UK face coverings discussion

[westv]

I guess they are hoping that most people will not return then.

It's one thing wearing a muzzle for a few minutes in a shop, an eight or nine hour shift in a stuffy office is quite something else.

It's not all the time - only communal areas, not desks. So people will spend the day on, off, on, off.

 

[py_megapixel]

It's not all the time - only communal areas, not desks. So people will spend the day on, off, on, off.

I assume people are allowed to claim exemptions, the same as in public spaces?

 

[westv]

I assume people are allowed to claim exemptions, the same as in public spaces?

You would hope so.

 

[Scrotnig]

That is certainly interesting. It could have a few causes - but one of those could be the virus evolving to be less dangerous as they tend to do. That would be a very positive development.

Whatever the reason (provided healthcare can cope), though, if it stops killing people we can stop worrying about it.

We won’t though. Thanks to all the hysteria, stuff like face masks and social distancing are unlikely to completely disappear in my lifetime. Too many hysterical people still driving the agenda. The “just in case” types. Even if the virus completely disappeared today, we’d be told the restrictions must continue to prevent flu deaths etc. The genie cannot be put back in the bottle now.

 

[3rd rail land]

I went to the post officer today. I saw a few people not wearing face coverings or had them down by their chin. I do understand that some people are exempt but I couldn't believe that many people were exempt. The staff were not enforcing the face covering rule which I am ok with seeing as it is not their job to enforce it.

I got to the counter and lowered my mask as I found it very difficult to talk through the mask. The staff member didn't seem at all bothered. When I wear a mask it is usually on public transport or in a supermarket where I don't need to interact with the staff. I guess it just takes time to get used to talking with a mask on?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I got to the counter and lowered my mask as I found it very difficult to talk through the mask. The staff member didn't seem at all bothered. When I wear a mask it is usually on public transport or in a supermarket where I don't need to interact with the staff. I guess it just takes time to get used to talking with a mask on?

You might want to try different masks, perhaps the one you have is too tight for you.

 

[Richard Scott]

Just read that one woman is complaining to the media that Asda staff did nothing about people not wearing a covering in store and then made a fuss as she said that if she was smoking what would they do and when told she'd be removed from the store said that they should be enforcing face coverings. Got even worse when she said that people she knew were petrified to go out and this wasn't helping. Since when was it the staff's job to do anything, how does she know those weren't exempt (saw many in a shop yesterday without one but that's none of my business)? Really don't need hysteria like this. Sorry don't have a link as was a pop up one on phone.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Just read that one woman is complaining to the media that Asda staff did nothing about people not wearing a covering in store and then made a fuss as she said that if she was smoking what would they do and when told she'd be removed from the store said that they should be enforcing face coverings. Got even worse when she said that people she knew were petrified to go out and this wasn't helping. Since when was it the staff's job to do anything, how does she know those weren't exempt (saw many in a shop yesterday without one but that's none of my business)? Really don't need hysteria like this. Sorry don't have a link as was a pop up one on phone.

Yes, this popped up on my news feed. Complete and utter hysteria.

My wife and I went to M&S food hall a while ago and a masked-up woman customer with gloves kept pleading to people "Stay away from me" ad finitum. Absolutely scared witless. Oddly enough; NONE of the shop staff were wearing masks except for some jumped-up deputy manager mandating customers to wear masks.

 

[Wuffle]

We traveled by rail from home to Lincoln on Monday returning yesterday - most people did wear masks although many did not fit properly and several wore them incorrectly leaving their nose exposed. On part of yesterday's journey the Air Con on the Carriage had failed and the temperature rose to 30 Celsuis - no one had a mask on
A lot people in Lincoln weren't wearing them either except the one brave or fool hardy soul slowly walking up Steep Hill
I muzzle wearing days are numbered unless of course the police behave like the police have been doing in Melbourne

 

[adc82140]

A few observations:

Yesterday on a stinking hot Class 455: about 50% compliance. On the platforms about 10% compliance. I took mine off at one point when I was alone in the carriage, only replacing it when someone else got on.

IOW ferry today: about 75% compliance.

A general observation is that I'd say over half aren't wearing them properly. Mostly nose sticker outers or chin ornaments. If the general public have this lack of understanding about face coverings, when it comes to contraception no wonder our birth rate is so high.

Some are masking up their young children, yet not wearing their own properly. I would go as far as to say that the message should change from under 11s not needing to wear them to under 11s should not wear them. Some I'm seeing are no more than toddlers.

 

[DB]

Some are masking up their young children, yet not wearing their own properly. I would go as far as to say that the message should change from under 11s not needing to wear them to under 11s should not wear them. Some I'm seeing are no more than toddlers.

The mother is probably a mask enthusiast who posts outraged comments on Facebook about people not wearing masks (OK, the father could be as well, but maskivism seems strongest among women).

 

[Huntergreed]

In Scotland from what I've seen compliance is still extremely high, however that could be due to Sturgeon being far less forgiving over any spikes leading people to actively try and avoid transmitting the virus, given that she's shown she's willing to lock down over 30-40 cases.

 

[bramling]

We traveled by rail from home to Lincoln on Monday returning yesterday - most people did wear masks although many did not fit properly and several wore them incorrectly leaving their nose exposed. On part of yesterday's journey the Air Con on the Carriage had failed and the temperature rose to 30 Celsuis - no one had a mask on
A lot people in Lincoln weren't wearing them either except the one brave or fool hardy soul slowly walking up Steep Hill
I muzzle wearing days are numbered unless of course the police behave like the police have been doing in Melbourne

I agree. There's been a conspicuous drop in use on the Underground this week. A week or two ago it had risen to I'd estimate around 90%, this week it's dropped off a cliff, and that seems the same today even with cooler weather.

I've noticed some will also take a look round and seeing others without will sneak their own off.

 

[AM9]

I can't believe that there are so many on RUK that despite all this feigning anger about the requirements to wear face coverings, have no clue as to what a 'muzzle' is and what they are intended to achieve. Maybe they wouldn't post such stupid and meaningless statements if they actually looked up the meaning of the word and understood just how ridiculous their misuse of the word is.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

In Scotland from what I've seen compliance is still extremely high, however that could be due to Sturgeon being far less forgiving over any spikes leading people to actively try and avoid transmitting the virus, given that she's shown she's willing to lock down over 30-40 cases.

I would agree - basically 100% compliance on the buses I was on on Tuesday (one of which was quite clearly above the "advisory capacity" of 32, which I couldn't care less about if I'm honest).

I am avoiding shops as much as is humanly possible so unable to comment on compliance in them.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Some are masking up their young children, yet not wearing their own properly. I would go as far as to say that the message should change from under 11s not needing to wear them to under 11s should not wear them. Some I'm seeing are no more than toddlers.

Or not even wearing one at all - many many parents seem hypocritical forcing their young kids to wear a mask but going without one themselves.

I agree with you on under 11s - it's been shown time and time again they are less of a risk for spreading the virus. And nothing makes me more angry than seeing a poor child forced to wear a mask and unable to smile.

 

[DB]

I can't believe that there are so many on RUK that despite all this feigning anger about the requirements to wear face coverings, have no clue as to what a 'muzzle' is and what they are intended to achieve. Maybe they wouldn't post such stupid and meaningless statements if they actually looked up the meaning of the word and understood just how ridiculous their misuse of the word is.

Have you genuinely not realised that it is being used deliberately as a term of contempt for the whole concept imposed by the government?

 

[yorkie]

Have you genuinely not realised that it is being used deliberately as a term of contempt for the whole concept imposed by the government?

The term was actually in widespread use in 1918!

The Mask Slackers of 1918 (Published 2020)

As the influenza pandemic swept across the United States in 1918 and 1919, masks took a role in political and cultural wars.

www.nytimes.com

The masks were called muzzles ....

 

[island]

The New West End Company, a representative body for 600 central London traders, said that levels of footfall have stalled at 37% of last year’s equivalent number for the last three weeks. (Source: Evening Standard, 13•AUG•20, page 4)

Does anyone know something that happened three weeks ago that might have put people off coming into retail shops? Anyone at all? I can’t possibly think of anything

 

[Huntergreed]

Does anyone know something that happened three weeks ago that might have put people off coming into retail shops? Anyone at all? I can’t possibly think of anything

Not in the slightest, remember 3 weeks ago the government made it 'safe' so there's nothing to worry about anymore, we should be seeing record numbers!

I'm not serious, by the way

 

[DB]

Not in the slightest, remember 3 weeks ago the government made it 'safe' so there's nothing to worry about anymore, we should be seeing record numbers!

I'm not serious, by the way

Yes, they put measures in place so that people could be 'confident' about going shopping...

(Also not being serious!)

 

[Skimpot flyer]

The New West End Company, a representative body for 600 central London traders, said that levels of footfall have stalled at 37% of last year’s equivalent number for the last three weeks. (Source: Evening Standard, 13•AUG•20, page 4)

I forecast that the mandating of masks in shops would discourage as many then shoppers as would encourage reluctant / fearful former shoppers.
The only surprise is that footfall has not actually gone down. Certainly in my home town it seems to have done, from my observations

 

[sheff1]

Purely anecdotal, but the number of people out and about in our local shopping area seems down quite a bit in the last couple of week, maybe as much as ~25%. I can say with certainty that we have not gone into as many shops as we used to for casual purchases. e.g. we often popped into one of the bakers for a couple of snacks (cakes, pastries etc) as we made our way home after our daily walk - not been in once since the mask rules came in. The other half often went for a browse in the craft shop when passing and bought something probably 1 in 3 times, again she has not been in since the mask rules.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Purely anecdotal, but the number of people out and about in our local shopping area seems down quite a bit in the last couple of week, maybe as much as ~25%. I can say with certainty that we have not gone into as many shops as we used to for casual purchases. e.g. we often popped into one of the bakers for a couple of snacks (cakes, pastries etc) as we made our way home after our daily walk - not been in once since the mask rules came in. The other half often went for a browse in the craft shop when passing and bought something probably 1 in 3 times, again she has not been in since the mask rules.

Many of my colleagues report that even their shopaholic wives are completely put off the idea of casual browsing in shops since face coverings became mandatory. Initially, it was the queueing outside that was the issue, plus the claustrophobic feeling when in the shop, particularly a small one. Since the hot weather arrived, that disinclination to browse has become avoidance of small shops, completely.
For small businesses like the craft shop referred to above, perhaps their closing-down sale will feature a selection of disposable bits of cloth, on a table with a sign...
‘The masks of sorrow’ ?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Small businesses like that need to get listing on Etsy, Ebay etc - much easier for them to adapt their business in an "agile" way like that, and people tend to be quite loyal to them.

 

[sheff1]

For small businesses like the craft shop referred to above, perhaps their closing-down sale will feature a selection of disposable bits of cloth, on a table with a sign...
‘The masks of sorrow’ ?

Seriously, I am expecting to craft shop to close down if the rules are not changed in the near future. It won't be the only one.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Small businesses like that need to get listing on Etsy, Ebay etc - much easier for them to adapt their business in an "agile" way like that, and people tend to be quite loyal to them.

You completely don’t get it, do you?
The person who frequents such shops goes there precisely because you can handle and look at the merchandise, chat with the staff and have some social interaction. They enjoy that element of browsing, so making those goods available online is not appealing for the shop’s core customers.

Sure, someone who enjoys travelling by train can look online at photos & videos of places they may wish to visit. But it is not a substitute for the enjoyment of getting out and experiencing those places.

 

[sheff1]

Small businesses like that need to get listing on Etsy, Ebay etc - much easier for them to adapt their business in an "agile" way like that, and people tend to be quite loyal to them.

Going in to a shop and browsing is one thing, particularly if you are a regular and can have a chat with the owners. Looking online for something you don't know you even want is another and not something which is likely to happen.

Edit: see Skimpot flyer got there first.

 

[HSTEd]

I certainly find myself going to the shop less often.

I now wait until my milk is essentially gone.

 

[Pete_uk]

It's a £3200 maximum fine for breaking the muzzle face covering rules.

I wonder how many will be handed out.

Oh I did see a lady in a supermarket with the sun flower lanyard.