Mask wearing on and after 19th July - your personal choice

[whole diary]

[grahame]

A decision on whether or not to wear masks on public transport and elsewhere is to be thrown back to YOU - the travelling public - from the middle of this month.  As a forum of public transport users, what will you do?

[TaplowGreen]

I've said most of the time - I won't when there are myself and 6 others stretched along the full length of the platform at Taplow station at 0630 in the morning but I will when on the train and definitely on the Tube.

I've had COVID (thankfully mildly) so I know how it feels, and am double jabbed, genuinely can't understand the mentality of those turning down the vaccination but hey-ho, takes all sorts.

I am also aware that there are a lot of very nervous/vulnerable people out there and as Chris Whitty suggested, it's a courtesy to them, masks are primarily about protecting others.

[Marlburian]

I agree with Taplow Green. On my very rare rail trips during the last 15 months, I've never thought it vital that masks be worn by a handful of passengers on an open-air platform (though I've always done so) but believe that a mask is essential (and should continue to be mandatory) inside a carriage.

I shall continue to wear a mask inside most stores, though were I to have forgotten to take one I would go in unless the place was busy.

[froome]

I've also said most of the time, and agree with all that TG wrote. Masks are there to protect others, and one thing I've learnt from the pandemic is how vulnerable to diseases we are in crowded indoor public spaces. I am vulnerable to respiratory problems, and know how miserable life can be when you go down with cold after cold, not to mention more serious flus, which I have during many winters. Finding yourself sat close to someone who is repeatedly coughing and spluttering is not something I look forward to (and have already had to face in the longest train journey I've already made this year - and came down with a cold from it).

I think in quiet outdoor situations, such as uncrowded platforms, there is very little if any risk, and passengers have already voted with their mouths, so to speak. Indeed, when there is fresh air flowing around, stifling that air movement with a mask has always seemed to me a foolish action.

In carriages where there are very few others, I've always stuck to wearing a mask, but have felt it was probably unnecessary, and may choose not to now. But in any other situation in a train, the mask is staying on for the time being.

[Bob_Blakey]

No, I will not wear a mask...except where it is mandated by the 'competent authority'! I convinced myself a long time ago that when the legal requirement was dropped by the government, as was bound to happen eventually, other 'authorities' would pick up the baton. Last night the boss of USDAW said on GBNews that ending lockdown was a really bad idea; queue a fight between the union and retail management with only one winner. Unite have essentially delivered the same message. I will be amazed if the same thing does not happen on public transport with the usual threat of 'industrial action' by the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers).

I have had both Covid inoculations and am comfortable with the data which says I have a high level of resistance to the virus and a fairly low risk of infecting others if I do get it. I also believe that there is almost no data proving the efficacy of cloth / paper masks where the Covid virus is concerned.

[Red Squirrel]

I will wear one when I think it's necessary.

I worry more about my kids - they are 15 and so of course haven't had the jab (or the virus - yet!). For many young people, COVID is pretty bad but they get over it fairly quickly. I'm just not sure anyone knows what the longer term effects might be. I think they'll keep wearing masks too!

[Jamsdad]

I wont be wearing a mask. A double jabbed oldie  like me has little to fear, and incidentally the risk of  disease for an unjabbed 18 year is very low.

[bobm]

Easyjet and Ryanair are saying they will make the wearing of masks from 19th July a condition of carriage.  I wonder if any rail operators will?

[Red Squirrel]

I agree with Taplow Green. On my very rare rail trips during the last 15 months, I've never thought it vital that masks be worn by a handful of passengers on an open-air platform (though I've always done so) but believe that a mask is essential (and should continue to be mandatory) inside a carriage.

I shall continue to wear a mask inside most stores, though were I to have forgotten to take one I would go in unless the place was busy.

I thought mask wearing was mandatory anywhere on the station, but it seems I was wrong. According to the FAQs^▸ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the NRE^‡(resolve) website:

Face coverings are mandatory on board the train and in all enclosed areas of railway stations, from when you enter a station, throughout your journey and exiting the station at the other end.

My italics. What qualifies as 'enclosed' could be a moot point - under a canopy is pretty well-ventilated, but within a waiting shelter may not be.

[Marlburian]

Perhaps the word "enclosed" was a late addition to the early regulations? Last year there were signs at Tilehurst to the effect that masks should be worn "at this station" and I recall feeling guilty when I went through the gates at Reading with my mask around my neck (I quickly pulled it up over my mouth and nose.)

[grahame]

Perhaps the word "enclosed" was a late addition to the early regulations? Last year there were signs at Tilehurst to the effect that masks should be worn "at this station" and I recall feeling guilty when I went through the gates at Reading with my mask around my neck (I quickly pulled it up over my mouth and nose.)

When I was last there - over the weekend ( see http://grahamellis.uk/blog185.html ) - there's still a sign telling you that a mask must be worn on Melksham Station and threatening a £6400 (I think it is) fine if you don't.   There's also a rumour in these parts that an energy drink can planted in the station friend's flowerbed will grow ....
 

[TonyK]

My italics. What qualifies as 'enclosed' could be a moot point - under a canopy is pretty well-ventilated, but within a waiting shelter may not be.

I suppose a reasonable definition would be akin to the requirements for smoking shelters outside places of work. They mist not be substantially enclosed, taken to mean at least 50 per cent open (the floor doesn't count). A station platform with canopy would fit that criterion, although thankfully smoking is verboten by other regulations.

We visited Japan in April 2019. I bought a half-dozen packs of the not quite universally worn masks in a Tokyo supermarket for a couple of quid or so, as a novelty /joke souvenir for the kids. I still had some left when I suddenly needed them. I'm double jabbed now, but vulnerable to serious lung problems, and I won't be taking unnecessary chances. I'll wear one in the shops or on the train for other folks' reassurance as much as my own, and shall quietly avoid anyone proclaiming loudly that they are free of the tyranny of the mask and free to decide on vaccination, because they might not be free of the virus. I've waited a long time for my state pension, and I don't want to fall in the last few months before I get it. I shall continue into the shop if I've forgotten to bring one, like Matlburian, although for work, I have a box in the car.

As for relying on the common sense of the British people, I remember the headline on a newspaper (not mine) proudly boasting "I stuck NINE creme eggs up my bum". I bet he wrapped them back up afterwards.

[grahame]

My italics. What qualifies as 'enclosed' could be a moot point - under a canopy is pretty well-ventilated, but within a waiting shelter may not be.

I suppose a reasonable definition would be akin to the requirements for smoking shelters outside places of work. They mist not be substantially enclosed, taken to mean at least 50 per cent open (the floor doesn't count). A station platform with canopy would fit that criterion, although thankfully smoking is verboten by other regulations.

I got involved in the smoking requirements when running a hotel - the rule was "over 50% of the walls open" and enforcement was interesting as many of our guests were from other countries which had different rules and standards; guests typically lovely and very bright people though, which made it much easier.   But I digress ... I think I read somewhere that the same "enclosed" definition does apply. 

[grahame]

So what are travel providers going to do?  From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

While, for example, some airlines have confirmed face masks will still be compulsory after 19 July, shops, pubs and hairdressers are altering policies.

for trains and buses ...

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, says that travelling by train is "low risk" and "any decision to leave public transport behind other parts of the economy would need to be based on the science".

It says trains are "well ventilated with air regularly refreshed either by air conditioning systems, or by doors and windows being opened".

The group adds, though, that wearing a mask can help protect other rail users.

However, the Unite union has said that dropping mask-wearing on public transport would be "gross negligence".

Unite's national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton, pointed to the number of deaths from Covid among bus drivers.

"Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions, it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport."

It goes seem that the rail industry follows government direction and suggestion much more closely (less independently) than airlines, shops, and other services.   And with the government switching from "really important to wear masks" to "it's up to you", has the rail delivery group flipped too.

[eightonedee]

It goes seem that the rail industry follows government direction and suggestion much more closely (less independently) than airlines, shops, and other services.   And with the government switching from "really important to wear masks" to "it's up to you", has the rail delivery group flipped too.

As the old saying goes - "he who pays the piper calls the tune"......