Covid 19 - Lift all restrictions?

I’ve been wondering if pubs and restaurants are turning off background music given that if there is background music people will talk louder and the droplets from their breath will travel further.

Not nonsense to me growstuff those tables are not going to be that far apart ever seen a mock up of aerosol movements of covid in a restuartant

Personal choice.

growstuff aerosols travel, when you speak, laugh etc, 1 or 2 metres difference is negligible, inside hospitality is either open or closed, my vote is for open.

GrannyGravy13

We went to a restaurant inside yesterday, adults have to wear masks when standing, walking to table or toilets. Does the virus know not to infect those folks that are seated?

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be out to eat, to contribute to the economy and a small business,

That’s why I’m not going to a restaurant. And why no indoor area is safe.

Yes growstuff I am aware of the situation in Chelmsford which is why I cancelled a shopping trip this week.

rosie1959

GrannyGravy13

We went to a restaurant inside yesterday, adults have to wear masks when standing, walking to table or toilets. Does the virus know not to infect those folks that are seated?

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be out to eat, to contribute to the economy and a small business,

I was just thinking about the same thing. We are a hotel in the next week or so Its a big complex and you have to wear your mask in the corridors and walking to restaurant but then you obviously take it off when seated so I suppose you cant get infected when sitting which in turn makes a total nonsense of wearing them in the corridors

No, it doesn't make nonsense. It reduces risk. People at tables will be distanced from other tables but people in corridors can't be kept apart in the same way.

Absolutely rosie1959

GrannyGravy13

We went to a restaurant inside yesterday, adults have to wear masks when standing, walking to table or toilets. Does the virus know not to infect those folks that are seated?

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be out to eat, to contribute to the economy and a small business,

Glad you had a good time!

It's a compromise because of course you can't eat while wearing a mask. It's all about risk. Just because you can remove a mask while eating doesn't mean it should be removed at all times.

It makes sense to wear one when it can be worn - to reduce the community transmission, even for those who are eating.

PS. Did you realise Chelmsford has had a surge and is considered a hotspot? The pupils at two schools in north Chelmsford are having PCR (not just LFT) tests because seven families have been affected. Infection rates can go from almost zero to quite high within days.

GrannyGravy13

We went to a restaurant inside yesterday, adults have to wear masks when standing, walking to table or toilets. Does the virus know not to infect those folks that are seated?

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be out to eat, to contribute to the economy and a small business,

I was just thinking about the same thing. We are a hotel in the next week or so Its a big complex and you have to wear your mask in the corridors and walking to restaurant but then you obviously take it off when seated so I suppose you cant get infected when sitting which in turn makes a total nonsense of wearing them in the corridors

We went to a restaurant inside yesterday, adults have to wear masks when standing, walking to table or toilets. Does the virus know not to infect those folks that are seated?

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be out to eat, to contribute to the economy and a small business,

^ I don’t know about you but I have not been out much^

Well, apart from in the first lockdown, I have been out a fair amount, food shopping, DIY stuff, some volunteering (out of doors). No concerts or theatre, of course.

I have absolutely no problem with no masks in the great outdoors, but now we know that the primary way that it is spread is by aerosols which can linger for a long time in poorly ventilated enclosed spaces I'd be happy to continue to wear a mask, even though I can't always stop it fogging up my glasses

But I really think that we can't go 'back to (precovid) normal'

growstuff so what do you suggest? Maybe you would prefer to see vaccines disposed of at the end of the day? (Which if you do I find absolutely unbelievable by the way.)

The stand-by list works extremely well at our local clinic, I know GP’s , Nurses, Admin Staff and Volunteers employed there who support it. They are all of the opinion that a vaccine should be in an arm as opposed to wasted in the bin.

MayBee70

Any face covering will reduce the viral load if someone with a virus coughs or sneezes though. I do think people should carry hankies as well. Because I’m a sniffy person I always have a large mans hanky in all of my pockets.

It's not just people who cough and/or sneeze who can spread infection. Even normal talking means that viral droplets can be spread. Obviously it depends where any conversation takes place and how much ventilation an indoor space has. Masks reduce risk.

Oh Maybee don’t start me on hankies my DH insists on cotton ones instead of tissues nasty snotty things I wash on boiling point

Any face covering will reduce the viral load if someone with a virus coughs or sneezes though. I do think people should carry hankies as well. Because I’m a sniffy person I always have a large mans hanky in all of my pockets.

GrannyGravy13

I have no problem with anyone who wishes to wear a mask, but please do not fall into false security please research face coverings and masks they are two separate entities.

I'm not falling into false security. I know very well what kind of masks are effective, as I suspect most people do by now.

GrannyGravy13

growstuff they do not have to hang around a vaccination centre all day.

The staff know how many people are no shows by mid afternoon (i.e. those who have missed their appointments) so they begin ringing then! At the end of the day they contact those closest to the vaccination hub.

Even if it's only at the end of the day, people with young children can't always find childcare at short notice, people without transport can't always find a suitable bus (especially if they live in a rural area) and those at work can't always get time off at very short notice. It's not a solution for many people.

roise.. I do agree with you about not being able to think straight when wearing a mask! I don’t know why that is, though. I put it down to the fact that I’ve not gone out much for the past year or so.

I love ripping mine off menopause doesn’t help it’s like removing a tight bra at the end of the day
I have a large supply purchased from Boots anyone is welcome to them ASAP !

I have no problem with anyone who wishes to wear a mask, but please do not fall into false security please research face coverings and masks they are two separate entities.

I accept that there are some people who genuinely can't wear a mask, but the vast majority can. The problem will arise if a significant number aren't wearing them in shops, on public transport or anywhere else people might want to go. The mask-wearers are people aren't being anxious but perfectly normal and will have to avoid such places, so those who behave selfishly are restricting the freedom of others. They're even making it more dangerous for those who genuinely can't wear masks.

I agree with you MayBee. I've started going out again and I have no problem with wearing a mask, if that's the price which needs to be paid for returning to "normal".

MayBee I don’t think anyone is debating anyone’s freedom to wear a mask if they wish
I was shopping with my daughter of course wearing a mask it made me hot and uncomfortable and I don’t know why it tends to make me feel I cannot think straight
And as for my poor DH who cannot see without his glasses he ends in a permanent fog although we have found wipes that help. But he also hates them with a passion
I actually haven’t spoke to any friends who want to carry on wearing them.

Well, I’m prepared to wear a mask indefinitely. I’m sure it’s one of the reasons why people have not been dying of flu this year. And the chances are there will be another pandemic so we should adapt our lives to safeguard ourselves. Countries that have had to deal with other coronavirus outbreaks have coped with SARS 2 much better than we have. This is the new normal. I honestly can’t see what the problem with masks is.