The Compulsory Wearing Of Masks In Shops And Pubs

[Deskdiary]

The wearing of masks/coverings could be made compulsory is shops and pubs.

I understand how it could work in shops (even though I don’t think it’s necessary) but how would it work in pubs?

Lifting the mask up or down every time you sup is daft.

[ichkeria]

I must say I was astounded to see that according to a poll 36% of people in Britain wear face masks.
I’d say the figure in town at the weekend was at the absolute maximum 10%.
I’ve just been to Sainsbury’s, which admittedly was not that busy, and didn’t see a single person - not one - wearing one.

[teacake44]

19.26 I did understand completely, I knew NJ would explain it all again, I enjoy reading his books. Anyhow don't forget to wear your masks, or face covering, whatever takes your fancy. Now advised by the WHO!!! and me 6 months ago. :0))))))))))

[woofgang]

"I must say I was astounded to see that according to a poll 36% of people in Britain wear face masks."

what people say in a survey and what people actually do are two different things....like when the doctor asks someone how much they drink

[Cloverjo]

Apparently, we’ve all got to wear masks in supermarkets from July 24th. I wanted to buy some some trendy cloth ones in fun patterns, but went for the cheaper bog standard dentist type.

Well this is fun isn’t it? :(

[brainiac]

Is it going to be 'masks', or just 'face coverings'? If the latter, could I just tie a handkerchief round my lower face?

[douglas9401]

Face mask's awkward enough, imagine having to pad your trousers like Gove to soften the butt kicking by his mate.

[jim360]

// When you read the contrasting views on here it’s not hard to see on the other hand why there’s a certain amount of hesitancy [on compulsory use of face-masks, I assume] //

Quite so. But isn't the Government supposed to lead, rather than follow? And isn't it rather pathetic that one of the most senior members of Government, 36 hours ago, talked about how he "doesn't think [it should be] mandatory"? Even the idea that this is down to looking at "emerging evidence" is transparent nonsense, since nothing at all about that evidence will have changed in 36 hours.

So, (a) was Gove not aware of the planned changes? If not, why not? Or were these changes bashed out at some time today, and if so, why?

I'm not even complaining particularly about the policy shift itself, but the context leaves so much to be desired. Why is our Government not *leading* at a time when we so desperately need it to lead? All through the pandemic, we're seen a Government capable only of reacting to events -- or, more to the point, by the public reaction to those events -- rather than being proactive. Making mask use mandatory should have been a policy during the peak of the pandemic, if at all, rather than during its tail.

[teacake44]

22.46 I voted for a clown I'm afraid to say, and his bunch of idiots. They didn't want you to go out to buy a mask because of the shortage, so they LIED AGAIN, saying they wouldn't make any difference.

[Ken4155]

£100 fine for not complying. Righto. They can only do that if they know who you are and where you live. My guess is that many will attempt to shop without a mask and will be refused service. Most will probably leave with a curse or two. A few will be more belligerent toward the shopkeeper/cashier and will only leave when someone phones the police. Then they'll probably go to a shop that sells the same items, don a mask and do their shopping :-/

[Captain23]

I'm beginning to seriously consider that blackmail may be behind some of these decisions. But by who? Carrie?

[Cloverjo]

This is all daft. You have to wear a face covering on public transport unless you suffer from a condition including anxiety and claustrophobia. The staff are not expected to enforce the rules.
But now we can’t shop without covering our face, and police can issue fines.
I agree with Jim, earlier. This government is a shambles without any leadership.

[teacake44]

11.58,And you can sit in the pub without one. Oh my god. :0)

[Cloverjo]

I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed their minds again before the 24th. I’ll have 50 masks going spare.