Will you continue to wear a mask in public after Jan 27th?

[Ari]

mike80 said:

I'm going on holiday next week and Brittany Ferries have emailed :

"To ensure the continued safety of our passengers and our crew, we are requesting all passengers - older than six years old - to wear a mask while and onboard in public areas (other than when seated to eat or drink)."

I wonder how many will actually pay any attention to this? They certainly didn't when going to Le Mans last month.

I suspect it's to keep the hand wringers from screaming at them on Twitter. They can justifiably state 'but we do ask that people wear masks' whilst letting normal people get on with being normal.

It would be interesting to hear how many are wearing masks. I suspect it will be the usual tiny minority of terminally frightened and virtue signallers that you see in supermarkets these days.

[Ari]

Biker 1 said:

Just got back from the weekly supermarket shop. A couple, perhaps in their 50s - fashion face cloths with nose sticking out. What are these types of people thinking?

Given that the noses sticking out would suggest not being scared of the air they're breathing, my guess would be that they're thinking Gosh, aren't we virtuous, look at us selflessly protecting the lower orders with our stylish masks, and everyone can see us doing it!

[Ari]

Meanwhile, the Department of Health & Social Care are still pushing the masks!

https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1553342138988...

The replies make interesting reading.

[Ari]

GroundEffect said:

I'm in Italy. Been to 4 cities now and it's around 80© adherence on trains and around 20% in general life (more inside than outside).

People are just getting on with it, rather than wibbling themselves in to a frenzy.

Getting on with what, pointless mask wearing?

[Ari]

glazbagun said:

Gary C said:

GroundEffect said:

I'm in Italy. Been to 4 cities now and it's around 80© adherence on trains and around 20% in general life (more inside than outside).

People are just getting on with it, rather than wibbling themselves in to a frenzy.

Just getting on with being told how to live and what to do ?

Rather than challenging it ?

When did you stop going to work and paying taxes?

Anyone..?

[Ari]

NerveAgent said:

As Italy appears to have had a worse outcome than us, what exactly is it that should be looking at with them?

Or is it more about the errmmm stoicism of accepting rules regardless if they seem effective or something?

This is the bit that so many seem unable to see. Two years of varying global mask mandates and no one can point to any evidence that they have ever been of any benefit anywhere!

Yet here we are, mandates still happening in some places and the majority seemingly happy to obey anyway.

[Ari]

GSE said:

I find it worrying that Governments and health agencies around the world are still promoting this very unnatural behaviour, it's as if they want to normalise it.

Well, quite.

https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1553342138988...

Disturbing, isn't it?

[Ari]

bodhi said:

Not sure if I'd say disturbing, more just unnecessary nannying. Now I'm now fan of masks in the slightest - evidence for them having any effect is flimsy, they're a nightmare for the deaf and hard of hearing, they're a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty bacteria and they caused serious issues for some with mental health problems - but this to me just looks another standard Public Health poster, like those suggesting we shouldn't smoke, or drink more than 14 units a week etc.

Also means it's just as easy to ignore

The subtle but important difference is that not smoking and not drinking excessively is proven to be beneficial, so I'm happy that an organisation promoting health would champion those things (and indeed happy for people to make an individual choice to ignore those warnings).

The fact that they're still pushing for something that has no proven benefits and potentially has health downsides (such as the gathering of bacteria in the warm damp conditions) I find a bit disturbing. In a word, why?

[Ari]

bodhi said:

Smoking yes - clearly evidence based - however the 14 Units a week figure? Really not so sure on that, especially considering the number of studies suggesting a couple of drinks a day can actually beneficial.

You understand my point though? A government department still pushing masks when there is zero evidence of any benefit at all after two years of experiments involving billions of people is a bit weird.

[Ari]

Amazing isn't it? You mention seeing someone wearing a mask alone and the masketeers chant 'liar'.

Take a photo (from some distance away, completely not identifying the person) and the masketeers chant 'creepy'.

I'll say this for the masketeers, they're bloody good at being offended!

[Ari]

garyhun said:

HTP99 said:

More and more chatter in the press about the reintroduction of masks over the winter, you know what happens when things are talked about in the press, it is dropping the seed in gradually so we are prepared for when it actually happens.

I HOPE most people now realise the absurdity of it all and refuse to wear them.

Sadly, so many people seem desperate to unquestioningly comply, and then try and shame anyone not doing (the usual, 'manbaby', 'covidiots', etc).

If they bring them back (and I agree it's likely, so many people seem wedded to the idea of them), my guess would be 95% compliance.

[Ari]

Seventy said:

fk me.

That’s as weird and creepy as I’ve seen today.

Photographing a random stranger to get likes from your ‘crew’ on a thread on PH?

And then to denigrate her?

Seriously?

Just wrong, on any level.

Signed a non mask wearer.

The fact that you've taken the trouble to sign it 'non mask wearer' shows that you're just out to score points. Pathetic.

[Ari]

Seventy said:

Ari, ARI!!

You know that I’m a non mask wearer unless I’ll be arrested so why try to muddy the waters and paint me differently!

Why?

Seventy, SEVENTY!!

You're right actually, I typed without thinking, I apologise.

I still don't get why it's 'creepy' though, fully clothed, in public, not in any kind of compromising position, not a child, not able to be identified? You have a VERY low threshold of what you find 'creepy'.

[Ari]

Seventy said:

Serious question.

What’s a ‘covidot’?

Someone who doesn't agree with your stance regarding covid (no matter which side of the debate you are on).

[Ari]

[Ari]

The calls for masks keep on coming!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1112651...

[Ari]

I doubt it. The compliance of the general public (and indeed the desire for masks from a very vocal minority that include 'experts') so far would suggest that the masks will be back on instantly for easily 95% I'd say.

If it saves one life..!

Utterly grim thing to look forward to.

[Ari]

HTP99 said:

My daughter has received an appointment confirmation letter for a hospital appointment, at the bottom in capitals and bold:

"YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACEMASK/FACE COVERING WHEN VISITING HOSPITAL FOR YOUR SCANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATIONAL GUIDLINES"

What national guidelines are these?

Is she not 'exempt'?

I think that the general public need to push back against this nonsense now and simply not comply with it. To do so just seems to encourage them.

[Ari]

Brave Fart said:

There is not, and never has been, legislation requiring people to wear a face covering in English healthcare settings. Of course, some NHS trusts, GP's, dentists and even Specsavers pretend otherwise. Language such as "you are required" and "face masks MUST be worn" are a bluff. Therefore, you do not need an exemption (and such a thing no longer exists anyway, since the relevant law specifying an exemption has expired).

Granted, most people either don't mind or comply for other reasons. But anyone who objects to this face mask nonsense should politely decline wearing one. In my experience nothing happens because the NHS know they're bluffing in the first place.

Even if the government does not bring back mask wearing legislation, expect more of this twaddle as we enter autumn.

Exactly this (and hence my use of quotation marks for 'exempt').

[Ari]

No apology needed, I was just agreeing with you!

I'm still utterly baffled by the love for the tatty bits of fetid cloth from so many quarters...