[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by arista

Oh for goodness sake just do it.
Stop procrastinating.

He's absolutely pathetic.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Captain.Remy

Almost two months after the end of lockdown in France and our PM warned us about a second wave coming at the end of summer if everybody doesn't follow guidelines and wears masks. Cases are rising and more and more clusters are identified daily. We really are idiots

Are things being kept localised in France though? I thought cases were very low there now on the whole

What's your take on Macron's handling of everything if you don't mind me asking?

[James]

First day of mandatory masks in shops here.

The scarf I was wearing kept slipping down. :S

[Captain.Remy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Are things being kept localised in France though? I thought cases were very low there now on the whole

What's your take on Macron's handling of everything if you don't mind me asking?

Yes we have some clusters of cases there and there but other than that the level remains low except in a few overseas territories like French Guiana where the situation is still out of control.
Our new MP today said that even tough the level is low, there has been an increase in numbers the last few days, therefore we must not stop being vigilent even tough it's summer holidays etc. otherwise we'll face local lockdowns on regions or city scales.

Macron handled it fine, that's a general concensus around here. Of course people said he waited too long to put the country in lockdown. But overall, people know it's an unknown situation and we have to stay humble because none of the other politicians would have done any better. There was some mixup about masks deliveries and testing though.
Our health system resisted well, and he named a new MP to move forward now (the previous one, Edouard Philippe is very popular but he's super tired after handling all of it). The new MP and him are working towards rebuilding of the economy and avoid unemployment on a large scale.

[Captain.Remy]

Originally Posted by James

First day of mandatory masks in shops here.

The scarf I was wearing kept slipping down. :S

It's only the beginning I'm afraid. Wearing masks with such heat and sweating is not nice, but it has to be done. We've done that for some time here in France (I mean, some of us do, people tend to let their guard down since summer officially started) and it's a new way of living to adjust to. Good luck!

Though I will add that I have many friends in the UK after living there for quite some time, and I'm surprised British people don't tend to follow the rules that well, from what they told me. I mean, French people don't follow rules but that's us loving revolutions and not liking being told what to do, but I thought British people would be more...disciplined? idk, I love this country so much I want all of its people to be safe and healthy!

[Captain.Remy]

Originally Posted by arista

How is he so late for everything since the beginning of it? Bro, most of (if not all) european countries make people wear masks in all closeted spaces. Scientific opinion has "shifted" everywhere else but in the UK? We've known all of that for months, so who does he get his scientific input from? Jeez.

[arista]

[arista]

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Captain.Remy

How is he so late for everything since the beginning of it? Bro, most of (if not all) european countries make people wear masks in all closeted spaces. Scientific opinion has "shifted" everywhere else but in the UK? We've known all of that for months, so who does he get his scientific input from? Jeez.

I'm not sure he has followed scientific advice.
He's discounted most scientific advice that led to other Nations acting quicker on things than us.

Here this PM has played a reactive catching up process all through in my view.

I've been wearing masks here since the start of March.
I've lost enough loved ones already to lose any more.
It annoys me on the times I need to go out..
Even moreso now with his relaxations.

Just about no one is wearing masks.
No workers in Stores either and hardly any customers.
It's bonkers to me.

Johnson's procrastination is really infuriating and has been for me all through.

I think he's taken and followed ' some ' scientific and public health advice.
However, I suspect, just my suspicions mind, that what he's chosen to heed, has been selective only.

If he felt the need now, to protect himself and others, to wear a mask today where he was..
Then for goodness sake, why can't he make a decision and instruct everyone else to.

Any even small level of protection is better than none.
He dithers and waffles, yet has to be dragged kicking and screaming almost to just do even the basic right things.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Captain.Remy

Yes we have some clusters of cases there and there but other than that the level remains low except in a few overseas territories like French Guiana where the situation is still out of control.
Our new MP today said that even tough the level is low, there has been an increase in numbers the last few days, therefore we must not stop being vigilent even tough it's summer holidays etc. otherwise we'll face local lockdowns on regions or city scales.

Macron handled it fine, that's a general concensus around here. Of course people said he waited too long to put the country in lockdown. But overall, people know it's an unknown situation and we have to stay humble because none of the other politicians would have done any better. There was some mixup about masks deliveries and testing though.
Our health system resisted well, and he named a new MP to move forward now (the previous one, Edouard Philippe is very popular but he's super tired after handling all of it). The new MP and him are working towards rebuilding of the economy and avoid unemployment on a large scale.

Thanks, interesting to hear a non-UK perspective. I particularly agree with the bold

Re masks, people in this country are definitely more sceptical about them than most of Europe. You said about France and revolutions/not doing what you're told but I think we're quite similar to you in that. Maybe not quite as militant but we've had our own historical rebellions against overreaching rulers and have never had a government that imposes massive restrictions on its people.

I also don't like it when people criticise shop staff for not wearing masks. For one because it means wearing one for hours on end in their case (not a five minute shop) and also because they have put themselves at major risk throughout this pandemic to keep things moving and because they have had a nightmare task trying to implement and maintain social distancing in their shops in the face of dozens of customers who don't act responsibly. They are the last ones who need lecturing on how to act safely

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Thanks, interesting to hear a non-UK perspective. I particularly agree with the bold

Re masks, people in this country are definitely more sceptical about them than most of Europe. You said about France and revolutions/not doing what you're told but I think we're quite similar to you in that. Maybe not quite as militant but we've had our own historical rebellions against overreaching rulers and have never had a government that imposes massive restrictions on its people.

I also don't like it when people criticise shop staff for not wearing masks. For one because it means wearing one for hours on end in their case (not a five minute shop) and also because they have put themselves at major risk throughout this pandemic to keep things moving and because they have had a nightmare task trying to implement and maintain social distancing in their shops in the face of dozens of customers who don't act responsibly. They are the last ones who need lecturing on how to act safely

I don't care at all, about criticising masks not worn by staff in shops and stores.
Especially working on the shop floor.

It could be some have this virus and not know even.
They are filling up shelves and moving stock about, there isn't sanitiser everywhere In a store.

I think wherever customers are, and especially if it's instructed to wear facecoverings in shops and stores..
That absolutely in the need of protection both sides, staff should wear them.

I have little to no confidence in anyone other than myself to protect me and mine.
If I have to wear a mask or facecovering anywhere then anyone else, staff or otherwise should too.

This virus can live on surfaces, we are told for up to 3 days.
I've seen store staff filling shelves, with nothing to sanitise their hands.
Going from aisle to aisle handling the stock too.

So no, I'd instruct anyone in a shop and store to wear facecoverings.
Absolutely.

[arista]

[arista]

[arista]

[arista]

[Vanessa]

I don't think a mask is necessary when you're outside. Just follow social distancing.
But when you're in a closed space you should definitely wear one.

[bitontheslide]

masks are only needed when the number of infected is high. If the infected numbers keep coming down there will be absolutely no point in having masks.

In London, with a population of millions there are about 20 new infections a day reported. That's such a tiny percentage that your chances of catching covid are probably less than winning the lottery. So, all this hand wringing over masks is quite frankly stupid

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I don't think a mask is necessary when you're outside. Just follow social distancing.
But when you're in a closed space you should definitely wear one.

I've hardly been out anywhere since March, just to a store for the odd item.
I'm making sure my Mum is protected.

The thing with the mask is, even I being really vigilant, will touch something likely which others could have outside.

Then if I'm taking a mask out if my pocket or keep fiddling with it taking it down then putting it back on once at a store, shop or wherever.

Then I could be inviting problems.

I saw an elderly person on one side of the street, out with a mask on.
Then a jogger puffing and panting running past them with no facecovering.
On the same pavement..
I just thought, that's all it would take really.

So I get your point Vanessa..
Myself I'm wearing one inside and outside.
.the only time it's off for me, is when I'm in the house.

I mean it doesn't even need to be a mask, a scarf wrapped round mouth and nose, a couple to 3 times is at least something.

The people I see going to shops and stores, only a few of them wearing masks, do have them on heading to the shop and store, not messing about with them, putting them on and off.

In a secluded area, I'd agree there's little point in wearing one if no one else is around.
All I've had to do, to programme myself really..
Is get in a mindset where had I this, vurus I need to protect others.
If others had it vice versa, I'd expect to be protected by them too.

So I'm adding to my safety and others, I believe, by wearing one as I have since the beginning of March.

That's just my view.
However I've been screaming since the first week of March we should have been wearing them anyway.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

masks are only needed when the number of infected is high. If the infected numbers keep coming down there will be absolutely no point in having masks.

In London, with a population of millions there are about 20 new infections a day reported. That's such a tiny percentage that your chances of catching covid are probably less than winning the lottery. So, all this hand wringing over masks is quite frankly stupid

Everybody in the Country hasn't been tested.

So nobody really knows anything as to who really has it, who is carrying it.
We've only got the figures of those actually tested.
Which is tiny in relation to the population.

I'm very happy to be thought stupid by you, in my determination to protect me and mine.

If masks are irrelevant.
Why do we have to wear them on public transport, all the time we're on it too
If all in the garden is as rosy as you're putting about.
With all your good news.
Despite still hundreds dying weekly.

[parmnion]

You dont need to wear masks on public transport.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by parmnion

You dont need to wear masks on public transport.

How odd.
Since all public transport in my area WON'T let you on unless you have a mask or facecovering on.
All the drivers wear them too.

So I haven't a clue how your area is different to others.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by parmnion

You dont need to wear masks on public transport.

Yes you do, and there are signs everywhere though as I understand it lots of people are not especially on buses which is pretty heartless given the number of bus drivers who have died

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

masks are only needed when the number of infected is high. If the infected numbers keep coming down there will be absolutely no point in having masks.



In London, with a population of millions there are about 20 new infections a day reported. That's such a tiny percentage that your chances of catching covid are probably less than winning the lottery. So, all this hand wringing over masks is quite frankly stupid

The masks are, in my opinion, clearly prep work for an expected second wave in winter; the hope will be that we can get everyone used to mandatory masks, and hope that mask usage keeps infections down at least in part as efficiently as lockdown. Because they don't want to do (I believe simply will not do) another country-wide lockdown, and a large surge in winter is frankly quite likely if no measures at all are taken.

Lets be honest it's an experiment. It's based on real data of how well the mask stops spread but hasn't been "tested" on a large scale yet... Hopefully it makes a meaniful difference. Honestly wearing a cloth mask isn't much of an inconvenience so it's a bit of a "Well, why not?" consideration. Even if it does almost nothing, it's not a huge ask. They look/feel a bit daft BUT only if you're the only one doing it. If everyone is doing it then .

I'd much rather have us all wearing masks round Tesco than have another lockdown.

[arista]

Some Bus stops in London
have workers giving out Free Face Masks.

[arista]

Rough In Scotland