To Mask Or Not To Mask Is No Longer A Choice. It’s A Must.

Summary

In the UK, wearing masks in shops has become mandatory as of July 24, 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with the author emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility over individual rights.

Abstract

As of July 24, 2020, the UK has made it a requirement for individuals to wear masks in shops, a measure deemed necessary yet overdue by the author. The author expresses concern over the low compliance observed during an initial visit to a supermarket, noting that the majority of shoppers were not wearing masks despite the new law. While acknowledging that some individuals may have legitimate reasons for not wearing masks, such as certain health conditions, the author criticizes those who claim mask-wearing infringes on their rights, highlighting the importance of masks in protecting others from potentially asymptomatic carriers of the virus. The piece underscores the concept of collective responsibility and the author's personal commitment to wearing a mask to protect vulnerable individuals, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. The author supports shopkeepers' right to refuse entry to those without masks and is hopeful that increased mask-wearing will help mitigate the risk of a second wave of infections, especially as the flu season approaches.

Opinions

The author believes that the implementation of mandatory mask-wearing in shops is a necessary step, albeit belated, to control the spread of COVID-19.
Observing a low rate of mask compliance in a supermarket, the author is skeptical about the public's adherence to the new mandate.
The author has disdain for individuals who prioritize their personal rights over the collective safety of the community, particularly those who oppose mask-wearing.
There is sympathy for people with genuine health issues that prevent them from wearing masks, especially the elderly or those without access to online shopping.
The author expresses frustration with the growing number of people claiming invisible illnesses to avoid wearing masks.
The author chooses to wear a mask out of a sense of duty to protect others, recognizing the potential lethality of COVID-19 and the risks posed to immunocompromised individuals.
The author supports the rights of shopkeepers to enforce mask-wearing in their establishments and anticipates conflict arising from non-compliant customers.
Despite concerns, the author is encouraged by the increase in mask-wearing following the enactment of the law and remains hopeful that collective action will reduce the virus's impact.

No Mask, No Entry

Today the 24th July 2020 in the UK the wearing of masks in shops has now become mandatory. It’s a bit like shutting the door after the horse has bolted but better than nothing I suppose. Thousands of deaths later we should have done this sooner. It could have been done when the lockdown started and not now that it is easing.

I’ve bought a cotton mask and have already worn it on a supermarket shop. This was last weekend. As I toddled around with my trolley I looked around the store. A rough estimate of mine was that only about one-fifth of folk shopping were indeed masked, the other four-fifths weren’t. As I walked out of the store, shopping in hand, I could see a queue building and a rather large one at that. I did a bit of headcount or rather mask count. Only one man had a mask on in a rather large queue. Talk about the great unwashed, I’m now wondering what the great unmasked are doing now that it is the law. I can’t see them jacking on any shopping trips but I can see that there are going to be some difficult moments at the entrances to shops.

Now I fully understand that there are probably some people with invisible illnesses or respiratory diseases that cannot wear a mask. Some of these will be elderly and not fluent in the ways of online shopping. Some of them won’t have a computer or anyone to do their shopping which will raise even more problems.

But those I have a disdain for are those that talk about rights. Their right not to wear a mask. Their right to be possibly asymptomatic carriers of this disease and not wear a bloody mask. The mask protects others from you and that works both ways. Others protect you by wearing a mask.

“A mask infringes on my rights as a human being”. What the hell happened to collective responsibility for the good of others. It’s only a bit of cotton for God’s sake just needing to be worn whilst you buy your toilet roll, Tampax, or whatever else you need.

And now we have an army, well a growing army of those with invisible illnesses who can’t possibly wear a mask. Because wait for it, they have an invisible illness. Yeah, that’s right love, you had a panic attack in 1985, never had one since but you’ve got an invisible illness and can’t possibly wear a mask for the good of yourself and others.

I choose to wear a mask. Why? Because if God forbid I was an asymptomatic carrier I don’t want to gift COVID to someone else who may not be lucky and end up in a hospital and possibly die. I don’t want to pass anything on to someone who may be receiving chemotherapy who by getting any infection may possibly be very ill. COVID is a bit like Russian Roulette. If it’s your turn with the gun and you pull the trigger you may just hear a click, next man or woman along who pulls that trigger may die.

It would seem on reading round that shopkeepers do now have the right to refuse entry to anyone not wearing a mask without good reason. I fully support this. But I pity the shopkeepers and the position they have been put in. There will be some angry shoppers for sure.

But I won’t be one of them. I am fully aware that a strong possibility of a second wave exists and I don’t want to contribute to that. The stories I’m reading coming out of America are extremely worrying. Over here in Old Blighty there is talk of a second wave perhaps coming hand in hand with our Autumn friend The Flu Season. However with all said and done I was somewhat encouraged on my drive into work and seeing more people with masks now that it is the law, so hopefully, sense will prevail and we will all work together collectively to slowly ease this virus out of our lives and keep everyone safe.

I cannot dictate what others do but by putting on my mask I’m doing my bit for the human collective.

And that’s what is important.

I hope more of us will come to feel the same.