Forum Topic

wearing masks on public transport

Why are some people so reluctant to do so? We know masks don't provide complete protection, but they do provide some and surely any amount of protection is worth having? Countries where mask-wearing is widespread have lower rates of covid, whereas countries like America or Brazil, where wearing masks is thought to be some diabolical infringement on your liberty or to prove you're a cissy - well, we know the mess they're in. I see people (mostly the young, who believe themselves to be immortal, but not only them) getting on buses without masks and I wonder what it would cost/hurt/whatever them to wear a mask for everybody's sake?

Bela Cunha ● 2306d15 Comments

Unfortunately a lot of people, regardless of age, seem to think they are immune.  At the very start of this god awful virus I was amazed how people suddenly realised they should be washing their hands!!!!!

Carol Burge ● 2306d

When this pandemic first came our way, people were desperate to get face masks but the government discouraged us, saying we need the proper masks for health workers and the others don't work so no need. This line was so successful when the virus was at its peak they can hardly expect people to take up face covering now the virus has receded. As for public transport, although face covering is obligatory, as with so much else, it's not enforced. In other countries you'd not be allowed into the station and masks are handed out. But here we have our usual half-baked approach.

Peter Evans ● 2306d

Let's face it. The message from govt and scientists has been offputting from the start. There's always the caviat of 'they offer limited protection' 'no scientific proof that they work' 'make one out of old socks to help protect the NHS' 'people will touch their faces more' 'people will have a false sense of security and not social distance' Even now they insist on calling them face coverings not masks, in order to diminish their importance.It's funny how folk from countries least affected habitually wear masks.

Stephen Gould ● 2306d

Agree with Peter and Stephen, this is where common sense is required to take care of yourselves and wear them when out, we have been using masks and gloves and will continue until things improve.

Janice Evans ● 2306d

There have been less colds and flu, benefit of some using masks possibly.

Janice Evans ● 2305d

There have been less colds and flu - rather a sweeping statement - how do you know that?  I think the masks are to prevent the "virus carrier" unknowingly infecting those around them.  Anyone can be a carrier and not be aware of it - that's the problem.    Are any of the current tests really fool-proof and completely reliable at showing up these carriers?

Jennifer Selig ● 2305d

I did read it somewhere Jennifer, as people have not been out much during winter that could obviously be another reason.  Have never understood who are carriers and it is never made clear, maybe they don't know.

Janice Evans ● 2305d

If we'd been told that face covering protected us from the potentially virulent hoards of secret spreaders, we'd have all worn them without question. Once they told us that wasn't true and wearing a mask is actually to protect the hoards of others against dirty, infected, virulent me, enthusiasm for wearing them understandably dropped, as of course I'm not any of those things and certainly don't want people thinking I am because of the mask I'm wearing.

Peter Evans ● 2305d

Why do people not take care of themselves instead of listening to the Government who were taking advice from 'experts' who never really knew how this virus spread, if you think you should be wearing a mask then wear one and don't wait to be told.

Janice Evans ● 2305d

Because people don't have any care for the common good. It's not enforced on transport. There's a wishy washy announcement on the bus that says some people can't wear them for medical reasons.Sainsburys is full of well to do people who don't bother with masks. There's more clear evidence that wearing them protects others from you. So they obviously don't care for their fellow shoppers/travellers.

Basil Finnis ● 2305d

I have written to the mayor this week regarding the wearing of face coverings on public transport, I like thousands of others have been shielding for the last 16 weeks, my neighbours travel on the E3 bus on a regular basis I am being told the same story over and again people are wearing their coverings to board the bus then remove them once seated, others,are boarding covering their mouths,with a tissue then putting it in their pockets once seated. I know this to be true as I had to attend hospital for a procedure last week I was travelling in an ambulance whilst at traffic lights,the driver was,shaking his head, look he said it really is sickening I see this numerous times on a daily basis I looked, there on the bus was 15 passengers only two wearing a mask or face covering. After having to shield for so long we are told this will end on 1st August, well myself like many others will still have to stay home unless TFL gets a grip on this, I am unable to wear a mask due to lung disease I cannot breath so will be unable to boards buses because TFL are not enforcing this and I cannot walk as I cannot breath, this God forsaken government and the mayor are totally gutless and need to get their house in order, as for the general public when oh when are you going to stop being so bloody selfish and stop this darn right dangerous behaviour

Julie Greenjam ● 2305d

This is something in response to the Covid outbreak at Hillingdon hospital.Two weeks ago I unfortunately had to make very early emergency visit to West Middlesex Hospital with my youngest son, as only one person was allowed in with him, his girlfriend and I had to wait outside not far from the bus stop outside the main entrance.We were still there as staff started to arrive for the morning shift, the number of them that arrived wearing their scrubs was amazing, there are notices in the foyer saying this is not permitted. However, it got better - we had to go back again later to pick up a prescription from the pharmacy. On arrival at the main entrance we were given hand sanitiser, had our temperatures taken and were offered masks - although we were already wearing them. So you can imagine  how stunned I was a little while later - having a 45 minute wait for the prescription, I walked down to the shop near the entrance to see a woman shouting at the staff about this requirement. I walked back up to the pharmacy and a few minutes later this woman sailed past us, no mask, and stopping anyone in a uniform to harangue them. She proceeded to go in and out of various out patient clinics, and repeatedly shouted at staff, even accosting some poor souls waiting for their coffee and treating them to a barrage of nonsense. Having eventually disappeared, another woman then walked past us again not wearing a mask. I have since written to the Deputy Chief Executive and asked why their policies are treated so casually - especially at this time when you'd think things would be rigorously enforced, and rightly so. Two weeks and two e-mails later - no response. So no  - not surpised at what's happened at Hillingdon.

Vanessa Smith ● 2305d

There’s no need to social distance. Only those with compromised immune systems need to take precautions, which are largely the very elderly and weak. Even all the fraudulent covid mentions on death certificates are no longer enough to get some decent figures on the board hence face masks in shops to keep the crisis and fear going.

Michael Brown ● 2305d

Finally Boris Johnson is apparently going to make masks compulsory in shops - miles too late as usual. It should be compulsory on public transport - and enforced.

Bela Cunha ● 2305d

The bus driver in France who tried to enforce mask wearing was beaten and has now died. I would not want to be a driver charged with enforcing this rule. On the other hand, I have seen buses passing me ( not currently using them) where the drivers are not masked. As they are dealing with fare paying now I would have thought that would be a wise precaution.

Vivienne Cox ● 2305d