[Albion] Face masks must be worn at all times?

[LamieRobertson]

Why the hell is there such a fuss about wearing a mask?
We are just getting out of the biggest pandemic the world has ever seen. The safest way to keep everyone safe is to wear a mask. Two options, wear a mask - live. Don't wear a mask - die. Why not put it that way? I note that anyone who is exempt must inform the club in advance and be given a wrist band as proof. No wrist band, wear a mask. I want to be alive and see the Albion next season, if you want to be clever and sit close to me or stand near me in the concourse and not wear a mask on principle then get the hell out of my life. Not wearing a mask is like committing murder or suicide.

Bit over dramatic.... and scientifically questionable.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Why it put it that way ? Because that is a lie

3rd and 4th factors are - recovery rate is 99.9% and those vulnerable vaccinated ( plus another 30 million ) and also outside transmission proven to be ultra low

By all means they can do as they like for this game but let’s not let hysteria cloud facts

You can also buy or print your own exempt cards for those that are anti

This

 

[LamieRobertson]

Yep.

But for the whole season we've had the few non-playing/coaching staff who have been permitted inside grounds for games, wearing masks whilst sitting in cavernous stands with no-one nearby.

Most games I have watched on TV have, at one time or another, included a shot of a chairman, CEO or other club administrator looking all Billy Nomates, but fully masked up.

Given that (ridiculousness), it was never going to be the case that when 7,000 fans are allowed in, the mask-wearing was suddenly going to be axed.

It's football showing it can be responsible and doing its bit, and all being well this will be the very last time we have to wear a mask inside a football stadium.

The voice of reason

 

[Iggle Piggle]

I think we should all remove our masks in the 80th minute like those people in V for Vendetta.

Just don't blow the AMEX up after the game.

 

[Eddiespearritt]

Precisely. Not one single mask worn as far as I could see.

The difference between Barnsley and Bournemouth was remarkable. Everyone in Bournemouth wearing a mask - no-one in Barnsley wearing a mask. Not sure, apart from the obvious, what that tells you - but the rules to wear a mask, and be socially distant, and be outside all seem arbitrary to me when sitting in your seat.

 

[Bozza]

I hope you are right on the last bit and don't disagree with the sentiment of the rest, football is being seen to be responsible but I won't go off on one about the double standards of that. Personal view is that I'd be pricing it up as odds on that the first game of next season won't be a full house (i.e Government restrictions not sales) and at the very least will have some level of rules and regulations on it.

All we can do is hope

 

[NogansRun]

I understand why the club had to send the email last night. However, despite previously being keen to get back to the stadium, all it really did for me was make me regret buying tickets for me and my two sons. It isn't just the mask wearing, or absurdly having to take 3 passports to get into a domestic football match. Bottom line is, going to football is supposed to be a fun and entertaining experience. If this is any more than a one-off, then going to football will become anything but fun, and regretfully will be the end of my 40+ years spending a small fortune for me and my family to support the club. That's the just the way I feel about it and it truly saddens me that it has come to this.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I'm perfectly happy to wear a mask tonight and am delighted to see my mates and some football, but bloody hell that pre-match brief makes the the whole experience sound utterly off putting.

Agree, it's a pretty joyless missive. Still it is only for this game and the irritation will be forgotten once we are there. Really looking forward to be being back at the Amex.

 

[sydney]

I understand why the club had to send the email last night. However, despite previously being keen to get back to the stadium, all it really did for me was make me regret buying tickets for me and my two sons. It isn't just the mask wearing, or absurdly having to take 3 passports to get into a domestic football match. Bottom line is, going to football is supposed to be a fun and entertaining experience. If this is any more than a one-off, then going to football will become anything but fun, and regretfully will be the end of my 40+ years spending a small fortune for me and my family to support the club. That's the just the way I feel about it and it truly saddens me that it has come to this.

i agree , i would rather just watch it at home , can see it being a strange evening ....hope sussex constabulary and the stewards don't get too jobs worthy , carried away and ruin the evening for those willing enough to shell out for tickets and make the journey under these rather overbearing conditions that have been added after the majority had already bought their tickets.

 

[rippleman]

Why the hell is there such a fuss about wearing a mask?
We are just getting out of the biggest pandemic the world has ever seen. The safest way to keep everyone safe is to wear a mask. Two options, wear a mask - live. Don't wear a mask - die. Why not put it that way? I note that anyone who is exempt must inform the club in advance and be given a wrist band as proof. No wrist band, wear a mask. I want to be alive and see the Albion next season, if you want to be clever and sit close to me or stand near me in the concourse and not wear a mask on principle then get the hell out of my life. Not wearing a mask is like committing murder or suicide.

I can't help but think that this is just a little OTT.

There is no science that the virus transmits in the open air; that is why there has never been a requirement to wear a mask when in the open and going shopping or taking exercise.

I don't know how much you have been out and about in past 12 months but there are any number of mask dodgers in shops who could easily have transmitted the virus to you as a result of their refusal to get masked up. The mask dodgers whilst doing the shopping were your greatest threat, not those who aren't wearing masks in the open air.

You appear to accept someone wearing an "I'm Exempt" lanyard bought off Amazon for £1.99 but not someone "following the science" and chosing not to wear a face covering in the open air.

What we will never know is the level of transmission by those refusing to wear a mask to those who have followed the rules and worn masks in shops and on public transport.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I can’t wait for the posts this evening complaining how poor the atmosphere was.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I understand why the club had to send the email last night. However, despite previously being keen to get back to the stadium, all it really did for me was make me regret buying tickets for me and my two sons. It isn't just the mask wearing, or absurdly having to take 3 passports to get into a domestic football match. Bottom line is, going to football is supposed to be a fun and entertaining experience. If this is any more than a one-off, then going to football will become anything but fun, and regretfully will be the end of my 40+ years spending a small fortune for me and my family to support the club. That's the just the way I feel about it and it truly saddens me that it has come to this.

This

 

[Dave the OAP]

I can’t wait for the posts this evening complaining how poor the atmosphere was.

Muffled chants...assuming we are allowed to chant.

 

[Sussexscots]

Why the hell is there such a fuss about wearing a mask?
We are just getting out of the biggest pandemic the world has ever seen. The safest way to keep everyone safe is to wear a mask. Two options, wear a mask - live. Don't wear a mask - die. Why not put it that way? I note that anyone who is exempt must inform the club in advance and be given a wrist band as proof. No wrist band, wear a mask. I want to be alive and see the Albion next season, if you want to be clever and sit close to me or stand near me in the concourse and not wear a mask on principle then get the hell out of my life. Not wearing a mask is like committing murder or suicide.

If your perception of risk is this high, I'm honestly surprised you're even thinking of leaving the house.

 

[JBizzle]

I understand why the club had to send the email last night. However, despite previously being keen to get back to the stadium, all it really did for me was make me regret buying tickets for me and my two sons. It isn't just the mask wearing, or absurdly having to take 3 passports to get into a domestic football match. Bottom line is, going to football is supposed to be a fun and entertaining experience. If this is any more than a one-off, then going to football will become anything but fun, and regretfully will be the end of my 40+ years spending a small fortune for me and my family to support the club. That's the just the way I feel about it and it truly saddens me that it has come to this.

I have to be honest, I have no idea whether it'll ruin it for me or not and I certainly don't regret buying a ticket. This is the first step to getting football back to normal and I don't think it's unreasonable to ask people to follow the guidelines that allow that first step. I understand from your perspective, especially when it comes to going with your sons, but without games like tonight and the safety precautions being in place, I don't think we'll get any closer to a full, unmasked Amex any time soon.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

I understand why the club had to send the email last night. However, despite previously being keen to get back to the stadium, all it really did for me was make me regret buying tickets for me and my two sons. It isn't just the mask wearing, or absurdly having to take 3 passports to get into a domestic football match. Bottom line is, going to football is supposed to be a fun and entertaining experience. If this is any more than a one-off, then going to football will become anything but fun, and regretfully will be the end of my 40+ years spending a small fortune for me and my family to support the club. That's the just the way I feel about it and it truly saddens me that it has come to this.

I sort of understand where you're coming from, but really the rules for this match are a doddle. If you want it to be fun, you have to make a bit of effort. Covid has changed a lot for the forseeable future and we all have to suck it up. We're the survivors, 1,000's didn't make it including fans who would have loved to have the chance to go tonight. Make your own fun. Enjoy the novelty of something different, buy some new masks, poke around the shop, visit a new kiosk, buy a programme if you don't usually, set your attitude to enjoy. It's 15m since Covid broke. I haven't been to a match with my family since then and I'm bloody well going to enjoy my Albion play the Premier League Champions.

 

[El Turi]

The difference between Barnsley and Bournemouth was remarkable. Everyone in Bournemouth wearing a mask - no-one in Barnsley wearing a mask. Not sure, apart from the obvious, what that tells you - but the rules to wear a mask, and be socially distant, and be outside all seem arbitrary to me when sitting in your seat.

You could tell without even seeing the fans as the atmosphere at Barnsley was pretty good while the crowd were silent at Bournemouth.

 

[Mellotron]

Not sure about that given the feedback from the few games where fans have been allowed back. Also the Amex isn't Wembley where virtually all Chelsea and Leicester fans must have had medical exemptions from wearing a mask.

Was exactly as I expected - first five minutes token effort to show the club were doing their bit, then nothing at all.

By the end of the game mask wearing was around 50% around my area of East Stand. They were never going to chuck anyone out.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Had never actually tried it before last night, but was surprisingly easy to sing through a mask

 

[Bozza]

Was exactly as I expected - first five minutes token effort to show the club were doing their bit, then nothing at all.

By the end of the game mask wearing was around 50% around my area of East Stand. They were never going to chuck anyone out.

In the South it was strictly enforced throughout with stewards picking out those who had lowered their masks and told them to put it back.

So, it was quite something to see the mask-less North Stand when watching MOTD!