Do you struggle with wearing a mask in shops?

[BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation]

I've always struggled with having to wear a mask and feel like I'm suffocating although I'm fully aware that I won't. I get anxiety attacks and my anxiety is based around feeling too hot and not being able to get enough fresh air.

Last couple of weeks have been a real struggle. Anybody else feel like this? I wonder how much longer we're going to have to keep wearing them.

I’m ok with sitting in a mask at the theatre but shops are tricky. I wear disposable mask as it’s lighter but still my glasses are steaming up so I can’t see properly. So I’m taking glasses off and then I can’t see because I’m without glasses. I’ve also noticed that smells make me cough much more when I’m wearing mask and my hearing is affected. It feels like doing all these together: trying to see, move and hear while wearing a mask is a bit too much.

@KatherineJaneway

Those who say 'I don't wear a mask', out of interest are you exempt or do you just not want to wear one?

Not that I would bother explaining this to anyone who challenged me in person, but I was a victim of DV, was pinned down on the bed and strangled by a previous partner. So as such I have issues with anything round my neck or my face, as feeling short of breath makes me panic. I can’t wear polo necks or scarves on my neck and if anyone touches my neck I will freak out. Even sitting here now I’m aware that I have to lift my chin when I’m sitting down because even the feel of my own chin on my neck makes me feel suffocated.

And given that most people wearing masks spend half their time readjusting them, pulling them up and down to talk or eat etc. I can’t see how they’re doing much to stop the spread - surely touching your nose and mouth several times while picking things up in shops or opening doors etc is more likely to spread germs than breathing. Like anything, they’re only as effective as the person using them. And most people aren’t using them very well.

Imagine being the kind of twat who wades on to a thread for people who struggle to wear masks to insist that they are making it up?

Yes. I have always worn one - I did t stop in shops. I don't like them. I find them suffocating. But I'll wear them. Around here (SW London) most people are wearing them.

@DesdemonaDryEyes

I’ve given up. Sick of going into shops where there is no hand sanitizer or cleansing spray for the trolley.

If they can’t be bothered neither can I.

Exactly this. So frustrating that they can't be bothered to keep their supplies topped up to allow people to shop safely.

Can't stand them. I do all my food shopping online and just deal with the hassle of sending back clothes after ordering them online if necessary.

Have you tried different kinds of masks? I struggled at first but I found fabric ones that I liked and felt comfortable for me on my ears and don't fog up my glasses.

Then they brought in a rule (I live in Germany) that we could only use paper or FFP2 masks, not fabric any more. I found the FFP2 ones difficult but I found a brand of paper ones I liked.

Now they have restricted it to only FFP2 again. It's so frustrating. I find these ones so crap and can feel the air whooshing out every direction, they are much worse for my glasses as well.

I just wish they would stop changing their minds. I miss my comfy fabric masks. I use them as eye masks for sleep now :o

Yes I have struggled as I used to have panic attacks so hate feeling like I can’t breathe properly but after having to wear one on a plane recently for 7 hours together with over 3 hours at the airport both ways. I now find wearing one for 30 minutes in Tesco pretty easy .

If I was really struggling, I’d go into an empty area to pull it down for a minute. Plenty of people are not wearing them anyway.

It still kind of blows my mind that we’re all walking around with masks on looking like we have beaks. Who’d have thunk it in 2019 .

after having to wear one on a plane recently for 7 hours together with over 3 hours at the airport both ways. I now find wearing one for 30 minutes in Tesco pretty easy

Exactly this - I do appreciate that some people have trouble wearing a mask full stop, but I do also think it's worse the less used to it you are, and it is possible to acclimatise yourself to it if you think it's worth it.

@ArbleMarchTFruitbat try the ProGear one (£8 on Amazon).
Bit dearer but it’s what divers/cyclists use on masks etc and has the staying power.

Thanks @OneOfTheGrundys, I'll have a look.

They make my nose block up and run and make my long covid lung congestion worse. I have to wear one all day in the office, NHS. Would love for them to go!

I do struggle with them. I’m massively claustrophobic and they make me panic and steam up my glasses - which makes the panic worse

I wear one, I don’t have to enjoy it.

I do avoid going places I have to wear one for any length of time though. I won’t wander round an indoor shopping centre and will get a weekly food shop delivered, but 2 minutes to run and grab some milk is fine.

Do people have a go at you if you don't wear one? I don't know what I'd do if someone pulled me up on it.

In my experience, yes. My daughter has Tourette’s and due to the nature of her tics can’t wear a mask. She has a lanyard but has had tons of abuse. Never when she’s with someone, only when she’s by herself - young, lone, teenage girls are an easy target it seems.

Each to their own but I think I may be weird. I LIKE wearing them! I'm generally quite sociable with people I know, but quite like the ability to dodge people in the supermarket if I want! Also I think my eyes are my best facial feature, and vainly, I think a mask emphasises this!
Weird, I know...

@OneOfTheGrundys

There are many gels/wipes out there for glasses wearers. I need to wear one most of the day for work and a spray kit, couple of quid off Amazon stops them from fogging. One wipe over in the morning lasts most of the day.

Some of the stuff on the market that claims to be anti-fog can damage any special coatings (anti-glare coating, etc) on your lenses so I’m wary of trying them.

@RoyKentsChestHair

I am so sorry that happened to you

I hate them and avoid going shopping as much as possible as we're still wearing them

I'd love to go up town for a day out but I'm not doing it until we don't have to wear them

@BertieBotts

after having to wear one on a plane recently for 7 hours together with over 3 hours at the airport both ways. I now find wearing one for 30 minutes in Tesco pretty easy

Exactly this - I do appreciate that some people have trouble wearing a mask full stop, but I do also think it's worse the less used to it you are, and it is possible to acclimatise yourself to it if you think it's worth it.

See my experience is the opposite to this. I wore a mask for 12 hours a couple of times in November, for journeys that involved airport layovers. Actually being on the flight or just sat in the airport is fine, I'm not doing anything (and I was prepared with contact lenses so I could see).

Popping into a shop for 15 minutes often without contacts, rushing, busy, lots of other sensory stuff going on, I hate. I'll do it obviously, but I hate it.

True, there is a big difference between wearing a mask for sedentary activities vs anything where you have to expend effort or deal with changes of temperature.

@OneOfTheGrundys

There are many gels/wipes out there for glasses wearers. I need to wear one most of the day for work and a spray kit, couple of quid off Amazon stops them from fogging. One wipe over in the morning lasts most of the day.

My optician has advised me against using them as there is a risk that they might damage the coating on my lenses.

I guess it depends on the individual prescription. Mine are coated in everything and they’ve been fine. The ProGear mentioned up thread is sold by opticians.
Mask wearing isn’t optional for me so something had to be done.

Yes I do struggle! I’m avoiding places where they are required as much as possible. Cancelled a trip to London once I realised I’d be wearing one for 7 hours in one day!
I have to be quick doing my shopping, have a list and not linger.
I’m constantly fiddling with it and trying to breathe properly. My nose starts running and my glasses steam up.
Haven’t been to cinema, theatre or church since they came back.
Can’t wait for them to go!