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

[talldave]

...Why won't it apply to staff ? Surely they are at higher risk as they will come into contact with more people than you or I.

Good question. But since rational reasoning appears to have gone out the window purely to placate the Facebook Karens, I doubt you'll get a sane answer.

 

[Bantamzen]

I fear that the 'jobsworth's' will love this. I got told off in ASDA last Sunday for using the trollley entrance instead of the basket entrance to the self serve section, even though there was only one other person in there.
Why won't it apply to staff ? Surely they are at higher risk as they will come into contact with more people than you or I.

Yeah, I'm dreading this now. The activists are going to have a field day with this, and not just the jobsworth's but the Karens too. Anyone that yells at me for not adhering to their interpretation of the rules is going to get it right back at them. I'm no longer in the mood to tolerate these idiots.

 

[adc82140]

Anyone who is genuinely exempt (I don't condone trying it on) should simply shout back "would you order a wheelchair user just to get up and walk?"

 

[Andyh82]

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

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

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.

I’d predict Starmer’s stance will be

- why is it mandatory on the 24th, why not now
- why is it coming in now, why not months ago
- why will it be mandatory in setting X but not in setting Y

So if you think they are going to argue against coverings you’d be sadly mistaken

 

[talldave]

I want to know what the criteria are for them becoming non-mandatory. If anything, the answer to that question might clarify why they're becoming mandatory.

 

[adc82140]

I want to know when the review date is, and what the circumstances are for removing the requirement.

 

[yorkie]

I want to know what the criteria are for them becoming non-mandatory. If anything, the answer to that question might clarify why they're becoming mandatory.

I think they'll make it up when the time comes

 

[C J Snarzell]

My own opinion here is that there are two options in visiting shops -

Constantly queue up outside every shop you go to like we have done since March with two metres between people (I call this the Alton Towers experience)

OR

Go about your business normally like we did pre-March but wear a face mask in any commercial premises.

I know which option I would choose.

I don't have a problem with face coverings but the regulations need to be more stringent. As another forum member has said - people may use a 'manky' face mask that has been kept in a pocket with a snotty handkerchief. Isn't this not defeating the object of having the face masks in the first place?

On that note, wouldn't it be a good idea to hand out disposable face masks for people entering large stores like Asda or Tesco. Therefore, you know the masks are sterile and are not already carrying germs. As you appreciate, many members of society are not hygienic so how can you guarantee they are safe to walk around the local supermarket wearing their own mask.

The other concern about face masks is the police & the jobsworths. Derbyshire Police clearly showed a George Orwell attitude when the lockdown started so is there are a fear this could all start again. One force has stated they intend to fine people not adhering to face coverings on public transport and now shops too.

CJ

 

[NorthOxonian]

My own opinion here is that there are two options in visiting shops -

Constantly queue up outside every shop you go to like we have done since March with two metres between people (I call this the Alton Towers experience)

OR

Go about your business normally like we did pre-March but wear a face mask in any commercial premises.

I know which option I would choose.

I don't have a problem with face coverings but the regulations need to be more stringent. As another forum member has said - people may use a 'manky' face mask that has been kept in a pocket with a snotty handkerchief. Isn't this not defeating the object of having the face masks in the first place?

On that note, wouldn't it be a good idea to hand out disposable face masks for people entering large stores like Asda or Tesco. Therefore, you know the masks are sterile and are not already carrying germs. As you appreciate, many members of society are not hygienic so how can you guarantee they are safe to walk around the local supermarket wearing their own mask.

The other concern about face masks is the police & the jobsworths. Derbyshire Police clearly showed a George Orwell attitude when the lockdown started so is there are a fear this could all start again. One force has stated they intend to fine people not adhering to face coverings on public transport and now shops too.

CJ

I'm not sure I agree shops should be handing out masks. That would cost them more money, and would also lead to more littering (since they'd presumably be disposable masks).

And from a personal point of view, I can't breathe well in that particular type of mask, and would find it much easier to use a different kind of face covering. It doesn't seem like I'm alone in that.

 

[trebor79]

My own opinion here is that there are two options in visiting shops -

Constantly queue up outside every shop you go to like we have done since March with two metres between people (I call this the Alton Towers experience)

OR

Go about your business normally like we did pre-March but wear a face mask in any commercial premises.

I know which option I would choose.

I don't have a problem with face coverings but the regulations need to be more stringent.

I'll take the Alton Towers experience. If regulations and made more stringent I shall simply become less economically active and contribute to the growing fortune of that nice Mr Bezos.
I'm going to pay the merest lip service to face covering and will buy a bandana. There is absolutely no way whatsoever will I wear a surgical mask or respirator.

 

[Bantamzen]

My own opinion here is that there are two options in visiting shops -

Constantly queue up outside every shop you go to like we have done since March with two metres between people (I call this the Alton Towers experience)

OR

Go about your business normally like we did pre-March but wear a face mask in any commercial premises.

I know which option I would choose.

There is a third option of course....

​

I don't have a problem with face coverings but the regulations need to be more stringent. As another forum member has said - people may use a 'manky' face mask that has been kept in a pocket with a snotty handkerchief. Isn't this not defeating the object of having the face masks in the first place?

How would you propose you enforce that? Random stop checks to ensure that masks are safely stowed, or just force people to wear them all the time outside? And even then, how would you enforce people making sure they were up to medical standards of cleanliness?

​

On that note, wouldn't it be a good idea to hand out disposable face masks for people entering large stores like Asda or Tesco. Therefore, you know the masks are sterile and are not already carrying germs. As you appreciate, many members of society are not hygienic so how can you guarantee they are safe to walk around the local supermarket wearing their own mask.

For a short while my local Co-op did offer them out, but quickly dropped the idea. But how many companies do you think would just sting punters at the doors for an overpriced bit of cloth? And then there's the waste, the streets would just fill up with discarded mask (this is already a problem highlighted on the French coast).

​

The other concern about face masks is the police & the jobsworths. Derbyshire Police clearly showed a George Orwell attitude when the lockdown started so is there are a fear this could all start again. One force has stated they intend to fine people not adhering to face coverings on public transport and now shops too.

CJ

Now here is where I agree with you. Unfortunately the UK is full of wanna-be petty bureaucrats who will relish the idea of being able to be crap to other people because "it's more than my job's worth guv / luv".

 

[adc82140]

I'll take the Alton Towers experience. If regulations and made more stringent I shall simply become less economically active and contribute to the growing fortune of that nice Mr Bezos.
I'm going to pay the merest lip service to face covering and will buy a bandana. There is absolutely no way whatsoever will I wear a surgical mask or respirator.

Anyone who wears a respirator has seriously misunderstood the rules.

 

[Journeyman]

I want to know what the criteria are for them becoming non-mandatory. If anything, the answer to that question might clarify why they're becoming mandatory.

I want to know when the review date is, and what the circumstances are for removing the requirement.

This is what's so infuriating. You try asking that, you get a deafening wall of silence.

 

[Journeyman]

also WHO say: Fabric masks should consist of "at least three layers of different material" in order to be effective, . so using a scarf or bandana based on that will not cut the mustard ! which I do not think has been mentioned anywhere ?

But the government says that's OK, which shows how stupid it all is.

 

[adc82140]

The government is giving this advice because due to their ineptitude they are frightened the care sector won't have enough masks to go round. Shameful.

 

[birchesgreen]

Having a look on social media some nice friendly folks are suggesting violence and even purposely injecting people opposed to wearing masks with the virus. What an unpleasant country this has become.

 

[Ianno87]

What, you mean keep your mask tucked in your pocket next to your handkerchief where all types of nasty germs will be hiding?

I keep mine in a clean, sealed freezer bag in my pocket / back pack.

 

[PupCuff]

Anyone who wears a respirator has seriously misunderstood the rules.

The law (for public transport anyway, it may differ for shops) says that a face covering is anything which covers the nose and mouth. As a full or half-face respirator will cover both the nose and mouth it is acceptable and within the rules. I'm afraid it's yourself who has misunderstood them.

 

[adc82140]

The whole purpose of a face covering is to stop you from spreading virus to others. A respirator is to protect you, not anybody else, and has a one way valve that will fire a jet of your exhaled breath out freely. You have just illustrated my point perfectly about the lack of education on face coverings. This isn't a dig at you. How is everybody supposed to know this if they are not told?

 

[PupCuff]

The whole purpose of a face covering is to stop you from spreading virus to others. A respirator is to protect you, not anybody else, and has a one way valve that will fire a jet of your exhaled breath out freely. You have just illustrated my point perfectly about the lack of education on face coverings. This isn't a dig at you. How is everybody supposed to know this if they are not told?

There is no lack of education on face coverings. The rules are quite clear - the law says you have to wear something which covers your mouth and nose. A respirator covers your mouth and nose. Therefore it is within the rules.

There is no requirement for anyone's mask to actually protect either themselves or others, you've added something to the rules which isn't there.

It has been suggested that Wales may mandate that the masks worn there have to be of a 3-layer variety. Whether this happens is anyone's guess.

 

[HSTEd]

This isn't about protecting anyone from coronavirus.

This is about ensuring that the Tory party can defuse the negative headlines for another week.

 

[Class 33]

It's ridiculous this is being introduced. Since all the non-essential shops re-opened on 15th June, the 7-day rolling average of Coronavirus deaths have been continuing to fall, despite most people in shops not wearing masks! I've just worked out that on Monday 15th June the 7-day rolling average was 184. And yesterday - 4 weeks after non-essential shops re-opened, the 7-day rolling average is now down to 84! That's less than half it was 4 weeks ago! And is continuing to fall! So what an earth is the point of this face mask law coming in on the 24th July??!! Absolutely bloody ridiculous! Boris recently said he wishes to get things back to normal as soon as possible. Well it doesn't look like at the rate this is going!

 

[adc82140]

There is no lack of education on face coverings. The rules are quite clear - the law says you have to wear something which covers your mouth and nose. A respirator covers your mouth and nose. Therefore it is within the rules.

There is no requirement for anyone's mask to actually protect either themselves or others, you've added something to the rules which isn't there.

It has been suggested that Wales may mandate that the masks worn there have to be of a 3-layer variety. Whether this happens is anyone's guess.

I'd say that it's purpose is implied in the rules. There's nothing that says seat bts can't be made from razor blades, but that's really a given.

 

[MikeWM]

This isn't about protecting anyone from coronavirus.

This is about ensuring that the Tory party can defuse the negative headlines for another week.

And it has worked, hasn't it? Who is talking about the appalling economic figures for May that were released today?

(Not to say that this isn't a very important issue, as it most certainly is).

 

[Skymonster]

There is no requirement for anyone's mask to actually protect either themselves or others, you've added something to the rules which isn't there.

Quite - those eye shades that airlines provide on longhaul flights are just wide enough to cover the tip of my nose to about a centimeter below my lower lip and are on elastic that goes around the head. They allow air to circulate in and out from above and below as they do not cling to the skin. They meet the rules so that will be my chosen means of compliance. Not that I intend to step in many shops now - I shall switch as much as I can to Amazon until this mask stupidity comes to an end.

 

[PupCuff]

I'd say that it's purpose is implied in the rules. There's nothing that says seat bts can't be made from razor blades, but that's really a given.

It isn't my industry but I would wager there are British/European/International standards relating to seat belts and I would be surprised if they did not specify requirements for the materials used.

It's the law, if they wanted to write in a requirement on protection level they could have, but they have chosen not to.

 

[High Dyke]

Anyone who wears a respirator has seriously misunderstood the rules.

Either that, or it's one of those types of party.

 

[island]

George Eustice told BBC TV news this morning that Shop staff will be exempt from wearing masks.

I’m sorry, but that makes a complete nonsense of the whole thing. If it’s for safety, the people who are in the shops most need masks most. So either they are all talking rubbish, or the masks are to make people feel safer, or it’s about continuing to control the population. Or a combination.

 

[Skymonster]

The whole purpose of a face covering is to stop you from spreading virus to others.

The whole purpose of this new ruling is to pander to public opinion. We have been going to supermarkets throughout this pandemic, earlier in which cases were much more prevalent. If you are sure that wearing a mask in a shop reduces the spread of the virus please post a link to one case / story - just one will be enough - where a shop in this country has been identified as a source of a covid outbreak.

 

[Ianno87]

The whole purpose of this new ruling is to pander to public opinion. We have been going to supermarkets throughout this pandemic, earlier in which cases were much more prevalent. If you are sure that wearing a mask in a shop reduces the spread of the virus please post a link to one case / story - just one will be enough - where a shop in this country has been identified as a source of a covid outbreak.

How do you define "outbreak"? Shops may have a small effect in passing on Covid between 1 or 2 people only. Who i turn pass it on to 1 or 2 each, more likely now with relaxation to social distancing.

A face mask is really not an onerous ask for most, so let's just grin and bear it for a while....?