Change to mask mandate on public transportation

[J Willhaus]

El Gobierno aprobará el 7 de febrero el fin de las mascarillas en el transporte público - http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ransporte-publico/00031674735134859152716.htm

It appears a decision is upcoming about discontinuing masking requirements on public transportation in early February.

 

[henrythedog]

And not before time. Clearly it was once very necessary, but to fly-in unmasked and have to mask-up for an airport transfer was clearly pointless.

 

[J Willhaus]

And not before time. Clearly it was once very necessary, but to fly-in unmasked and have to mask-up for an airport transfer was clearly pointless.

Just sharing the news, not commenting on the right or wrong.

 

[C clearly]

to fly-in unmasked and have to mask-up for an airport transfer was clearly pointless.

Not so clear. These mandates are about risk reduction, not risk elimination.

 

[ivar]

El Gobierno aprobará el 7 de febrero el fin de las mascarillas en el transporte público - http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ransporte-publico/00031674735134859152716.htm

It appears a decision is upcoming about discontinuing masking requirements on public transportation in early February.

Yes, this will be approved on the 7th of February. It is no longer required to wear masks on public transport from that date, but it is recommended.

I think it is still required by law to wear a mask in pharmacies and hospitals.

 

[naplesdon]

Here in Portugal lots of people are still masking. Based on the bug I have dealt with for the past few weeks, I would recommend a mask because about half of the people I deal with daily have had some sort of ailment since before Christmas.

 

[WalkingPlaylist]

Yeah!!! I love to see the smiling faces..

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Here in Portugal lots of people are still masking. Based on the bug I have dealt with for the past few weeks, I would recommend a mask because about half of the people I deal with daily have had some sort of ailment since before Christmas.

Can confirm, for central Portugal. We just returned to Canada after 3 months there. Not much Covid, but a lot of respiratory illnesses generally. The members of our household all got very bad colds, or similar, that lasted about 10 days but have left us with lingering coughs a month later. Neighbours confirmed that this seemed to be true all over the country (many travelled to family elsewhere over Christmas).

Masking is not required on public transit, but is common, particularly among seniors, on the buses. Not often seen in stores.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

We just returned to Canada after 3 months there. Not much Covid, but a lot of respiratory illnesses generally. The members of our household all got very bad colds, or similar, that lasted about 10 days but have left us with lingering coughs a month later.

Did you all take an Antigen or PCR test to know for certain that you did not have covid? Just curious as symptoms seem to often mimic each other.

 

[henrythedog]

Not so clear. These mandates are about risk reduction, not risk elimination.

Sorry - I sometimes forget which forum I’m on.

Same people in a plane for three hours unmasked, same people in a bus for ten minutes masked, same people plus the contents of dozens of other flights queue for immigration unmasked.

When all else fails, fall back on Sesame Street: ‘one of these things is not like the others’

Anyway: I followed the rules before, and I’ll do so in future.

I am starting to see examples of people who have a common cold (or at least testing negative for covid) wearing a mask to moderate the spread of their infection. I think that’s a welcome development; although it’s been common practice in the far east for years.

 

[Goyo]

“Pointless” or not, when you are a guest in another country, you play by the rules there. Know what those rules are b4 you go and avoid any embarrassment. As an ex-pat gringo in México I saw a lot of national and international turistas in my town during the pandemic who didn’t know or didn’t care about the policies in place. Most responded well to a polite reminder/reprimand, while others, well, let’s just say they copped an attitude.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

when you are a guest in another country, you play by the rules there. Know what those rules are b4 you go and avoid any embarrassment.

Amen!
It's also a simple matter of showing respect for other cultures and their ways of doing things.

 

[naplesdon]

Did you all take an Antigen or PCR test to know for certain that you did not have covid? Just curious as symptoms seem to often mimic each other.

I have been vaxxed for Covid 4 times and took the US flu shot last autumn and suffered through Covid for 10 days last year after all of that. The bug I am suffering from is nothing like Covid, it is mainly intestinal.

 

[CWBuff]

Same people in a plane for three hours unmasked, same people in a bus for ten minutes masked, same people plus the contents of dozens of other flights queue for immigration unmasked.

When all else fails, fall back on Sesame Street: ‘one of these things is not like the others’

In a way - exactly. When on my Camino, 4 of us Pilgrims stopped at Decathlon on the outskirts of Burgos. We then inquired as to how far to get to the Center and were told that there is a free bus going from this Shopping Center to the center city.
We went to the stop and for close to 30 minutes were surrounded by and happily conversed with many others (mostly locals) who was waiting for the said bus. In cases of those who was sitting on the bench the distances between us were dismal... may be a foot (so like 30cm?).... all unmasked....
And then the bus came up and everyone put the masks on.....
Y!!!!

Now. I am also one of the folks who follows the rules and I dont argue "the rule is the rule" thingy... I am merely pointing out (just like @henrythedog ) that sometimes things are just... work out silly if you look at them from the side.

If the face mask is optional - then by all means it is up to a given particular individual whether to wear it or not based on their beliefs, situations, etc. There is absolutely NOTHING wring with that!

 

[Goyo]

Agreed. If wearing a mask isn’t mandated on the street, in a grocery or department store, etc., then the choice is yours. Do what your comfortable doing. A sign saying “cubrebocas obligatorio” tells me what I have to do

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Did you all take an Antigen or PCR test to know for certain that you did not have covid? Just curious as symptoms seem to often mimic each other.

We used rapid antigen tests. Always got negatives.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Sorry - I sometimes forget which forum I’m on.

Same people in a plane for three hours unmasked, same people in a bus for ten minutes masked, same people plus the contents of dozens of other flights queue for immigration unmasked.

When all else fails, fall back on Sesame Street: ‘one of these things is not like the others’

Anyway: I followed the rules before, and I’ll do so in future.

I am starting to see examples of people who have a common cold (or at least testing negative for covid) wearing a mask to moderate the spread of their infection. I think that’s a welcome development; although it’s been common practice in the far east for years.

I agree. (Regarding wearing masks when you have colds, if you have to circulate.) Way better than sniffing and dripping and making others' lives more fraught.

 

[Teez]

Sorry - I sometimes forget which forum I’m on.

Same people in a plane for three hours unmasked, same people in a bus for ten minutes masked, same people plus the contents of dozens of other flights queue for immigration unmasked.

When all else fails, fall back on Sesame Street: ‘one of these things is not like the others’

Anyway: I followed the rules before, and I’ll do so in future.

I am starting to see examples of people who have a common cold (or at least testing negative for covid) wearing a mask to moderate the spread of their infection. I think that’s a welcome development; although it’s been common practice in the far east for years.

Yes, indeed. I had many spells teaching in Korea over the years and masking to reduce colds or other respiratory illnesses was usual practice - for my students and for me. It never seemed particularly onerous and it was a way we showed concern for the good of others.

 

[Flog]

Is it really necessary for yet another mask debate?
The OP was just pointing out about the mandate being dropped.

 

[trecile]

Is it really necessary for yet another mask debate?
The OP was just pointing out about the mandate being dropped.

No we don't, so I'll close this thread.