GMJS-CEO wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:22 am Wearing a mask does absolutely nothing, that’s why doctors and nurses wear them.

Duncan wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:00 am No-one here in OZ wearing masks. I always wear one if in a shopping centre and have noticed that if someone else is wearing one, they are usually Asians .

Ryan754326 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:10 pm If I have to put on a mask to avoid being harassed or beaten up by uneducated locals, then I suppose I will, but thankfully, where I am, that is not the case yet. Here, it is mostly hotel workers, taxi drivers, and store employees wearing them, which makes sense, since they are in close contact with hundreds, or even thousands of people every day. Those who are sick should wear one if they must go out in public, but a much better solution would be for those people to simply not leave the house, if at all possible.
The idea of showing “solidarity with the locals” is a happy thought, but I don’t think we should forget that many of these people still believe that evil spirits cause illnesses, and visit faith healers rather than a real doctor when they have serious medical problems. The idea of giving into ignorance to placate people who don’t understand the science bothers me, but at the end of the day it’s their country, and I understand that they aren’t going to have foreigners telling them how to go about their business. I just wish that there was more effort from government to explain the facts, rather than letting what amounts to superstition dictate how we approach this problem. If people were told by the monks that wearing a red Buddha bracelet around their neck would keep the virus out of their throat, then I expect many locals (and probably some foreigners) would be doing that too.
For now I will stick to the WHO guidelines, and not wear my mask unless I become sick, or am forced to through social pressure. My belief is that herd immunity is the only realistic way forward, and that much of the world is probably closer to that stage than we realize at this point in time.

WildA wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:40 am If you arent sick, the only reason to wear a mask is to placate the locals.

Anchor Moy wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:49 pm
I feel that you are also missing the point. We are not here as missionaries to change Khmer mind-set or their beliefs, so if they feel better if we (foreigners) wear a mask when in close contact in shops and markets then I think we should do this. To be clear, I don't care if masks work or not for my own protection, but I think that, since there is so little social distancing in Cambodia, there are good reasons for wearing a mask, and I see no valid reason for not wearing a mask in public spaces.

Try putting the situation in reverse, where foreigners in a western country refuse to obey the health rules of your country, and you think that they might kill you and spread disease because they are obeying their own rules and not your local rules. How do you feel about these foreigners that may be putting people in danger ? It's not that hard to understand.

xandreu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:43 pm
My sentiments exactly. The reality of whether they work or not is completely and utterly irrelevant. The perception here is that they work enough to go to the bother of wearing one and not following what has become a social norm (in Phnom Penh at least) sends a very clear message that you care nothing for the health of the local people who's country you are now occupying.

What is perceived as reality far, far, far outweighs whatever the actual reality is in this situation.

As the above poster very well pointed out, if the roles were reversed, we would be the first to throw our arms in the air and demand that foreigners follow the rules along with everyone else.

Those of us currently here in Cambodia are now here for the long-term. Who knows when this will ever end or what turmoil this situation will throw up. But one thing is for sure, if things do start to get ugly for us foreigners, we have no-where to run.

This is now our adopted home whether we like it or not. The least we can do is show some respect, keep our heads down and not stir up unnecessary, ill-sentiment towards us.

If you live somewhere where the majority of people are wearing masks, I urge you all to just do the same and STFU.

jubo2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 4:52 pm

WildA wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:40 am If you arent sick, the only reason to wear a mask is to placate the locals.

Ridiculous ! is it your stupid government that made you believe this BS ?