If masks become compulsory in shops.

[Funk]

Would make no difference to me, I wear one anyway already. I also still don't go shopping unless I really need to.

To be honest I'm surprised it's not already been made mandatory - it should be. Anyone whingeing about wearing a mask needs to go have a quiet word with themselves.

[menguin]

It's been mandatory here in Malta for a while.

The most annoying thing is getting halfway to the shop and realising you've forgotten. Other than everyone looking like a character from Mortal Combat, it makes no difference.

[cml24]

Which specific masks have people bought?

I have just looked at all the proper masks I own (for work and diy) and all of them are correctly rated and have valves. However, that defeats the point of the mask in this situation, so was curious if valved masks would be banned?

[Lotobear]

Shopping and visiting the pub are both things I've learned to do without as a result of 'lockdown' - both activities have now become marginal choices. Consequently being mandated to wear a face nappy is likely to cause me to continue to buy my booze and 'stuff' on line.

I think the Govt realise this is the case for a lot of people hence their prevaraction over the issue.

[So]

I have bought some Amazon specials to give the guys if people insist on them being worn.

Just had a call from one of them, that is working in a retirement home, and the doorman insisted one was worn from the main entrance to the floor they were working on.

[Jasandjules]

GT03ROB said:

if they become mandatory or even their use increases I predict the law of unintended consequences will come into play. We will see a growth in respiratory diseases caused by people using the masks not changing or disinfecting them often enough. A perfect bug trap covering your mouth & nose.

Already being seen in some places. Along with a few deaths.

Then where are people disposing of them? I've seen a few discarded masks and gloves around the streets lately. Not exactly hygienic.

[Funk]

cml24 said:

Which specific masks have people bought?

I have just looked at all the proper masks I own (for work and diy) and all of them are correctly rated and have valves. However, that defeats the point of the mask in this situation, so was curious if valved masks would be banned?

Just a fabric mask will do. A valved one absolutely defeats the whole point, whether or not they were to 'ban' them - it's purely to stop your breath projecting over others and theirs over you.

[Shnozz]

menguin said:

It's been mandatory here in Malta for a while.

The most annoying thing is getting halfway to the shop and realising you've forgotten. Other than everyone looking like a character from Mortal Combat, it makes no difference.

I presume its a legal requirement to carry one there at all times? Agreed it doesn't make a huge difference and soon becomes just another accepted part of life without much of a second thought. I hang mine on the back of the front door just to make sure I pick it up as I leave. Main issue of me is understanding (and making myself understood) in a foreign tongue with the additional burden of a face mask.

[untakenname]

I think shops will start to hand out one time use masks as I see people wearing visibly manky ones that most likely do more harm than good.
Doubt we will run out of masks as China has ramped up production so you can get 100 for a tenner now on Amazon, instead of producing sanitary towels the factories have switched to making masks as there's better markup so perhaps females may have an issue further down the line.

I don't like wearing masks due to them giving me spots on my cheeks (haven't had them since I was teenager) but have noticed people are generally complying, have seen buses refuse to let people on if they don't wear a mask and no of one person who has been banned from Uber due to insisting with not wearing one.

[Jasandjules]

cml24 said:

Which specific masks have people bought?

None. HTH.

[Earthdweller]

We’ve done all our shopping locally since this started and increased our internet shopping. I’m quite happy with the that

I have absolutely no desire to go to a big town and queue and put up with crowds and petty shop staff

If I can’t have a nice pint/lunch and browse and wander around there’s no enjoyment, so I’ll pass

[ambuletz]

I don't mind, as long as they just say face covering. I've been using a bandana/shermagh around my nose/mouth.

[Jasey_]

ambuletz said:

I don't mind, as long as they just say face covering. I've been using a bandana/shermagh around my nose/mouth.

Hope you aint in Wales - they're going to insist on 3 layer face coverings - Half the fat bd Welsh I've met wont survive that much longer than 2 minutes !!!

[Cold]

cml24 said:

Which specific masks have people bought?

I have just looked at all the proper masks I own (for work and diy) and all of them are correctly rated and have valves. However, that defeats the point of the mask in this situation, so was curious if valved masks would be banned?

I bought a few of these from some home entrepreneur on Ebay priced at a few quid each. They're just a simple cotton covering but are sufficient to allow me to use the train/Tube/taxis etc. No idea if they offer any protection to the public from my germ spreading potential but they mean access to services I use. Thankfully, they are machine washable.
They make my ears look like the FA Cup.

I would suspect that they will also meet the specs for any ruling on requirements for entry into a shop. Medical/spray booth stuff doesn't appear to be part of the plan.

[CrutyRammers]

Donbot said:

poo at Paul's said:

For shops, they SHOULD be mandatory, no doubt in my mind....for no other reason that if we as customers are wear them for the 15 or 30 mins we are in the shop, the guys who work in the shops day in day out, feeding us, clothing us etc etc, have a greater chance of getting through the day, week, next 6 months staying well. Without them having to wear FFP3 masks for 10 hour shifts.

It is then strange that I haven't noticed any significant turn over in staff in any of the shops I go to. And most of the people serving me have had no PPE for months now.

Indeed. Evidence would be good before we start introducing policy.
Personally, the queues have already meant I only go to shops when I need to. I always support the local shops over the internet, but at present that involves queueing in the rain for 20 minutes, so they lose my custom. Masks will just add another layer of PITA to that.

[Zarco]

No difference to me. I'll just get on with it.

[Louis Balfour]

I’ve just had my hair cut whilst wearing a mask. Awkward.

[alangla]

CrutyRammers said:

Indeed. Evidence would be good before we start introducing policy.

Why would you want that? The Scottish Government's own website described the evidence as "limited" and "relatively weak" the day before criminal penalties were introduced. Evidence doesn't appear to be required for this one.

See for yourself - https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/2020...

[Pebbles167]

Less likely, as I generally go I to the shops on a sudden decision, and probably would have left my masks in my other car, bike, Jean's, van etc.

Guess I could just buy loads and leave them in each of my cars.

[FourWheelDrift]

Just been looking at the F1 teams masks that are available to buy.

Renault - they do a nice black one as well as a yellow/black, €4.99 + P&P - https://en.shop.renaultsport.com/Formula1/masque-t...

McLaren, the one that doesn't stay on Lando and Carlos's face properly and needs constant re-adjustment, £35 + the need for a replacement filter after 200hrs use, £19 for two refills).
https://www.mclarenstore.com/gb/en/mclaren-f1-we-r...

And the Williams one for £7.50 which probably sums up the whole face mask furore in it's description.
https://shop.williamsf1.com/products/williams-raci...

Williams anti-viral mask said:

This product is not a medical grade mask or other medical device. It is not intended to be personal protective equipment (PPE) and should not be used as a replacement for PPE. It should not be used by healthcare professionals or used in a healthcare/clinical environment or setting. The product is not intended to prevent or protect from any form of illness or disease (or otherwise)
Reusable single ply face mask
Treated with Polygiene ViralOff® technology
Manufactured from 82% Polyester/18% Lycra™
Reduces airborne particulates from coughing and sneezing
Fits to the contours of the face covering the nose, mouth, and chin.
As a result of the antiviral treatment there is no washing required
If washing is required, this should be a cold water handwash only
The treatment protects the product, not the person – we do not make any health claims