Scotland- Enough is enough

[Bytheloch]

Starting this thread for those of us who are done. I don’t want to just rail or fight about it with those who still believe that government messaging is in our best interest. Enough is enough.

Em you said 'it is when you post a load of bollocks like that'. I assume in relation to my post which you shared.

My knickers aren't twisted I can assure you.

I literally haven't ever seen anyone being called a murderer for not wearing a mask. It's not pleasant but it's not a major hardship. I'm past caring what anyone else does now though I have to say. I'll continue to wear one when I need to 🤷🏻‍♀️

Performative bollocks. If anyone truly believes that a cloth over their face truly prevents the transmission of an airborne VIRUS which is so teeny-tiny it could probably escape a lead casket - then knock yourselves out.

But I for one could do without the "but I'm doing it for You-ou" alongside a meme of someone pissing down their leg.

Because when you get to the nub of the matter - and their mask slips (badoom-tish!) - they say THEY don't feel safe so they're going to keep wearing them.

So yeh, performative bollocks all dressed up as altruism.

It's so hard. Whose opinion should we trust? A range of highly qualified scientists and scientific teams who have produced evidence time and again to show that masks help limit transmission or a random person on MN who thinks she knows better and who is scornful towards people who want to keep things a bit safer. It's a real conundrum.

I dont get the hatred for masks on scotsnet. Sure, they are a pain in the arse, they steam up your specs and feel really hot to wear. I work in retail and wearing it 8 hours a day is awful, sore throats and sore heads is part of work now. And i know most folk dont wear them properly, but where i work most if us wear ones that look a decent fit. And we don't wear it to be a goody 2 shoes, that attitude is pathetic. We wear it because we have to and also a lot of us are 50 plus and it helps us feel a bit safer. My work has customers coming right up to you all day and wearing a mask and them wearing a mask feels a wee bit safer. If a customer wears a mask below their nose or chin, i keep back and give them the briefest of help. I'm not taking chances. If a customer has a lanyard or a visor i dont even notice, I'll help them no bother. If someone feels they dont want to wear a mask at all thats fine too if they respect social distancing. If they dont and want to stand right in my face thats not happening. Ive said before on here, i think most mn Scottish posters wfh and dont take busy trains or buses everyday, so they can rant about masks even though they hardly need to wear them. Its a different matter when you work in a busy place and use busy trains or buses 5 times a week. Masks aren't the be all and end all but no one is saying they are. But they help us shop assistants feel a bit safer. And we dont wear them to help others, we're too busy trying to get through work and look after ourselves.

I think it's generally acknowledged that the evidence for masks is very weak and the benefit very small (if it was a large effect it would be clearer from all the studies done). They probably help to catch some of the virus if you're heavily symptomatic as a tissue would, but the benefit of the loose fitting thin paper masks with noses etc. hanging out as a lot of people wear them is much less certain. After all, masks have been mandatory for a year and have done nothing to prevent two large waves of infections. I think a lot of experts think on balance they're in favour because for most it's not a huge deal and might have some small benefit, but it is a huge deal for people with trauma, hearing difficulties etc. so personally I'm all for making it voluntary and ending the sanctimony of self-appointed mask police. Personally, I think my default would be (if Scotland is ever given the same choices as England) to not wear one, but if I was asked to by a shop etc. I wouldn't make a thing of it. It's no hardship for me though, and I fully accept that for others it is a huge deal.

"the sanctimony of self-appointed mask police"

Ive only heard about mask police on mn. Or about people calling for lockdowns forever. Who are these people?? Do people really walk round the streets shouting at others? Or is this most likely social media, which i dont go near as i have more bloody sense?

Enough is enough.

Masks (even singe layer cloth ones) block large droplets that are expelled by a cough or a sneeze. These large droplets contain the most virus and are therefore effective in reducing spread in the immediate surroundings. No, they don’t block smaller particles but to say that they have no role to play in reducing spread is simply not true.

That sayings getting irritating

There’s absolutely no evidence of mask fans preaching their cause 🤔😉

@ssd

"the sanctimony of self-appointed mask police"

Ive only heard about mask police on mn. Or about people calling for lockdowns forever. Who are these people?? Do people really walk round the streets shouting at others? Or is this most likely social media, which i dont go near as i have more bloody sense?

I cross posted with you there @ssd, and wasn't responding to what you wrote. I'm talking about the thankfully quite rare people who tut or comment to people who aren't wearing a mask because they're a little too invested in their worth and, perhaps, have lost the ability to appreciate nuance. I wear a mask so it's not directed at me, but it can be upsetting for people who really have a hard time with the face coverings. As I said, I probably would wear a mask if asked too (assuming I'm ever trusted to make decisions for myself) because Ican and generally I'm not a dick, but I also appreciate that for others it is a big deal (and in a quiet indoor space with noone around, who am I protecting anyway?). For me they are a visual reminder that we're not free yet which is a little unsettling, but I really suspect that is their major purpose rather than infection control.

ssd - you say it right there in black & white. You step back from those not wearing a mask because YOU don't feel safe. It has FECK all to do with you saving the world one pensioner at a time. "I'm not taking chances" you say. At least own it.

Tbh I'd have quit a job where I had to wear a mask - I wore one to hospital to accompany my son to A&E and promptly fainted myself. First thing I did as I came around was pull the damned thing off. I was only wearing it to avoid the inevitable row and sanctimonious bollocks - but I'm not flinging myself on the floor EVERY time I have to go somewhere.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that masks help limit transmission.

It's irrelevant if it makes someone feel safe or if they are doing it for someone else. It's none of your business why someone chooses to follow actual science rather than dramatic moaners on mumsnet full of their own self importance.

And if you're in a position where you could have quit a job rather than wear a mask then I think you've spectacularly missed SSDs point.

Waving from England, as I’m still away working/on school holidays. On tube and trains, a mix of those that are/aren’t wearing masks. Nobody in real life appears to be hassling anyone. Colleague said yesterday, roll on the 19th- er, no, not for me I said and ended up explaining the difference, funny to see colleagues quite surprised. Even more so when I said I wouldn’t be following any of SG oppressive guidance as it was ‘summer’ our schools are off and I agree with U.K. government approach.

Enough is enough.

@forfucksakenett

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that masks help limit transmission.

It's irrelevant if it makes someone feel safe or if they are doing it for someone else. It's none of your business why someone chooses to follow actual science rather than dramatic moaners on mumsnet full of their own self importance.

How did we manage before Feb 2020. It’s still incredible to think back to how grown ups got by every day, some even parenting in the mix there.

Fascinating stuff to look back on, don’t you think?

finally some common sense @forfucksakenett

@AlphabetAerobics

ssd - you say it right there in black & white. You step back from those not wearing a mask because YOU don't feel safe. It has FECK all to do with you saving the world one pensioner at a time. "I'm not taking chances" you say. At least own it.

Tbh I'd have quit a job where I had to wear a mask - I wore one to hospital to accompany my son to A&E and promptly fainted myself. First thing I did as I came around was pull the damned thing off. I was only wearing it to avoid the inevitable row and sanctimonious bollocks - but I'm not flinging myself on the floor EVERY time I have to go somewhere.

Id have quit a job where i had to wear a mask.....

Lucky you, you obviously have more money than me.

@forfucksakenett

And if you're in a position where you could have quit a job rather than wear a mask then I think you've spectacularly missed SSDs point.

There seems to be a lot of posters on scotsnet sitting in ivory towers missing the point

Wonder where they'd be without the waitrose delivery etc

@Bytheloch your post makes no sense. Before 2020 we didn't have covid in the mix. It's completely up to you if you're part of the covid doesn't exist / it's just the flu brigade but, again, I'm honestly more interested in the opinion of experts and medical professionals.

Equally, nobody cares if you don't wear a mask. Just don't wear it. No need to go on about it is there?

Meh - it seems like the entire population has split itself into either "following the science that masks help limit transmission" or "following the science that masks don't really help limit transmission very much in the wild" - and various subgroups thereof (as many subgroups as there are people, seemingly). And set themselves against one or all of the other subgroups - either mentally, or through anonymised posts, or through tutting or comments, or chatting among similarly-minded friends/ family/ colleagues.

It's all "you have to believe more - just get on with it and don't complain", or "it's really not that difficult" or "wear the mask better", or "the mask is pointless and disgusting" or "well they're obviously not exempt" or "they don't care about me" or "don't be so compliant" or "you obviously don't understand" or "they're so sanctimonious".... It's pretty grim, really. I can't think of any other situation where it's so acceptable not just to agree to disagree over someone's choice and not imply that whatever that choice is is evidence of some deep moral failing apart from politics, maybe, but even that is really only online

I choose to follow the opinions of scientists and medical professionals who I trust and respect. I couldn't give a shit what anyone else does. I don't judge non mask wearers because I don't waste my time wondering why they aren't wearing one.

I'm less tolerant of covid deniers because I think they are a bit stupid conspiracy theory types who watch Ivor Cummings videos abs what not. I appreciate that's not very nice but I can't help it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My rationale for wearing the mask is the belief that if I have it I would like to minimise the chances of passing it on. Same with the LFTs which I know are also deeply flawed. I don't see why that is such a problem for people to be honest. It's not a moral crusade, it's a personal choice. It's the same principle when you wash your hands in a public toilet. Protect yourself and protect others by using your clean hands to touch doors and what not.

Seems quite crusadey to me.

Well @WouldBeGood what can I say? If following the advice of experts that you trust while not really giving a shit what others do or don't do is the definition of xcrusadey in your book then I suggest you buy a dictionary. 👍🏻