says exactly what caused the trauma, not something I want anyone I know knowing. I was up at 4am last night stressing about this because where does it end, will we need them for parents evening, museums... it just feels like my life is over and yet again my uselessness is affecting my children.

Dh is angry and wants to leave the country. He's a citizen of another EU country as well and has a job that can be done anywhere. I who had a childhood being dragged around continental Europe didnt want that for my children but this is my worse nightmare, literally. When I finally fell asleep I woke up screaming because I couldn't breathe.

I'm not sure who is annoying me more, the aggressive pro camp or the no for civil liberties reasons camp. Certainly neither are helping me feel safe going into a shop even with a letter so I imagine that's 10 x worse for those with conditions which are harder to prove.

Public transport are asking for the thistle assistance cards as proof you can’t wear a mask rather than anything more sensitive, it might be worth trying to find out if there’ll be something similar for shops?

Maybe your MSP?...

chrislilleyswig · 03/07/2020 13:02

@MumofHunter

Wow. Just wow. I honestly thought only America had this level of 'Karens' in its population. If you have a sensory/ medical/ mental issue don't wear a mask. Everyone else, wear a bloody mask in shops. People have died helping others in this pandemic. People (myself included) haven't seen their families for months and months for the greater good and you're so self absorbed and selfish that you refuse to wear a mask when shopping indoors. 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.
Karens

FFS. What's happened to Mumsnet

username2020 · 03/07/2020 13:09

I was up at 4am last night stressing about this because where does it end, will we need them for parents evening, museums

THIS

I am terrified about returning to work in case I have to wear masks on the way there, in the office, and if there is a team lunch somewhere. (I was already experiencing bullying and discrimination at work and this wont help)

FizzFan · 03/07/2020 13:25

What bothers me is how long is this going to go on for? A few months? A year? Forever?

I totally agree with the condom/baby shower analogy. Like going on the pill when you’re already pregnant.

FizzFan · 03/07/2020 13:27

Oh and our State Mammy told us to wear them and then machine wash at 60 degrees. Her wee tartan one is from Slanj and hand wash only.

Userzzz · 03/07/2020 13:30

Agree with you, some form of social control is happening and its deeply worrying. I'm not worried about the virus, I'm worried about whatever else they have planned "because the numbers"

FishyDuck · 03/07/2020 13:31

I think Sturgeon has killed the high street with the compulsory mask rule that shops didn't actually want!

People are not going to wear a mask to go and browse shops when they can order online. All is well though as she will just blame Westminster for the job losses that ensue.

FishyDuck · 03/07/2020 13:33

And I agree it's all about control with Sturgeon. She and her party have authoritarian instincts as demonstrated by the named person policy- she is loving the opportunity to order people about.

Noworrieshere · 03/07/2020 13:49

I think Sturgeon has killed the high street with the compulsory mask rule that shops didn't actually want

I've just been in the high street and it was not fun. 20 minutes on the bus with our masks on, putting them on and off every time we went into a shop, hand sanitising in every shop, no-where to go to the toilet or have a cup of tea. Raining so not much fun sitting outside either. At least we got to take our masks off for a breather between shops. Folk working there will have to keep them on all day. (And yes I know doctors and dentists and nurses always have to so why are we complaining)
It's all just shit. I am so sorry for shop owners and workers. I'm hot, bothered, thirsty, needing the toilet. Bought a bottle of water to drink on the bus home then realised I couldn't because I have to wear a mask.

Normality feels a long way off. I guess that's the point, we shouldn't be feeling normal, but it's shit.

MumofHunter · 03/07/2020 13:56

You can take a mask off to drink or eat. 👍

Purplepeonies · 03/07/2020 14:12

I'm glad it will be compulsory for those who are able to wear one. I'm surprised I appear to be in the minority on here.

pigoons · 03/07/2020 14:15

Six months is the minimum for the mask - ahem sorry, face covering legislation. And visors are acceptable as long as they cover your mouth.

username2020 · 03/07/2020 14:22

where does it say 6 months for the mask wearing?

Fucking hell, six months of stress. I was just about willing to accept it as temporary, but six months???

Noworrieshere · 03/07/2020 14:33

You can take a mask off to drink or eat

So I could have slowly sipped my bottle of water the whole way home in the bus and avoided wearing my mask?

There was a woman sitting opposite us who had her mask under her chin the whole journey, she was sucking a lolly. I wonder if she was sucking a lolly so she didn't have to wear her mask?

tabulahrasa · 03/07/2020 14:35

“People are not going to wear a mask to go and browse shops when they can order online.”

But to be fair, it was obvious months ago that social distancing alone meant the end of browsing and it was more likely that people would carry on shopping online.

You’re not supposed to handle things you don’t buy, limited numbers means in smaller shops there’s always a queue of people waiting impatiently for you to finish...

Wearing a mask alone isn’t going to stop browsing - I mean, yeah it adds to it a bit, but even without it...

Arkadia · 03/07/2020 14:39

@pigoons, where did you get that info from?
If 6 months it ties in nicely with the possible second spike next winter. At least we will be able to shop without masks...

pigoons · 03/07/2020 15:13

Hi

Sorry I may be misunderstanding the info. The Scot Gov website has an updated document on phase 2 and I was reading the bit about face coverings - this is then followed by a section on compliance which states that the measures are in force for 6 months but will be reviewed no later than 21 days

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-2-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/compliance-and-penalties/

It only mentions compliance re face coverings and public transport but I assumed this was because it is not yet enacted in shops. It may be that they decide to review the face coverings before 6 months up, but I think it will be in place a long time as it is an easy (and cost neutral) way to be seen to be doing something.

SockYarn · 03/07/2020 15:22

6 MONTHS! Bye bye high street, bye bye Braehead, and Silverburn, and everywhere else.

nextslideplease · 03/07/2020 15:57

pffft I doubt face coverings in shops will last a month due to shop workers getting abuse, the difficulties disabled people face, and the difficulties enforcing it

Not to mention the loss of business when people reduce their visits and shop online!

NS will see her popularity plummet even more, but any U Turn will be because we were all sooo good and not because she's getting pelters!