Wearing masks

[Laughing]

On the subject of masks, I think they are ineffective in stopping the spread of the virus due to viral load in the atmosphere. However, it cost me nothing to wear one so I do.

The issue raised above around non-mask wearers and the possible reasons is a valid one. Let's not vilifie each other, it is understandable when people are dying, but not helpful. We find ourselves in this position because of a pandemic and poor governance, not because some people will not wear a mask.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

With regards to masks, I'm an asthma sufferer, wearing a mask causes me no problems, if I was having an asthma attack it would be different but I wouldn't be going into premises other than health care establishments if that was the case.

Too many people are dashing about the streets flashing their exempt cards once they pop into a shop, chemist etc.

Poor national leadership has lead to this, the government have been a disgrace since the disease was upon us.

Some of our deniers on here have been consistent from day one, they denied it was an epidemic, denied it was a pandemic, knock any efforts made to stop the spread and contest anything that requires them making a change to their routines.

For that level of ignorance I take my hat off to you.

 

[Laughing]

With regards to masks, I'm an asthma sufferer, wearing a mask causes me no problems, if I was having an asthma attack it would be different but I wouldn't be going into premises other than health care establishments if that was the case.

Too many people are dashing about the streets flashing their exempt cards once they pop into a shop, chemist etc.

Glad that is sorted then CtC. Oh just out of interest how many is too many, and where are you getting this data from?

 

[the_smog_chorus]

She just has to ask those not wearing masks to leave, she's always had the right to refuse access to people.

The government advice is you can respectfully ask someone to wear a mask, but you should be clear that some people are exempt. If somebody does say they are exempt, you should take their word for it.

It wouldn't look good for a business to be refusing access to people who have genuine medical or psychological reasons for not wearing a mask, in fact that seems quite discriminatory and could leave that business open to a legal challenge.

 

[the_smog_chorus]

CtC you said - Poor national leadership has lead to this, the government have been a disgrace since the disease was upon us.

OK - but they've got the mask thing spot on though?

 

[SmallTown]

CtC you said - Poor national leadership has lead to this, the government have been a disgrace since the disease was upon us.

OK - but they've got the mask thing spot on though?

Not really, no

 

[Frozen Horse]

I follow the rules, even though they don't all make sense.

The way I see it, if I ignore the non-sensical rules, all anyone else sees is someone ignoring the rules.
See enough people "ignoring the rules", even if it's just the nonsense rules, some will think it's ok to start ignoring the parts that do make sense. So, though I have a decent knowledge of epidemiology, I don't think it's ok for me to pick and choose the bits I like, because I also understand a bit about social behaviour and interaction as well.

All the government's failings in managing this outbreak do not absolve the public from all responsibility in this.

 

[1finny]

I follow the rules, even though they don't all make sense.

The way I see it, if I ignore the non-sensical rules, all anyone else sees is someone ignoring the rules.
See enough people "ignoring the rules", even if it's just the nonsense rules, some will think it's ok to start ignoring the parts that do make sense. So, though I have a decent knowledge of epidemiology, I don't think it's ok for me to pick and choose the bits I like, because I also understand a bit about social behaviour and reaction.

All the government's failings in managing this outbreak do not absolve the public from all responsibility in this.

Agree
But, when the PM does his publicity visiting a factory last week and neither he nor those he chats to wear a mask nor socially distance it does make people a little less likely to believe in the rules.

 

[dooderooni]

Update: I've tested negative, which is a positive.

 

[Randy]

She just has to ask those not wearing masks to leave, she's always had the right to refuse access to people.

Exactly.
No security guards required. Businesses should be left to get on with things.

 

[Statto1]

On the subject of masks, I think they are ineffective in stopping the spread of the virus due to viral load in the atmosphere. However, it cost me nothing to wear one so I do.

This is contradictory. The mask reduces the viral load leaving a person (it's original secondary benefit (stop/ lower outward) has replaced the original primary benefit (stop/ lower inward)) , if that load/ volume leaving the person is reduced due to the mask, or the velocity reduced due to the mask, then the load in the atmosphere is also reduced.

But good on you for doing the latter, even if you think they're not effective.

 

[nowthen]

Our government which is not fit for purpose coming out with eat out to help out etc etc etc is totally different from having common sense and wearing a mask in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.

You understand, I think people should wear a mask? What I objected to was the judging of others not wearing a mask whilst that person themselves wasn’t wearing a mask, but it’s okay, because he’s having a sandwich.

 

[Statto1]

The government advice is you can respectfully ask someone to wear a mask, but you should be clear that some people are exempt. If somebody does say they are exempt, you should take their word for it.

I think this is one of the problems, it's putting peoples feelings ahead of peoples lives. If someone is exempt then would they have a problem showing the exemption, and if so, why? I would rather they (or I) had to prove my exemption to the staff, rather than the staff having to take that persons word for it and putting their own lives and their own families lives at increased risk.

The exemptions should also be recorded too, like issuing individual QR codes or something, which would even help with track and trace, these don't even need to hold any personal data either, and is like what a few asian and other countries did which controlled the spread/ track and trace well. But I don't care about being monitored if it's saving lives, some people care more about this than me.

 

[dooderooni]

Exactly.
No security guards required. Businesses should be left to get on with things.

That's fine Randy, but in the real world there are people who'll take exception to being told what to do and their responses will range from verbal abuse through to violence. I've witnessed the former in supermarkets plenty of times during the pandemic and have heard of at least one violent incident in that time too.

 

[Statto1]

I follow the rules, even though they don't all make sense.

The way I see it, if I ignore the non-sensical rules, all anyone else sees is someone ignoring the rules.
See enough people "ignoring the rules", even if it's just the nonsense rules, some will think it's ok to start ignoring the parts that do make sense. So, though I have a decent knowledge of epidemiology, I don't think it's ok for me to pick and choose the bits I like, because I also understand a bit about social behaviour and interaction as well.

All the government's failings in managing this outbreak do not absolve the public from all responsibility in this.

Exactly this.

 

[Statto1]

Agree
But, when the PM does his publicity visiting a factory last week and neither he nor those he chats to wear a mask nor socially distance it does make people a little less likely to believe in the rules.

Exactly this too.

It's an absolute disgrace not to practice what they preach, and it just gives the idiots a reason to think they have an excuse not to do the same.

The problem is there as two types of people looking at that:
Set 1: They will look at Boris and go, "why isn't that clown wearing a mask" and then move on and continue to wear a mask themselves. Or they might even possibly think/ assume it could be set up/ controlled so that he and others are only talking between those that have had the virus, or a recent negative test, and would themselves still wear the mask.

Set 2: Would go "he's not wearing one, so I'm not wearing one", paying zero thought to the fact that Boris has already had the virus, and probably gets tested every day, and who they were speaking to might have been controlled.

 

[jam69]

People who are exempt should carry a letter ot id card to confirm, shop staff should refuse to serve anyone without a mask, no need for security, no need to stop entry just refuse to serve.
Also shop staff whilst out on the shop floor and not behind a screen should also wear one. It helps set the tone.
I put the Irish lottery on for my mother, as soon as you walk into the william hills they ask you to mask up or leave, it works well

 

[newyddion]

You understand, I think people should wear a mask? What I objected to was the judging of others not wearing a mask whilst that person themselves wasn’t wearing a mask, but it’s okay, because he’s having a sandwich.

How do you eat a sandwich whilst wearing a mask?

 

[Jonny_Rondos_Disco_pants]

I know a local who is right down the rabbit hole with every conspiracy and he refuses to wear a mask. Went on holiday and refused on the plane. Played the ‘im exempt’ card which he isn’t and he boasted about on facebook. It’s all a hoax to him though.

 

[Randy]

That's fine Randy, but in the real world there are people who'll take exception to being told what to do and their responses will range from verbal abuse through to violence. I've witnessed the former in supermarkets plenty of times during the pandemic and have heard of at least one violent incident in that time too.

What I meant is businesses should be able to decide for themselves the relevant measures and restrictions.
If supermarkets are seeing an increase in verbal or physical abuse that's obviously an issue for the police and they can hire extra security staff. But you can't have government dictate to smaller shops for example or those who don't have trouble to implement security measures.