What's the score on masks?

[Gaybutton]

sympathy for the very small percentage of people who might be genuinely unable to wear a mask.

Unfortunately, I think most of you probably know that in Thailand, that won't make any difference. I suppose this is a harsh way of putting it, but it's true - in Thailand either wear the mask or F.O. - even if the police don't catch you without a mask. You can also get in trouble even if you're wearing the mask, but improperly. Some people pull the mask down below their nose. That is a definite no-no. Sometimes they get away with it and sometimes they don't, but either way it's against the rules and that has been specifically stated by the powers-that-be. You're expected to wear the mask properly.

I don't know what people in Old git's situation can do other than find a suitable mask, as suggested in posts above. Either that or take chances with blood pressure - and I doubt anyone needs me to tell that is not a good idea.

I know of no provisions Thailand makes for people unable to wear a mask. What I do know is they are not going to take kindly to farang not wearing a mask, no matter what the reason.

By the way, in Thailand if you wear those cheap blue masks (like I do), you might want to carry 1 or 2 extra with you. The straps easily break.

[Patanawet]

I don't know what people in Old git's situation can do other than find a suitable mask, as suggested in posts above. Either that or take chances with blood pressure - and I doubt anyone needs me to tell that is not a good idea.

I know of no provisions Thailand makes for people unable to wear a mask. What I do know is they are not going to take kindly to farang not wearing a mask, no matter what the reason.

By the way, in Thailand if you wear those cheap blue masks (like I do), you might want to carry 1 or 2 extra with you. The straps easily break.

I live in central Bangkok and travel by sky train and go into malls several times a week.
In a year or so, I've ever only seen one person without a mask; that was on a sky train and he was accompanied by a member of staff.

Advice now if you're wearing paper masks is to wear two.

As a by the by, I was in 7-11 today and they are selling test kits at 99 Baht.

[Dodger]

As a by the by, I was in 7-11 today and they are selling test kits at 99 Baht.

Yeh, and if it shows you test positive, throw the fucking thing in the garbage and buy an ice cream cone like everyone else...LOL

[Gaybutton]

Yeh, and if it shows you test positive, throw the fucking thing in the garbage and buy an ice cream cone like everyone else...LOL

I agree. Those cheap test kits are notorious for false positives - false negatives too. Would anyone reading this really rely on the results you get with a 99 baht test kit as accurate?

If you want to test yourself to see if you're sick, you don't need one of those cheap test kits. You need a thermometer . . .

[Patanawet]

If you want to test yourself to see if you're sick, you don't need one of those cheap test kits. You need a thermometer . . .

To see if you have a fever.

Those kits are 40 Baht at GPO pharmacies.

[goji]

Unfortunately, I think most of you probably know that in Thailand, that won't make any difference. I suppose this is a harsh way of putting it, but it's true - in Thailand either wear the mask or F.O.

I reckon Thailand has got this policy 100% right. Wearing a mask is much easier and more pleasant than catching covid.

I expect the people who are genuinely unable to wear a mask are well below 1% and the widespread compliance in Thailand kind of proves it.
Meanwhile in Britain, for the entire pandemic, people have been allowed not to wear masks if they are "unable to", without needing to provide any proof. So the feckless have been not wearing masks the whole time, in addition to the minority who are genuinely unable to wear one.

If someone has genuine breathing problems when wearing a mask, simply look for the thinnest and most badly fitting mask possible.
A surgical mask without the nose band adjusted ought to do it, although one might need to wear contact lenses, rather than glasses, in order to avoid steaming up.

Wearing a surgical mask with the nose band left straight, I can stick 2 fingers in the gap either side of the nose, which means it's far bigger than the nostrils and not an airflow obstruction.
That might cause steaming for glasses wearers. Putting the mask on upside down creates an airflow path out of the bottom, but of course there is no nose band at the top. The obvious move is to modify a mask by gluing a nose band on the bottom.

I won't be doing this, but it's a solution for those GENUINELY inconvenienced by airflow restrictions & prepared to take the increased risk of catching covid.
I'd expect that is good enough for everyone, but if a mask with no airflow restriction still isn't good enough, then it's probably a mindset issue. In most cases.