I'm still wearing a mask when I'm in a store, with positive C19 cases as they are I consider it my civil duty to do so - thankfully I've noticed little, if any, change in mask wearing when I'm out.
My workplace requires me to wear one only under particular circumstances however I keep it on all the time as it's easier. An email was sent out from the site director at the time of the last lifting of government guidelines requesting that all staff still adhere to previously set company guidelines. The standard of mask wearing at work was poor IMO prior to the lift and it's worse now, it's incredibly frustrating though I'm not surprised as the only enforcement I've witnessed is the odd electronic communication, the leadership/management team don't have the b0ll0cks to challenge face to face.
Yes, and meantime in the real world? Business owners may want stuff in principle, but in practice? And what of the people to 'enforce' it? There's a particularly nasty video of a tear up in Asda going around at the moment.
That policy may all be well and good for antique shops in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Braintree Freeport/Village is like a pedestrianised high street, unlike Lakeside or Bluewater it's not undercover. I'd guess that the latter two would have a higher level of compliance as they're indoors where as at BV masks can be removed when not in an actual shop - maybe people find it too much of a PITA to put on/take off all the time. I'm not excusing it, just wondering if with the relaxed rules people just can't be arsed anymore.
You make the point I raised in my first post for me, in that you are not qualified to make that argument, therefore you can have a point of view or make an assertion, but not from a position of informed expertise.
Because most of us are in that camp, we either have to obey relevant legislation or face the consequences, or choose to adhere to guidance where it is voluntary. It is as simple as that.
Wherever I have been compelled to abide by the law with respect to Covid, I have, be that mask wearing earlier in the pandemic, not leaving the house except for the reasonable excuses listed etc etc. I recall you taking a more flexible approach in terms of your interpretation of what constituted an essential journey last year, with multiple trips on your bike to the local shops for essential goods. You made it quite clear that you were out for a ride, in spite of that firm legal prohibition. So when you were instructed not to do something, you did it. In the case of mask wearing I now have a choice and exercise it. There is a not very subtle difference there.
The thing is that you cannot complain about being judge for not wearing a mask. Those who make that judgment may not be virologists, but people who are (or feel) endangered by your choice.
That is the problem with mask wearing. If it was just about the (potential) risk you take for yourself there would be no question about your choice.
The fact is that the (potential) risk you take is affecting others than yourself. This is why others will judge you, and rightfully in my opinion.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
What utter b*llocks. I made essential journeys in order to get provisions at a time when supermarket deliveries couldn't be arranged when they were needed. Those journeys were compliant with the government guidelines, albeit I used my bike and not my car. As did many others, I hasten to add.
Your decision is different. You've deliberately elected not to make minor and inconsequential adjustments to your lifestyle for your own convenience, thereby putting those around you, and with whom you come into contact, at risk. So yes - I judge you... you're as selfish as the rest of them. I certainly shan't take your pontificating seriously again.
It’s an individual’s choice to wear a mask or not, if someone wants to judge them then that’s their choice as well…
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Following an article in the news today, I'm wearing one over my anus.
Just saying 'mask' covers a lot. The fabric/cotton masks or so-called surgical masks are largely useless in protecting you from inhaling viral particles held within an aerosol spray from someone sneezing indoors or close by. To protect yourself, you need an FFP3/N95 mask with valve for efficient exhalation and properly adjusted for close fit.
The FFP3/N95 mask will block or decrease the viral load you inhale which is a factor in the severity of COVID infection. If you've been double vaccinated, receiving a reduced number of viral particles may go unnoticed.
Also you can't be taking on and off and stuffing into pocket and expect any significant benefit.
Masks upgrade cuts infection risk, research finds
Last edited by J J Carter; 25th July 2021 at 16:39.
Absolutely, it is the choice of an individual to judge them - and stress themselves out to the max over something they have absolutely zero control over in almost all circumstances.
Where people have the choice, they will make it - whatever they deem it to be - and they'll have ample back up from all kinds of resources, including in this case the rules from the government.
It is just a fact of modern life there are enormous amount of self centered people out there who will care only about their opinion. Lots of people have done very well in this world out of that philosophy - doing what suits them, their opinion, their outlook.
Isn't this just a product of our society?
I will wear a mask, it isn't very difficult (although a tad annoying as I wear glasses). But getting fizzed at those who don't? It's a waste of energy.
This was the point I raised earlier in the thread. Surely if people want to be protected they should go for maximum protection. Why bother otherwise? I think some people have now become socially conditioned to wear them and are more concerned about not appearing compliant.
Ravenstone - about 3.5 miles to the SE of Ashby. I've haven't been to a pub there since the pandemic started but we'll no doubt do that soon. I like Ashby; love the old-fashioned high street. Nice to see that the businesses there have survived a huge Tesco less than a mile away. Always looks busy when I come through on my bike.
>Why bother otherwise?<
True, but most people will be unaware that putting a piece of cotton fabric over their face is essentially pointless to protect themselves.
Even the notion that this reduces infection from people touching face and around eyes has been discounted as risk of COVID infection from contact with surfaces such as door handles is minimal. Washing hands is still a valid thing against other bugs such as Norovirus, of course.
For obese people, their best option of reducing complications from COVID infection (if not vaccinated) is to lose weight.
>I thought the whole point of mask wearing, even the pale blue surgical type, was to protect others from yourself rather than protect yourself from others?<
Not from where I'm standing. No.1 priority is health of myself and family which starts by not breathing in the aerosol spray produced by others. Reckon I've "done my bit" for society by getting the two AZ vaccinations. Just saying.
Last edited by J J Carter; 25th July 2021 at 17:02.
Currently at a wedding working and when in the main room with guests I’m wearing a mask, so far though weddings are basically super spreader events from what I have seen.
A very high up figure in the NHS did say we can all avoid Covid as much as we can but ultimately we are all going to get it at some point, not a case of IF but WHEN..
I don’t wear one where it’s not mandatory although I’m happy to do my own risk assessment and if I’m packed into a tube carriage I’ll put one on because the case rate is high at the moment. I know a lot of people will look down on me for saying I don’t wear one all the time…I’ve even seen people on here post comments that people who don’t wear masks are lower class. Ridiculous.
That actually isn’t a relevant argument. It is to stop bacteria and also to protect the surgeon.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480558/
It is completely different to using them in a public environment
This is a pretty toxic debate to have on a general forum as there are extremes on both sides. It is probably better if it isn’t debated here
Living in Scotland I can say 90% are still wearing masks, about 3 weeks ago we spent 3 days at the Trafford centre, it was probably 90% the other way....my kids were asking if covid had reached Manchester.
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I dropped into the local lidl the other evening. It was noticeable the only ones not wearing masks were the younger customers buying cheap booze, unlikely to have had both vaccines if any.
This did make me laugh...(it's only a meme so I hope it doesn't upset!)...
We have to wear them in work or if we are in a car with someone, its often a pain taking them on and off all the time (And constantly touching them sort of defeats the object of them) So I have often ended up wearing them when alone in a car. I notice a lot of taxi drivers do too (For obvious reasons)
Not offended, just pointing out why some people may do it
That is entirely understandable in general. The thing is, in a pandemic like the one we have, you have to rely on others to protect you and yours as much as they rely on you and yours to protect them. And to correct what you wrote, it is precisely when you got your 2 jabs that you put your health first, as the vaccine may reduce contagiousness but it certainly doesn’t stop it, whereas it offers excellent protection from a severe form of the disease to the person vaccinated.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Well I've just got back from.another trip to the shops and again I'd say it was those over 60 who make up the majority of these mask free.
I'm not a youngster attacking the old being 50 myself, just observing those around me.
Despite the new freedom I'd say more than 80%were masked up which has to be good news.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
I wont be wearing one unless for work, I also wont be using a chocolate fireguard and want to allow my immune system to do its job whilst using basic hygiene. If you chose to wear one because you have concerns then thats your decision and not one I would or could criticise.
For the record Ive worked in the 4th highest COVID trust for 18 months, shared a house with Covid patients, had both jabs in January and just had Covid.
I also will be wearing one much less. If I feel the need to protect others I will. Being a glasses wearer I feel I touch my face about 100x more than I need to. Everyone I know are pretty much double jabbed and so am I.