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I am not going to wear a mask.

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I do not want to live want to live in a society that deems anything essential when it’s being the opposite.

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    • The “evidence” re masks still seems contradictory. However, I think it will become the norm at least for this summer used as a virtue signal – “I’m trying to do my best here”.
      I understand that, at least on The Island, one is allowed to pelt people not wearing masks with a hail of small stones.

      • You’re very lucky, Lodes, in that a facemask probably looks good on you. Better, if anything, than without. Whereas with me it hides my best features. The curse of the present pandemic era for those of us whose beauty is largely facial. I envy you.

        • Been a bit of a hiccup re masks down here. With a great fanfare of trumpets our village mayor two weeks ago proudly announced free high-grade masks for all. Unfortunately it looks like he ordered through some spiv called Hancock.
          So I still walk through the vines carrying a stick in case any of those frisky belles get too near. I can’t wait for them masks to arrive.

  5. Mask wearing in public places is pretty standard here in Japan even at the best of times, and I wouldn’t rule it out as a safety measure, even if some people will go overboard. But there is some horrendous marking-up pf prices going on at the moment as well.

    • Here in Hong Kong it is effectively compulsory, although by tradition as well as by Govt encouragement. They are worn by virtually everyone in public, both indoors and outdoors. And guess what, in one of the most densely populated places on earth, virtually next door to the epicentre, they’ve had just over 1000 cases and 4 deaths, total. There has to be some relationship between the two.

      • I mate of mine lives in Hong Kong and has just put somes pictures of his birthday dinner the other day on FB. I was surprised to see an open restaurant, friends round a table, friends with their arms around each other even – I take it things are relaxing a bit there?

        • They are relaxing, there are still rules governing the number of people allowed around a table in restaurants, but they are open as are Places such as Hairdressers and pretty much all shops. Expats tend not to abide quite so much by the mask rule once they get together, but once they’re out in public and definitely on any form of public transport the masks are worn. Social distancing isn’t really possible here in many places, so masks are considered the primary protective measure. And it definitely works.

      • @LordTed all of those protestors in Hong Kong wearing masks for months – I thought it was de rigeur. Seriously the number of infections and deaths per million of population in Asia has been significantly lower than in Europe. I wonder if it was a different strain or if the European response has really been as poor as the numbers would suggest. (We know the answer to that in the UK)

        • Initially masks were worn for anonymity due to the high level of surveillance during the protests. The Govt here fought long and hard to get a law in place that banned the wearing of masks, which got enacted at just about the same time as the Virus started to show itself. At which time masks became effectively compulsory, including being worn by all politicians in the LegCo ( Parliament. Equivalent) and By every official at every Govt Press Conference. So it seems that currently, mask wearing is both illegal and compulsory at the same time.
          The borders were closed here quickly too, which is easier than many other countries, and testing is mandatory on arrival, followed by 14 days isolation even if the result is negative, but it still remains that wearing surgical type masks is the number one form of protection, and all the evidence is that it works. I think there has been one non imported case here in the past 3 weeks or so, and still only 4 deaths total.
          I say wear a mask.

  7. In France it’s currently possible for a woman simultaneously to be fined € 165 for being in public with a face covering veil, and € 135 for being in public without a face covering mask. Go figure it out.

  8. The evidence on the effective of home made masks is pretty scant, and they could be worse than nothing as they encourage users to touch their face to adjust them. I suspect the reason they aren’t mandatory in shops and so on the UK is due to lack of resources. The British public have been very compliant, to a degree which I suspect the government has been astonished by, and would no doubt fall into line if told they had to strap an old t-shirt across their face to minimal effect to leave the house.

  9. I wear an FFP3 mask when out in public to do food shopping, once a fortnight. Otherwise, I’m self isolating as I’m doing practical caring for my elderly mother who is extremely vulnerable due to a compromised immune system. I did some research when I saw what was coming, just to be on the safe side. T-shirts, surgical masks have very little efficacy, but FFP3 masks have a 99% medical filtration standard of effectiveness. I cannot afford to take any unnecessary risks for obvious reasons. I’m glad I bought a couple before it all kicked in as they’re extremely hard to get now, and for ridiculous prices when you can. If anyone’s interested, keep an eye on online builders merchants and trade supply sites for when they hopefully do become more widely available again. Normal price is around £10 – £15 for a reusable one.

  13. Masks are now required in shops and on public transport here in Germany, but not otherwise. It’s become conventional to wear them – like putting on a coat if it’s cold out. I’ve heard there are anti-mask protests connected to the AFD, but it does seem to be accepted and normal now.

    You learn quickly to tell a lot by the expression in people’s eyes, and it’s quite good for hiding a yawn if you are tired or being bored by someone.

      • That’s true, Several stallholders at the market I frequent have face visors, though I’ve heard they are less secure than masks, Someone my wife knows is developing facemasks with a transparent plastic section over the mouth.

        Both of these help if you need to see the mouth to understand what is being said.

  14. Haven’t bothered reading the vast bulk of comments above. I don’t expect there’s anything up there I haven’t already seen elsewhere.
    I now have a washable/reusable mask and I wore it for today’s essential groceries shopping trip, along with disposable gloves, of which I have a large box left from my working days.
    Also received a delivery of antibacterial hand gel this afternoon.
    For now, I think wearing a mask and gloves is sensible in specific situations. I reckon I only really need to in such confined, busy spaces as supermarkets. Anywhere else, keeping 2m apart is good enough. And the handwashing, obvs.

    • Maybe less odd than sticking modified versions of the disease into your body with a needle. How could that ever catch on? The sooner the bloody better, please. Till then I will take any so called marginal advantage.

  18. I do wear a mask when I go out – walking the dog, longer hikes, and doing the groceries.
    Sharon’s work, when she gets back, will be mask-enforced.

    Two thoughts, I think:
    1. As Retro said, any marginal advantage should be taken.
    2. It just strikes me as being a decent human being to my fellow citizens. Sharon and I are pretty sure we’re not infected given how we’ve been isolating, but you never know. It costs very little just to wear a mask to be respectful of others.

    People who just point blank refuse to wear a mask because, I dunno, feelings, just strike me as weapons-grade bell ends.

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