Will I feel a right fanny wearing a mask on a flight?

[Frivolatte]

I’ve got a flight on Friday and then again next week, have had the flu vaccine (private to set no other health issues context) but I’m spending Christmas with vulnerable oldies, also I really really don’t want to get ill over precious much needed leave time.

Tell me to wear a mask in the metal germ tube, and that I won’t feel like I’m the one carrying a lurgy myself.

Or is this overkill?

People are wearing masks every where. Just been. To hospital all wearing masks

I am immunocompromised and wear a mask, I also use lots of hand gel.

Sounds like a sensible idea.

Even if you do feel silly, nobody will able to see you. Go for it.

In my experience, there are usually a couple of people wearing proper FFP2 or 3 masks (or at least ones that appear so) on flights. I think the scrum at security and immigration or in the air bridge are possibly the highest risk areas though.

I've worn a mask on a flight as I had a cough. Felt like the right thing to do. Have also done the same in the office.

In your shoes I'd wear the mask as it likewise seems a responsible thing to do. It benefits yourself and others, and harms no-one.

I think it’s quite sensible.

And I’m sure someone will roll their eyes or tell you that it needs to be a particular type of mask or you’re just wasting your time, or how you’re falling for propaganda and are a sheep, but do you care? You’ll never see any of those people again. Their opinions are irrelevant.

No, but you should it on your face.

True - the only positive about Covid days was not needing to worry what you looked like, combine it with a hat and glasses and I’m totally anonymous.

Interesting to hear lots of people wearing them, I’ve not seen it.

I have a very rational fear of air bridges at the best of times so thanks for that 😂

I thought masks didn't protect you but everyone else. Having said that, of course wear a mask if you want to. I've seen a few people wearing them on recent flights.

I don't know if this this is a scientifically sound suggestion, but I use Vicks First Defence before and after every flight. I fly frequently and used to always seem to get ill after a trip, but it hasn't happened since I started using it. Maybe another line of defense for you?

I don't wear masks now and don't intend to in the future (unless I have a cough or cold), but I don't and wouldn't judge anyone who does. Everyone has their reasons and should do what works best for them.

Have been on a few flights recently and saw people wearing masks.

Masks protect the other people from YOU - the mask wearer!! Wearing a mask unless it’s one of the very fancy ones those of us with severe allergies wear on flights/trains etc which are hundreds of pounds then you are wasting your time and just make the people - who know what masks are for - concerned you actually are the one they should be wary of!

Seriously we had 3 years of Covid crap did people really not learn the basics about masks and who needed to wear them and why? 🤷‍♀️

Ok, I know this, but can you explain how it works? How does it allow germs/droplets in but stop them getting out?

It’s a waste of time and you’ll look a twit.

I'm going on a posh holiday in the new year and will wear a mask ( the n95 type) on the flight as I don't want to chuck the money I paid away being ill.

I'm at the tail end of that 'super cold' that's going round. Was in bed for a week, up and feeling lousy for 5 days now. Had shingles last year which ruined Christmas, frozen shoulder the year before.

If you feel silly you could wear a light scarf over the top to hide it, although you don’t need to!

I’m on a bus right now and am wearing a proper mask

This!!! Also pointless wearing them outside in the fresh air.

Well, the tube is full of mask wearers; so, no.

I’ve done two longish haul flights in the past fortnight and both had a good handful of people wearing them.

I would only bother though if you wear N95, a surgical mask largely just protects others from your droplets. Planes are actually pretty good at screening air but certainly can’t hurt.

It’s a two way thing, it can’t possibly protect everyone from the wearer, whilst simultaneously leave the wearer exposed to incoming germs from everyone else.
The logic escapes me.

I'd go for an N95 if you're going to bother. You can find them for less than a pound a mask so I reckon it's worth a punt. Agreed that surgical masks mainly protect others from your droplets, though they are better than a kick in the teeth.

We were on holiday in October people were wearing masks on the plane, I was on public transport some people had masks on if you want to wear one just do it, what other people think doesn't matter.

I think it can? Because if you cough into a mask, the mask will catch the large droplets (though not everything). Those droplets will still land on surfaces etc if you don't wear a mask, and someone else wearing a mask doesn't protect them from all those surfaces etc which are contaminated? I'm sure there are probably also more complex points but I think that's the gist at its most basic.