Face coverings on viewings

nicknameless

davilown said:

maxsteam said:

It's up to you. If you wear a mask it creates one barrier between you and the outside world but, at the moment, you cannot demand that other people wear masks.

Regardless of opinion on masks, how on earth does it create a barrier?

You're right - unless it's a fp95 or equivalent it doesn't offer the wearer protection.  A simple covering offers others protection from airborne droplets.  I am (again naively probably) surprised that at this stage in the pandemic some people still don't seem to get this.  Simple face coverings in enclosed spaces estimated to prevent 12% of transmission.  European countries still working like this and with other simple measures seeing falling cases, hospitalisations and deaths, whilst we witness the opposite.

Oops said I didn't want to get into that.

Back to the topic - interesting to see variation in experience.

I am going to request that a face mask be worn with us on all future viewings, and if they can't accommodate that we won't view with those agents, until prevalence of COVID goes down (sometime mid next year in all likelihood).  Although hoping we have a house by then lol.

Gavin83

I think half the issue is the EAs don’t need your custom at the moment. If they perceive you as being awkward and you don’t wish to view there are 10 other potential buyers waiting to take your place. It’s the same reason a lot are insisting you talk to their in house mortgage broker, it’s simply because they can.

Once it stops being a sellers market EAs will be more willing to accommodate buyers wants. However by the time that happens Covid will likely be in the past. To a degree anyway, it’s likely we’ll always have Covid now.

nicknameless

Gavin83 said:

I think half the issue is the EAs don’t need your custom at the moment. If they perceive you as being awkward and you don’t wish to view there are 10 other potential buyers waiting to take your place. It’s the same reason a lot are insisting you talk to their in house mortgage broker, it’s simply because they can.

Once it stops being a sellers market EAs will be more willing to accommodate buyers wants. However by the time that happens Covid will likely be in the past. To a degree anyway, it’s likely we’ll always have Covid now.

I think you are right.  Were I running an EA I would regardless of 'government' guidance want my potential clients to feel at ease and ask all staff to offer this option.   But as you say at the moment they don't need the custom, and some seemingly don't give a ****.  Others do though, and I know who'll be getting our future custom.

grandadgolfer

OP the EA might have been exempt and as mentioned above its a sellers market plenty of buyers around and probably will be for a while

GDB2222

davilown said:

maxsteam said:

It's up to you. If you wear a mask it creates one barrier between you and the outside world but, at the moment, you cannot demand that other people wear masks.

Regardless of opinion on masks, how on earth does it create a barrier?

The information I have seen (quoted in the newspaper) is that mask wearing reduces transmission of the virus by 20%. That's a significant difference. For most people, donning a mask is a minor inconvenience, and if it saves lives and helps the economy it's worthwhile.

Skiddaw1

I quite agree @GDB2222 . As far as I'm concerned, every little helps and I shall continue to wear a face covering in most indoor spaces. I'd definitely wear one were I viewing a house at present. It's just courtesy in my opinion.

nicknameless

GDB2222 said:

davilown said:

maxsteam said:

It's up to you. If you wear a mask it creates one barrier between you and the outside world but, at the moment, you cannot demand that other people wear masks.

Regardless of opinion on masks, how on earth does it create a barrier?

The information I have seen (quoted in the newspaper) is that mask wearing reduces transmission of the virus by 20%. That's a significant difference. For most people, donning a mask is a minor inconvenience, and if it saves lives and helps the economy it's worthwhile.

I think they were saying that it is not a protection for the wearer.  The wearer is protecting others from their potential COVID.  

Davesnave

davilown said:

maxsteam said:

It's up to you. If you wear a mask it creates one barrier between you and the outside world but, at the moment, you cannot demand that other people wear masks.

Regardless of opinion on masks, how on earth does it create a barrier?

Mainly because it obscures about half of the face. As good communication relies on visual clues and cues, it can hardly be helpful in that regard.

Skiddaw1

@Davesnave has a point I must admit. Going off on a bit of a tangent I know, but does anyone else find they frequently can't understand what people are saying when we're masked up? As far as I know, I don't have any hearing issues but ever since face coverings were introduced I've found myself saying 'pardon?' 'What?' 'Sorry?' on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for continuing with face coverings, but I just hadn't realised how much we (presumably) all lip read/rely on visual clues when communicating.

steampowered

It's very rude for an estate agent to not even carry a mask IMHO. 

When viewing houses recently in London, every agent either wore a mask or at least asked if I would like them to wear one. It's hardly an unusual request.