Face Masks in shops

Why do you find my post insensitve and offensive Marydoll? Was it because I've pointed out why I think it's pointless to wear facemasks? The reasons I gave for thinking them pointless are legitimate and reasonable.

Or was it because my mask contains the word F***? I'm not usually a swear-word-on-clothes wearing person, so I might blank out the F word leaving 'This is Pointless'. Less offensive, do you think?

And Grannynannywanny if I arrived on a ward expecting care and a nurse was wearing a mask like mine, I'd agree with her, I really would.

It has been said that the face masks are not for the wearer's protection, but for others, especially those who are vulnerable.
You could be asymptomatic TwoWolvesand unknowingly infect someone.
I suppose as long as you are ok, that's all that matters. ?

Actually there is a growing body of evidence that face masks/coverings may well offer the wearer some degree of protection.

“ A face mask may give the wearer more protection from the coronavirus than previously thought, according to a new study commissioned by the World Health Organization.

The updated study alters health experts’ previously held beliefs that a mask helped protect others from the virus more than the person wearing the mask.”

Jane10 Agreed but, when you pull the scarf back down, you are contaminating your hands and then wearing the contaminant until the scarf is removed. Far better, I think, to carry a couple of clean masks in your bag and something to put them in until they go into the washing machine.

No, Marydoll, you misunderstand me. I don't think facemasks are of any use for myself or anybody else I come into contact with. It's nothing to do with "so long as I'm ok, that's all that matters". It's to do with the fact that they are useless and I resent being told to wear something useless. Obviously, I'm going to have to because I need food but I strongly dispute that the masks will protect anybody.

Have only had to wear one once - when I went for a haircut, burt was having to remove glasses to clean them every 20 seconds, as they kept misting up - will not encourage me to shop at all, if I can avoid it - shops can vanish from the high streets - will mean nothing to me/

rowanflower0 no need to give up on your local high st shops because of misty glasses. Plenty of tips available to remedy that problem.

Mask as high as possible up to the bridge of your nose and wear your specs a bit lower down the nose on top of mask works perfectly for me. Or as others have suggested, fold a tissue into a narrow strip and wear it across the nose and cheeks under the mask. This absorbs any moisture.

Have a little practice in the house. Then get out and support local businesses while we still have them

I added a mask to an order from Iceland. It was £2. I haven't tried it yet because I haven't been anywhere but I have it in case.
People aren't wearing them in the street here but are keeping away from each other. The streets aren't very busy so it is not difficult to do that.

TwoWolves I'm happy to change my opinion on the efficacy of face masks if you can provide me with scientific evidence that they are totally useless.

A recent paper in the Lancet discussed this.
It was found that no single strategy was effective it on its own.
The conclusion was that a combination of factors helped prevent the spread of Covid19, i.e social distancing of 2m or more, frequent handwashing and the use of suitable face masks.

As scientists and doctors learn more about Covid, our knowledge is changing daily, however until someone provides evidence to the contrary, I shall follow the guidelines and try to keep myself as safe as I can.

It's a bit of a wake up call to be told you will probably die if you contract Covid and I still have a lot of living to do!.

Why do you think that the countries where mask wearing is normal have done so well in controlling the virus if "they are totyally useless" TW?

Two wolves. I presume you have evidence that wearing masks is either of no benefit or positively harmful ??
No ? So it might help? So why not just wear it and stop making such a fuss. Surely this is what “we’re all in this together actually means”.
I’m sure you don’t care but your posts have made me really angry.

I'm not angry, Lucca just full of despair! If everyone had the attitude of masks being totally useless, we shielders will never be able to go out.
Yes I am being selfish!

I did everything I was asked to do, so as not to put a burden on the NHS, which I certainly would have done, if I caught it. Unless you have been shielding, you have no conception of what it is like. It is not the same as self isolating or being in Lockdown. It's the implication of why you have to shield and the extremely high risk of dying, the implications of being advised to discuss with loved ones whether you wish to be resuciated or not, the postponement of urgent treatment etc, etc...

We should all be pulling together and showing a bit of humanity.
If everyone does their bit, we might actually get back eventually to some semblance of normality.

Sorry for the rant and going off piste! I guess I am angry!

Am in complete sympathy Marydoll.
We are not being asked to sacrifice our firstborn, just wear a b****y face covering, to help keep others and ourselves safer.

Lucca That is the way I feel. Seriously, what is the harm? What a strange thing for people to decide to be rebellious about.

Marydoll I feel your despair ? I honestly can’t get my head around why anyone would object to wearing a mask for a short time while shopping. Even if there was only a small chance of it benefiting each other surely it’s the right thing to do.

We’re being asked to wear a soft comfortable face covering for shopping or public transport. It’s hardly a great hardship. It’s about being considerate to others, especially those in a vulnerable position who are at high risk.

Some folks really need to get a grip. Pull on your big girls pants and get a mask on when you’re shopping. It’s half an hour in the supermarket.

This is how our front line workers look after 12 hours strenuous work in a pressure fit mask and full body length PPE. They are on their knees at the end of a shift.

Think of them and think of the vulnerable and try to see beyond your own nose that should be under a mask while you’re shopping.

It doesn't have to be a mask.
You can use a scarf or a snood or anything else to cover your nose and mouth.

I'm horrified by those figures for retail workers.
A normal, non-risky job suddenly became life-threatening.
The same for bus drivers.

Why shop staff don't have to wear masks, tho, I have no idea.

* Some folks really need to get a grip. Pull on your big girls pants and get a mask on when you’re shopping. It’s half an hour in the supermarket*

Well said Grannywannynanny

Russell Kane on face masks

Not sure if this link will work you might have to wait a couple of seconds and slide to beginning. But it says it all.

Furret ? Thank you, it sums it up better than I could.

Thanks MD wasn’t sure it might shock a few!

Specially good description of our Prime Minister on there.

It's what I wanted to post, Furret, but was afraid of being banned and my reputation as a moderate and gentle poster being destroyed for ever! ??