ADs against the ‘’ current abnormal ‘ and ‘ antisocial distancing ‘...Gather here 👍

[Dowser]

New thread
Hello Girls..it’s me again.

Hope your all out and about enjoying this glorious Saturday.

@BogRollBOGOF

I love the comment back

I'm so fed up of the chorusing of "I'm asthmatic (insert other condition of choice) and I wear a mask so quit moaning". It wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't harped on about the bloody things for months in the first place!

And no, I'm not a surgeon. I had no desire to tripple my teacher's salary to work in an over heated hospital in full PPE. It was hot enough spending all day wandering the coridors and catacombs on the quest to find medical records.

A connection I made the other day, I've always loathed the snap chat selfie filter type feature, the ones that distort a human face into a freaky animal or animé character. No it's not cute, or gawguss it's disturbing. I suspect it's part of the same issue in my head. I wasn't keen on the early days of 3D style CGI animation too, but the expressions and subtle motions have improved with time.

Yep I find those Snapchat filters freaky and unsettling

In fact "unsettling" is exactly how I could describe seeing everyone in masks everywhere ☹️

I agree with you, SomewhereEast.

The cost would be huge and compliance would be much lower than initially. Certainly I would not be particularly compliant any more. I think hand hygiene and physical distancing will make the biggest difference, lockdown is just pointless.I don't even know what the rules on people in your home are now. I know that DD had a couple of friends staying with her over the weekend while DH and I were away, whether this is "allowed" or not I have no idea. Nor do I care, over much. I've done my own risk assessment. They're fit, strapping 17 year olds and they deserve a few summer nights, drinking beers and listening to music around a fire pit.

Meanwhile, DH and I had a lovely weekend at the coast, soaking up the heat. People seemed to be going about their normal holiday type activities and there were folks shopping, but for me the masks have meant I am not making my usual contribution to the economy. I was quite interested in a couple of things I saw in shop windows, and would probably have gone in and bought something, but in practice, the reality of having to queue to get in to see if you actually liked it, then having to sweat buckets in a mask while you looked around, aware that people behind you were champing at the bit to get you out and themselves into the shop? No, thanks. I walked on by. I doubt I'm alone in this.

@ILoveTotoro

Having left fb mostly due to corona hysterics and dementors, I thought my private Instagram was a safe haven however some dementor dick slipped through the net and posted this! she's not even a fucking nurse (actually wouldn't matter if she was would still be out of order tbh!) this was my comment at the bottom 😂 (you may need to click on it to big it up)

Brilliant reply. Sick of these egotistical idiots spouting sound bites that are as much use as a chocolate teapot.

The thing about masks, for me, is not so much the discomfort (although I do hate the feeling of wearing something over my face).

Its more the dehumanising effect they have.

It's just not normal for humans to cover half their faces, especially when we use our mouths and facial features so much to communicate with each other.

I really really hate the way retailers and fashion websites etc are trying to normalise the wearing of masks and to integrate them into your outfit. IMO if will be horrific if they become "the new normal" (urgh) for any length of time.

I agree, Pearlypidge. It's why I wear the disposable ones (admittedly, several times before binning, because I don't want to fill up landfill with the f-ing things). At least they don't look like some ill-judged, faux overpriced fashion accessory.

I'm debating a trip to wales (where it's mainly mask free). We're about an hour from the border so I'm contemplating doing my christmas shopping somewhere indoors there if the same rules still apply. To be honest if I didn't have DS I'd be doing my supermarket shopping there already.

Definetly worth doing - shops seem pretty normal here. There are limits to how many in at one time - so primark has queues and a few other shops - and there is hand sanitizer at entrances and sometimes floor arrows.

BBC:Coronavirus: Face coverings now compulsory for NI shoppers

Apparently Wales is the last UK counrty not requiring masks in public- or only on public transport and in places social distancing isn't possible.

I woke up this morning feeling rather despairing at my groundhog day style existence. Aargh. It's self defeating because there are things I can do to keep busy but I just don't have the enthusiasm anymore.
Instead I have written on a mask. I have a whole box of these which we don't really use (but I could if necessary) as I prefer the bandana type. So, here's a question, am I being really childish? What would be a pithy thing to write?
My bandana mask is printed from material with 'fuck' on it.

The sea of faces in masks thing flashes me back to surgery for the birth of DD1 - and me reacting badly to the spinal block and shaking uncontrollably, and things beeping all around me and me not knowing why the fuck they were beeping but that medical stuff beeping was generally bad news - and thinking I was going to die and not one of the theatre staff actually acknowledging I was a human being and terrified.

(Kind of like those alien abduction visualisations in the movies and on TV where you're irrelevant and they're going to do to you whatever they're going to do).

THAT is why masks cause panic attacks in me - massive PTSD from how DD1's birth was handled. Strangely though I'm OK with masks in a medical setting - it's the feeling of a sea of disembodied eyes staring at me that freaks me out I think.

Took me a while to unpick why the panic attacks were happening even when I enter a store with my own face naked. It's that, plus the fear of social shaming and atmosphere of judgement.

I'll also post here what I said on FB about how I think we're being manipulated with the local lockdowns. It's like threatening to keep the whole class in at playtime if a few are misbehaving and wanting the others to peer pressure them into conforming. It's basically intended to set people against each other so the non-conformers are brought into line by society rather than the Govt having to risk their shitty PR by laying down regulations... if Doris doesn't wear a mask to Asda and we get hit by a local lockdown - it's all Doris's fault (even though the cases have been picked up by the spiral of increased testing picking up more asymptomatic infections, and then triggering more testing - once you get on the radar I really don't think you can win on the local lockdown game to be honest).

That's what I feel is happening, and judging by what's been happening on here and local social media groups - happening very very effectively... and why they fucked Leicester so badly to start with - to make an example of what will happen on your playtime detention if you don't stop cavorting around having fun in class.

GP's now doubled my anti-depression and anxiety medication - wanted to push counselling again, but I KNOW why I feel like this - I just need to make it bearable while it's happening - counselling isn't going to solve the masked warriors and fuckwits.

@Allflightscancelled
You’re definitely not alone
I swerved tk maxx in york the other day
There were 8 people waiting, Street was in shade
A very cool breeze blowing
Me bare legged
Not happening

Wasn’t happening Without cool breeze lol

All flights..I think you’re due a name change to
Allshopscancelled

Lol

@DominaShantotto. I fear you are right.

The social shaming would also fit in with the high level of compliance amongst kids and young people. It is a scarily effective weapon.

It did feel like there were some glimpses of sanity within the media last week as scientists who disagree with the Government’s preferred scientists were given a couple of high profile platforms in The Spectator and The Daily Mail. I know it’s the DM but it is a very high profile media and definitely Tory voting demographic.

I am very much anti mask because I have seen how people use them and strongly believe that if they remain mandatory through the winter we are going to have a high level of mask related bronchial and oral illnesses. I have already known several people have issues or illnesses exacerbated by constant mask wearing.

@DominaShantotto
Oh you poor thing..what a horrible experience . No wonder you get traumatised

If you Haven’t already tried it eft would be excellent in that situation
There are some people who work over Skype if it’s too hard to do it alone
Children respond very well to it
It can be taught in 10 minutes too
Google gary Craig

It’s something we all need right now
I certainly agree with how we are being manipulated, it’s the most frightening aspect of all

There you go, @Dowser

Incidentally, just thought you'd be interested to hear that I successfully dowsed for DH's missing phone at the weekend. It's something I can do sometimes, if people ask me to, and if I know the place it's in well enough to see it in my mind's eye. If not, then I'm screwed .

Domina what you said about people being bullied into compliance by social pressure rings true, sadly. And for that reason, though I LOVE Reedwarbler's approach to masks, it's something that could backfire

The misbehaving school child analogy is spot on. I am mad that Leicester had to lock down because the powers that be turned a blind eye for years to the sweat shops, even when the shit hit the fan the police said we checked it out at the weekend. Well, hello, they would not have been working perhaps. One MP did raise questions a few years ago nothing happened. In this day and age, in this country, with minimum wage laws, trading standards, health and safety, councils and police, none of them stood up to protect these workers. The protests about black lives matter did they do anything to right these wrongs? Banging on about historical slave traders when they are alive and well now and making a lot of money out of the vulnerable really grinds my gears.

Domina
That sounds very traumatic what a horrible way to treat someone. No wonder it affects you now. Hope the meds help till this crap is over.

Domina, solidarity from another non masker. Even when you know wearing one would actively harm you, it is hard to go against others. Mask wearing is unnatural for apes so of course we feel all wrong about it.

@reedwarbler

Well as someone who believes part of her development stopped aged 15 , no I don’t think you’re being childish at all
But then I’m maybe not the best person to ask 😂

I do love the idea of wearing one to use as a protest, under the nose of course
I may even join you

There’s also using the old phone trick
Walk into a shop with ear buds in you ear and pretend to have a conversation, as if you’re shopping for someone else
Now do you want peas or beans?
Or both..followed by a bit of laughter..people will give you a wide berth if you’re laughing..as you come across as WEIRD

I dashed into a shop 20 mins before closing yesterday just as my dear 86 friend called . No way was I going to miss his call
So chatted for about 10 mins around the store..no one batted an eyelid..or if they did, I was oblivious

We could set up a phone tree if you feel a bit of a berk chatting to yourself
As in.. I’m going into boots is anyone available to call me?

I can chat till your eyes glaze over about my latest health kick
In fact wearing a mask is probably preferable 😂

@ISaySteadyOn
I do think it gets easier, the more you practice it
Just saying

@ILoveTotoro
Yes, hate snapchat filters also

If you have a phobia because of trauma I really do not know how you get over it. Mine is dental because I had such an awful dentist as a child and a sensitive gag reflex.

They had coax me into the hospital when I was in advanced labour with first baby because I had such a bad panic attack they put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me in I could not walk.

A lot of this was down to a mother who thought everything was a catastrophe, so made me a nervous child. Yet ignored me when I told her about my dental, gp experiences, she never went in with me because she was too sensitive to things like that. Rolls eyes.

[quote Dowser]@ILoveTotoro
Yes, hate snapchat filters also[/quote]
Don`t get me started on tik tok, it is appearing everywhere, uninvited.

@skeptile
Oh my dear, I could weep for you.
I can’t believe it of Australia of all places...forever touted as easy going, carefree , put another shrimp on the barbie while I have a quick surf kind of place.

I do believe you and I can’t believe it ...all in one thought and it terrifies me witless

If it can happen in Australia it can happen here 😱

There’s a big protest planned in London on August 29
No firm details of when and where

@justasking111
Omg..yes the dentists. Late 1950s school dentists at that
If I told you she was called Miss MANLY

I really don’t think I need to say anymore

@Reedwarbler a colleague of mine has written on his company issued muzzle COVID IS A HOAX . We are lucky that standard working practices mean there is plenty of space around us all so we don't have to wear the wretched things at work but the company HAS to provide them.

Masks have started featuring in my nightmares. Not wearing them, but being surrounded by people in them.

I'm worried about when the nights draw in and it gives a legitimate reason for creeps to be hanging round quieter, badly lit spaces whilst also looking virtuous in their masks.

@Dowser, I am practicing. A lot of places I like couldn't care less which helps. I go there and it helps me go other places.

I have started walking to different libraries to collect books. I get fitter, better knowledge of my local area, and avoid the hassle of public transport.

I am currently sitting in my garden doing needlepoint so getting a bit of fresh air.