…to expect everyone at the hairdresser’s to be Covid- compliant?

My hairdresser wears a mask, sanitises etc and even takes our temperature when we go in …. But won’t let us wear a mask to cut our hair as she says she can’t! So gives us a small face guard like an old fashioned mirror which is totally ineffective. It worries me.

I recently changed hairdressers because of the lax attitude of my previous hairdresser and staff although I have been going there for years. At my new hairdressers, there is such a difference in the attitude of keeping to the guidelines and all customers are expected to wear a mask as well. It is more expensive than my previous hairdresser but is worth every penny to have peace of mind and know that they are doing everything possible to protect staff and clients.

Not unreasonable at all but not all will follow the rules unfortunately. Just don’t go there if you don’t feel safe, plenty of hairdressers around. My hairdressers both wear masks but don’t mind if the clients don’t. This suits me as I find them uncomfortable when I’m having my hair done. Just wear your mask to feel safe and don’t worry about what risks others take.

Not unreasonable at all. I read that after 3 months the booster's effectiveness tails off very significantly. I'm sure most of us are at that stage. Sure enough triple jabbed, 9 days after the three months period, I get Covid. Currently in bed with it, day 3. Two days later my husband gets it, also triple jabbed. No sign of 4th jab on the horizon. I know of lots of others with reinfections, not currently counted in the statistics. It's very worrying. The last time I was in my hairdressers they were tardy in mask wearing, below the nose, or visors, which aren't effective. I'm the same Iike the cut she does but don't think they are very Covid compliant.

My husband is a hairdresser and his salon is very, very careful about being COVID compliant. Since re-opening last summer, all hairdressers where masks at all times, front and rear doors are open to allow good ventilation and each work station is wiped down with anti-bacterial wipes between each appointment. Clients are asked to wear masks and take LFT tests before attending, and the number in the premises at any one time is limited. He and his colleagues are fully vaxed and boosted. Maybe because he has an older clientele, but everyone (clients and hairdressers) take COVID precautions very seriously. I’m shocked to hear your experience Cabbie21.

YANBU - tbh I would have walked out, I am at an age that makes me vulnerable and get very angry about all the selfish g*ts who won't wear masks, making my life harder and more dangerous - zero tolerance from me I'm afraid

It wouldn't have bothered me. In fact, I'd probably have been quite pleased because then I wouldn't have to wear a mask either.

Has anyone else seen the news that Julia Donaldson of Gruffalo fame has said that making schoolkids wear masks all day at school is "dystopian". I agree and am thinking well said JD.

People don't wear masks because guess what , they're pointless!

Don't assume. Have the conversation with the owner.

Why are some posters saying masks are not effective? Even as recently as November a global study, reviewed by the British Medical Journal, has shown that mask are hugely effective in stopping the spread of covid. Yes the surgical disposable ones are the best, but even cloth ones capture droplets and reduce spread.

Biscuitmuncher, why are masks pointless?
And there is the added bonus of not munching too many ?

Seems like some people believe what they want to believe and have no scruples about spreading irresponsible information on the Internet.

If masks worked why hasn't covid disappeared?

Because it is a virus. It's not going to just disappear. Masks reduce the spread.

Smallpox?

Not that smallpox just disappeared.

Been reading stuff about the difference between droplets and aerosols. Not everyone agrees that covid is spread by droplets. Some argue that aerosol particles are much tinier thatn any droplet and so can go through cloth masks with ease. This is why it is argued that cloth masks aren't much, if any, use.

I cant remember having a smallpox vaccine every few months

As far as I understand covid is both droplets and aerosol.
Masks are a help they are no where near 100% protection against covid unless you have a properly fitted FFP2 mask
But whilst infection is rife they don't do any harm in certain situations and can be helpful in reducing viral load.
I wear one as restrictions request when these restrictions are removed then it will be free choice. Nobody can stop you wearing a mask for as long as you like.

Amazing how some people on here are so much more knowledgeable than those who have spent years studying medicine and science.

I think I'll just read a couple of articles on architecture and then assume I'm qualic to spread advice on the Internet about how to safely construct a public building.

Or hey, I've babysat and read stories to kids, I'll just start telling qualified teachers how to do their job.

Seriously the arrogance and irresponsibility of some people!

I think you might be the one making assumptions, beswitched. What I said a few posts up stated what I had been reading, not what I knew. Rosie came back with some information she had seen. Neither of us are claiming to know or be 'qualified' about what we're talking about. We're just having a conversation about things that are puzzling.

Can't speak for the rest of the thread, just replying now because of the juxtaposition of your last post.

In case anyone's interested this is the first article I landed on when I put droplet or aerosol in the search engine.

My comments weren't directed at you Baggs, but at the posters stating with arrogant and unqualified confidence that masks are no use in stopping the spread of covid.

Thank you for clarifying that, Besw

Here is something I witnessed just last week (and I'm neither a scientist, nor qualified; I just believe face masks are ineffective - judgement based on statistics, reports read, media items, etc, etc - same as we all use to base our own judgements on).

I'm a bird watcher and last week, our bird watching group visited a nature reserve. It was a bitterly cold day. We went in a bird hide and watched the birds through the windows. I stood behind a woman and got distracted by the swirls of what looked like smoke coming from her face area. At first, I thought she must be smoking, but then realised she wasn't. What I was watching was this woman's breath condensing in the air (like all our breaths were). Then I realised she was wearing a face mask. Her breath wasn't steaming out of the sides of her mask, nor up her nostrils, nor out of the bottom of her face area. It was billowing straight out through the mask - great big puffs of it. Even I couldn't believe what I was seeing for a moment. If I was 99% sure that face masks were ineffective at stopping Covid, from that moment on, I am 100% sure.

I wish I had something on me to record what I saw - I would have sent it to every media channel and government possible. It would probably have been ignored, though, as it just doesn't fit in with the politics of being seen to be 'doing something'.