UK face coverings discussion

[PaulMc7]

I see Scotrail have re-liveried 2 HST’s to have facemasks (and the best part? They’re around the chin only )

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/if-scotrail-trains-can-cover-their-face-so-can-you

I do find the article title rather patronising as well, I feel so bad for those with genuine exemptions, they’re being made to feel like they’re an unwanted and unimportant part of society and I don’t think it’s acceptable whatsoever.

I'm one of those people with a genuine exemption and honestly it's absolutely horrendous. Even when I've been out in open air I've had dirty looks for not having a face covering even in situations where you don't need one. I was sitting in my girlfriend's car while she went into asda yesterday with my sister and I was getting dirty looks from people just for sitting with no face covering

 

[Journeyman]

There really should be a push for the use of (3 layer) washable fabric masks. They look less threatening and dystopian too.

No. There should be a push for an end to this nonsense, as it's creating more problems than it solves.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

There really should be a push for the use of (3 layer) washable fabric masks. They look less threatening and dystopian too.

I disagree - a snood type "face covering" is bad enough. They might look less threatening but they certainly aren't any more comfortable. To be honest I'd probably find a disposable one more comfortable, but can't say for sure as I've not tried a 3-layer one, and have no plans to do so.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm one of those people with a genuine exemption and honestly it's absolutely horrendous. Even when I've been out in open air I've had dirty looks for not having a face covering even in situations where you don't need one. I was sitting in my girlfriend's car while she went into asda yesterday with my sister and I was getting dirty looks from people just for sitting with no face covering

The former may be true, but I think the latter is clearly you seeing things that aren't there. Nobody wears them in their car.

 

[Huntergreed]

Nobody wears them in their car.

I can assure you I’ve seen many people wearing them in their own cars, often when they’re the only person in it.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Nobody wears them in their car.

Incorrect. There are a minority who do, I have seen this with my own set of eyes and not the warped eyes of those on social media.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I can assure you I’ve seen many people wearing them in their own cars, often when they’re the only person in it.

I did it once because I forgot to take it off - and soon did because my glasses steamed up (I mostly only wear them for driving).

I have not seen anyone else do so.

 

[PaulMc7]

The former may be true, but I think the latter is clearly you seeing things that aren't there. Nobody wears them in their car.

Thanks for being part of the problem by not listening to someone with a disability who knows exactly what they see

 

[NorthOxonian]

I'm one of those people with a genuine exemption and honestly it's absolutely horrendous. Even when I've been out in open air I've had dirty looks for not having a face covering even in situations where you don't need one. I was sitting in my girlfriend's car while she went into asda yesterday with my sister and I was getting dirty looks from people just for sitting with no face covering

This is what worries me - I'm not as pessimistic as some of those on here, but I honestly expect mandatory masks outside the home to be the next push - looking at things like the Jeremy Vine debate this really seems to be the direction of travel. There'll probably be a series of ever more apocalyptic news articles calling for it, and Johnson and Hancock will fold like wet cardboard. Not only will it make exercise incredibly unpleasant, but it would be an even more dystopian lurch than the current tranche of regulations.

 

[DB]

I can assure you I’ve seen many people wearing them in their own cars, often when they’re the only person in it.

I've seen some too - noticed because it seemed completely illogical (even more so than the general mask paranoia).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks for being part of the problem by not listening to someone with a disability who knows exactly what they see

Can you quantify "a dirty look"? This is the problem. People feel like they're getting "dirty looks" even when they are not over all sorts of things.

I don't doubt this would happen in the shop but almost nobody has an expectation of them being worn in your own private car. The car is the mask.

Did any of them gesture in an obvious way or speak to you using the word "mask"? I tend to find that if I walk past a row of parked cars and I see a person in one of them I'm drawn to look at them (no idea why), I expect it was just this.

 

[DB]

Thanks for being part of the problem by not listening to someone with a disability who knows exactly what they see

He has demonstrated in his previous comments that he has close to zero empathy for people in this situation.

 

[Richard Scott]

I did it once because I forgot to take it off - and soon did because my glasses steamed up (I mostly only wear them for driving).

I have not seen anyone else do so.

Now you understand another problem some of us have with masks - we wear glasses but permanently and not just for driving!

 

[PaulMc7]

Can you quantify "a dirty look"? This is the problem. People feel like they're getting "dirty looks" even when they are not over all sorts of things.

I don't doubt this would happen in the shop but almost nobody has an expectation of them being worn in your own private car. The car is the mask.

Being Glasweigan, dirty looks are a daily part of life here so I know exactly what one is. People have been driven into fear and you'd be amazed at what expectations people have

 

[Bletchleyite]

Now you understand another problem some of us have with masks - we wear glasses but permanently and not just for driving!

I did have a "fiddle" later and found that if you wear a well fitting mask with a nose wire it can be adjusted to avoid steaming them up.

 

[bramling]

This is what worries me - I'm not as pessimistic as some of those on here, but I honestly expect mandatory masks outside the home to be the next push - looking at things like the Jeremy Vine debate this really seems to be the direction of travel. There'll probably be a series of ever more apocalyptic news articles calling for it, and Johnson and Hancock will fold like wet cardboard. Not only will it make exercise incredibly unpleasant, but it would be an even more dystopian lurch than the current tranche of regulations.

I think that is the point there would be social unrest. The moment enough people break the law it becomes unenforceable.

 

[Richard Scott]

I did have a "fiddle" later and found that if you wear a well fitting mask with a nose wire it can be adjusted to avoid steaming them up.

Can't wear a well fitting mask as can't breath properly - suffer sinus issues which affects my ability to breath with any covering.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Being Glasweigan, dirty looks are a daily part of life here so I know exactly what one is. People have been driven into fear and you'd be amazed at what expectations people have

We'll have to disagree on this one. I don't think anyone has that expectation, and at no point will I be deliberately wearing a mask while driving or while sitting in my car, unless legally required to (which would be ridiculous). If anyone does give me a dirty look for that, they're an idiot and can be ignored (or if you really want, flip them the bird or mouthe the activity you'd like them to do while advancing from that location).

The problem that needs solving is inside the shop. As there's no national "exemption card", perhaps the supermarkets could consider providing lanyards with "MASK EXEMPT" on them obtainable from security on request, say. (Obviously all you'd have to do is state you were exempt, not why).

Can't wear a well fitting mask as can't breath properly - suffer sinus issues which affects my ability to breath with any covering.

Then you are exempt.

 

[Huntergreed]

I think that is the point there would be social unrest. The moment enough people break the law it becomes unenforceable.

I think we’re approaching that point.

Encouraged harsh vigilanteism from the nation’s highest ranking police officer, 10-20% of society being made to feel worthless because they can’t wear a mask for perfectly good reasons, public anger has been building on both sides of the argument for quite a while, there’s certainly a tense atmosphere around at the present time.

 

[Cowley]

I'm one of those people with a genuine exemption and honestly it's absolutely horrendous. Even when I've been out in open air I've had dirty looks for not having a face covering even in situations where you don't need one. I was sitting in my girlfriend's car while she went into asda yesterday with my sister and I was getting dirty looks from people just for sitting with no face covering

I wore a mask for the first time today when I popped into the shop for a couple of things. There was a guy that went in before me without one on and I found myself wondering why he wasn’t wearing one?
I caught myself on and reminded myself that it’s none of my business but then thought about those in your situation and pictured how awful that must feel knowing that some people will jump to snap judgements without knowing the facts.
I hope that this all gets better for you soon.

 

[PaulMc7]

I wore a mask for the first time today when I popped into the shop for a couple of things. There was a guy that went in before me without one on and I found myself wondering why he wasn’t wearing one?
I caught myself on and reminded myself that it’s none of my business but then thought about those in your situation and pictured how awful that must feel knowing that some people will jump to snap judgements without knowing the facts.
I hope that this all gets better for you soon.

Thank you. I genuinely see it being closer to October/November with face coverings still mandatory here in Scotland despite how unenforceable things are

 

[DB]

I think we’re approaching that point.

Encouraged harsh vigilanteism from the nation’s highest ranking police officer, 10-20% of society being made to feel worthless because they can’t wear a mask for perfectly good reasons, public anger has been building on both sides of the argument for quite a while, there’s certainly a tense atmosphere around at the present time.

It does seem to be getting more tense, and it might kick off about something which seems unrelated - unless the tension defuses, something is likely to happen and the ignorant bufoons who are supposed to be running the country seem oblovious to the rapidly deepening divides in society - and indeed are exacerbating them.

When the autumn hits, and it gets colder and darker, and there are widespread job cuts, things could turn nasty very quickly.

 

[Huntergreed]

I wore a mask for the first time today when I popped into the shop for a couple of things. There was a guy that went in before me without one on and I found myself wondering why he wasn’t wearing one?
I caught myself on and reminded myself that it’s none of my business but then thought about those in your situation and pictured how awful that must feel knowing that some people will jump to snap judgements without knowing the facts.
I hope that this all gets better for you soon.

This is exactly what the issue is, those who are exempt are so visible and people can be quick to jump to conclusions. Combine this with state-encouraged “shaming” and police enforcement, I completely sympathise with all those who can’t wear masks, life must be so difficult for them right now.

It’s almost like the government making people with health conditions go around with big signs saying “I’m breaking the law, please shame me”. It’s awful that it’s got to this point, I think exemption cards should have been the way to go (beyond that, not introducing laws which have no basis in science would be good too)

 

[Cowley]

I did it once because I forgot to take it off - and soon did because my glasses steamed up (I mostly only wear them for driving).

I have not seen anyone else do so.

Driving back from Dartmoor this afternoon I had to giveaway to two people driving cars with masks and blue gloves on.
It’s a low percentage but they’re out there.

 

[bramling]

Has anyone experienced, witnessed or heard about any of the 'shaming' endorsed by the nation's top police officer?

I wouldn’t know as I’m not bothering with shops for the foreseeable future.

However, looking at local social media there’s 100+ pages of discussion, the main theme being sniping about shop staff not wearing them. Needless to say there’s also some nasty comments about exemptions, with a few posts intimating that all exemptions are made up or that such people should not be allowed to enter shops for the greater good. Interestingly there were also a few comments moaning about how uncomfortable masks are. Also a woman who has modified half a bra, presumably a piss-take.

 

[PaulMc7]

This is exactly what the issue is, those who are exempt are so visible and people can be quick to jump to conclusions. Combine this with state-encouraged “shaming” and police enforcement, I completely sympathise with all those who can’t wear masks, life must be so difficult for them right now.

I'm quite lucky that just now my girlfriend and sister do all of the shopping but I'm also in the process of trying to get a job too and will need to use public transport for any interviews or getting to work. I'm more anxious about the possible journeys than any actual interview

 

[Bletchleyite]

Driving back from Dartmoor this afternoon I had to giveaway to two people driving cars with masks and blue gloves on.
It’s a low percentage but they’re out there.

To be fair I've seen a few people walking around outdoors, well over 2m from others, with masks. I suspect those people are shielders, and I would suggest a bit of understanding might be needed with them because they've gone from "it's too dangerous to even pop to the shop or for a drive" to "go out now", but with the virus still nicely bimbling along in the background. You can't blame them for a desire to be cautious, even if their use of masks in that way (unless they have an N95 respirator) is a bit misguided.

 

[Yew]

I see Scotrail have re-liveried 2 HST’s to have facemasks (and the best part? They’re around the chin only )

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/if-scotrail-trains-can-cover-their-face-so-can-you

I do find the article title rather patronising as well, I feel so bad for those with genuine exemptions, they’re being made to feel like they’re an unwanted and unimportant part of society and I don’t think it’s acceptable whatsoever.

Shouldn't they be over the exhaust vents?

 

[Ostrich]

Has anyone experienced, witnessed or heard about any of the 'shaming' endorsed by the nation's top police officer?

OK. So now it begins.

My son is an NHS worker in Sussex. Tonight he went into a Tesco Express in his home town, and he forgot his mask. Inside the store, he was confronted, abused and videoed by another guy and his mate. It got "in-yer-face" confrontational and luckily store staff stepped in to put an end to it. My son has reported it to the police and is awaiting a call back. The store has it on CCTV. He is shaken up, and will not be going into work tomorrow.

I'm just giving you the base facts. Some of you will no doubt support the shaming of my son, others might be more sympathetic over what was a mistake that any of us could make any time.

All I can say is that it confirms my view that I am living in a [expletive deleted] country populated by a [expletive deleted] society. This is what we have become.
Thank you Cressida Dick. Thank you Boris Johnson. I cannot wait to see the back of both of you.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Tonight he went into a Tesco Express in his home town, and he forgot his mask.

Forgot entirely, or knew he didn't have it and decided to try his luck anyway, out of interest? It's not clear from that.