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In a situation where "we are all this together" there were clearly people who had no intention of being part of the collective and decided to ignroe the rules. I am not debating the effectiveness of the rules, I am pointing out that many people broke them or will break, and boasted about it.
That entire argument is nonsensical, the whole point of the measures is their effectiveness. It is implicit, not doing something that doesn't make a difference cannot be selfish, as it has no effect. It is not possible to discuss your obsession with perceived 'selfishness', without also discussing the actual effectiveness measures that you suggest noncompliance with the be 'selfish'.
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Indeed. If they made a significant difference I would happily wear one but they don't.
They are basically an example of the worst sort of politician imposing something visible but useless so they can be seen to be doing something.
And they are supported by those of a puritannical nature (who seem to disproportonately infest the Labour Party) who are never happier than when they are imposing regulations on people for what they deem the greater good.
In a situation where "we are all this together" there were clearly people who had no intention of being part of the collective and decided to ignroe the rules. I am not debating the effectiveness of the rules, I am pointing out that many people broke them or will break, and boasted about it.
The only people who are perpetuating the pandemic are those who choose not to get vaccinated, but guess what? That's not against "the rules". Anyone can self declare an exemption for a multitude of reasons and that is within the rules and makes no difference to the course of the pandemic whatsoever.
Is saying there should be no exemptions any worse than those who proudly boast about falsely wearing the lanyard that truly exempt people are meant to have as their own?
That is a bizarre question; your opinion regarding exemptions is that there should be none, which you are entitled to but equally we are entitled to be appalled by it. No-one is "falsely" wearing a lanyard as anyone can self exempt themselves for a wide range of reasons which are entirely valid reasons whether you like that or not. You may not like the way the sunflower scheme has been used for this purpose but the reality is that the pro-mask brigade are the ones to blame for it.
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Don't take me seriously then, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I am perfectly entitled to say that this is a selfish country based on my own observations, if you don't think so then I'm happy for you.
If we are a selfish country, you are entitled to go elsewhere. Do you have a list of non-selfish countries? Are countries with massive case rates such as Germany non-selfish countries? I note Germany has a lower vaccination rate than the UK, but it is mask wearing that determines levels of selfishness in your book, is that right?
Not that I have noticed. But if they are so wonderful, why not make a strong request that they be worn immediately, without waiting for legislation. Analogies are always awkward, but wearing seat belts in cars was strongly advised long before it became mandatory.
The equivalent seatbelt analogy would be like saying a seatbelt made of string will do, as it's "better than nothing"
But the seatbelt analogy - which pro-maskers like to band about - is utterly absurd; the correct comparator with a seatbelt as far as viruses is concerned is the vaccine!
I really despise wearing a mask or any face covering for that matter. I am tempted to claim exemption but probably won't and will probably just limit my time in shops and on public transport as much as practicably possible.
Unfortunately I don't drive so I will have to use public transport to get about but will try to walk as much as possible to avoid having o wear a mask any long than I absolutely have to.
Has Boris said which day the mask rules come into force? Every article I have seen says 'from next week' but doesn't specify the specific day.
It is clear from this post that you qualify for an exemption (as wearing one would cause distress) so I would urge you not to change your lifestyle as a result of this; simply declare yourself exempt as you are absolutely entitled to do.
Yes, the UK is inherently selfish. Those people who did those things you speak of may not be, or indeed were paid to do such things, but generally speaking, the UK has an incredibly selfish and indeed ignorant population.
This is how you end up with actual dictatorships, not the one you all think you're living in, but go ahead, vote for some lunatic anti-mask party and then see what else they bring in through the back door, you'll be responsible for the outcome, so I hope you hold your hands up and admit it if the worst should happen.
Nonsense; voting against parties with authoritarian policies is how you end up with dictatorships. Drakeford has been widely condemed as acting like a dictator in Wales, and rightly so. I will absolutely be voting against that.
Except it isn't for the greater good; if everyone was wearing tight fitting FFP3 masks replaced on a regular basis then yes cases could be kept at bay (at huge cost) but flimsy masks are not designed to filter virus particles, so the idea that wearing them can be for the greater good, and use this as an excuse to sod disablitiy rights is absurd.
or it is if you believe masks do anything, many countries populations do, or at the very least they don't get all in a tizzy about wearing one in places where they are asked to.
Not really; in countries with a similar culture to ours people only wear them where mandated because they have to do it, not because they think it actually reduces case rates.
The best evidence is right here on this thread where many of you boast about flaunting the rules as you have decided you don't agree or scream about rushing to buy a lanyard which, as a direct result of those kinds of actions, has reduced its meaning to nothing.
Nonsense; the rules allow exemptions whether you like it or not, and the sunflower schemed has been reduced to "nothing" as you call it due to the pro-mask lobbyists demanding masks being made 'mandatory'. If we didn't have this mask nonsense, the scheme would not have been devalued.
You aren't going to bring about the revolution by not wearing your mask, all you're going to do is increase the odds of bringing hassle to yourself and do someone else out of a lanyard (one of those people who you all claim this country looks out for more than others by allowing them an exemption).
I would support mass flaunting of lockdown rules as that really is an infringement of human rights, but masks? I couldn't care less. Way bigger things to worry about.
A few people who do not wish to wear masks could avoid non-essential shopping or public transport usage. Could the owners or operators seek compensation from the government for suppressing part of their trade?
Last week when I had to go out of work for an hour daytime to the shops I got pointed at and heard mutterings from a few of those wearing masks who were predominantly by appearance age 60+. Yet other than those medically advised not to be vaccinated most of this age group should have had their booster. Most of my shopping is after 5pm and then I have not noticed this from the mask wearers.
Last year without vaccines I stated my view that I was far more likely to end up in hospital after tripping or falling due to steamed up glasses caused by wearing a mask than from picking up Covid in a shop. Now double vaccinated and with my booster booked the relative risks must be even more biased. Can I class being short sighted, my natural focal distance is about 25cm, as a disability relative to not wearing a mask ?
Of course statistically a mask will reduce the risks even if by 0.001%. Can anyone though link to a report that shows that wearing a well fitting 3-ply medical style mask as a customer in a retail environment gives a significant reduction in the risk? The reduction in risk from a cloth single or 2-layer mask commercial or home made has to be less than from a 3-ply medical style mask.
Given how we are still distancing at work hopefully no changes. I don't go to customer premises but feel for those who do so have to follow their regulations.
Yes, the UK is inherently selfish. Those people who did those things you speak of may not be, or indeed were paid to do such things, but generally speaking, the UK has an incredibly selfish and indeed ignorant population.
But for such patronising and silly generations over the years the Eurosceptics would probably not have got the referendum win over the line.
I have to say I found these parts of his comments quite disturbing:
"Yes, the mask might do nothing, but why are YOU (collective You) so special that you decide to ignore the rules everyone has been asked to follow?"
"Rather that they [people in other countries] are more likely to follow a collective mindset and just wear one as it's all part of the greater good"
Thankfully, there are still many people in this country who still think for themselves and don't become sheep who let the state think for them.
We in the UK, almost to a man, follow unofficial rules that are not mandatory laws, when it is for the greater good (such as queuing at a bus stop in an orderly manner). We also follow sensible laws almost universally, far more than in mainland europe, when such laws are manifestly for the greater good (such as stopping at a zebra crossing - try crossing one in France or Italy).
What we don't do is blindly aquiesce to nonsense because some piece of paper says we must, and if our elected representatives persist with such nonsense then we can throw them out (as Mr Portillo discovered in 1997). Something virtually impossible in more enlightened places that have proportional representation with party lists.
Those who govern us know it which is why the mask laws have been drafted in the way that is virtually unenforcable, unless someone takes the proverbial. Those who would like draconian enforced collective measures (Labour) likely won't get another majority in Parliament in our lifetimes
Up to now I have complied through gritted teeth, but I feel that wearing a mask in shops etc will not be conducive to my mental wellbeing or blood pressure. How do I go about obtaining an exemption when this comes in at some point next week?
Up to now I have complied through gritted teeth, but I feel that wearing a mask in shops etc will not be conducive to my mental wellbeing or blood pressure. How do I go about obtaining an exemption when this comes in at some point next week?
Up to now I have complied through gritted teeth, but I feel that wearing a mask in shops etc will not be conducive to my mental wellbeing or blood pressure. How do I go about obtaining an exemption when this comes in at some point next week?
Up to now I have complied through gritted teeth, but I feel that wearing a mask in shops etc will not be conducive to my mental wellbeing or blood pressure. How do I go about obtaining an exemption when this comes in at some point next week?
I went in to Sainsburys without a mask. The man on the door challenged me for a mask. I said 'I am exempt'. That was it - he was fine. Quite liberating back then.
As far as I am concerned I am exempt. I will not be wearing a flimsy mask.
If anyone distrusts vaccines, they can choose to wear an FFP3 mask which is almost 100% effective if they want to (or an FFP2 which is not far off) but the idea that anyone should be told to wear a flimsy mask is completely absurd. Anyone can self-certify an exemption and there are a huge range of reasons why people can be exempt and it is up to each individual to judge that for themselves. All anyone has to say is "I am exempt" and that is the end of the matter. If anyone would find being asked distressing, then it may be a good idea to wear a sunflower lanyard. Either way, no-one can be compelled to wear a mask against their will.
This is irresponsible nonsense; the vaccines offer excellent protection against all variants and there is no evidence any variant can render vaccines ineffective
I agree completely and consider myself exempt from now on. If it were not for the vaccine, I would think differently - but now, everyone is vaccinated - and those who aren't put themselves at risk by choice / not my issue.
If you knocked on 30 doors tonight ..a bit late now, maybe tomorrow.. and ask them if they would be in favour of wearing face masks- what would be the outcome?
I agree it is actually very easy. I do appreciate it can be daunting at first, for some more than others, but in reality there’s no popular support for this pathetic mandate. Let’s send them a clear message!
I agree it is actually very easy. I do appreciate it can be daunting at first, for some more than others, but in reality there’s no popular support for this pathetic mandate. Let’s send them a clear message!
In a few weeks, on the back of this mask thing, in order "to save Christmas". I have said that all along.
Japan is much less selfish than the UK when it comes to acting as a collective, as are places such as NZ, Taiwan, the Scandinavian countries, Finland, The Baltic states, Canada and even our closest neighbour Ireland. Again, based on my observations, as I have stated my opinion of the UK being selfish, is also based on. Sorry, I can't upload my observations here.
The business owner can do what they please, but if this becomes law again then they will face the same legal backlash they would if they didn't adhere to any other law, such as trading standards or health and safety. Why would you expect anything else? Owners may disagree with a lot of things they have to do, but they still do it if their business trading depends on it.
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In a few weeks, on the back of this mask thing, in order "to save Christmas". I have said that all along.
Japan is much less selfish than the UK when it comes to acting as a collective, as are places such as NZ, Taiwan, the Scandinavian countries, Finland, The Baltic states, Canada and even our closest neighbour Ireland. Again, based on my observations, as I have stated my opinion of the UK being selfish, is also based on. Sorry, I can't upload my observations here.
Japan is much less selfish than the UK when it comes to acting as a collective, as are places such as NZ, Taiwan, the Scandinavian countries, Finland, The Baltic states, Canada and even our closest neighbour Ireland. Again, based on my observations, as I have stated my opinion of the UK being selfish, is also based on. Sorry, I can't upload my observations here.
There is absolutely no requirement to wear or show anything, but people who suffer from anxieties or wish to avoid confrontation may prefer to do so, to avoid potential hassle.
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