Opinion - The rules are simple when it comes to wearing face masks

It never ceases to amaze me how we divide ourselves over issues which seem, at first glance, to not be divisive.
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Masks have become the latest battleground or excuse to throw abuse, usually without real facts or any context.

Firstly it was shops and now it is public transport.

The rules are simple in both cases, wear your mask unless you have a health exemption and then make sure that is clear.

The mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in shops has become a divisive issue among some across the UK (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)The mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in shops has become a divisive issue among some across the UK (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
The mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in shops has become a divisive issue among some across the UK (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
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However, if you went into certain stores or on particular trains, you could be forgiven for thinking that the pandemic is over and all risk has gone.

One of my team travelled by train to work for the first time this week.

Not only did it take her two and a half hours to get between Sheffield and Doncaster but, to put it bluntly, she didn’t feel safe.

In her words: ‘On the train back home the other day this over friendly guy sat opposite me, tried to shake my hand, then tried to touch elbows when I refused and he wasn't wearing a mask.'

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It can’t be for fellow passengers to tell others to wear masks for everyone’s safety but it is also a very tough task for the train staff. It is the same for supermarket staff who faced huge risk for little reward during lockdown so we could all keep eating.

Should it really be their job to tackle idiots who refuse to follow the rules? No, of course not, but our police have far more pressing issues and no spare time to sort it either.

Where does that leave us? The only answer is for everyone to take individual responsibility and wear our masks, or a clear badge explaining exclusions.

Throwing hate around won’t make it any better for any of us.

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This city, this country and most certainly our public transport systems have enough problems without adding this to it.

Do the right thing and encourage those in your own circles to do the same … this really is a simple one that we can solve ourselves.