Re: Coronavirus
 

I don’t see the issue - if someone wishes to wear a mask (because they believe they could be reducing a risk to others), what’s the problem?

They’re not making you wear one…

Re: Coronavirus
 

As before they do, but the protection offered decreases over time.

As per your second comment could you provide some supporting evidence ?

Again, it’s not necessarily about protecting yourself, but others around you. Who, may or may not be either unable to have the vaccine or are in at at risk group.

Good luck with getting on a plane if you’re not prepared to wear a mask.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Aside from the fact that it’s still law in Scotland in a wide variety of contexts, and is therefore a live debate (Nicola *is* making me wear one), I think it’s necessary to respond to comments that appear to be crafted to try to create social pressure in favour of mask wearing.

Re: Coronavirus
 

If I’m following science in the English language it almost certainly won’t be the political party broadcasts from the BBC.

I don’t see how it’s a “political attack line” to point out the massive shift in rhetoric from yourself and others around the role and purpose of vaccines (and now mass infection!).

Re: Coronavirus
 

As in the social pressure when those who were are against leaving the EU are told just to accept it ? That social pressure ?

Whilst masks remain a legal requirement, perhaps you should just get on with it and accept it?

Re: Coronavirus
 

Why would social pressure in favour of mask wearing be a bad thing?

Re: Coronavirus
 

I think perhaps I’ll step away from discussing this with you until you feel able to further the discussion in some way. You’re obviously very cross about something.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Not cross at all. The point i believe is salient.

The stance you’re taking appears somewhat hypocritical

Re: Coronavirus
 

Social pressure in favour of anything whose downsides may outweigh their benefits is a bad thing. I’d have thought that obvious.

Doing something just because Something Must Be Done is not a good reason. Virtue signalling is not a good reason.

Even Nicola has accepted the reality that normal life trumps masks in cafes, nightclubs, crusty separatist marches and music festivals (where people are jammed together like sardines even if they are outdoors). All of those contexts encourage close social contact with strangers over prolonged periods - to a far greater extent than those places where you do still have to wear them, like shopping centres and, in my case, for the hour or so we’re together in a large, high-ceilinged building on Sunday morning.

And yet Scotland’s infection rate is plummeting and the death rate is as low now as it was at the end of last winter’s lockdown, in March. So yes, social pressure in favour of masks is a bad thing, because all it’s likely to achieve is to engender a culture of fear and suspicion. It clearly isn’t driving down infections because masks aren’t mandated in so many places where risk is highest (and because, as you may have observed yourself, the mandate is being routinely ignored in many places anyway).

---------- Post added at 21:37 ---------- Previous post was at 21:34 ----------

Fine, I’ll bite …

I’m curious where you think I’m being hypocritical. I’ve stated I believe continued mask mandates risk more harm than good. I’ve stated we still wear masks in Sunday worship because that’s the law. I see no conflict in those two positions. There’s nothing hypocritical about observing the law whilst arguing that law is counterproductive.

Re: Coronavirus
 

May outweigh their benefits? Scientific evidence on mask wearing is clear.

Anti-maskers are equally applying “social pressure”.

I assume the Orange Walks equally went ahead broadly maskless.

Most of the scenarios you describe are where masks are being balanced against economic outcomes.

My observations are that in places like supermarkets and on trains many people are still wearing them.

Wearing masks doesn’t have to be binary. Nobody wears a mask entertaining guests at home. Or in the pub while drinking. That doesn’t mean there’s no value in masks in other settings - like on busy trains or in supermarkets. Or that social pressure might be more effective at promoting that than a law that is essentially opt-in.

Another step down the Great Barrington rabbit hole. I’ll have to say I’m quite surprised by it.

The anecdotal evidence of these mental health impacts are spurious at best.

Re: Coronavirus
 

What exactly do you fear ?

Its been largely maskless for 2.5 months, and the world didnt end.

If people want to wear one, fine, go for it, as long as they stop being preachy a-holes trying to tell everyone else they 'need' to.

Re: Coronavirus
 

Exactly. It is what is known as freedom of choice.

Re: Coronavirus
 

I’m getting on one on Tuesday, to go to Tenerife and there is no requirement to wear a mask.

Re: Coronavirus
 

You do know it's a condition of carriage to wear one on the underground don't you? Just don't want you to look a fool calling someone a preachy a hole on the tube because they tell you to wear a mask if you ever come down this way.

Re: Coronavirus
 

It's the maskless who tend to be self righteous.
Anyone choosing to wear a mask isn't harming anyone, on the contrary, they are protecting you.

As for what to fear:-
BBC News - Portsmouth girl, 15, dies of Covid on day she was due jab
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-58772671
Even the young with no pre existing conditions can succumb to it. Another 121 deaths reported today, in any other year that would have been a major disaster. We still need to take this seriously.