Face Coverings on Public Transport

FFFP3 rated facemasks only work if the person wearing them has had a face fit test. For it to work you have to be completely clean shaven. The growth of stubble renders them useless in the eyes of the HSE.

1 Like

We also have the blue ones but the elastic breaks at the mask which is a pain. I ended up putting wood glue on the joints which solved it.

These have a rubber seal around the mask which conforms to my face. I make sure my wife shaves daily😁

2 Likes

I’m wondering if that was me that complained to the police officer about non-wearing of masks I did just that and was told the same thing.
BTP and TFL staff have no powers to enforce the “mandatory” wearing of masks.
Its a joke and makes me very angry the amount of people that either dont bother or get on the train and drop the mask to their chin or leave their nose uncovered.
I have taken to telling them to wear their mask properly, usually get dirty looks for suggesting as much and never get any back up from the other mask wearing commuters.
The other day on a London bridge train there was a woman talking really loudly in my carriage on her mobile phone I sat as far as I could away from her and then two stops later when she was still shouting and cackling into her phone I saw red-marched up the carriage and asked her to put on a mask-her response? “I had Covid in January” and waved me away…As if that made it all ok?
My argument is-other commuters dont know my story or the other people in the carriages stories.
they dont know if we have underlying health conditions, or live with an elderly or vulnerable person-Those that commute do it NOT through choice but because we have to go to work to pay our rent and survive and keep our jobs.
We cant all work from home.
The selfishness of some and the uselessness of this government in ensuring that rules are enforced (by recruiting special enforcement officers perhaps?) will cost lives.
I feel like the government doesn’t really give a toss sending us off like cannon fodder back to work but without actually setting aside a budget for extra enforcement officers.
Now masks are going to be “mandatory” in shops dont make me laugh…if people cant adhere to social distancing and mask wearing on underground trains they’re not going to wear masks in shops.
I understand that the Government is saying this will be enforced by police not the responsibility of shop staff.
We dont have enough police to stop street crime, stabbings and murders…what parallel universe do Boris and co live in???
Certainly not the london I was born in and live in today-they need to get a grip and live in the real world

4 Likes

I see on the news tonight TFL staff with the police going onto buses and checking passengers for Face coverings, One guy as he got off through the exit doors was approached by the policeman and asked why he wasn’t wearing a mask and issued with £100 fine for hes troubles.
Good job too, Grow up and stop being selfish.

6 Likes

16 posts were split to a new topic: This is going nowhere

I’m in France, about a third of people in rural Normandy currently wearing masks in enclosed public spaces like supermarkets, but Macron has announced it will be shortly be mandatory in all shops as with England. Local markets have been stretched out over bigger areas to provide more space for everyone. Restaurant, cafe, bar adaptions much as in Forest Hill.
No apparent extra checks or requirements entering the country.

3 Likes

One of my friends has had to commute in during the duration of lockdown. He was always complaining about people not social distancing on the tube, the fact the trains were reduced meaning he had to change tubes, crowded platforms and trains as a result - it sounded awful.

In Spain I seem to remember when they introduced the wearing of masks on public transport police were at many stations, no masks no getting on. I think a similar periodic blitz here would help.

At then end of the day though, whilst I agree with everything you say, people have to take some responsibility - this can’t be all government \ police, people need to take some ownership themselves. This lockdown has shown the best of people - so many amazing charitable acts, sacrifices, people putting themselves at risk but unfortuantely a not insignificant minority who for a variety of reasons have not followed the core guidance.

It’s difficult now as to me it feels like many no longer have trust in the messages coming out, so people are making their own judgements for many things, though there can be no excuse for the simply things like wearning masks in enclosed spaces, regular handwashing and social distancing.

I will admit I am struggling with the last one - one of my parents and my sister-in-law are in the highest risk category, and other parents are in the 70+ year old category. If there is no vaccine or effective treatment for 12 months or more do I not get to hug them for that time, stay over, hold my 6 month old nephew etc. We’ve not seen my brother since lockdown started, and my parents once. But I am getting offtrack and there are far worse scenarios for many others of course.

4 Likes

IMO the problem is down to the way the media and social media is reporting the policies.

Every time policy evolves (and obviously it needs to constantly evolve as the situation changes) this is described as a “u-turn” or “backtracking” or “confusing”

Yet I think the policies have actually been quite well communicated and a decent amount of notice has been given. If only the media could help by effectively conveying those messages.

I wish the media would dedicate more time to the actual unadulterated messaging coming from ministers and scientific advisors. I don’t want cherry-picked sound bites followed by a long monologue from Robert Peston or Kay Burley giving their personal opinion on them.

The media has a vested interest in chaos, narrative, partisan politics and spin. I wish they could be more public-spirited at a time of international crisis like this.

For writing this post, I’m sure I’ll be accused of defending the government, and I’ll be told the media are vital “scrutinisers.”

But how will the UK government ever succeed in public crisis management if the very culture of our nation is constantly pitted against them?

Some of the histrionic headlines about this mask policy have been ridiculous. Anyone would think we’re being asked to wear gags.

What do forumites think about the requirement to wear masks in shops from the 24th July?

  • Reasonable policy
  • Unreasonable policy
  • Don’t feel strongly
  • Other (please comment)

0 voters

1 Like

I partly agree. During the daily briefings, after the first few weeks some things were not changing much day to day and so the media needed a story (as always) and so some reporting was not brilliant.

However trust in what is being said is low with lots of people I know (and I include myself in that), some advice is deliberately vague and some things do not appear to be well thoughtout. Making changes to an evolving situation I agree is not necessarily backtracking.

I would hate to be a minister right now - certainly the Health or Chancellor - the pressure must be immense and I accept people will make mistakes in these circumstances, especially when you have to make decisions quickly, sometimes without full date or prior history to guide you, however that does not mean they are beyond reproach either. I have lots I would like to say but we will go totally off course so I will stop, but whether you think it’s right or wrong, I do believe from my small circle of friends that many people have lost faith to varying degrees.

11 Likes

I have mild claustrophobia, so find wearing a mask really horrible.
However, I DO wear one on public transport and will wear one to the supermarket from next Friday. We all have to look after the vulnerable in our community, that’s simple humanity.
Beyond that, I will avoid situations where masks are required - so food shopping is essential (while I can walk, I feel that online slots should be kept for those shielding or who have difficulty shopping) but discretionary shopping isn’t. That’s why I ticked Other in the poll above - for me, having to wear a mask in shops means I will choose not to go to them unless essential. Given the low footfall in the retail area, it would appear that others think the same.
And I also agree about mixed, patronising and confusing messages from Government. Particularly when advice changes after someone has been caughr out contravening rules that they helped to develop!

5 Likes

Masks are a bit of a pain with a spectacles and ear-aid combo. I don’t enjoy them but understand the need so will wear in supermarkets.

Actually what we will get is a lot of “minimum level” mask wearing to comply with the letter of regulations. Wear a mask around the neck and pull up or put in pocket and put on in a hurry where necessary. Of course a lot of these masks will be unwashed or a week old “single use”. Does this type of mask wearing have a benefit (or otherwise)?

2 Likes

People really seem to be overthinking this.

The rule is for face coverings not medical masks. We have a number of well made, soft cotton masks.

They are comfortable to wear. Place them in a plastic bag and remember to take them out along with your keys and phone when you leave the house.

Once you are done wearing them place them back in the plastic bag and rinse clean when you get home.

14 Likes

And if you’re worried about killing germs on the cotton ones, iron them. I’ve got several as well - I quite like having a range of patterns.

6 Likes

Thats a good idea. My main issue is just having enough other things to wash at a hot temperature! Towels and bedsheets are getting more frequent spin than usual just to justify mask washing.

1 Like

We just handwash them, figuring if it is good enough for hands then it is good enough for masks.

2 Likes

I just find it a bit disparaging that anyone who tries to give a more balanced view of the COVID situation whether it be the severity of the lockdown, school closures, mask wearing, death rates, herd immunity etc. Is just called selfish or stupid. When there’s plenty of disputed science and medical opinion as to the approach we have taken (which is clear from the constantly changing advice and scientific data).

But oh well. Let’s just all shut up and wear our masks. And I will of course comply with any rules or laws. Doesn’t mean I have to agree with them or think it should be handled in a different way.

3 Likes

There is plenty of dispute, you’re right.

But whoever is right or wrong, wearing a mask is a trivial inconvenience and has the potential to help reassure others, if nothing else.

9 Likes

Agree. But I am slightly concerned it will extend to “any public place”. But it seems they are pulling back on that now.

I don’t think farting in public is the polite thing to do. But is very acceptable in front of someone who refuses to wear a mask on public transport for no reason. The same re the old quote re smoking. “Do you mind if I smoke?” Reply: “Do you mind if I fart? “

1 Like