UK face coverings discussion

[Crossover]

A garden centre in West Yorkshire has installed technology to detect the presence of face masks, it seems. Not sure if this is a first or not (though the technology developer is a local one to the centre)

Face scanner halts garden centre's coronavirus mask dodgers

Whiteleys has installed cutting edge technology to keep tabs on customers breaking the rules

www.examinerlive.co.uk

A garden centre has installed face covering detection technology in a bid to stop customers from entering without a face mask.

Whiteleys Garden Centre in Mirfield has fitted cameras at its entrance able to detect whether or not a person is wearing a cover over their mouth or nose.

The software, which is linked to a screen, scans customers' faces for any visible points that are not covered.

The screen then displays a personalised message depending on whether or not the person is wearing a face mask.

Staff can also receive subtle audio warnings from the technology, meaning Whiteleys no longer requires a door warden to enforce mask wearing.

In England, the law is they must be worn in the enclosed areas of stations (ie in buildings/waiting rooms), but not on open platforms.

In Scotland, the law is they must be worn anywhere in the station, including open platforms (illlogical Sturgeon one-upmanship as usual)

Unsure of Welsh law

Ah, so I needn't have worried about standing on the open platform (getting wet as it wasn't undercover) at Malton last week without a mask, then!

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

A garden centre in West Yorkshire has installed technology to detect the presence of face masks, it seems. Not sure if this is a first or not (though the technology developer is a local one to the centre)

Is this technology clever enough to detect hidden disabilities that may prevent someone from being able to wear a face covering also?

No, thought not.

 

[Bikeman78]

Most people I have observed tend to take their masks off when talking on their phone. It's instinctive I think, you feel you would sound muffled if you have it on.

I've seen staff at ticket gates pull their masks down when having heated discussions with potential fare dodgers, most recently at Preston.

 

[island]

A garden centre in West Yorkshire has installed technology to detect the presence of face masks, it seems. Not sure if this is a first or not (though the technology developer is a local one to the centre)

Face scanner halts garden centre's coronavirus mask dodgers

Whiteleys has installed cutting edge technology to keep tabs on customers breaking the rules

www.examinerlive.co.uk

I will not patronise any shop using that terrible technology.

The claimed saving on a staff member as “door marshall” is a nonsense as shops are not required to enforce the face covering rules; enforcement is a matter for police.

 

[Bantamzen]

A garden centre in West Yorkshire has installed technology to detect the presence of face masks, it seems. Not sure if this is a first or not (though the technology developer is a local one to the centre)

Face scanner halts garden centre's coronavirus mask dodgers

Whiteleys has installed cutting edge technology to keep tabs on customers breaking the rules

www.examinerlive.co.uk

Ah, so I needn't have worried about standing on the open platform (getting wet as it wasn't undercover) at Malton last week without a mask, then!

I'm trying to work out what is worse, that a garden centre has bought this for what really ought to be a short term measure, or that someone wasted their time writing the software.

 

[DustyBin]

No, it isn't.

Some people don't follow tax laws, because they are financially better off personally as a result, to the detriment of wider society.

Where does your logic lead to?

That’s not really the same thing though is it? Nobody is arguing that tax evasion benefits society, and whilst not paying tax does benefit the individual, doing so isn’t actually harmful. The point many of us on here make repeatedly is that wearing a mask is not helping anybody, and is actually harmful, to the individual and wider society.

 

[talldave]

So, back on the pointlessness of masks, we should presumably be in for a flu free winter as masks do their thing? Or do you need a different kind of "increasing evidence" for flu?

 

[trebor79]

What if people genuinely believe that law is doing more harm than good, for them personally and/or for society? That's a pretty good reason not to comply isn't it?

No, it isn't.

Some people don't follow tax laws, because they are financially better off personally as a result, to the detriment of wider society.

Where does your logic lead to?

You've misunderstood my logic. If I don't pay my taxes, that is a detriment to society as you point out. So I do pay my taxes.
If I don't wear a mask I avoid harm to myself. I also don't believe that my not wearing a mask will harm society, in fact I believe it benefits society as it's one less piece of germ ridden cloth getting touched and the spit, mucus and germs impregnated within it spread all over the place.

I note that the "growing body of evidence" that Boris and Sturgeon insisted justified this ridiculous imposition has never seen the light of day. I think it's more a case of "well lots of other places have and I can't think of a decent answer when some journo asks me why we haven't, so we will".

 

[35B]

You've misunderstood my logic. If I don't pay my taxes, that is a detriment to society as you point out. So I do pay my taxes.
If I don't wear a mask I avoid harm to myself. I also don't believe that my not wearing a mask will harm society, in fact I believe it benefits society as it's one less piece of germ ridden cloth getting touched and the spit, mucus and germs impregnated within it spread all over the place.

I note that the "growing body of evidence" that Boris and Sturgeon insisted justified this ridiculous imposition has never seen the light of day. I think it's more a case of "well lots of other places have and I can't think of a decent answer when some journo asks me why we haven't, so we will".

And you underestimate the importance of law applying to all, not being a pick and mix based on individuals' personal beliefs. Taking the tax example, there are those who believe in all conscience that they should not pay the the proportion of their taxes that funds defence. The courts have been very clear that there is no conscientious exemption, no matter how firmly held the underlying belief.

 

[DustyBin]

I've heard an awful lot of people on TV today claiming that Donald Trump wouldn't have contracted Covid-19 had he worn a face mask. Presumably they've seen evidence that masks work, and not only protect others as we were initially told, but also protect the wearer. Or are these people talking rubbish?

 

[trainophile]

I've heard an awful lot of people on TV today claiming that Donald Trump wouldn't have contracted Covid-19 had he worn a face mask. Presumably they've seen evidence that masks work, and not only protect others as we were initially told, but also protect the wearer. Or are these people talking rubbish?

My money is on the latter.

 

[Bantamzen]

I've heard an awful lot of people on TV today claiming that Donald Trump wouldn't have contracted Covid-19 had he worn a face mask. Presumably they've seen evidence that masks work, and not only protect others as we were initially told, but also protect the wearer. Or are these people talking rubbish?

Its made it up as we go along, so to make people wear the damn things we are told masks save other people. But when Trump gets it that's because he didn't wear a mask to protect himself.

 

[DustyBin]

My money is on the latter.

That's where the smart money is I think!

Its made it up as we go along, so to make people wear the damn things we are told masks save other people. But when Trump gets it that's because he didn't wear a mask to protect himself.

Indeed, and people wonder why so many are reaching their own conclusions and ignoring goverment advice (and restrictions)....

 

[STINT47]

I've heard an awful lot of people on TV today claiming that Donald Trump wouldn't have contracted Covid-19 had he worn a face mask. Presumably they've seen evidence that masks work, and not only protect others as we were initially told, but also protect the wearer. Or are these people talking rubbish?

It could also be due to Trump not taking social distancing seriously.

Since masks came in social distancing seems to have gone out the window.

Parts of the population seem to think their mask is a magical shield that will defeat the evil forces of covid. They then carry on as before and wonder why cases are going up despite the masks.....

 

[DB]

It could also be due to Trump not taking social distancing seriously.

Or it could just be one of those things - viruses will do what they will do...

 

[packermac]

So, back on the pointlessness of masks, we should presumably be in for a flu free winter as masks do their thing? Or do you need a different kind of "increasing evidence" for flu?

According to the WHO flu study you need a medical mask to provide high levels of flu cover, but they have recommended non medical coverings for some locations such as transport.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Trump getting Covid is probably down to the same reasons Boris got it. Being utterly stupid and thinking it would never touch him because he is too important.
You saw it with Boris going to hospitals and shaking hands with people there. And you've seen it with Trump doing similar things.

 

[Scotrail12]

Is it just me or are masks beginning to become painful to wear? My ears are kinda sore today.

 

[yorkie]

Or it could just be one of those things - viruses will do what they will do...

Quite. The idea that was can stop this virus is absurd. All we can do is slow the spread, and we need to consider the pros and cons of any measures designed to achieve that.

 

[birchesgreen]

Is it just me or are masks beginning to become painful to wear? My ears are kinda sore today.

Get one you can tie around your head.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Is it just me or are masks beginning to become painful to wear? My ears are kinda sore today.

Get one you can tie around your head.

My wife has just made me 4 so they are a perfect fit and washable. I have some disposable ones too. However, looks like I may not be coming home until xmas now with the quarantine. I have no problem wearing a face covering. I really dont.

 

[greyman42]

A garden centre in West Yorkshire has installed technology to detect the presence of face masks, it seems. Not sure if this is a first or not (though the technology developer is a local one to the centre)

Face scanner halts garden centre's coronavirus mask dodgers

Whiteleys has installed cutting edge technology to keep tabs on customers breaking the rules

www.examinerlive.co.uk

Ah, so I needn't have worried about standing on the open platform (getting wet as it wasn't undercover) at Malton last week without a mask, then!

What is classed as an open platform?

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Well colour me surprised.

Coronavirus: More than half of us are reusing disposable masks - and others aren't being washed much

Only around 12% of people that wear reusable masks are washing their coverings correctly, according to SAGE.

news.sky.com

More than half of people who wear disposable face masks to protect against coronavirus are using them multiple times, while those who opt for reusable coverings are not washing them regularly, the government's top scientific advisers have found.

According to a report by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), only one in eight people are washing reusable face coverings correctly, with 34% using them more than four times before they clean them.

While SAGE admits there is no hard evidence showing the effectiveness of washing reusable masks, the documents from 15 September say coronavirus is "readily inactivated by soap and water".

Regarding disposable masks, the report says those that are binned incorrectly could also pose a risk for those who handle waste, but SAGE suggests that safe handling and good hygiene can mitigate this.

 

[Darandio]

I wonder how much that report actually cost to research and produce.

 

[island]

I've seen staff at ticket gates pull their masks down when having heated discussions with potential fare dodgers, most recently at Preston.

Station staff are not required to wear face coverings.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2020 ==

What is classed as an open platform?

The legal definition for England follows the definition of enclosed or substantially enclosed for the national smoking ban – not the railway byelaw smoking ban – which is a roof with more than half of the perimeter of the roof enclosed by walls. Windows and doors count as part of the walls for this purpose.

 

[bramling]

Station staff are not required to wear face coverings.

Some operators seem to be making it their own requirement.

Of course, if they want to supply their staff with 30 masks per shift then they’re very welcome!

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Well colour me surprised.

Coronavirus: More than half of us are reusing disposable masks - and others aren't being washed much

Only around 12% of people that wear reusable masks are washing their coverings correctly, according to SAGE.

news.sky.com

SAGE later went on to determine that the Pope is a Roman Catholic, Bears do as they do, etc.

 

[Bikeman78]

Station staff are not required to wear face coverings.

That depends on the TOC. Anyway, I don't care whether they wear them or not but why bother if they are going to pull it below their mouth when they speak?

 

[farleigh]

My wife has just made me 4 so they are a perfect fit and washable. I have some disposable ones too. However, looks like I may not be coming home until xmas now with the quarantine. I have no problem wearing a face covering. I really dont.

Perfect.

You wear one.

I don't.

Both happy

 

[Skimpot flyer]

SAGE later went on to determine that the Pope is a Roman Catholic, Bears do as they do, etc.

Yep, that SAGE lot really know their onions...

I’m here all week...