Can shops still insist on customers wearing face masks?

Biscuitmuncher obviously only hears and sees what they want to. That they understands the focus of this thread to be solely on their own posts shows how self absorbed and blinkered s/he is.

Franbern

Have an appointment with Specsavers tomorrow. They have phoned to remind me of that appointment and informed me that I MUST wear a face mask when attending.

Thought this was now down to individuals to decide whether or not to continue using these, did not know that shops could insist on it.

... to answer the original question.

Yes, it is down to individuals. But if you read what the government has said, it also allows businesses, shops, etc to make their own decisions about mask-wearing.

So, yes - shops can insist on it. And those who work in outlets where you have to be up, close and personal, probably will. Government was astute enough to realise that if they decreed that businesses / shops were not allowed to mandate mask wearing, it would've been a contentious issue with many such businesses, etc, so wisely left them to make their own decisions. They could do little else, logically and pragmatically.

Has OP returned to this vile thread by the way ?

We are all still waiting for biscuit muncher to provide ACTUAL evidence to back up their views.

Lucca

We are all still waiting for biscuit muncher to provide ACTUAL evidence to back up their views.

... I've given up.

In fairness, some anti-maskers do provide evidence. But if you read it - or watch the video on YT - the 'agenda' often sneaks through, if you see what I mean.

I prefer scientific evidence which ultimately questions its own assumptions... as good science usually does. Transmission of viral loads is a complex subject - even involving aerodynamic engineers who network with virologists to understand the possible trajectory within confined spaces.

So to simply say "masks don't work" is clearly a very unscientific and biased opinion, not a fact. How well they work is another matter, and will depend on what type of material is used, etc, and how the mask fits and is worn. And suggesting that the government "have got it made" because people still wear masks adhering to previous restrictions, kind of gives the game away. And it's contradictory anyway - I think the government have bent over backwards to encourage everyone to "act responsibly" and decide for themselves, they most certainly have not attempted to force anyone to wear a mask... au contraire!

Biscuitmuncher

How is it normal to be masked?

and "Dont be so silly Vintagejazz it completely goes against human nature"

I know there is no point in commenting on this stupidity as it won't change anything, but I just want to express my support for Lucca and Marydoll and everyone else who is vulnerable.

I also wish to point out that wearing things in your ears or over your eyes is not normal. On the other hand, hearing aids and glasses can make a big difference to your life. Blood transfusion could be said to be against human nature, but can be pretty good at saving lives.

Masks are no big deal to wear and I am continuing to wear one on public transport, in shops and in church. If I had had asymptomatic covid (and I can't say for sure that I never have), I would like to feel that I had minimised any risk of passing it on by wearing a mask in appropriate places.

Anti-Maskers and anti-vaxxers.

I have avoided revisitj this thread as I don’t want to get into a bun fight and be banned from Gransnet, which has been a lifeline to me and many others. I know there is at least one person on Gransnet who would like me to be prevented from posting.

So this is the last I have to say on the subject. I am well aware of how lockdown has affected all of us, old and young alike. I don’t want another lockdown or travel restrictions and I certainly don’t want schools to close, despite what one poster seems to think. All I am asking for is some compassion and consideration for the vulnerable. Get the vaccine if you can, wear a mask on public transport, in shops and in medical establishments including dentists and opticians. The person treating you will tell you when you need to remove it to allow treatment.

It’s an irritating inconvenience to you, but it’s life and death for some of us.

There is plenty of research and scientific evidence to back this up. In the words of one of my favourite Covid deniers, go look it up for yourselves.

Good post Blossoming. I can just imagine Biscuitmuncher putting her fingers in her ears and saying Lalala.

A mask seems a little ask when you think of the officials trying to close parts of Beijing and other parts which have been shut down for several weeks.

Excellent post Blossoming

WhenIwasyourage you also make a good point. The fatuous “against nature” comment is puerile. In that case so are all the aids everyone uses, those you have mentioned, plus dentures, walking aids, hair dyes, or any methods used to prolong life. Lucca I would just ignore this ignorance. I will go on using my mask (sometimes two!) and would be happy to see them become mandatory. I am unsure why the biscuit muncher and his/her ally think as they do, but meanwhile I will carry on doing what I know is right.

Lucca what actual evidence have you shown me?

Biscuitmuncher

Lucca what actual evidence have you shown me?

Plenty of posters have given you evidence on this thread by medical and scientifically qualified people that mask wearing helps to protect the clinically vulnerable, BUT you still refuse to contribute yours. Why?

Otherwise you are just disseminating false information about covid.

Oh, I've been avoiding this thread because after 2 years I've really had enough of anti-science people who think they've stumbled on the truth that the rest of us have been brainwashed into believing. But still, here we are.

No amount of evidence will convince Biscuitmuncher or the other one, because they wouldn't know scientific evidence if it jumped up and bit them. They've found something full of scientific words that they don't understand that suits their skewed view of the world and they're on a mission to show the rest of us how clever they are.

Well they're not clever. Science has nuance, something that the deniers never understand, because everything's in black and white for them. Or at least they pretend it is.

Either they are not a quarter as clever as they think they are, or they are desperate for attention and will say anything to get the rest of us going. I'm going to guess it's both.

Ignore the anti-mask posts. They are worthless.

?????????

Volver ????

Thank you volver.

Biscuitmuncher

Oh my gosh theres so much medical advice that say they don't work

... then, provide it.

And maybe we can all have a sensible debate.

Peer-reviewed publications would be helpful.

We've provided evidence, a lot of it.

So over to you.

This is about respect, some posters are lacking any.

Germanshepherdsmum

Thank you volver.

Hear hear. Thanks

I am at a loss, as to why GNHQ have not intervened, regarding this thread.
The comments of some posters is definitely not in the spirit of Gransnet, whatever that is.

volver ?

Marydoll moi aussi

Now here is a thought. An ex teaching colleague, recently diagnosed with RA has caught Covid. She is seriously ill, after wearing no mask in a school, which is rife with Covid. Would a mask have helped prevent such a serious reaction?

At the very least, a mask wouldn't have made it worse, Marydoll! I hope your former colleague makes a full recovery.

I hope so too. I was so shocked when I heard, I don't know if she will ever be back. She was such a scatty, eccentric, funny art teacher, everyone loves her.