Today we have to wear masks in shops, another unenforceable imposition. Just look at how this has been totally ignored on London Transport, there are more not wearing masks than are and several supermarkets have said they won't enforce it, yet another ill-though out edict from the Ministry of Halfwits...
In a rare defence of the utterly incompetent rabble of corrupt sex cases currently in charge of us, wearing masks indoors is clearly a good idea and people should do it so I hope it is properly enforced.
Is it not mandatory down there? It is up here, and pretty much every time I've been out I've seen everyone wearing them in the shops
It has been on transport for about a month but most buses I see have more not wearing them often with the driver as well. I'm off to the supermarket this morning so it'll be interesting to see how many comply, I've been wearing one for a few weeks now and it makes sense but mostly younger people don't seem to bother...
Have to say that, although there has been a lot of mishandling of this whole thing, I just don't get this opposition to face masks. Surely wearing one indoors, whilst surrounded by half-wits you don't know and who don't socially distance, has to be a good idea? More faux indignation in my view.
I still have trouble accepting people will manage their masks appropriately and will give a false sense of safety. However I totally see that any small percentage of minimising risk has to be a positive. I shall do my duty and wear one when required and, as I have one made for me, will also ensure it is cleaned regularly with every wash that gets done.
I've been travelling on the tube all through this crisis and have dutifully started to wear a mask since it was made mandatory to do so. I find it hard to catch my breath while wearing it properly though (and my glasses get steamed up), so I only have it covering my mouth. This means it provides no protection for me of course, but it's about protecting others isn't it, so that's alright.
Here in Thailand you are required by law to wear a mask as soon as you leave home. It's become like wearing a pair of shorts, something you do without hardly thinking about it, no problem at. I have noticed with no local infections in about 2 months now more people are wearing their mask in ways that arent going to protect them or others.
For shortish journeys it's ok. but a few days ago I had to wear one for a 4 hour train journey - it got so hot and sweaty that I thought mushrooms were growing under it. As for wearing glasses it was impossible.
I’ve come round to this. I don’t think there is any more compelling evidence in their favour now than four months ago, and given that in my experience at least half of the people who wear them don’t have them on properly or are constantly fiddling with them, I’m not sure that in this country (England) it will make much of a difference, but equally it can’t do any harm unless people think they gain magic immunity by wearing one and ignore hand washing, distancing etc. Mandatory, and should be enforced, if only through shaming. Those most opposed seem to be the right wing libertarian types, who feel that them being told to do something to benefit the broader population is an affront. Yeah, it can be uncomfortable, especially for us specs wearers. Just makes me minimise my time in situations where I have to wear one. The weirdest thing is, despite doubtless having a reputation on here as being a miserable old bastard, my natural greeting to people involves a smile. Pointless in masks. Even today I noticed the impact on basic communication - facial expression is almost the equal of words in terms of communication. Interesting in terms of face coverings for a variety of reasons impeding open dialogue, but that’s probably for another thread.
Just shared a train home from the pub with a friend - sitting opposite each other - and I had to ask him to take his mask off so that I could understand what he was saying. I'm only slightly mutton, so lip-reading must form a part of comprehension even for the hearing.
First person fined for not wearing face mask in Jedburgh shop 8 hours ago please log in to view this image One person has been fined for not wearing a face covering in a shop in the first two weeks since it became compulsory. Police officers spoke to the man after seeing him without a mask in a supermarket in Jedburgh on 16 July. He was advised of the guidelines but refused to comply and was given a £60 fixed penalty notice (FPN). A spokeswoman confirmed it was the only FPN police had issued since the rule was introduced in Scotland on 10 July. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53523574
I actually think that there is now more compelling evidence that face masks help than there was when you initially dismissed them. More scientific evidence that they reduce risk of infection. I agree about the lack of facial expressions when meeting people. Very difficult, but hey, I just want to do the best I can to avoid this thing, however small the risk. If I were nearer to 30 than 60 I'd probably be more relaxed.
Sb, you made a very good point about people on public transport, keep fiddling with their mask, hence, hands and fingers that have been touching things in public, now being put on their mask and face. In a way, this procedure may very well help transmit germs, that otherwise may not have been. Tough situation indeed. Footnote - My wife works in a chemist and she made that very comment today when she arrived home.
Why do you think it is that you struggle to 'catch your breath'? Clearly surgeons wear them for hours on end with no adverse effects and the medical profession have been at pains to point out that wearing masks can't affect your breathing etc. Could it be a psychological thing, as they're certainly uncomfortable and a little claustrophobic to wear in the warmer weather?
