Face Masks in shops

Oh dear! Are we becoming like US and mask wearing becoming a political rather than health issue?

They will be mandatory in enclosed spaces here in France from next week. Macron announced the change from August 1st but it has been brought forward. Mask wearing was pretty high in our local town but has dropped off in the last few weeks. There was a very clear list of where it will apply from our new Prime Minister.
I quite enjoy making them in various colours to match my outfit. ?

Having now been out with my mask a couple of times, it is horrible. It had a rather useless nose band, I kept steaming up.

I would rather wear a visor, but assume that isn't an acceptable alternative.

To stop glasses steaming up. Wash them in soapy water, let them dry naturally. Problem solved ?

Opticians are advising not to smear washing up liquid on lenses (or meths), as advised on one of the mask threads, it damages them.

seacliff

Having now been out with my mask a couple of times, it is horrible. It had a rather useless nose band, I kept steaming up.

I would rather wear a visor, but assume that isn't an acceptable alternative.

I have just read the following Seacliff which answers your question.
PLASTIC visors fail to provide adequate protection from coronavirus infection and should only be worn in combination with a face mask, Swiss authorities have announced
Health officials came to the conclusion after investigating an outbreak at a hotel in the canton of Graübunden. Several staff tested positive and they all wore plastic face shields, while those wearing face masks were unscathed. A guest was also infected

Rudolf Leuthold, head of the Graübunden health department, said: “It has been shown that only those employees who had plastic visors were infected. There was not a single infection among employees with a mask

‘ The visors do not serve as an alternative to hygiene masks They should only be worn with face masks
He told the Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten that the guest “was served by employees with plastic visors.
On Tuesday, the Graübunden health authorities said plastic face shields did not work

Going by news footage of hair salons reopening, face visors seem to be the chosen protection for stylists. They appear to be of little benefit due to the gap at the bottom of the visor. Surely any customer having their hair done is sitting beneath and in very close proximity to that gap and therefore in the firing line of the stylist’s exhaled breath.

In M&S food hall yesterday all staff were wearing visors. But several of them had them tilted so far back on their heads that the visor was sitting at an angle and barely covering their mouths.

Masks are less comfortable to wear but I think they must be more effective than a face visor.

Well no body has answered my question yet

why are shoppers told it’s mandatory to wear face masks and shop assistants don’t have to ?

Grannynannywanny

Going by news footage of hair salons reopening, face visors seem to be the chosen protection for stylists. They appear to be of little benefit due to the gap at the bottom of the visor. Surely any customer having their hair done is sitting beneath and in very close proximity to that gap and therefore in the firing line of the stylist’s exhaled breath.

In M&S food hall yesterday all staff were wearing visors. But several of them had them tilted so far back on their heads that the visor was sitting at an angle and barely covering their mouths.

Masks are less comfortable to wear but I think they must be more effective than a face visor.

My hairdresser I’m glad to say wore a mask and a visor.
I think sometimes it’s up to clients to phone and request that their stylist does this.

BlueBelle

Well no body has answered my question yet

why are shoppers told it’s mandatory to wear face masks and shop assistants don’t have to ?

I don’t know either. Does anyone know if shop assistants in other countries wear masks ?

Just what’s apped friend in Italy to find out.

In Italy all shopkeepers, shop assistants wear masks. Masks are compulsory in all closed spaces plus outside if distancing is not possible. People playing sport don’t have to but she says many do.

The questions on here just highlight how absolutely pointless these facemasks are.

If they were of any use whatsoever, then why weren't they introduced 4 months ago when lockdown occurred? People might have been more willing to use them if it had all happened at the same time - it would have perhaps made a bit more sense, rather than now when the rate of infection is reducing rapidly.

If they are so effective, and were introduced to protect shop workers, then why are the same shop workers exempt from wearing them?

If they are so effective in enclosed spaces, why are office workers exempt from wearing them.

It's all so ridiculous.

I've ordered a facemask to use from next week. If I'm forced to wear one then people will be forced to know my views about it. The mask had printed on it "This is F**** Pointless". Childish, I know, but it will make me feel slightly better about wearing one.

Childish in the extreme, not to mention offensive.

I don't fancy a ventilator so I'll wear a mask.
Respect to out NHS staff who save lives whilst wearing them. Must be so uncomfortable.

Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon asked people to support those of us who are shielding by wearing a mask, to allow us to get out after 18 weeks of incarceration.

I find your comments offensive and insensitive TwoWolves.

The reason masks weren't introduce months ago is because Boris is absolutely useless!
I'm not a great fan of the SNP, but Nicola S is doing a far better job than that dithering fool.

Please read the last line from government advise

When will face masks be compulsory in shops?
The policy comes into play on July 24, although ministers made the announcement today in order to give 'people time to prepare', according to the Environment Secretary George Eustice.

Mr Hancock said: "The death rate of sales and retail assistants is 75% higher amongst men and 60% higher amongst women than in the general population."

He added: "There is also evidence that face coverings increase confidence in people to shop."

Staff themselves will not have to wear a mask

and tell me if this makes sense How on earth can we Police people coming into the shop if we are not wearing masks

TwoWolves my daughter is a
nurse. I’m wondering how you’d feel if you arrived in her ward expecting care and found her to be wearing a mask like yours?

Is it really too much to ask for us to wear a mask if there’s a chance it will offer protection to others?

Vulnerable people have been shielding for months and are about to take their first tentative steps out and about. Is it not daunting enough for them without having to worry about mingling with folk who are hacked off at having to wear a mask?

If my nurse and doctor can wear incredibly uncomfortable masks for 12 hour shifts in order to save my life, I hope I can put up with wearing a simple mask for 20 minutes whilst out shopping.

Arguing about the why/when/who etc is pointless. Masks will help protect the vulnerable. That is something I wish to do and I would hope everyone else does also.

Two wolves cannot believe that you think such a mask is acceptable. Seems to me that science is telling us that it protects others not the wearer....fair enough, it would selfish not to wear one.

The wearing of masks has been mandatory in Scotland for the past two weeks. Yesterday in Lidl not only were shoppers wearing masks but all the Staff were too.

MawB thanks for the information re visors, as I suspected. When this all started we were told masks didn't work, and were not needed by us, the general public, which many then accepted. Almost certainly this was because the Government wanted all medical grade masks to be left for NHS and other care workers.

Now they have done an about turn, no wonder people are confused and doubtful.

I think if EVERYONE in shops, staff and customers had to wear one, this would be best. Why customers and not staff is madness.

I don't like them but accept it may help reduce the spread. It's a bit like the seat belt situation. Only when it was law did most people comply.

Eriel Sadly it is not the person not wearing a mask who will need the respirator but, the person they breathe on.

I don’t like the sound of people relying on scarves as face coverings. Using a mask properly involves washing hands or using gel before putting mask on, avoiding touching the front of the mask, putting mask into a paper or plastic bag when removing it and cleaning hands again. Can all those things be done with a scarf?

Tweedle- er yes of course. Scarves can be washed just the same as fabric masks.

Anything's better than nothing I'd have thought.

Some funny chap/chapette has posted this clip of Trump and set it to the Star Wars music

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhv0AdRZNzw

Actually the fact Trump is actually wearing one is quite outstanding. I recall his speech when he was saying Presidents, Queens, Dictators would never wear them