To mask or not to mask

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Why do you think we are 'urged' to wear masks? And what is the rationale for not doing so?

We are urged to wear masks, because the current Heath Secretary knows it’s a good idea but, like so many politicians, prefers to shift the blame for the consequences on to others, despite being fully aware that the couldn’t-care-less mob will make it unsafe for the rest.

To add a personal note:-
On Wednesday 18th August I had a choir rehearsal in Malton. All participants are required to wear a mask throughout the rehearsals, using various kinds of “singing masks”. On this occasion, my car wouldn’t start, so I requested a lift from another member who lived nearby. As he drove us home, he apologised for not wearing a mask in the car, having noticed I was still wearing mine.
On the Saturday, he phoned me to ask how I was feeling. He’d just tested positive for Covid-19. I did two tests on the following day - both positive, so I had to self-isolate until 1st September. Having been double vaccinated, my symptoms were mild, so apart from some breathing issues, I came out of it relatively unscathed.

[marvin]

I'm 83 now and know I won't be around too much longer hopefully. Perhaps this has something to do with my attitude to mask wearing, of course from my selfish point of view.
My initial opinions seem to have shown to me how divided and self righteous people have become now about mask wearing.

[french frank]

My initial opinions seem to have shown to me how divided and self righteous people have become now about mask wearing.

I personally feel that avoiding words like 'selfish' and 'self-righteous' (as well as 'virtue-signalling') is more conducive to a valuable exchange of ideas. If I may be so pompous as to suggest it

On this occasion, my car wouldn’t start, so I requested a lift from another member who lived nearby. As he drove us home, he apologised for not wearing a mask in the car, having noticed I was still wearing mine.
On the Saturday, he phoned me to ask how I was feeling. He’d just tested positive for Covid-19. I did two tests on the following day - both positive, so I had to self-isolate until 1st September. Having been double vaccinated, my symptoms were mild, so apart from some breathing issues, I came out of it relatively unscathed.

Belated condolences, Alpie. This was something I missed. Masks are more efficient at preventing transmission than they are at protecting, which is precisely why we are 'urged' to wear them. I have not yet - as far as I can see - heard the reason for refusing to wear one.

[cloughie]

I'm 83 now and know I won't be around too much longer hopefully. Perhaps this has something to do with my attitude to mask wearing, of course from my selfish point of view.
My initial opinions seem to have shown to me how divided and self righteous people have become now about mask wearing.

If you don’t wish to be around for too much longer that is entirely up to you but maybe, just maybe, by wearing a mask you may not be taking others with you who don’t wish to meet their maker just yet! Just a thought, Marvin!

[marvin]

But what am I doing that is wrong? We were told, that apart from public transport, people were no longer required to wear masks all the time when out. That also applies to pubs and restaurants that I frequent regularly and neither do the staff in the majority of those places wear them either.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But what am I doing that is wrong? We were told, that apart from public transport, people were no longer required to wear masks all the time when out. That also applies to pubs and restaurants that I frequent regularly and neither do the staff in the majority of those places wear them either.

Let’s be clear about this. You are following the rules as they stand to the letter. The chief offender is the Health Secretary, who went gung-ho with the previous mask safety requirements as soon as he was appointed. He “recommended” people to continue wearing masks in crowded indoor venues, but left it up to individuals as to whether to follow this recommendation, a policy that makes it unworkable, except in a world of people who all consider the safety of others as important. Unfortunately the change of Health Secretary did not produce a change in the virus’s ability to spread. In reality, the relaxation of other restrictions actually made mask wearing much MORE important.

[Serial_Apologist]

But what am I doing that is wrong?

You are simply going along with the government's capitulation to what was fast becoming a ubiquitous reality, e.g. people increasingly not being prepared to follow the rules (and now the scientists' advice) regarding face mask wearing. Why, one wonders? Have they (the government) concluded along the new definition of exercising personal freedom which exercises those of their supporters who claim so doing to be synonymous with everything worth defending as being "British"?

[Serial_Apologist]

The filtration efficiency was 37% (standard deviation [SD] = 6%) for the cloth masks.

I might then just revert to wearing two such masks when visiting shops, until I get my third jab.

[Bryn]

But what am I doing that is wrong? We were told, that apart from public transport, people were no longer required to wear masks all the time when out. That also applies to pubs and restaurants that I frequent regularly and neither do the staff in the majority of those places wear them either.

I wonder to what extent the number of close friends one had who have succumbed fatally to COVID-19 impacts on one's mask-wearing attitude? In my case, it's two, with another suffering the effects of 'long COVID'.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Belated condolences, Alpie. This was something I missed. Masks are more efficient at preventing transmission than they are at protecting, which is precisely why we are 'urged' to wear them. I have not yet - as far as I can see - heard the reason for refusing to wear one.

The only drawback is that it can be mildly inconvenient. For those on whom it produced a greater imposition, exemption is available. My daughter-in-law is exempt, but she wears one anyway when she can.

[Prommer]

The world is moving on, chaps. Covid is now to be treated as flu. Also a killer.

[Prommer]

But no one is stopping anyone else wearing as many masks as they can take! Whether for Covid or flu purposes.

[Prommer]

As to the argument about protecting others... where does that end, exactly? I have to live my life entirely for others, according to their risk appetite? That is as bad a notion as the purest selfishness would be. (And before you say it, that is not what is currently being 'allowed' by the Government.)

[Bryn]

As to the argument about protecting others... where does that end, exactly? . . .

Sadly, for some it appears not to be where protecting others ends, but where it begins.

[french frank]

I have to live my life entirely for others, according to their risk appetite?

Not their risk appetite, the risk you pose to them. As in Alpie's experience, which you may have missed.