Face coverings to become mandatory in shops in England (includes poll)

[BJames]

I don't know what kind of mask you used but it's definitely worth trying different styles - the lightweight surgical type masks can feel a lot less invasive.
I've got a couple of handmade ones and they feel a bit enclosing and warm but are otherwise quite comfy. I got one from ASDA that is really lightweight but does make you've put a pair of white pants on you face which is really not a good look
Scarfs, buffs etc are all options too and may feel more natural and normal (the sort of thing you'd wear on a cold winters day)

I actually find the cloth coverings more comfortable than the surgical style masks, ordered mine from etsy. The surgical ones are supposed to be single use, and even Aldi's selling them for £5.75 per 10, and Tesco Express £6.50 for 10! My cloth covering was £3.75 and can be hand washed.

 

[bramling]

To gather a rough idea of what people think, can I ask the forum how long you think this will last for? I hope it'll end in 2020 but I don't think it will.

With this government, who knows?! It could be a couple of weeks like the quarantine, or it could be a year or more. Especially when, like the lockdown itself, we don’t have specific measurables.

 

[trebor79]

Also note that the new rules only come into play from the 24th. If it was so necessary to save lives, why isn't it implemented now?

Saving Lives and Staying Alert or political point scoring to put England on the same plane as Scotland and Wales?

No.10 said something about needing the time to change legislation. Bit peculiar to be honest, I'm sure they could change it much faster if they wanted to.

I have a slight hope it's to allow time for a u-turn. It's happened before (although in the opposite direction) when full reopening of schools was canned.
Failing that, perhaps some fudge after a few weeks that effectively removes the requirement, a bit like the quarantine issue.

Otherwise there's only one way this ends, barring mad disobedience, and that's with Jeff Bezos as the world's first trillionaire.

I've said before, the chains are no loss. It's the independent department stores like Jarrold in Norwich and the quirky shops you get in places like Southwold and Fowey that I shall miss.

I'm Conservative through and through, but there's no way they get my vote again after this. No way.

 

[Non Multi]

I'm finding it farsically funny to be honest.

 

[NorthOxonian]

I have a slight hope it's too allow time for a u-turn. It's happened before (although in the opposite direction) when full reopening of schools was canned.
Failing that, perhaps some fudge after a few weeks that effectively removes the requirement, a bit like the quarantine issue.

Otherwise there's only one way this ends, barring mad disobedience, and that's with Jeff Bezos as the world's first trillionaire.

I've said before, the chains are no loss. It's the independent department stores like Jarrold in Norwich and the quirky shops you get in places like Southwold and Fowey that I shall miss.

I'm Conservative through and through, but there's no way they get my vote again after this. No way.

That's my hope too - I'm preparing for the worst but I wouldn't be surprised if they see the consequences in terms of footfall after a few days of the regulation and decide to row back.

The only thing that's keeping my vote in their column is that Labour came out in favour before the announcement. It doesn't seem like any party is willing to stand up against ever more invasive regulation.

 

[midland1]

I have emailed my MP a Conservative about 5 when I got home and told him told him I would never vote for them again if masks came in. Could they be waiting till the 24th to judge the public mood.

 

[Cowley]

I have a slight hope it's too allow time for a u-turn. It's happened before (although in the opposite direction) when full reopening of schools was canned.
Failing that, perhaps some fudge after a few weeks that effectively removes the requirement, a bit like the quarantine issue.

Otherwise there's only one way this ends, barring mad disobedience, and that's with Jeff Bezos as the world's first trillionaire.

I've said before, the chains are no loss. It's the independent department stores like Jarrold in Norwich and the quirky shops you get in places like Southwold and Fowey that I shall miss.

I'm Conservative through and through, but there's no way they get my vote again after this. No way.

I agree with you that it’s the independents that will suffer from all of this.
It’s museums, heritage railways, theatres, small cozy pubs, independent cafes, music venues, small quirky shops etc etc.
Basically all the things that make life interesting that are currently hanging by a thread.
We’re currently on a race towards blandness with this trajectory.

 

[bramling]

I have a slight hope it's too allow time for a u-turn. It's happened before (although in the opposite direction) when full reopening of schools was canned.
Failing that, perhaps some fudge after a few weeks that effectively removes the requirement, a bit like the quarantine issue.

Otherwise there's only one way this ends, barring mad disobedience, and that's with Jeff Bezos as the world's first trillionaire.

I've said before, the chains are no loss. It's the independent department stores like Jarrold in Norwich and the quirky shops you get in places like Southwold and Fowey that I shall miss.

I'm Conservative through and through, but there's no way they get my vote again after this. No way.

I’ve already told my MP that I absolutely will not vote Conservative again for as long as Boris Johnson is leader. I was already 99.9% there after the Cummings scandal, this is the final straw. I am at the point where even seeing his face on TV starts to boil my blood.

This is the consequence of several years of lacking leadership talent and picking “best of a bad bunch” leaders.

It’s not just what this is, but the way it’s been done. Mixed messages for several days, then a bungled “announcement” on a Monday evening, coincidentally or not just as was done with the lockdown. Badly designed, badly implemented, and no doubt it will be badly enforced.

 

[NorthOxonian]

I agree with you that it’s the independents that will suffer from all of this.
It’s museums, heritage railways, theatres, small cozy pubs, independent cafes, music venues, small quirky shops etc etc.
Basically all the things that make life interesting that are currently hanging by a thread.
We’re currently on a race towards blandness with this trajectory.

Sometimes I wish this forum had a like button - absolutely bang on. Throughout this it seems like ordinary people have borne the brunt, and this is another example - Jeff Bezos will make millions because of this announcement, and meanwhile many hard working business owners will see their livelihoods crumble. It's absolutely appalling.

 

[BJames]

I'm finding it farsically funny to be honest.

I know, it's almost got to this point for me too. Nothing's really surprising me anymore.

That's my hope too - I'm preparing for the worst but I wouldn't be surprised if they see the consequences in terms of footfall after a few days of the regulation and decide to row back.

The only thing that's keeping my vote in their column is that Labour came out in favour before the announcement. It doesn't seem like any party is willing to stand up against ever more invasive regulation.

I'd be interested to watch PMQs on Wednesday and see Starmer's stance now.

I agree with you that it’s the independents that will suffer from all of this.
It’s museums, heritage railways, theatres, small cozy pubs, independent cafes, music venues, small quirky shops etc etc.
Basically all the things that make life interesting that are currently hanging by a thread.
We’re currently on a race towards blandness with this trajectory.

Precisely. Had a lovely meal out at my local independent restaurant tonight, and will continue doing so as they are not imposing draconian restrictions on our experience. The waiter welcomed us back with a smile and said it was genuinely lovely to be back at work.

 

[trebor79]

Sometimes I wish this forum had a like button - absolutely bang on. Throughout this it seems like ordinary people have borne the brunt, and this is another example - Jeff Bezos will make millions billions because of this announcement, and meanwhile many hard working business owners will see their livelihoods crumble. It's absolutely appalling.

Fixed your typo

 

[trebor79]

I agree with you that it’s the independents that will suffer from all of this.
It’s museums, heritage railways, theatres, small cozy pubs, independent cafes, music venues, small quirky shops etc etc.
Basically all the things that make life interesting that are currently hanging by a thread.
We’re currently on a race towards blandness with this trajectory.

Yep. Dreadful.
It's really upsetting to think of what we are about to lose forever.
At the start of all this, I voiced fears that our way of life would fundamentally and permanently change through indirect effects. I was scoffed at and told I was being hyperbolic. Well, here we are.

 

[Huntergreed]

Having read down the comments of a BBC article to try and establish the public view, most feel extremely supportive of it, using very emotive language regarding “saving lives” and people are telling anyone that doesn’t support it that “you’re going to kill people” or “you’re a murderer”. Is this really what Britain has become, a society driven by fear, collective hatred, and shaming? This isn’t what a society should look like, pandemic or not

Even more worrying is the fact many seem to be saying “MANDATE THEM OUTDOORS” or “make them compulsory outside of home”. I think this is ridiculous and could never happen, but a month ago I thought shop mandation was ridiculous and could never happen. Are we really looking at years of wearing masks just to keep people happy? This isn’t the type of society where I want to live

 

[Edgeley]

I have emailed my MP a Conservative about 5 when I got home and told him told him I would never vote for them again if masks came in. Could they be waiting till the 24th to judge the public mood.

The 24th is ten days away: time for them to do three U-turns before then. If there is enough pushback they might relent.

 

[furlong]

It doesn't seem like any party is willing to stand up against ever more invasive regulation.

We'll see how long it is before a new party emerges to deal with the issue that all the mainstream parties have catastrophically backed some atrocious policies throughout the last few months. Some people seem to be hinting they're looking at the option. Or will Starmer see the advantage in pivoting to a position that seizes this ground from right under the Conservatives' feet now that they've strayed so far away from their home turf? These issues are far bigger and more significant than Brexit ever was.

 

[Ian Cunningham]

I agree with you that it’s the independents that will suffer from all of this.
It’s museums, heritage railways, theatres, small cozy pubs, independent cafes, music venues, small quirky shops etc etc.
Basically all the things that make life interesting that are currently hanging by a thread.
We’re currently on a race towards blandness with this trajectory.

As someone who works in theatre, likes old trains and seeks out new and interesting beers in many different pubs this is rather close to home

Part of the solution here does lie in our own hands - if we choose to stay at home and order everything from Amazon and Tescos then yes these businesses will suffer and disappear. However if we choose to go out and visit small cafes, shop in small independents, drink in our locals then more of them will survive this - if that means wearing face coverings at times then that's part of the deal
The choice is ultimately ours

 

[LAX54]

Will wearing masks actually make any difference, or is it a sop to the hysteria laden public ? Back in May, it was going to be the end of civilisation when the beaches were swarming to overload, and no one wearing a mask to be seen ! yest firgures are still falling, when in theory, well according to the doom and gloom merchants, they should now be sky high again !

 

[LAX54]

With this government, who knows?! It could be a couple of weeks like the quarantine, or it could be a year or more. Especially when, like the lockdown itself, we don’t have specific measurables.

There is a good video online showing the disposable masks being made, having seen it, you would be a lot safer risking life without a mask !

 

[NorthOxonian]

We'll see how long it is before a new party emerges to deal with the issue that all the mainstream parties have catastrophically backed some atrocious policies throughout the last few months. Some people seem to be hinting they're looking at the option. Or will Starmer see the advantage in pivoting to a position that seizes this ground from right under the Conservatives' feet now that they've strayed so far away from their home turf? These issues are far bigger and more significant than Brexit ever was.

I've mentioned this before, but the demographic breakdowns on mask wearing are fascinating. The least pro-mask demographics are disproportionately middle aged, working class and pro-Brexit men from the north and midlands. So presumably the sorts of seats most receptive to a message opposing these new rules would be seats with many such people. The likes of Blyth Valley, Redcar, Burnley, and dozens of others fit the bill, and these are all places Keir Starmer will want to win back.

 

[bramling]

There is a good video online showing the disposable masks being made, having seen it, you would be a lot safer risking life without a mask !

We had it at work - sent out bare in internal mail envelopes, so in other words packaged by someone... by hand!

 

[LAX54]

As someone who works in theatre, likes old trains and seeks out new and interesting beers in many different pubs this is rather close to home

Part of the solution here does lie in our own hands - if we choose to stay at home and order everything from Amazon and Tescos then yes these businesses will suffer and disappear. However if we choose to go out and visit small cafes, shop in small independents, drink in our locals then more of them will survive this - if that means wearing face coverings at times then that's part of the deal
The choice is ultimately ours

many small places are not opening as they are not getting enough people in with SD as they cannot allow enough through the door to make it pay, if masks do away with SD, then that is a little bit better, still a crap idea tho

 

[LAX54]

We had it at work - sent out bare in internal mail envelopes, so in other words packaged by someone... by hand!

Did you see them all being made and piling up on the floor in a big heap.... and not a clean floor at that !

 

[Journeyman]

You can tell the vigilantes that it is none of their business.

You can try, but some of them are likely to beat the crap out of you first, and ask questions later.

 

[talldave]

We'll see how long it is before a new party emerges to deal with the issue that all the mainstream parties have catastrophically backed some atrocious policies throughout the last few months. Some people seem to be hinting they're looking at the option. Or will Starmer see the advantage in pivoting to a position that seizes this ground from right under the Conservatives' feet now that they've strayed so far away from their home turf? These issues are far bigger and more significant than Brexit ever was.

Labour are the worse locktivists of the lot. They're haemorrhaging members because of it. I think we need a fresh start.

 

[trebor79]

Maybe the grand plan is to encourage the snowflakes to come out. Then in a few weeks, with numbers still miniscule drop the mask folly.
At the minimum, it should be reviewed every 3 weeks along with all the other measures.
Are they still doing the 4 stage thing? That hasn't been mentioned for a long time, and tightening restrictions seems to go against the loosening that is described in stage 3.

 

[Cowley]

As someone who works in theatre, likes old trains and seeks out new and interesting beers in many different pubs this is rather close to home

Part of the solution here does lie in our own hands - if we choose to stay at home and order everything from Amazon and Tescos then yes these businesses will suffer and disappear. However if we choose to go out and visit small cafes, shop in small independents, drink in our locals then more of them will survive this - if that means wearing face coverings at times then that's part of the deal
The choice is ultimately ours

I see that and you also see that Ian, but how much do people generally in a society that’s become used to being able to do things in a seamless easy fashion see it?
I’m fairly resilient really but even I’m struggling to adapt to life at the moment.
The last 10% of profit margin made from customers of the things I listed are the difference between those outfits being financially sustainable or rapidly going bankrupt (I say this as someone who’s run at least a couple of successful small businesses), and it’s the last 10% of customers (although actually probably percentage wise it’s a lot more) that will feel like it’s just too much bother and won’t be spending their money.

All of this trade is hard won and easily lost and that’s my worry.

 

[furlong]

Labour are the worse locktivists of the lot. They're haemorrhaging members because of it. I think we need a fresh start.

There could be a trajectory to seize the centre ground back from Boris here if he's bold enough and able to drag his party with him and establish his "prudence with a purpose" against the wasteful Tory spending etc.

 

[Jonny]

We'll see how long it is before a new party emerges to deal with the issue that all the mainstream parties have catastrophically backed some atrocious policies throughout the last few months. Some people seem to be hinting they're looking at the option. Or will Starmer see the advantage in pivoting to a position that seizes this ground from right under the Conservatives' feet now that they've strayed so far away from their home turf? These issues are far bigger and more significant than Brexit ever was.

Labour are the worse locktivists of the lot. They're haemorrhaging members because of it. I think we need a fresh start.

Labour are at risk of fragmenting. The C*rbynistas are not liking Starmer at all, and he is rapidly becoming known as Captain Hindsight for his lack of policies, on COVID or anything else for that matter.

 

[Jonny]

You can try, but some of them are likely to beat the crap out of you first, and ask questions later.

Not a wise move for them if there is CCTV in operation, and they have any assets.

 

[Journeyman]

Labour are at risk of fragmenting. The C*rbynistas are not liking Starmer at all, and he is rapidly becoming known as Captain Hindsight for his lack of policies, on COVID or anything else for that matter.

I was surprised it didn't happen a year or two ago, when The Independent Group formed. I was rather keen on the idea of a new centrist party, as I couldn't cope with Corbyn's demented cluelessness.

I really, really hope Labour don't split now, it's the last thing we need.