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Here very few folk don’t wear them.
This is not my experience. I pretty much hate wearing mine. It’s okay on public transport, in shops etc; but to wear one at work all day is unpleasant. However, I do wear one religiously as it’s important. My colleagues at work are forever taking them off. My boss, for one, who makes a point of telling everyone that they must wear one, is frequently not wearing theirs. This is despite having a persistent cough - “oh, it’s not covid”. I tell them constantly that they should put one on. Also, ~50% of pupils either do not wear one for ‘medical’ reasons, or it is mostly a chin warmer.
It's because people are ****ing stupid and they know they are stupid and that makes them angry. I got a few trains into and out of London, despite all the notices saying you should wear a mask the large majority didn't bother.
It's not helped by the idiot mixed messages coming from the UK government who pander to the stupid for votes.
I follow Guido on Twitter simply to see what the mouth breathers are up to.
When they announced yesterday that masks were back in fashion you can imagine the response. There are more of them than you think!
But why the anger and vitriole
Because they have no argument. Therefore they can only rant.
That's pretty much it I reckon.
To be fair, our local Aldi had more people wearing masks on Friday than there has been for a few months.
I've always wondered how these people would react if they were being wheeled in for surgery and no-one in the theatre could be arsed to wear a mask
Many countries are specifying FFP2 masks now also, but of course we won't because freedom. Worth picking some up imo.
I’ve always wondered how these people would react if they were being wheeled in for surgery and no-one in the theatre could be arsed to wear a mask
I suspect they wouldn't understand the risks and reasons for wearing masks.
Up on Scotland pretty much everyone wears one, but there is a tiny minority that don’t. And unfortunately it’s always the same type of person, 25 - 45 year old blokes, usually slightly overweight, don’t look like they are particularly well educated ..
They are obviously trying to make a statement of some kind… but all they do is look like a bit of a cxxx
some of its a bit daft. Wear one as you go into the pub and / or up to tha bar but remove it when you sit down – not hugely logical
Seems reasonable to me. If you're walking about the room you could be trailing COVID particles around the place, but if you're sat still irsnless likely.
The Venn diagram that has Brexit, Immigration, pheasant shooting, white and middle aged round the outside has anti mask festering in the middle.
I am white, 40, and voted for Brexit.
I also have a criminal record for activities related to disrupting grouse shoots and always wear a mask in indoor public places.
Let's avoid stereotypes.
I don't mind wearing one if everyone else does, but I'd rather not wear one if I have the choice.
During last years lockdown travelling to work on the train (Thameslink) everyone was wearing them but most of the station staff weren't, and it was rare to see train drivers on the train travelling to pick up points wearing them as well. After a while it got so nobody was wearing them.
I think the problem now is that the government want people to wear them on trains and public transport, but not in hospitality (pubs, clubs, restaurants). It doesn't make sense and most people realise this and think bollox to it.
people seem to think that mask wearing doesn't make enough difference to make up of the inconvenience and after 20 months pandemic and case rates in the 50,000s most of this year then I have some sympathy with that view.
There is also pandemic fatigue and wanting to "get back to normal" + usual selfishness of thinking "I'll be fine, I don't need to wear a mask I won't get ill."
And the vast majority of people won't.
It's very visible in the reaction to changes in travel restrictions - a feeling that the government is making things difficult/more expensive for people for no good reason.
If our leaders had been a bit less boosterish about unlocking then things may have been different...
Oddly only 1 of the 4 people working at the mobile testing unit I went to today was wearing 1.
Maybe they screen for those roles and only hire people with advanced immune systems.
The only place they seem compulsory any more is my work place.
Some of our projects are studies of disease transmission, so I know who I listen to.
But going back to the OPs question. I'd go with it being small minded insecure people thinking it makes them powerful in their sad way.
Let’s avoid stereotypes.
Is there a mask for that or is it best ameliorated by distancing?
Oddly only 1 of the 4 people working at the mobile testing unit I went to today was wearing 1.
Were they outside?
Stupidity has been politicised and weaponised.
don’t look like they are particularly well educated ..
You can tell someone’s level of education by looking at them.
Ive read some tosh on here, but that’s quite the statement.
people seem to think that mask wearing doesn’t make enough difference to make up of the inconvenience
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20211118/mask-wearing-cuts-new-covid-cases-study
If it was just about their own health it would be fine (if you leave aside the unnecessary pressure on the NHS) but there's an awful lot of vulnerable people out there who either have to stay at home or are afraid to go out and live their lives because some people just don't care enough to inconvenience themselves very slightly.
And if those people CBA wearing a mask you start to think are they hand-washing regularly, using alcohol gel, keeping distance where possible, getting tested, isolating if they test positive, etc etc?
“I’ll be fine, I don’t need to wear a mask I won’t get ill.”
Despite the constant messages that it's not about you, it's about other people.
I’ve a few masks that get washed and re used.
When Cazoo officially took over the company I worked for, (and effectively still do), we were given a bag full of odds and ends as well as our new uniform, one of those items was a rather neat face mask, properly fitted with adjustable draw-strings, and a little pocket to put replaceable filters in. I carry it pretty much everywhere inside a cloth sunglasses bag. I have no problem at all wearing it, it’s just with the colder weather it’s still tricky stopping my glasses from steaming up!
That reminds me, I ought to swap the filter over soon. Fortunately, I’ve yet to see anyone kick off about wearing a mask, possibly just lucky I guess.
I am white, 40, and voted for Brexit.
I also have a criminal record for activities related to disrupting grouse shoots and always wear a mask in indoor public places.
Let’s avoid stereotypes.
people can make decisions and have opinions I dont agree with across the political spectrum. Opinions are irrelevant.
Masks have statistically been shown to reduce the transmission rate, reducing the pool of active cases and enabling effective vaccine led suppression.
unfortunately, a significant majority of english are not um, wise. (30% mask compliance I read somewhere)
I think there is a section of men, for whom wearing a mask, questions their manliness. They see it as a weakness, especially in front of other men, so they don’t wear them.
Pathetic really, especially as they don’t seem to understand (or maybe don’t care that) it’s to protect others.
it cant just be a section, as the rates of mask wearing is so low. It goes deeper than that.
Hanging on in quiet desperation angry ranting is the English way
CZ, I have a couple of the masks you refer to and change filter at least weekly; filter is 5 ply.
The cheap shit, unadjustable, ill fitting, blue ones are only fit for the bin; I would neither blow my nose into one nor use one as an arsewipe.
I've been pissed off for ages about supermarket staff, generally, being mask free; will they be instructed to mask-up from Tuesday?
If they don't it gives an excuse for customers to not bother.
why the anger and vitriol
You've just called them out for being self-possessed dickheads
Half of the population are of below average intelligence.. they also aren't going to let facts get in the way of their opinion.
But why the anger and vitriole
I assume that it’s all down to fear. Different fears for different folk, but fear nonetheless. Fear of change, of things not being normal. Fear due to a lack of control. Fear of being small and alone. Fear of being contained and controlled. Fear of seeming weak. Anger and lashing out at others is most often due to deep seated fears, isn’t it?
The cheap shit, unadjustable, ill fitting, blue ones are only fit for the bin; I would neither blow my nose into one nor use one as an arsewipe.
the ones we were given at work when we were dealing with people with active covid?
Not wearing a mask violates rule 1 tbh. But then, the people dying from Covid now are massively more statistically likely to be anti-vaxxers.
So spread away tbh. You're probably improving the gene pool.
My 2 cents regarding the unasked.
England
2 or so months ago when in Scarborough, very few we're in masks anywhere, those that were were generally the old and infirm.
Scotland
My local Tesco has remained predominantly masked, But contrary to the above I've seen more young women than men unmasked I'd say 60:40. I won't cast my aspersions about their socioeconomic status but they were the type who deam it appropriate to wear pyjamas out shopping.
Some people are just ****s.
I’ve noticed over the last week or so more people started wearing them again in shops, especially supermarkets.
After Trump politicised masks in the US an American psychologist did a very good piece on why, men generally, were so opposed to wearing them.
It's been been mentioned already really but much of it is down to some men (of a certain disposition) seeing it as flagging weakness to other men.
So you are seeing a primal urge from our animal past not to show weakness battling our modern brains that know wearing a mask is prudent and logical.
I spent many an hour sitting on a patch of grass people watching** others going into the local co-op and independents next to it during the warmer months of '20 and 21. There is a definite set of demographics in play.
I was surprised at the mask compliance by younger guys in truth, the group I thought would be the worst. It was much better than expected, really heartening to see. In fact the worst were men of a similar-ish age range to me, basically 40's upwards, then compliance went up again for men in their late 60's/ 70's. Hardly scientific but I found it interesting.
Oh and I agree with whoever said builders almost always didn't wear them, at any age. Peer pressure/ "bantz" is a powerful thing.
** It was the nearest I could get to "the great outdoors" due to "reasons".
It’s been been mentioned already really but much of it is down to some men (of a certain disposition) seeing it as flagging weakness to other men.
And the women?
You’ll get the explanations by consulting the bigger portion of that demographic, ie:
Over 2k comments to that video.
Bonus British Bantz on the so-named ‘Omicron’ variant goes pretty much like this:
Read a few-score comments (plenty about mask-wearing) and then go and punch yourself in the eyes until it feels better. Now you know.
Drac
And the women?
A valid question of course and generalisations are always just and only that.
I'm sure women are not immune to peer pressure and the premise of not wishing to flag a perceived weakness.
None the less, I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on which gender they would tend to associate more with anti mask sentiment or actions. Whether that be on the world stage or down their local co-op?
All the above being said, I don't for a second think there is only one correct answer to the question you ask @Drac and I'm sure you have theories and observations just as valid as mine.
I get wearing a mask. I get not wearing a mask. I cannot understand wearing a mask over your mouth but not your nose.
I suspect for some it's a silent protest. Like wearing your tie with the thin bit at the front in high school. "Masks must be worn" - aha, a loophole!
I get irrationally angry at the chinwarmer brigade. I'd rather they didn't wear one at all than think they're being clever.
the only reasons I can think of is that they are very, very stupid, or just utterly selfish
The other explanation is "contrary." There's a character type who just won't be told and will do the opposite to prove a point. (Me to an extent, but not to the point of belligerent stupidity.)
I am white, 40, and voted for Brexit.
Out of interest, do you stand by that vote today?
I’ve been pissed off for ages about supermarket staff, generally, being mask free;
IME the worst culprits are the store managers.
None the less, I’d be interested to hear people’s thoughts on which gender they would tend to associate more with anti mask sentiment or actions.
Can't say I've noticed a gender divide with mask-wearing but I think there are stats showing women tend to be more willing to do socially responsible stuff so it wouldn't be surprising.
None the less, I’d be interested to hear people’s thoughts on which gender they would tend to associate more with anti mask sentiment or actions.
Well that’s easy, pretty every demographic to what I’ve seen physically and on social media. I’m not the peer pressure argument, some just truly don’t want to wear as they think it’s a conspiracy, it’s control, they spread infection, they cause illnesses, they deprive your brain of oxygen, the don’t work and of course IT’S NOT THE LAW I claim my magna carter rights.
they deprive your brain of oxygen
Some might say that this has already happened.
Oh I’ve used pretty much that line but usually “Too late”
ime is 99% men not wearing masks
Can't say I've noticed any gender divide, it is reasonably evenly split. I think I've pretty much only seen women wearing the "I am exempt" lanyard, though.