It’s not a conspiracy, it’s just common decency and thinking of others
IDON’T deny there was a degree of trepidation as I walked to the railway station on Wednesday. Would people be flouting the new rules or adhering to them as they should do? Might there be an angry mob of dissenters keen to vent their spleen that , heaven forfend, they might have to put something across their face to protect themselves and others?
Or perhaps, as I am sure many of you saw in the news this week, a flash mob of protesters could wander down the aisle chanting that wearing a mask is like trying to keep your wind in your trousers.
And yes, to anyone who has not yet seen the clip, that’s the polite version.
But as I walked down the platform to get on the train I was more than pleasantly surprised to witness something of a rebirth.
Because whereas last week, on my trips to Derby, I was very much in a minority of travellers wearing a covering over my mouth and nose, on this day, almost everyone was.
And surely that must give all of those on the carriages peace of mind?
Where I was also surprised was that moments before my train left the station two uniformed police officers got on.
I didn’t get the opportunity to ask them if their presence was down to the new rules on wearing a mask on public transport which came in this week.
And I have no doubt that if it is the case the conspiracy theorists – and I know a couple personally I am aggrieved to say – will call this a waste of taxpayers’ money.
But I found there was something quite comforting about this and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Obviously, there is always one person so personally affronted that they have to bend the rules as much as they can. And Wednesday morning was no exception.
Down the other end of the carriage a scowling youth – maybe aged 20 tops – lugged his huge suitcase on to the train, slammed it down over two seats and then sat there looking angry while not wearing a mask.
Feet up on the fabric seats where he had dropped his luggage he was challenged by a fellow traveller before reluctantly putting on a facemask.
I couldn’t hear exactly what he said to the man who began the debate with him, but it included a couple of expletives.
Hardly the actions of Marlon Brando in The Wild One or James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, but I have no doubt he arrived at his destination happy to proudly relive his edgy behaviour to his pals. In conclusion, I should like to thank the majority of people for sticking to what they have been asked to do for the health of themselves and others as we navigate our way through the latest choppy waters of the ongoing pandemic.
One of the first reported cases of the new variant of Covid was recorded where I live and, just like any strain, I am eager not to catch it, as I am sure you are. Others, less willing or understanding it seems, appear to be less so.
There is always one person so personally affronted that they have to bend the rules as much as they can.