Face Masks in shops

Reaction to the pandemic seem more polarised along party lines in US Luckygirl.

On the radio the other night, possibly World Service when I was unable to sleep I heard that a 30 year old in US had died in ICU from Covid. He'd apparently been to a "Covid Party" held by a group who thought it was all a hoax! He apparently said to a nurse before he died "I think I made a mistake". Oh dear!

I've seen a few stories like that, Greeneyedgirl

Also saw a video clip of people explaining why they wouldn't wear masks

One woman was outraged that they were trying to steal the air that God gave her. Just found the clip. Florida residents explaining why they don't want to wear masks. They are rather frightening.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaFSH0K4BdQ

I'm in Scotland and we had to wear them from last Friday . I went shopping on Saturday and found that I got over hot and flustered whilst wearing it .
The test is ' can you blow out a match whilst wearing it ? '
I couldn't so it's considered to be a good mask but then I couldn't haul in enough air to breathe !
I'm doomed...........

It seems completely illogical to me to make masks mandatory now the numbers infected have come right down.

The evidence for their effectiveness is apparently still weak so I was disappointed to learn that we must all be muzzled in shops soon.

I can see why the government has been reluctant to make the wearing of them compulsory.

As a country we are trying to get back to normal to help prevent a catastrophic recession so it’s essential to build confidence in people to get back to their normal lives.

We are telling people the worst is over, get back out there, yet everyone is wearing masks !

Some people will be reassured to see that, but others could feel that ‘out there’ is a dangerous place !

I too wear glasses and had a bit of misting when wearing a mask. Read that to stop this just rub your specs with a bar of soap and then wipe until clear. Or wash in soap and leave to dry. I did the first method and it seems to work. Don't know if I'll end up with a bubble bath if it rains though!

Fortunately, we've been able to get grocery deliveries since the start of the pandemic with very little trouble. DH wears a mask to get prescriptions etc.

I am one of those that really struggle with this "mandatory"
wearing of face masks

I have panic attacks,, particularly when my face is covered, had two events , one having eye surgery,, the other the local doc. taking a biopsy from my nose..

even the doc was scared what was happening to me ...

so all the "facts and opinions" as to the efficacy of wearing a mask is really lost on me..

and I guess there are many others with a similar problem.

Just as I had visited our local supermarket since months of isolation,,,, thinking we were moving forward,, seems to me a huge backward step.

I don’t see the problem. Just wear one. My husband says his glasses steam up but he wears one anyway and b......s on but is road testing a snug black stretchy one. It’s sometimes just a case of finding one that suits.

JenniferEccles the numbers are down because so many people have been hiding away.

The more that people get 'out there' the more chance there is of an increase in numbers, as already seen in some places.

The worst is not over.

Well said JenniferEccles. This site seems to be populated by worry bosuns. Have never stopped going to the shops. Want life and the economy back to normal as soon as possible, but I will wear my masks, have several with skulls on. Am shocked at the amount of women too afraid now. Get out wear a funny mask and get on with life.

It's the word "mask" that has people panicking!
The wording is actually "face covering" so it can be a scarf or anything that covers your nose and mouth - doesn't have to be a full strength medical grade!
Lots of pretty cotton face coverings available and in fact that you may find that someone local to you is making them.

if we have to wear face masks I think people need further instructions on how to wear them safely, on my local bus and in the local shops I repeatedly see people with the disposable masks that have obviously been used several times, also they dont have them over there nose, which can cause more problems than not wearing a mask at all, The cost of buying masks for struggling families is also a problem some traders are taking advantage and making large profits, input from the government is needed.

I'm hoping that they are not compulsory for staff. There's no way I could do a shift without touching it! And there's a screen between me and the public anyway...

JenniferEccles I quite agree.

If the plan from Boris is to make people feel more secure about going out shopping, what about all those ( me included) who will be even more reluctant to shop now we've got to go dressed with what looks like a panty liner tied across our faces.

And please don't go on about how selfless wearing a mask is. Those who wear them are doing it to supposedly protect themselves, not some stranger they get close to in a supermarket. Selfish people were all those who went out hoarding in the run-up to the lockdown. Did they care about anybody else except themselves? No, they did not.

It’s a bit like giving contraceptive advice at the delivery .. 4 months and now it’s compulsory . Not sure why it’s taken so long. But at least we dont live in the USA.

My opinion is that people want them as they’re fearful and the government want them so that people will go out and spend money. No child under 11 in this country is advised to wear a face covering. It should emphatically never be worn if exercising (hence no young child who runs around all the time for example should have one on) and there is no need unless in a confined space so no need outside.

I don't understand how a face covering can stop the spread. You still breathe all the same air in the supermarkets and with the air con on as well which definitely spreads all kinds of things. I think the air con should be turned off

I already wear one when I go to a shop. I haven’t been to many shops, I didn’t go shopping for over three months, we did Click and Collect at first and our son or daughter in law collected it. We still do Click and Collect but do pop out for other odd items we need. We both wear a mask when we go into a shop and will continue to do so. They protect other people and there is increasing evidence that they protect us too. Not 100% protection, but any protection is welcome.

It is all so contradictory. What is the point encouraging people to eat out with half price meal vouchers on the one hand and ensuring everyone is wearing masks while in shops?The job losses are going to be horrendous. No easy answers to any of it. Will life ever return to normal again?

Living in Scotland we HAVE to wear them in shops and public places. I think it's far better to do this, everyone is then the same. Before this was made mandatory I didn't often wear my mask, I felt I was being over the top if I wore it and others weren't, I felt self conscious, my daughter said the same, now we all have to do it it's so much easier to be the same.. I say bring it on!

I live near the Danish-German border.

Wearing face masks in shops and on public transport is not compulsory in Denmark, but is so in Germany.

Quite honestly, there are the same number of new cases (none) on both sides of the border, so it is difficult to know whether the masks make a difference or not.

They might have done, if they had been worn earlier, as it looks as if the virus is close to having run its course.

I doubt that very many people would wear a mask unless legally required to do so.

I do see why you might feel that if you wear one, others should do they same, but other people probably feel certain they don't have the virus and realise that a mask doesn't protect the wearer. It prevents the spread of germs from the wearer to others.

"Dancinjay" You are lucky if you encounter social distancing everywhere. Masks should have been compulsory months ago but for the critical shortage for health and care workers. Wonder if you would be prepared to treat Covid-19 patients without a mask!

I won't be wearing one, its been scientifically proven they are ineffective.

Its got absolutely nothing at all to do with 'safety' but trying to enforce further ridiculous laws and statues.

I shall be wearing a mask in shops, and not going out to eat in a restaurant or pub. I did have an ice cream yesterday, but we were outside. I don’t wear a mask just because I’m outside, just if I have to go into a building. The girl in the kiosk who was serving the ice cream was wearing a mask, as I think all those who are serving food, or working indoors should be. I’ve seen waiters/waitresses on television news, serving food to people in pubs and not wearing a mask????

The wearing of face masks is an unnecessary and draconian measure which will reduce footfall in shops and delay the economic recovery. I shall not be going back in shops until this further erosion of my freedom is removed. The virus is decreasing rapidly. It seems Boris is just doing his weekly u-turn yet again.