Wearing a face mask is bloody awful!

[shellydolls]

Wore one yesterday in the shop for the first time.

I felt like I was suffocating myself!
I felt dizzy!
I couldn't concentrate on my shopping as I felt so uncomfortable and my glasses kept fogging up!

Please can someone recommend a very breathable mask as I won't be out shopping again until I can breath properly.

@BillywilliamV a visor does not provide the same degree of protection unfortunately

Oh no they are not can’t believe how everyone is making such a fuss wear your glasses over the mask, you get used to them quickly.

Oh, Sweetkitty, you are way too sensible for public forums 😂

@itsaratrap I’m in Scotland we’ve been wearing masks for 3-4 weeks/forever now we’re looking South of the border at all the fuss and shaking our heads. There wasn’t all this fuss when it was introduced up here, people just wore them and got on with it, I had to go out and about this morning to about 5 shops, pick up things, return items (school clothes for DC can’t try things on ) just popped mask on and on didn’t die of oxygen depletion, didn’t pass out etc, got my hair done last week, sat in hairdressers for 3 hours in a mask and survived. Poor people in shops are wearing them all day nevermind NHS/careworkers. That’s why I’m shaking my head at people saying they can’t wear them, they are passing out etc. I do have an invisible disability as well and I understand some people won’t be able to wear them but the majority will.

[quote sweetkitty]@itsaratrap I’m in Scotland we’ve been wearing masks for 3-4 weeks/forever now we’re looking South of the border at all the fuss and shaking our heads. There wasn’t all this fuss when it was introduced up here, people just wore them and got on with it, I had to go out and about this morning to about 5 shops, pick up things, return items (school clothes for DC can’t try things on ) just popped mask on and on didn’t die of oxygen depletion, didn’t pass out etc, got my hair done last week, sat in hairdressers for 3 hours in a mask and survived. Poor people in shops are wearing them all day nevermind NHS/careworkers. That’s why I’m shaking my head at people saying they can’t wear them, they are passing out etc. I do have an invisible disability as well and I understand some people won’t be able to wear them but the majority will.[/quote]
Absolutely spot on.

.

I have bought nose bridges from Amazon. They stick on any mask and do help. I also bought anti fog cloths for my glasses. I think it is necessary to try a few to see what works for you. I washed the ones I found uncomfortable and put them on the staff room table with a note. They went quite quickly! Weirdly the ones that fit me the best are my animal masks but I am loving my new two that also fit well.
Sorry I look odd but trying to make my pics non identifiable!!!!

You have to try a variety, I hate the disposable ones, I've bought 3 reusable ones from eBay and finally have one I can cope with.

The glasses steaming up thing is annoying as fuck though.

This is my fave www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Re-usable-Washable-Cotton-Face-Mask-with-anti-fog-Respirator-UK-Stock/114250819308?hash=item1a99e126ec:g:FN0AAOSwHDVe27Pn&var=414506375350

It has the breathing valve, but there's still a full layer of material inside the valve so it's just as effective as one without.

PeanutButterKid

£8 or £20 each. Pricey.”

Not really. We have the £20 masks, very effective filters and they are reusable for at least 3 months. Much more effective, less wasteful and cheaper than disposables.

The filter goes on ad infinitum, they only suggest replacing after 3 months because the outer fabric may deteriorate. If you were handy with a needle, guess you could replace it yourself.

You have just reminded me to put recent ones through the wash, thank you - I've got a couple of dry washed ones and don't need to travel until tomorrow so all good

Look for one with the little wire strip along the nose that pitches the mask tight. It’ll stop your glasses from steaming up.

Doesn't stop it and I have those and I work for the NHS!

Luckily we are in a protected area so only need masks on public transport. Don't like them, feel suffocated but better to be safe than sorry eh?

The proper surgical style ones are much better

Cloth ones - I just discovered a new problem. Washing them triggers terrible asthma. Mine is triggered by perfumes so I guess I should have realised!

Luckily I don't have to wear them often so I will just go back to my stocks of medical grade ones for unavoidable occasions.

An alternative are neckscarves or similar, pulled up. Essentially they are much looser and let more air in, so less problems. I very much doubt they work, precisely because of that, but there we go. It's all performance at the moment anyway.

The upside of triggered asthma is I am back on my preventors. Their use has been linked to better outcomes with covid, so hurrah

@slis

I have bought a vented mask as I have asthma (have inhaler and shit breathing) now I'm not so sure, what mask are other asmatics wearing

I'm asthmatic (well controlled by taking a preventative inhaler twice daily) & I have been fine wearing the disposable surgical masks with the metal nose strip - the only problem I haven't been able to sort is my glasses steaming up but that's a very minor issue.

I have the surgical ones (sent by friend in Asian parts where they're the norm) and the wire means you can pinch them at the bridge of your nose and they don't fog.

I hate it too, but then I'd deffo hate a ventilator more.

If you struggle with a cloth face covering, you’re going to be really fucked if they have to put you on a ventilator.
Time to man up folks.

@sweetkitty

Oh no they are not can’t believe how everyone is making such a fuss wear your glasses over the mask, you get used to them quickly.

I wear my glasses over a well fitting mask and they still steam up. I also find them hard to breathe in.

I do wear masks wherever required. I don't like them and will never get used to them.

I will wring the neck of the next person who tries to tell me that it is because I am wearing it wrongly, it is for the greater good and that a ventilator would be worse.

Of course a ventilator would be worse. That is partly why I am complying at the moment. I don't have to like it though, and I am allowed to say so.

I hate wearing a mask, but find the first 5-10 minutes the worst. After that it doesn't seem so bad. Just keep the mask high up on your nose and put your glasses on top of the mask.

I spent most of yesterday in a hospital and it honestly wasn't that bad. It felt hot to begin with but I got used to it. I wore the mask they provided and my glasses didn't steam up, my ears didn't get sore. I did touch it more than I should and one of the doctors I spent a lot of time with didn't have it covering his nose!

The glasses thing is really fucking annoying. If I wear the mask higher up to stop the fogging then it distorts my vision enough to throw me off balance. My glasses are a pretty strong prescription and a minor adjustment to them makes a big difference to me.

I don't dare try the washing up liquid on them that some folk recommend as the lenses are really expensive and I can't afford to risk damaging their coating.

I clicked on this knowing full well it wouldn’t be long before people started moaning and telling people to ‘get a grip’

People are entitled to admit to not like wearing them, it’s not like OP was saying she wasn’t going to wear one anymore because she didn’t like them, she was just simply asking for suggestions!

@Turnedouttoes

I hate them as well. I had lots of chores to do yesterday and I was so sweaty with having to keep putting the mask on to go into each shop. It’s also such a pain with make up. I’ve got a 3 hour hair appointment today and coming straight home to guests so hoping they’re not enforcing masks for customers as per the new rules

Honestly you should re read your post and think about what you are saying. It’s a very selfish attitude. If it wasn’t true it would be funny.

I love them. People can’t see your face, so if you’re not especially good looking it helps to hide that. Puts everyone on an equal footing!

There wasn’t all this fuss when it was introduced up here, people just wore them and got on with it,

No idea where in Scotland you are, but from my social circle no one is happy with masks, they wear them sure but I've heard a lot of moaning, they just don't post on mumsnet. There is even a thread on Scotsnet. I think most people are law-abiding but that doesn't mean people have to like it.

I haven't found one I can tolerate so don't go anywhere they are mandatory (ptsd from trauma involving suffocation) but from my various video chats with dh whilst he's shopping there seems to be an awful lot of people either not wearing a mask at all or with them on their chins.

People are people. I've heard Turkish, Italians and Spanish people all complain about them through various forms of social media this week.