O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[MadAmster]

With regard to JC, how do you think bible belt USA would react if they actually realised that JC would have had swarthy skin, brown eyes and dark curly hair?

[ramAnag]

I told you before, on my Thai jaunt. I saw another angle, where middle easterners were the non wearing culprits.
So it depends where you are.
I'm off to Germany soon. That one could be interesting.

My experience of Germany was that they are far more ‘on the ball’ than the Brits in terms of mask compliance and they advocate a certain type of mask which offers a specific level of protection. I don’t think it is compulsory but it is expected.
That was five months ago so things may have changed but in this country we’d probably be moaning about infringements of civil liberties whereas, again only imo, being vaccinated and wearing masks in indoor environments are actually designed to protect civil liberties.

[Geoff Parkstone]

"By citing the example of my local Saturday morning supermarket and the pre match Pride Park shop I am just attempting to restore balance. These were almost universally white environments where the attitude appeared equally irresponsible/complacent."

But that's the point, you are introducing no balance since your observation on compliance in the supermarket by the predominantly white cohort says exactly the same thing as my analysis of the train population - ie around 60% compliance by that group. If anything you should be thanked for adding further support to my observation of that cohort's behaviour!

Anyway I have no need to argue the point - I have my champion going to battle for me

I went on a bus a while ago, when mask wearing was more observed, and sat opposite a 20 something girl who wore no mask throughout her journey and who, when she got up to exit the bus, took out a mask and put it on as she stepped into the outside world. Explain that one if you can - I will not reference skin tone.

[Geoff Parkstone]

My experience of Germany was that they are far more ‘on the ball’ than the Brits in terms of mask compliance and they advocate a certain type of mask which offers a specific level of protection. I don’t think it is compulsory but it is expected.
That was five months ago so things may have changed but in this country we’d probably be moaning about infringements of civil liberties whereas, again only imo, being vaccinated and wearing masks in indoor environments are actually designed to protect civil liberties.

100% agree with that. As a nation Germans seem more "obedient" and we as a nation seem to willfully do things to our own detriment (cue Brexit comment) but I suppose the German attitude also explains the rise of fascism there in the 30's. How's that for wrapping up multiple stereotypes in 2 short sentences. All anecdotal of course.... but then again so was your post above and so presumably it has no validity either?

[swaledale]

My experience of Germany was that they are far more ‘on the ball’ than the Brits in terms of mask compliance and they advocate a certain type of mask which offers a specific level of protection. I don’t think it is compulsory but it is expected.
That was five months ago so things may have changed but in this country we’d probably be moaning about infringements of civil liberties whereas, again only imo, being vaccinated and wearing masks in indoor environments are actually designed to protect civil liberties.

With regard to masks rA, a friend of mine who is a health professional says that if they are not FFP2 or preferably FFP3, then they are not effective at protecting you, but will protect to an extent others.

Although FFP2 and FFP3 face masks are single use, he says and this is backed by research I've done, that for non surgical use, they will be effective if the same person uses them for around 25 hours over a period of days. That is wear them for say 3 hours then let them dry out (you can't and shouldn't wash them) and use them again.

So a cloth mask is better than nothing to protect others, but to protect yourself then an FFP2 or FFP3 mask is what one needs.

And yes there is very little point using a face mask outdoors unless in very close proximity to someone for over 15 minutes.

[ramAnag]

100% agree with that. As a nation Germans seem more "obedient" and we as a nation seem to willfully do things to our own detriment (cue Brexit comment) but I suppose the German attitude also explains the rise of fascism there in the 30's. How's that for wrapping up multiple stereotypes in 2 short sentences. All anecdotal of course.... but then again so was your post above and so presumably it has no validity either?

Hence such expressions as, ‘My experience’, ‘I don’t think...’ and ‘again imo’.
I am not writing anything above that isn’t anecdotal. It isn’t pretending to be. I’m just a tad bewildered that you can open up with ‘100% agree with that’ before wandering off to the ‘rise of fascism’ and continue looking for a ‘fight’. Sorry...not ‘playing’, GP.

[ramAnag]

With regard to masks rA, a friend of mine who is a health professional says that if they are not FFP2 or preferably FFP3, then they are not effective at protecting you, but will protect to an extent others.

Although FFP2 and FFP3 face masks are single use, he says and this is backed by research I've done, that for non surgical use, they will be effective if the same person uses them for around 25 hours over a period of days. That is wear them for say 3 hours then let them dry out (you can't and shouldn't wash them) and use them again.

So a cloth mask is better than nothing to protect others, but to protect yourself then an FFP2 or FFP3 mask is what one needs.

And yes there is very little point using a face mask outdoors unless in very close proximity to someone for over 15 minutes.

Yes, entirely agree. Those masks were almost certainly the ones I was referring to, I just couldn’t remember the ‘code’.

[Geoff Parkstone]

With regard to masks rA, a friend of mine who is a health professional says that if they are not FFP2 or preferably FFP3, then they are not effective at protecting you, but will protect to an extent others.

Although FFP2 and FFP3 face masks are single use, he says and this is backed by research I've done, that for non surgical use, they will be effective if the same person uses them for around 25 hours over a period of days. That is wear them for say 3 hours then let them dry out (you can't and shouldn't wash them) and use them again.

So a cloth mask is better than nothing to protect others, but to protect yourself then an FFP2 or FFP3 mask is what one needs.

And yes there is very little point using a face mask outdoors unless in very close proximity to someone for over 15 minutes.

Whereas Derby have been ****ed over by FFP-1, FFP-2, FFP-3, FFO-4 and any other sort you can think of

[MadAmster]

On a personal note, I woke this morning with a sore throat. Took an LTF and....... negative. Best news I'll have today.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Hence such expressions as, ‘My experience’, ‘I don’t think...’ and ‘again imo’.
I am not writing anything above that isn’t anecdotal. It isn’t pretending to be. I’m just a tad bewildered that you can open up with ‘100% agree with that’ before wandering off to the ‘rise of fascism’ and continue looking for a ‘fight’. Sorry...not ‘playing’, GP.

Aye, but you're bewildered by most things that aren't 100% in your wheelhouse!