Off topic. Back from hols

[Sheila_G]

Hi everyone. Just back from a wonderful holiday on Skye, my favourite place. We usually eat out a lot on holiday but this time after 2 years I decided to take everything with us because I had no intention of going in shops. Whilst there it was a different story. I felt so relaxed and confident enough to go in shops, a couple of restaurants, and visitor centres. Very few people about and everywhere felt safe because masks are mandatory in Scotland and everyone adhered to that. We came home and the following morning had appointments for our flu jabs at the chemist. I was first there and there was a customer in, not wearing a mask despite a sign asking people to do so, so I waited outside. Bear with me, nearly there. A staff member came out and asked if I was ok. I said no because there was someone in without a mask and I was vulnerable. She said she couldn't ask her to put one on, which I appreciated. I know that the majority of people in England think the pandemic is over and they can't enforce mask wearing. I waited until the customer left and went in. Guess what, a member of staff, had a mask on, under her chin covering nothing. I was furious. My stress levels through the roof. I had my jab, went home and haven't been out since. So much for my lovely relaxing holiday. Rant over. Thanks for listening. x

[Pippy25]

So glad you had a lovely break away in a beautiful part of Scotland. Sadly my experience is the same in respect of no one wearing masks or as you say opting for the 'chin strap', 'Pat Butcher' dangling from ear look or 'head dressing' in one case! I guess the only thing is to do what feels right for us and weigh up the risks, take care of ourselves as best as we can as this thing is going no where fast and with having last Winter in lock down no doubt other viruses and bugs are around waiting, so we need to take extra care when going out. Glad you got the chance to relax though and hope there are more times and opportunities to do so in the future too! Warm wishes xx

[Sheila_G in reply to Pippy25]

Thank you. That's very kind.

[Mmrr]

I live in Scotland and am so grateful that masks are still mandatory in public places.

[Sheila_G in reply to Mmrr]

I am sure you are. I don't understand why masks aren't still mandatory here inside. It isn't exactly a hardship.

[rabbits65]

Glad you enjoyed your holiday . I agree with you about masks . It’s such a simple thing to do to wear a mask . Unfortunately we have to live with very ignorant people that just don’t realise how important it all is.

[Sheila_G in reply to rabbits65]

Yes we do I'm afraid. If I was fit and young and healthy I would wear a mask to protect other people. I know we are all different and it wouldn't do for us all to be the same but I can't get over some peoples selfishness.

[rabbits65 in reply to Sheila_G]

I agree with you, have a nice day 😊

[Sheila_G in reply to rabbits65]

Thank you. Same to you.

[helenlw7]

I’m glad you had a good holiday, I’m very jealous. I’m with you all the way with the wearing of masks. I went for my third Covid vaccine at my doctor’s surgery yesterday. Most people wore masks but not necessarily properly, and getting the jab was quick - a short queue in a corridor, but afterwards everybody was told to wait 15 minutes because we’d all had the Pfizer vaccine. There were about 40 people over 75 milling around in the waiting room. I’ve spent 18 months shielding, and once that was over, being very sensible, and this is the largest group I’d been in in all that time! It was really scary.

[Sheila_G in reply to helenlw7]

Thanks Helen. I know. It was a nightmare when I went for my first jab. I just thought ironically, well this is probably the place I am most likely to catch it. I couldn't wait to get out either.

[helenlw7 in reply to Sheila_G]

My first and second ones were fine, mainly because I had the AZ jab. There was a one way system through the health centre and they weren’t doing Pfizer so everyone left straight after, no hanging around.

[Sheila_G in reply to helenlw7]

My first 2 were Az and out very quickly but I was ill after both so would welcome Pfizer next time.

[helenlw7 in reply to Sheila_G]

I had really bad fatigue with both, but only a sore arm with Pfizer so far.

[Sheila_G in reply to helenlw7]

Oh that's good. I had bad headaches and wiped out for 3 days.

[oldtimer]

I've found saying 'Excuse me, your mask has slipped down' seems to work quite well. If we don't speak up people will think that it's acceptable. Mind you, I'm tall, middle class white (wearing a mask), so it's easy for me to be assertive and I do understand that not everybody finds the confidence to speak out.

[Sheila_G in reply to oldtimer]

I'm not frightened of speaking up for myself as I did in the chemist but would be nervous of challenging someone directly, who wasn't wearing a mask. I don't think it would make any difference anyway. People who aren't wearing masks don't care what other people think. Most people I know think people should still wear masks inside shops etc but not sure how many would challenge someone.

[Knip]

Gosh, what a difference. I really hope they bring back mandatory masks in England again for essential shops, places of worship especially where the congregation are singing and all public transport. My 72yr old brother in law hasn't got long to live now, due to a very rare cancer, so my husband and I went over to the IOW to visit him. We happily took the risk of the journey because he is such a lovely man. Once on the car ferry, the tannoy (no idea how to spell this word) was telling people that they were expected to wear masks, even on the upper deck. However, we were the only people onboard with them on. Fortunately, we were on the new, larger, boat so there was plenty of space and we sat well apart from others, but it did annoy me.

[Sheila_G in reply to Knip]

I agree with everything you have said. Thank you.