Will you continue to wear a mask in public after July 19th?

[Ari]

Once the legal requirement for masks in public places like pubs, shops, public transport etc is removed on July 19th, will you continue to wear one in all or most of the places that you currently have to?

[Ari]

Derek Smith said:

There are strains of the flu virus which have been (all but) eliminated over the last year or so and the reason is masks and distancing. I've been vaccinated against flu for years but have caught it twice. It wasn't fun, with a week in bed and three weeks of feeling dreadful. I've a Japanese daughter-in-law who is bewildered by the British reluctance to wear masks as it is seen by here as an example of social service, a courtesy. She answers her own question I think. After all, it's not much of a sacrifice.

My wife is classed as vulnerable. We have talked about mask wearing and we will continue to wear a mask in crowded situations, such as public transport.

I fail to see why it was viewed as macho not to wear a mask. I fail to see how it was a gesture of freedom not to wear one when to do so reduces the spread of infections. It's patently selfish. It's typical of the attitude of a certain type.

The only (very few) people I've ever seen referring to not wearing a mask as 'macho' are those attempting to be derogatory about those not wearing them. Yourself a case in point. It's a bit like labelling those concerned about the vaccine as 'anti-vaxxers', it's just a rather pathetic attempt to discredit and dismiss them.

In the real world, no one is actually avoiding wearing a mask because they think it's 'macho', they're avoiding it because they think it makes no difference (with, to be fair, very good reason) and because they don't wish to.

[Ari]

andyA700 said:

Excellent post, sensible and correct. The reason why the UK has had such a high rate of deaths and infections, compared to some East Asian countries, is because of our selfish and ignorant attitudes towards masks and social distancing. It is also the reason why cases are going through the roof again.

That's simply not the case though is it? By and large, people HAVE been following the rules regarding face masks, no matter how absurd they believe them to be.

It's exceptionally rare to go into a supermarket or get on a bus and spot someone without one.

Arguably, this proves the exact opposite of what you claim. Everyone is wearing them (where mandated) yet according to you, cases are going through the roof! Ergo, they don't work.

[Ari]

andyA700 said:

How many people have been wearing masks at the Euros? There have been whole families going into supermarkets near me without masks - are they all exempt? There has been a sizeable minority who have refused to wear a mask since the start of this pandemic. Maybe you have missed all the anti mask/anti lockdown demonstrations?

Nope, didn't miss those, or the huge numbers of people who took to the beaches last year, or the panicked cries each time of it all about to cause a huge 'wave' of infections.

Or the fact that it never ever did...

[Ari]

PH User said:

Donbot said:

I've either not been wearing one or making very low effort.

It's clear masks haven't achieved anything, so wearing one when it is no longer a legal requirement seems a bit strange.

So why do scientists around the world keep saying that we should wear them if they aren't doing anything?

Because speaking out against the mainstream view risks you getting 'cancelled' these days.

Scroll back just over a year and those same scientists (along with the government, the Sage advisors and even the World Health Organisation) were absolutely adamant that wearing a mask whilst having no symptoms was pointless and possibly counterproductive.

As to whether or not they work, well you can see that for yourself. The entire country went from everyone unmasked to everyone masked overnight, almost a year ago. Pick any metric, cases, hospitalisations, deaths, whatever you like, and look for the merest hint of any effect from that massive change.

There's your answer.

[Ari]

supertouring said:

I get the same response from religious people when you back them into a corner and have no other way out.

I thought this was going to be an interesting thread but it seems another reach around for the anti-vaxers.

Where are the anti vaccine posts in this thread? I've not seen any.

[Ari]

gareth_r said:

Until the end of April last year the UK's Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies were saying that the evidence was weak and the effect was small. Van Tam said that he had found no evidence in favour of masks in fifteen years of study.

In March last year the SAGE SPI-B behavioural "scientists" said "Wearing facemasks outside of the house could complement existing government messaging of social responsibility if communicated alongside the effectiveness of masks in protecting others who are not infected. Wearing a facemask could demonstrate that an individual is concerned for other peoples’ welfare and is enacting desired social norms around safety and hygiene.".

At the beginning of June it was announced that "face coverings" were required on public transport.


Which "scientists" influenced the government, do you think?

I do find it odd that many people have such short memories and seem to have erased the fact that Sage, the government and even the World Health Organisation were all adamant that wearing a mask whilst displaying no symptoms was pointless.

It was only a year ago!

Some people really do love their masks...

[Ari]

That is very much my hope, if not necessarily my belief.

I like to think that there's a silent majority with a bit of common sense that will pull public opinion in the right direction and, despite shrill voices on Twitter and Facebook, common sense will prevail.

We shall see (unless Boris does another u turn).

[Ari]

Graveworm said:

Which is odd, as it has been on the WHO menu of pandemic options, for governments, since 2004 following SARS 1. They said it was to stop transmission from infected people without any mention of it being a reminder of a health emergency.

Is this the same WHO that was absolutely clear that wearing a mask if displaying no symptoms was pointless?

At least they did until governments started to buckle under the 'save us save us' cries on social media and gave the public the 'face coverings' so many craved.

Then, suddenly, WHO advice fell in line with government policy. What a surprise...

[Ari]

Brave Fart said:

Couple of references to Julia Hartley-Brewer I notice.
She's quite divisive I suppose, but I think she's fantastic and I often agree with her opinions. Frankly,
If someone doesn't wish to listen to her then there are plenty of alternatives, However, she and talkRADIO have been a brilliant alternative to the pro-lockdown, pro-mask fearmongering available on most other outlets.

They were until their entire YouTube channel was shut down for not following the party line. They've been a bit muted since they got it back, presumably some promise to 'behave' and follow the official government narrative was made in return for it being reinstated.

[Ari]

Graveworm said:

Ari said:

Is this the same WHO that was absolutely clear that wearing a mask if displaying no symptoms was pointless?

At least they did until governments started to buckle under the 'save us save us' cries on social media and gave the public the 'face coverings' so many craved.

Then, suddenly, WHO advice fell in line with government policy. What a surprise...

Yes that's the one until pre and asymptomatic transmission was established.

Which makes sense doesn't it?

It might do if there was any measurable effect at all of any metric (cases, hospitalisations, deaths, pick any you like) following the mask mandate being imposed.

A year on, it's very clear that there was zero effect, not so much as a blip.

[Ari]

bad company said:

WHO guideline on wearing face masks. How many comply?

Real life guideline on wearing face masks

Don't worry about medical grades, any old bit of cloth will do because they're magic.

Store it in your pocket, bottom of your handbag, car floor, where ever, it'll be fine (see above about magic).

Slap it round your face, don't worry about the many obvious gaps - being seen to wear one is what matters.

If you find it steams up your glasses or it's restricting comfortable breathing, either can be improved by dropping it beneath your nose. Remember, you're still wearing a face covering, and that's what you're supposed to do to make the people feel safe.

Obviously you won't be able to wash your hands thoroughly every time you enter a shop or public transport. Don't worry about that, just grub around in you pocket and yank it out anyway.

If you need to adjust it (for example if someone is looking at you funny because it's under your nose), feel free to hook it back up with the hand you've just opened a door with that's been touched by 1,000 people before you. Yes, you've just transferred those germs straight to your 'face covering' and are now breathing them, but remember, your primary aim is to help anxious people feel safe.

Warm damp places, like face coverings when you've breathed through them for a while, are breeding grounds for bacteria, it's why surgeon's masks are changed regularly. It does'nt matter how unhealthy this is, you're doing your bit and that is what's important.

You should wash your mask once it starts to smell really bad, or once a year, whichever is soonest.

If you have any lingering doubts, just observe the examples of nature. Some of the most finely evolved creatures on the planet developed mouth coverings over many millions of years. Proof, if proof were needed, that we should do the same.

[Ari]

Einion Yrth said:

Riley Blue said:

I'll continue to wear one where and when I want to irrespective of what any guidance may advise. If that makes me look stupid in the eyes of others, that's their problem, not mine.

I don't think anyone here has a problem with you choosing to wear one, the problem is more not being allowed to choose not to wear one.

Precisely this.

Wear a crash helmet, bulletproof vest and shin pads too if you like, no biggie. Just don't make me.

[Ari]

CAH706 said:

Ps if I suspect I’m making someone uncomfortable by not wearing a mask I will put one on. I appreciate some people are still very apprehensive and scared of the current situation

What about a crash helmet? If I'm anxious and wearing a crash helmet in a shop, will you put one on too? I mean, we don't know that it will help of course, but it won't do any harm and it's no biggie.

[Ari]

Rick1.8t said:

Isnt the whole point of wearing a mask to restrict you from caughing / spluttering at full force into the air / onto people around you?

I will be more than happy to stop wearing a 'face covering' from the 19th (except for public transport which I go on about once every year) but at least use the correct argument, mask wearing is to help reduce the amout of your gob that you spread to others and be realistic any old rag will help with that.

Oddly enough, prior to this, I managed to go through more decades than I care to admit without either coughing and spluttering over everyone or everyone coughing and spluttering over me.

[Ari]

Rick1.8t said:

You havent ever rushed for the tube got on breathing more heavily than normal? - Never sneezed or had a cough in public before (into your hand maybe, but not the same and some dont care)

Yup, probably, and yet here I am, still alive!

Must be some sort of miracle.

[Ari]

Rick1.8t said:

At least you realise your position is absolute bullst, some sort of miracle?

If it pleases you to see it that way.

What I was actually pointing out was that we all managed perfectly well for the last x thousand years without feeling the need to peer worriedly over the top of random dirty bits of cloth strapped across our fizzogs.

Presumably you were the exception though? Diligently wearing yours on the tube for the last decade? Or did you just not CARE about everyone else you selfish mushroom? What about the sneezing and the breathing!!11!

[Ari]

A Winner Is You said:

If you want a laugh/feel depressed search on Twitter for any major company and masks. First set of results for Sainsburys:







The Karens have taken over the asylum

Good grief.

[Ari]

anxious_ant said:

I don't have an issue with people choosing not to wear a mask, if it's legal to do so.
What I have an issue with is anti maskers harassing others choosing to wear one.

Has this EVER happened?

[Ari]

FiF said:

Having said that, as has been seen on odd occasions, avid anti maskers can try to physically grab and remove the masks of others. Should that occur with me, the individual concerned will wish they hadn't even got up that morning. #Dominatethesupermarketaisle.

Has this EVER happened?