(Don't) Wear a Mask Debate

[HHTel]

For those who believe masks don't work, I would hope that if you ever need open heart surgery, for example, please insist that the doctors and nurses don't wear masks.

[KhunLA]

There may be a misperceptions, that some believe that those who prefer not to wear a mask, such as myself, may believe we think the masks are completely useless. Myself, I believe they are effective, to a degree, when worn by a sick person, even a crappy mask, if they must be amongst us, and not stay isolated.

Also, 'how do you know you aren't sick?" is certainly a valid argument. So practice social distancing.

I just think they provide minimal, if any protection for a healthy person, especially if not worn in conjunction with eye protection. And certainly not the medical or cloth masks. Minimal n95/99 mask use and fitted & worn properly w/eye protection, if going to wear.

[KhunLA]

1 final note, if, like myself, you prefer not to wear a mask ...

... be responsible while exercising that decision & stay the F away from people

I give anyone I encounter, at least a 5 meter wide berth, and if that means crossing the street, then so be it. For both our protections. I don't live in a city or even an urban environment, so quite easy for myself to practice social distancing. If living somewhere like Krung Thep or Hua Hin municipality, yes, it would be a challenge, and why I avoid visiting unless needed.

It's not rocket science.

[hhinner]

I drove along Soi 94 (west of railway) on Wednesday afternoon (2pm - ish) and of the 5 or 6 farangs I saw, none were wearing a mask. Thais about 50%. Is that typical in that area?

[Dannie Boy]

The argument about keeping socially distant from others cannot always be predicted, you can never be totally certain that you won’t have an unexpected “close encounter” with somebody!!

[KhunLA]

The argument about keeping socially distant from others cannot always be predicted, you can never be totally certain that you won’t have an unexpected “close encounter” with somebody!!

I can ...

I drove along Soi 94 (west of railway) on Wednesday afternoon (2pm - ish) and of the 5 or 6 farangs I saw, none were wearing a mask. Thais about 50%. Is that typical in that area?

That's actually surprising. I thought y'all up there would be more compliant.

That's more like it is down here, PKK municipality, although most farangs are masked up. Higher % then Thais.

[sateeb]

On my infrequent travels around 94 and 88 I have to say that I haven't seen any unmasked Thais. Plenty of farangs wearing chin diapers still.

[Big Boy]

LOL, I drove up 94 about 30 minutes ago, and there was nobody around to either wear or not wear a mask. I mentioned to Mrs BB about the change from people walking 8 a breast down the road to the now empty Soi - crazy.

[buksida]

Where we are down at the arse of Prachuap province, I'd estimate 90% of Thais are wearing masks. There are virtually no farangs here anyway so can't count them. Very few bother with one on our empty beach because it simply isn't needed!

I'd hate to live in a city or built-up urban area during this pandemic and have to wear it all the time. Being in the boonies has its advantages!

[KhunLA]

Same here, when not in the house, I'm at the local small parks with the dog, and might be 3 other people there, so crowded, and about same when surf side, and rarely someone within 50 meters of us, when we are surfside. Got 6+ kms of surf to pick, so easy. This morning I took notice along the 'busy' city side section, 2.4 kms and maybe 10 people total along the seawall.

Of course at sunrise & sunset, you'll see a groups of folks every 20 meters, either sitting / eating & sipping or walking / exercising. Quite busy and guessing, 50% masked up properly.

[STEVE G]

From just about every study and article I've read about contagious diseases in the last 18 month's, the chances of you catching anything in a well ventilated outdoor area is virtually zero so wearing a mask on a secluded beach doesn't make any sense.
Since the very beginning of this pandemic I've spent as much time outside as possible, I go on lengthy walks in the Ardennes forests and sometimes I doubt if there is anyone within 2km of me, let alone 2m!

[Dannie Boy]

It’s all about being sensible - I’m currently in the UK and when I venture out into the local town, I doubt that more than 10% are wearing masks walking down the street, but that increases to roughly 50% when you go inside a shop. I always carry a mask with me and if I feel there’s a need to put it on, i do so, which for me means when I go into a relatively confined space like a shop, I put the mask on.

[KhunLA]

Since the very beginning of this pandemic I've spent as much time outside as possible, I go on lengthy walks....

Don't know about lengthy, but yes, 99% of my time out, has been by ourselves basically.

Even when out & about N, NE, S, places we've visited were empty. Many times, with few exception, if not the only one, maybe <10 people in the surf (except Kata). Hotels, tourist areas, we were the only folks there at time, < 5% on weekends when some did show up, and I think I'm being very generous. Playlist of Phuket beaches:

[lindosfan1]

There may be a misperceptions, that some believe that those who prefer not to wear a mask, such as myself, may believe we think the masks are completely useless. Myself, I believe they are effective, to a degree, when worn by a sick person, even a crappy mask, if they must be amongst us, and not stay isolated.

Also, 'how do you know you aren't sick?" is certainly a valid argument. So practice social distancing.

I just think they provide minimal, if any protection for a healthy person, especially if not worn in conjunction with eye protection. And certainly not the medical or cloth masks. Minimal n95/99 mask use and fitted & worn properly w/eye protection, if going to wear.

The mask does not give full protection. The point of wearing a mask is to stop you passing the disease to others. Your breathes, coughs and sneezes are contained within the mask. Therefore it is logical to make wearing masks in shops trains and buses and should be compulsory, I believe in London it is compulsory on buses, where I live in Kent when I have travelled almost 100% wear masks. Shops most seem to wear masks, Some shops near where I live insist on masks being worn.

[HHTel]

I actually agree with some of what you say KLA - surprise!

I agree with you in that when out and about on beaches or country roads, in the car etc etc, that masks become absolutely worthless. They're designed to protect others whilst giving the wearer minimum protection. If there are no others to protect, then they're pointless.