[paulnechifor]

> "I don't have one" is an acceptable answer to why you're not wearing a mask.

I haven't worn a mask twice. Once because I forgot it and once because I just forgot to put it on.

If "I don't have one" isn't an acceptable excuse what am I supposed to do: produce one out of thin air? It's not like they give out free ones if you forget. There are so many signs now that they're basically invisible. If I'm fined for not wearing it I'll stop wearing it entirely.

[happymellon]

> If "I don't have one" isn't an acceptable excuse what am I supposed to do

How is it that after nearly 10 months of this would you not have a mask?

Do you also think that "sorry officer, I didn't realise that getting completely sloshed and then driving was illegal, what am I supposed to to? Suddenly sober up?"

> If I'm fined for not wearing it I'll stop wearing it entirely.

This makes absolutely no sense.

So you want to be fined daily because you got fined once for not wearing a mask during a pandemic?

And people don't understand why it's spreading so much.

That's like saying

> I was fined for dangerous driving, and because of this I'm now only going to drive on the wrong side of the road.

[AndrewDavis]

Offer you one and then fine you. Seriously, don't forget and if you're forgetful then prepare early

I have one in my car, a spare in my backpack, keep one in my jacket pocket, and a cheap disposable in my wallet folded up. That way if I forget, I'll have one.

My city in Australia had a grace period for everyone to get a mask. After that a lot of fines were handed out.

Without fines I doubt we'd have seen compliance anywhere near as high because there are a lot of people who don't want to wear them but do because they fear the fine.

[xyzzy123]

There's also a social tipping point sort of thing that happens, and fines help with that.

When hardly anyone is wearing a mask you feel a bit weird or silly.

When half the people are wearing masks you look at the people who are and aren't and can't help but wonder which side is your in-group.

When fines are enforced, everyone has an "excuse" to wear a mask. Darn fines.

Then, when everyone is wearing a mask you feel naked if you don't have one. Only the seriously anti-social will defect.

[standardUser]

"It's not like they give out free ones if you forget."

Why the hell not? Seems like the very first thing they should be doing.