No More Face Masks...

[Nakosis]

In the UK.

Does this make you happy or worried?

 

[ChristineM]

Worried, very worried. Omicron is running wild and buffoon boris is putting people's lives at risk.

 

[Secret Chief]

In the UK.

Does this make you happy or worried?

Johnson being PM still could make me happy?

I'll still wear a mask. Of course that's mostly to protect others. I'm not unduly concerned, I'll still socially distance and keep socialising and shopping to the minimum. My covidiot neighbour (whose business involves handling food and oh guess what, he just caught covid) won't be coming into my house any time soon.

 

[exchemist]

In the UK.

Does this make you happy or worried?

Not happy, certainly, since it is driven not by science but by Bozo's desperate attempts to save his job by ingratiating himself with the far right of his party.

If I worked in a hospital I would be angry, since this will prolong the peak in hospital admissions, and reduce hospital capacity, by raising the infection rate. I were running a business I would also be unhappy, as it will mean more of the staff calling in to say they need to isolate at home.

But since the adult population is over 90% vaccinated, it is not likely that many extra deaths will occur. So I am not unduly worried about it, especially since I live in London, where I am confident the mayor will retain mandatory mask-wearing on public transport, whatever Bozo may say.

I shall continue to wear a mask on public transport and when shopping or visiting indoor public spaces, for a month or two more at least.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Does this make you happy or worried?

Happy .. face masks cannot filter out viruses in any case.
They just stop people breathing directly in your face, the same as a shield.
In, say a closed in railway carriage, viruses will still be in circulation despite everybody wearing a mask.

I'm not saying that they do nothing to help stop the spread.
..but they don't do a lot.
That is why we had lockdowns.

 

[Secret Chief]

Plus, they're a boon in this cold weather!

 

[RestlessSoul]

I am loathe to give Boris Johnson and his party credit for anything, especially as every decision Boris makes is formulated entirely on the basis of self interest. But his libertarian instincts on this issue are largely in tune with my own. I’ve worked right through the pandemic, used public transport ever day, been vaccinated, tested positive for Covid and recovered, and know three people who have died (all in the first wave, all had underlying health problems).

Covid isn’t going away, but the effects of Omicron are clearly very mild, especially in a vaccinated population. Time to get on with our lives. Can’t wait to throw my mask in the bin forever, but for now I will still need to wear it on the bus.

 

[muhammad_isa]

View attachment 59258

It all depends on the environment.
If one is in a large hypermarket, then masks help to stop the spread due to people who don't keep the social distance.
The environment itself does not spread the virus as ventilation is good.

In an environment that is closed in, such as public transport, it is the adequacy of ventilation which is the primary factor in whether the virus spreads. Masks can't create a low-risk in such a situation.
Masks cannot filter out viruses. Particles and moisture still circulate.

 

[PureX]

I am loathe to give Boris Johnson and his party credit for anything, especially as every decision Boris makes is formulated entirely on the basis of self interest. But his libertarian instincts on this issue are largely in tune with my own. I’ve worked right through the pandemic, used public transport ever day, been vaccinated, tested positive for Covid and recovered, and know three people who have died (all in the first wave, all had underlying health problems).

Covid isn’t going away, but the effects of Omicron are clearly very mild, especially in a vaccinated population. Time to get on with our lives. Can’t wait to throw my mask in the bin forever, but for now I will still need to wear it on the bus.

The problem, here, is that you are not the yardstick by which such decisions should be made. You live on this planet, and in your community, with many other people who not only may be more susceptible to the virus than you, but more seriously harmed or even killed if they become infected. So that's nice that you don't need to care about yourself. But this isn't really about you. Is it.

 

[PureX]

It all depends on the environment.
If one is in a large hypermarket, then masks help to stop the spread due to people who don't keep the social distance.
The environment itself does not spread the virus as ventilation is good.

In an environment that is closed in, such as public transport, it is the adequacy of ventilation which is the primary factor in whether the virus spreads. Masks can't create a low-risk in such a situation.
Masks cannot filter out viruses. Particles and moisture still circulate.

So, your conclusion is that in higher risk scenarios like public transportation you can skip the mask, because it's a higher risk scenario, anyway???

 

[RestlessSoul]

The problem, here, is that you are not the yardstick by which such decisions should be made. You live on this planet, and in your community, with many other people who not only may be more susceptible to the virus than you, but more seriously harmed or even killed if they become infected. So that's nice that you don't need to care about yourself. But this isn't really about you. Is it.

I live in London, a community of 9 million people. Seems like everyone I know has tested positive to Omicron recently, and not one has been seriously ill. On the other hand, I see every day the effects the pandemic and lockdowns have had on businesses, and on people’s mental health.

 

[PureX]

I live in London, a community of 9 million people. Seems like everyone I know has tested positive to Omicron recently, and not one has been seriously ill. On the other hand, I see every day the effects the pandemic and lockdowns have had on businesses, and on people’s mental health.

"Everyone I know"! Out of 9 million! Well, can't argue with the facts!

 

[RestlessSoul]

"Everyone I know"! Out of 9 million! Well, can't argue with the facts!

The Omicron variant causes a very mild illness, and most of the population here is vaccinated. These are the relevant facts.

 

[muhammad_isa]

So, your conclusion is that in higher risk scenarios like public transportation you can skip the mask, because it's a higher risk scenario, anyway???

No .. I already said that it helps a little, as does a shield.

I am in agreement that governments have a duty and responsibility to their citizens. However, there needs to be a balance.
Remember, that flu' kills 1000's of people every year, and that in many countries it has been normal to wear masks for years. [ due to SARS etc. ]

I don't like a society in which we all go around wearing surgeon's masks. I don't consider it to be normal.

 

[exchemist]

I am loathe to give Boris Johnson and his party credit for anything, especially as every decision Boris makes is formulated entirely on the basis of self interest. But his libertarian instincts on this issue are largely in tune with my own. I’ve worked right through the pandemic, used public transport ever day, been vaccinated, tested positive for Covid and recovered, and know three people who have died (all in the first wave, all had underlying health problems).

Covid isn’t going away, but the effects of Omicron are clearly very mild, especially in a vaccinated population. Time to get on with our lives. Can’t wait to throw my mask in the bin forever, but for now I will still need to wear it on the bus.

Hmm, I'm still going to try to avoid getting it again, though I don't propose to let it stop me doing what I want to do. I did not enjoy the experience of losing all sense of taste and smell for several weeks. I was worried it had gone for good. Mask-wearing in closed spaces is a very minor inconvenience, it sees to me.

But I realise the time will come when it becomes pointless, since all the people most likely to infect me won't bother to wear a mask - including you, by the sound of things.

And then there may well be another wave of infection with a new variant. I see no reason at this point to think the epidemic is over.

 

[muhammad_isa]

And then there may well be another wave of infection with a new variant. I see no reason at this point to think the epidemic is over.

Agreed.
There are many things we can do to slow down the spread of viruses.
The mandatory long-term wearing of surgen's masks seems a "bit over the top", don't you think?

 

[exchemist]

Agreed.
There are many things we can do to slow down the spread of viruses.
The mandatory long-term wearing of surgen's masks seems a "bit over the top", don't you think?

On the contrary, it strikes me is one of the least intrusive, least costly and least inconvenient countermeasures.

And it is also a psychological thing. It is a visible reminder to other people that there is a nasty virus going around and we should all be careful. Announcing it is not required sends a signal to the public that the epidemic is over and we can all relax, when that is far from being the case.

I'm slightly surprised at your position on this. A lot of muslim women are told to wear masks all the time.

 

[muhammad_isa]

..It is a visible reminder to other people that there is a nasty virus going around and we should all be careful. Announcing it is not required sends a signal to the public that the epidemic is over and we can all relax, when that is far from being the case.

I think we all know that.

A govt. making it mandatory means that it is a criminal offence to not wear a mask unless you have an exemption.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, I am not in favour of criminalising people for not wearing a surgeon's mask.
Where does it all end?

 

[exchemist]

I think we all know that.

A govt. making it mandatory means that it is a criminal offence to not wear a mask unless you have an exemption.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, I am not in favour of criminalising people for not wearing a surgeon's mask.
Where does it all end?

Er, with wearing a "face covering"?

It has never been mandatory to wear a "surgeon's mask", as you put it.

 

[Secret Chief]

losing all sense of taste

That must have been awful. Did you start wearing socks with your sandals?