Will you continue to wear a mask?

I don't think you're stupid Parsley3, not at all.

But what are people expected to think when they read "We're back to square one" when you are talking about how many people are affected by Covid? When the start of the paragraph is that we can't be complacent?

They're going to think we're back to square one.

I could get into a long discussion about how people misunderstand how things are communicated, especially on the news, but I'll just be digging myself a hole...

Apologies that I gave the impression that I thought you were stupid. That was not my intention.

Additional vaccinations, fast tracking for PCR testing and results, also immediate access to anti virals has put me in a much stronger place than previously.

Reading that is very positive Marydoll, thank you for posting it.

Overall cases may be flat lining or falling but if someone lives in an area where cases are increasing they may be worried.

I just checked our MSOA and generally cases are gradually falling but in two areas which include DGD'S schools they are increasing again. An adjoining area has had a larger increase and children criss-cross the border for school.
They had a lot of cases in the Autumn term in schools, only one-fifth of DGD's class were in school. That was probably Delta, but perhaps some are now infected with Omicron.

Parsley3

I am not as stupid as you think. My comment was not based on thin air. My granddaughter is back to square one in terms of being home schooled because of Covid. Give me some credit.

I do give you some credit and think you're absolutely right about schoolchildren Parsley. Infection is rife in under 9 year olds and parents are having to take time off work to care for them. Child infection is probably also driving the infection rate in middle-aged people. I'm tired of saying that almost nothing has been done to mitigate risk in schools.

There's also a pattern, which has been evident for some time, that infection rates are highest in families where there is little space to isolate and where adults can't easily afford to take time off work. On top of that, there's a correlation between poverty and poor underlying health, which is a risk factor for severe illness.

We're not back to Square 1 for most people, but some have never really emerged from Square 1 in the first place.

Alegrias1

Parsley3

We certainly can’t be complacent. My granddaughter is being home schooled this week as the staff and children have Covid. We are back to square one.

We are not back to square one.

Sorry, I know people think I'm pedantic and argumentative but I do get a bit activated by comments based on thin air.
We're not back to square one. Countries all over Europe are starting to lift restrictions despite much higher case numbers than they have had before. We are going to drive ourselves mad with this, looking at the slightest change in the data and convincing ourselves its Armageddon.

Apologies to anybody like Marydoll who are obviously more affected by this than others.

You can all have a go now, I've got it out of my system.

No, we're not all quite so melodramatic.

''Countries all over Europe are starting to lift restrictions ''

which countries? Only one has been mentionned, Danemark.

France. Netherlands.

Sorry, I'd explain more but I would hate to be thought melodramatic

And Ireland Alegrias.

On public transport and in taxis, in small local shops but not in large shops.

What's this, if not melodramatic?

We are going to drive ourselves mad with this, looking at the slightest change in the data and convincing ourselves its Armageddon.

You'd get hunted down and shot in Victoria if you went on public transport or in a shopping centre without a mask. Fined, anyway. Not so much in the open though many still do but it is hot here now and they are not too comfortable in 35C + heat.

MissAdventure

It's strange, when I went out today more people seem to be wearing masks than when they were mandatory.

Interesting observation - I found the same yesterday!

Bus & tube 95% compliance; theatre 100%

I shall be wearing a mask in shops, crowded places, and transport until I feel confident not too. I think everyone will come to that decision in their own time, and we should respect that.
I'm worried that cases seem to be still high amongst young children, and I always panic slightly when I visit my grand children as to whether I will pick up the virus. Miss Anxious, thats me.

Bus & tube 95% compliance. That's interesting, Riverwalk, and good, especially as numbers on the tube increased this week. My stomping ground station had the highest increase at 20% up. Mainly city workers going back to their offices.
If masks are still worn, and the capital gets back to normal, then it's win win all round.

Just been to my local supermarket and almost everyone was wearing a mask. Made me feel much better!

I have read all the replies to this. I rarely comment but this time I will answer the question as orginally asked.

I will not be wearing a mask. I gave that up after making myself ill trying the first time. I have worn a mask since then and I will not ever again. I do not think I am selfish in dloing this. I cannot see how wearing a mask and reducing my own oxygen supply and re breathing my own exhalations benifits anyone. If you wear a mask , fine. Your mask protects you. Your jab protects you too. Thats it really.

However, can I simply ask that all of those wearing masks please ensure you dispose of them suitably and responsibly when you have finished wearing them? Please ensure you do not accidently drop a mask on the floor or throw them away to pollute the footpaths, car parks, parks and countryside.

maybe burn them if you can ( get a garden incinerator and jut put them in and burn them away - its quickly done , easy and has minimal impact on the environment).

Putting them in the bins means they are simply escaping into the seas and rivers and polluting them. Pollution from masks and death of wildlife getting caught up with them, strangled and eating them, causing them to is a massive issue now. Our wildlife are not asking you to wear a mask. The same thing is happening to our own pets as well. Its killing them. Give a though for them and be responsible rather than only thinking of yourself and your own mask wearing needs.

I wont be replying, so get along and carry on with those who will discuss. I just wanted everyone to bear a thought for those who cannot wear a mask and for our poor wildlife , rivers and oceans which are now polluted with rag and plastic that does not break down. Its a massive issue now.

Thank you for your lecture.

Wearing a mask and caring for the environment are not mutually exclusive!

Riverwalk

Thank you for your lecture.

Wearing a mask and caring for the environment are not mutually exclusive!

True, but the increased amount of plastic use that the pandemic has generated is truly scary.

aprilrose Thank you for the lecture. Seriously, not sarcastically. I agree with every word you say.

I still wear a mask in shops and on public transport and I also have to wear one for six hours at work…

It is worrying aprilrose and some people seem to have forgotten about the plastics problem now we have Covid.
It’s not only masks but all the plastic that is binned from Lateral Flow Test kits most of us are using. Where will it end up? Landfill?
And there must be trolley cages full of spent PPE coming out of our hospitals everyday. Does it get burnt - does anyone know?

It really makes me smile when people say I wont be replying.

"I have come amongst you to tell you the truth and some of you will disagree with me, but I am above such things for I know I am unassailably right."

Alegrias

The answer to the question is yes, I will continue to wear a mask. Probably not at the hairdresser later today though, as I’m usually the only one there at this time, and she’ll give me a cup of coffee. But mostly yes, I’ll wear a mask.

maddyone

Alegrias

The answer to the question is yes, I will continue to wear a mask. Probably not at the hairdresser later today though, as I’m usually the only one there at this time, and she’ll give me a cup of coffee. But mostly yes, I’ll wear a mask.

I have just been to my hairdresser and she wore a mask and insisted that I wore mine even though we are both triple jabbed