Is anyone finding it hard to wear a mask?

[Thewheelsonthebus23]

I haven’t been wearing a mask to go to the supermarket or shops because I find it so hard to breathe in. I do have a cloth mask I bought online. I practised wearing it around house and I felt like I wasn’t getting enough oxygen and almost passed out. I suffer with panic attacks anyway.
Fortunately I have my own car and don’t need to use public transport, but I’m thinking they’re going to made it compulsory in shops and supermarkets next.

[Drivingdownthe101]

I have severe claustrophobia so can’t wear one without a panic attack. Thankfully I don’t use public transport and just won’t go in any shops!

[WinterAndRoughWeather]

It’s driving me bananas. I live in Portugal and they’re compulsory here in shops. The weather is hot so it gets all sweaty and you can’t understand what people are saying so you end up not social distancing.

[poppym12]

I've tried a couple of different face coverings but feel like I can breathe properly in them. I have asthma and COPD so that probably doesn't help.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

yes and on the thread I started I'm being told it's all in my head. Which is great when I'm trying to find ways of complying without having a panic attack.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I know we need to find a way of managing.

[Drivingdownthe101]

My way of managing will just be to not go anywhere where they’re required. Thankfully I can do that fairly easily.

[LizzieSiddal]

I’ve tried various material- cotton and disposable, homemade and bought from a shop and all of them make me feel like I can’t breathe! I feel so claustrophobic, hot and panicky.
I’m glad I don’t have to to use pubic transport and hope they don’t make them compulsory!

[Belindabelle]

Yes I wore one tonight when shopping in Aldi. Not compulsory yet but I thought I would give it a go. My glasses steamed up, I couldn’t breathe properly, it was horrendous.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I had a medical appointment and my paper mask made a break for it over one of my eyes. I have no idea why!

[LizzieMacQueen]

Have you tried a light cotton scarf, worn normally round your neck but just raising it to cover nose and mouth when you need to? That's what I'll plan to do if face coverings become compulsory in shops.

[Thewheelsonthebus23]

@Drivingdownthe101 I wish I could, but I have to go to the supermarket to get food. I can’t seem to get deliveries.

[bonsaidragon]

Do we have to wear them in shops now? I wouldn't be able to wear one without having a panic attack.

[Drivingdownthe101]

We’re in an area where online deliveries have been fairly easy to get, otherwise I’ll just send DH to the supermarket. I think it would raid CBT or something to get me to be able to tolerate a mask.

[Shallwedancetomojito]

Why don't you just not wear one if it's affecting you that much.

[Yankathebear]

I’ve been wearing them every day for the last few months at work. I also suffer from panic attacks and at first felt like I was hyperventilating.
I completely understand but you do get used to them. I would say it took around three days.

[purpleme12]

Yes I panic as soon as someone puts things over my mouth or nose.
I have got a couple of disposable ones I psyched myself up to try it inside (because I don't drive and in normal times we use buses and trains loads) and I could do it. But I only had it on for a minute!!
A bus or train journey is long.
On top of this people say it makes your glasses steam up

I'm really panicking about this. Not driving has not been a problem before

[bonsaidragon]

Yes I panic as soon as someone puts things over my mouth or nose.

I'm the same. There is no way I could wear one, compulsory or not.

[purpleme12]

What will happen if you get on a train or a bus without one?

[vanillandhoney]

Yep me too - I can't stand stuff around my neck either so a scarf isn't an option and having things over my nose and mouth makes me feel sick and dizzy due to sensory issues.

Thankfully I drive and get food shopping delivered - if they make them compulsory in shops I just won't go in any!

[vanillandhoney]

What will happen if you get on a train or a bus without one?

Presumably you won't be allowed on or you'll be fined if you refuse.

[lilgreen]

I wear one once a week at the supermarket. I’m in and out in under 35 mins and find it very uncomfortable.

[SoMuchToBits]

I've had to wear them at work (NHS hospital) most of the time (except for meal breaks) every day I've been at work for the last few weeks. It's unpleasant, but what we have to do. We are wearing ours for several hours each day. Can't see why wearing them for a short bus journey or for popping into a shop would be too bad (although long train journeys would be different).

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

I haven't worn one yet: no plans to either. Not planning to use public transport for a fair while.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

I do think that it's not just shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, the horse is that tiny dot on the horizon. Over 40,000 people dead and now they're just pondering whether masks might make a difference? It's a shambolic shit show.