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

[Brave Fart]

Her reaction to being called an anti-vaxxer was excellent; I actually watched that live and couldn't help cheering her on. I think JHB is brilliant - off topic, she's married, so am I, but I would, no doubt!

Anyway, you're right, the official narrative that masks work has become ingrained into most people's minds by now, which I find sad. Was it Goebbels (or somebody, I forget) who said if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth? Or something like that.

[thinkofaname]

In my local supermarket (not Sainsbury's/Waitrose), you couldn't tell that the mask mandate had been relaxed, still over 80% masked. Depressing.
It's pure superstition and conformism at this point. I'm sure most of these people don't believe in astrology, but cloth masks have about as much scientific basis.
FFS, the air (including aerosols) you exhale is still going to go somewhere, the mask won't stop it.

[Ganglandboss]

Ari said:

I think it will be interesting to see what the ratio is in supermarkets today, and how that changes over the next few weeks. I seem to remember that last time the mandate was dropped, a good 85% kept their face coverings on anyway for quite a few weeks, and I don't think it ever dropped below about 50% before the next mandate was brought in.

Talking of which, I also think it will be interesting to see how long it is this time before we get another The Science following mask mandate...

I remember going to Tesco with my OH last time it was dropped. She was a bit worried about how people would react. Once inside, the majority were wearing them, but I noticed the majority of staff were not. Over time though, I would say it was less than 25% wearing them.

I would be surprised if the majority are wearing them today though*. When the world lost it's st over Omicron, people were cautious because we didn't know how bad it was (or not, as we now know), and people were worried about having to isolate at Christmas.

I'm on the committee at a diving club, and the day they were mandated due to the Omicron outbreak, I was the first to arrive because I wanted to do some work on the boat trailers. A new member who I had only communicated with by email came in by the boat house doors. He was wearing a mask and did that stupid elbow bump. A short while later, a couple of people came in through the boathouse wearing masks and walked up the stairs to the bar.

A while later, I needed to speak to somebody upstairs, so I wandered up. As I opened the door, it was like everybody was looking at me. Every one of them was wearing a mask, and they were sticking rigidly to the seating plan, that we had to introduce when we were first allowed to open with the two households/6 people to a table rule. I walked to the bar and asked the bar manager why everybody had masks on, and he was not aware the rule didn't apply to us.

I went back downstairs, and spoke to the chairman, who hadn't been upstairs yet, and he looked at me in disbelief. When I finished what I was doing and went upstairs for a drink, the news we did not have to wear them had clearly got around, as all the masks were gone, and everybody was huddled around the bar.

It's amazing how many people do not stop and actually think what they are achieving; particularly the mask on mouth only or chin brigade. I remember when we first got locked down, we had a work party. A few people had arrived and were getting on with various jobs, and I was up a stepladder replacing a light fitting. I saw the secretary pull into the car park and get out wearing what I can only describe as a Blue Peter HAZMAT suit. She came striding into the boat house, walked right up to me, took off her mask and shouted right in my ear (somebody was hammering something to fkingdom come).

My OH has an elderly relative who was wearing his on his chin. This was before anybody had been vaccinated. She told him he needed to put it over his face, and his reply was, "This is how they are all wearing them in London".

I was on a bus last Friday night, and a woman was wearing one of those face shield things, but had it set at about 75°, meaning it was doing the square root of f**k-all.

I had to go to the office in November to meet our regional director and an insurance broker. The RD told me I had to fill in a questionnaire and send it to somebody called Derek (the usual "Do you suspect you have COVID? Are you having to self-isolate? Have you ordered salt and pepper bat wings from the Wuhan Wok 'n' Go in the last seven days?" etc). I was a home worker before bat-AIDS, so I do not know who the fk Derek is, but I gather he is our official COVID Nazi. I arrived at the office, and went to the reception downstairs and saw the lights were off. I went upstairs and saw one woman sat at her desk, wearing a mask. I tapped on the window, and she opened the door. She asked me if I had a mask, and when I told her I didn't, she held out a box of them, and with a tremble to her voice, told me not to let Derek see me without one. Before I arrived, she was the only person there.

A while later, I went for a piss and came back to find Derek sat at a desk, on his own, in a glass meeting room with a fking mask on.

We were supposed to have our first in-person quarterly team meeting in December, and we were all exited about going for a pint afterwards. Then we were told by the COVID Nazi that we could use the office downstairs as it was currently empty. We would all have to sit at a desk and had to wear a mask if we were moving around.

Then the company had booked a meal for us where we were all going to sit around a table together...

A friend of ours (a very senior employee of UK Border Force) says we've all been institutionalised. I think she's fking right.

* I walked to the local shops in Wilmslow before I finished typing this. The chemists were wearing them, which I understand given the horrible people with germs going in there. The fishmongers weren't, and they had a queue of about six with no masks. About ten in the bakers with no masks, but the staff all had their welding masks on, and one customer with a mask came in as we were leaving. Hopefully we have seen sense around here.

[B'stard Child]

BUG4LIFE said:

Surprised quite a few of you guys are saying your place of work still requires them. What kind of jobs do you do [if not working in a hospital, dentist, GP etc]?

Medical Products (Manufacturing and supply)

Company was extremely concerned that an outbreak in manufacturing or office sites would lead to a shortage of products for the health service so went adopted a very robust approach

Temp screening on entry
Mask wearing is mandatory in all areas
You can quite easily drown in hand sanitiser the amount of dispensers around the site
Occupancy in plants set to 65% max (If you could work from home you were told to)

They set a 4 level structure to deal with the pandemic and we've been mostly level 4 since the start - they have set parameters required to drop down in the levels but I'm not sure we will ever meet the requirements for the lowest as one of the key requirements is a positive case rate of less than 0.01% (10 in 100,000)

Of course I am hopeful that a a country we will eventually stop fking testing and things might be able to get nearer to how it was

[Don Veloci]

Ganglandboss said:

I was on a bus last Friday night, and a woman was wearing one of those face shield things, but had it set at about 75°, meaning it was doing the square root of f**k-all.

Those things count as masks yet nobody questions the whole thing.

[nick30]

BeastieBoy73 said:

I won't be wearing a mask now as my face is brilliant and it needs sharing with the world. It'll be good for everyone's moral.

Absolutely

Shame the major of London is still stupidly promoting their use

https://twitter.com/mayoroflondon/status/148623572...

[thewarlock]

BUG4LIFE said:

Nope, I certainly won't be wearing one...it should of always been a choice, certainly after the first go at mandating them in 2020.

Surprised quite a few of you guys are saying your place of work still requires them. What kind of jobs do you do [if not working in a hospital, dentist, GP etc]?

Defence.

When the man at the gate with the machine gun says you need to put a mask on, you can start ranting about your freedoms and co2 and such like if you like.

But all it'll do is earn you a trip to the brig and/or losing your security clearance.

[Colonel Cupcake]

mat205125 said:

Colonel Cupcake said:

As before, I won't wear one ever. They don't work. They just create more division.

What kind of division?

Division between those who may choose to wear one to protect their health, and those who feel an obligation to see the mask as an invitation to voice their views or call them a sheep???

Q.E.D.

[oyster]

Harry H said:

Bloke in the warehouse this morning with a mask.

I mentioned to him that it was no longer a requirement and was personal choice. He informed me that he would like to continue wearing one.

"fine by me" I said and left him to continue wearing it under his chin

Folk are bloody weird.

You want it to be personal choice, but you think it weird if someone actually does take their personal choice?

Indeed folk ARE weird aren't they?

[Dastardly Dick]

Ive never worn one of the pointless articles right from the start and Ill be buggered with a welsh leek before Ill start now.

I went to a shop yesterday and on the door was a strict refusal policy for anyone not wearing the diaper, so in I went without.
All staff had one, me the only one in the shop besides them.
They looked at me, I looked at them and then I said "Hi mate, Im looking for..." such and such a part.
They just asked how they could help and proceeded to fing out the parts I needed whilst chatting with me.
No drama whatsoever.

According to the lockdowners, jabbers and mask scarer fraterniity, such as we shouldnt be alive and yet here we are, still just doing what we always have and ignoring stupid rules whilst they all ran around like headless chucks peeing themselves at every sneeze and hiding from every cough.

I shall attempt to gain entry to another house of nuttery tomorrow ( yes I know the laws changed now) but this particular place went full bore Screaming Lord Such mental with huge signs denying entry to the unmasked and had a flashing light bar and one way systems through the only door in the place.....

Utter madness, I will see what happens at chez madhouse in the morning.

[survivalist]

oyster said:

Harry H said:

Bloke in the warehouse this morning with a mask.

I mentioned to him that it was no longer a requirement and was personal choice. He informed me that he would like to continue wearing one.

"fine by me" I said and left him to continue wearing it under his chin

Folk are bloody weird.

You want it to be personal choice, but you think it weird if someone actually does take their personal choice?

Indeed folk ARE weird aren't they?

Especially the ones who leak covid particles from their chins.

[Dog Star]

Is anyone else seeing these articles in the press - “the vulnerable have been thrown under a bus” etc etc?

Stuff like this (more mainstream media is available)…



Seriously? What does this lass and those in the other articles I’ve read expect us to do? Stay locked down for eternity to protect them? We’ve already trashed the economy and made considerable sacrifices to protect the vulnerable- you have to draw a line somewhere.

It sounds awful to say it about the young lady in that article but I suspect covid is just one of many ailments that could cause her potentially fatal harm, flu would surely be on said list.

There comes a point where we have to get on with things.

I apologise if the above seems callous, it’s not meant to; I’m just pragmatic.

[m_cozzy]

Will continue to not wear the mask under any circumstances.
Phase 1 of return to work is demanding it. Fine. I will continue to work at home. I have no plans to ever return to be honest before I retire.
Any business that demands it will get boycotted for life & I have a long memory.
Will continue to refer to them as muzzles, face nappies & the cloth of compliance/obedience to get the mask lovers frothing.

[dxg]

I'm all for personal choice. Forced to continue wearing at work though.

However, I am concerned by the efforts of quite a few to politicise mask wearing: no mask = nasty right-wingers, only in it for themselves; mask = lovely, cuddly left-wingers who care about everyone.

The ultimately embodiment of gesture politics. Quite literally in (on) your face!

[JagLover]

Dog Star said:

Is anyone else seeing these articles in the press - “the vulnerable have been thrown under a bus” etc etc?

Stuff like this (more mainstream media is available)…



Seriously? What does this lass and those in the other articles I’ve read expect us to do? Stay locked down for eternity to protect them? We’ve already trashed the economy and made considerable sacrifices to protect the vulnerable- you have to draw a line somewhere.

It sounds awful to say it about the young lady in that article but I suspect covid is just one of many ailments that could cause her potentially fatal harm, flu would surely be on said list.

There comes a point where we have to get on with things.

I apologise if the above seems callous, it’s not meant to; I’m just pragmatic.

None of the restrictions lifted, mainly masks and vaccine passports, would have helped her in the slightest. If she has a genuine reason to be worried then it is good that the false pretence is being abandoned and she can take measures that genuinely protect herself.

[Biker 1]

JagLover said:

None of the restrictions lifted, mainly masks and vaccine passports, would have helped her in the slightest. If she has a genuine reason to be worried then it is good that the false pretence is being abandoned and she can take measures that genuinely protect herself.

Nail on the head!
I think there was a similar article in the Telegraph of another lady who is now stting herself. Logically, if we are to 'protect' these people, we would have restrictions forever. Covid is endemic, but these people somehow think it'll magically disappear I suppose.....
I suppose giving these people proper masks & instructing them how to use them might help, or what about special shops for the vulnerable only???

[HTP99]

JagLover said:

Dog Star said:

Is anyone else seeing these articles in the press - “the vulnerable have been thrown under a bus” etc etc?

Stuff like this (more mainstream media is available)…



Seriously? What does this lass and those in the other articles I’ve read expect us to do? Stay locked down for eternity to protect them? We’ve already trashed the economy and made considerable sacrifices to protect the vulnerable- you have to draw a line somewhere.

It sounds awful to say it about the young lady in that article but I suspect covid is just one of many ailments that could cause her potentially fatal harm, flu would surely be on said list.

There comes a point where we have to get on with things.

I apologise if the above seems callous, it’s not meant to; I’m just pragmatic.

None of the restrictions lifted, mainly masks and vaccine passports, would have helped her in the slightest. If she has a genuine reason to be worried then it is good that the false pretence is being abandoned and she can take measures that genuinely protect herself.

On the radio a few days ago, it was LBC and most likely James Obrien as he puts all the worried and bed wetters on, there was a vulnerable woman phoning in about the restrictions being lifted, mask mandate going etc and it not being fair, doesn't feel safe, is worried etc, I was thinking the same, where does it all stop, do we carry on forever due to the vulnerable, it wasn't an issue pre Covid but there were nasties around then, just different ones, they weren't so bothered then.

The problem is, many of these actions over the last (almost 2 years), have needlessly scared people, how does it get turned around, can it be turned around?

[JagLover]

Biker 1 said:

JagLover said:

None of the restrictions lifted, mainly masks and vaccine passports, would have helped her in the slightest. If she has a genuine reason to be worried then it is good that the false pretence is being abandoned and she can take measures that genuinely protect herself.

Nail on the head!
I think there was a similar article in the Telegraph of another lady who is now stting herself. Logically, if we are to 'protect' these people, we would have restrictions forever. Covid is endemic, but these people somehow think it'll magically disappear I suppose.....
I suppose giving these people proper masks & instructing them how to use them might help, or what about special shops for the vulnerable only???

Yes

If we are talking about genuine help, rather than some sort of collective sacrifice to show we "care, then those are along the right lines. Free FTP3 masks and training in how to fit them. The continuation of home deliveries to the vulnerable etc etc

[Harry H]

oyster said:

Harry H said:

Bloke in the warehouse this morning with a mask.

I mentioned to him that it was no longer a requirement and was personal choice. He informed me that he would like to continue wearing one.

"fine by me" I said and left him to continue wearing it under his chin

Folk are bloody weird.

You want it to be personal choice, but you think it weird if someone actually does take their personal choice?

Indeed folk ARE weird aren't they?

Are you a bit thick ?

[Harry H]

JagLover said:

Biker 1 said:

JagLover said:

None of the restrictions lifted, mainly masks and vaccine passports, would have helped her in the slightest. If she has a genuine reason to be worried then it is good that the false pretence is being abandoned and she can take measures that genuinely protect herself.

Nail on the head!
I think there was a similar article in the Telegraph of another lady who is now stting herself. Logically, if we are to 'protect' these people, we would have restrictions forever. Covid is endemic, but these people somehow think it'll magically disappear I suppose.....
I suppose giving these people proper masks & instructing them how to use them might help, or what about special shops for the vulnerable only???

Yes

If we are talking about genuine help, rather than some sort of collective sacrifice to show we "care, then those are along the right lines. Free FTP3 masks and training in how to fit them. The continuation of home deliveries to the vulnerable etc etc

Nah, let's stand outside our houses and bang saucepan lids together. That'll keep the nasty rona away.