Two years of lockdowns and I've avoided Covid despite being able to legally move around and doing so every day.

Now in one day I get 2 text messages via that log-in thingy, that I was in 2 stores at the same time as someone who tested positive for Omicron.

I've thought back to both incidents..one was a crowded supermarket on Xmas eve, the other a chemist.

I avoid people like the plague in stores but still wear a mask..I notice the minute restrictions were dropped the majority of people stopped wearing masks.

I spoke to my Chinese neighbor yesterday as I often saw her wearing a mask long before Covid struck..I asked her why? Was it because of smog?

She said Chinese people have traditionally worn masks for decades..when they have a cold or the Flu..to protect other people.

hedda wrote:
Two years of lockdowns and I've avoided Covid despite being able to legally move around and doing so every day.

Now in one day I get 2 text messages via that log-in thingy, that I was in 2 stores at the same time as someone who tested positive for Omicron.

I've thought back to both incidents..one was a crowded supermarket on Xmas eve, the other a chemist.

I avoid people like the plague in stores but still wear a mask..I notice the minute restrictions were dropped the majority of people stopped wearing masks.

I spoke to my Chinese neighbor yesterday as I often saw her wearing a mask long before Covid struck..I asked her why? Was it because of smog?

She said Chinese people have traditionally worn masks for decades..when they have a cold or the Flu..to protect other people.


I am in favour of people wearing a mask if they are ill. It seems strange that we cant sell someone an apple pie without warning them it might be hot, but we can cough and spit flu at them.

One thing I absolutely detest (this will offend people, but tough) is that sick children are dragged into schools and nurseries with streaming colds so everyone catches it, everyone is miserable, and nobody gets the full benefit of the education and play.
Just tuck them up on the couch until they are better for goodness sake and save other people from catching it.

hedda wrote:


She said Chinese people have traditionally worn masks for decades..when they have a cold or the Flu..to protect other people.

Well that's lovely Hedda. Dubious public health benefit, of course. What is not in doubt is that spitting everywhere is detrimental to public health; so perhaps you could ask her what Confucius had to say about this revolting and ubiquitous act by the modern Chinese? I say this working in central London most days and having to take tap-dancing classes to try & avoid the globdules of asiatic spittle that rain down on the streets daily...?

Wyot wrote:
hedda wrote:


She said Chinese people have traditionally worn masks for decades..when they have a cold or the Flu..to protect other people.

Well that's lovely Hedda. Dubious public health benefit, of course. What is not in doubt is that spitting everywhere is detrimental to public health; so perhaps you could ask her what Confucius had to say about this revolting and ubiquitous act by the modern Chinese? I say this working in central London most days and having to take tap-dancing classes to try & avoid the globdules of asiatic spittle that rain down on the streets daily...?

Chinese people spit? I know nothing about this. Why?

Its not Barney with the spit story, is it?

Honey wrote:
Its not Barney with the spit story, is it?

No Honey it is me. Unusual, I know.

Google it. It is a cultural thing with a lot of Chinese. They, in contrast; find the notion of sneezing into a hanky and putting it in a pocket as gross as I find people spitting on the street. In general, of course.

A lot of Chinese students and visitors have to be instructed not to spit when they come to the UK. This was lost on the gentleman who casually flobbed on my shoes outside Borough tube station on Xmas eve.

I think the Chinese are a talented and beautiful race; but in London, at least, it really does happen quite a lot...

It was the irony of their mask zealotry in conjunction with this custom that struck me as ironic. Hope it didn't come across as bigoted; but can understand why it might of, and to that extent, apologies.

Sorry but they, er, do:

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-22184499.amp

Wyot wrote:
hedda wrote:


She said Chinese people have traditionally worn masks for decades..when they have a cold or the Flu..to protect other people.

Well that's lovely Hedda. Dubious public health benefit, of course. What is not in doubt is that spitting everywhere is detrimental to public health; so perhaps you could ask her what Confucius had to say about this revolting and ubiquitous act by the modern Chinese? I say this working in central London most days and having to take tap-dancing classes to try & avoid the globdules of asiatic spittle that rain down on the streets daily...?

I've never seen her spit (who knows what she does at home) but I don't think I'll be asking her if she does.

## I would have thought that The Government of the People's Republic of China has already told the people that spitting is an unacceptable & unhealthy practice & I doubt the 770 million Middle Class indulge in such a practice.

But who knows what the other 700 million do?

hedda wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
[quote]hedda wrote:


But who knows what the other 700 million do?

Well one of them spat on my shoes on Xmas eve...apparantly in a belief that their system will be purged of impurities. Well, I suppose it is as informed by science as mask-wearing; so why not...

Though why he couldn't have spit on his own shoes I don't know...

I would rather have stayed blissfully unaware.

I do often see people in tracksuits and beanie hats doing "the noise" and spitting in the street, but they are never Chinese, or women.

I think it must be visitors rather than established communities, but you did well not to thump him, Wyot.

I actually became aware of Asians wearing masks about 5 years ago when I got my Freedom Pass and started using the Tube again (love it - it's so clean compared to 60 years ago). I assumed - I think rightly - it was because of pollution which is, I'm told, far worse in big cities in China. It made sense to me so when Covid arrived in Wuhan I bought an expensive but excellent mask.