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?

Yes you need to wear one of the proper masks as others have said but it’s completely normal to do so.

I use First defence before a flight (and after). You can also get some kind of gel that you put around your nose as protection. I also use a saline spray (I have long Covid and do not want another infection).

It’s true that most colds and flu enter the body via the eyes. So do not touch your eyes. Lots of handwashing and wipes. I also wipe all the surfaces down.

I do remember though in Covid times that it was clear the air on planes is better than we thought and there is the equivalent of a Hepa filter.

The times I have caught Covid have been from a car journey- so a very enclosed space with no air.

Yes you will.

Not one will bat an eyelid though. At worse they will think you are OTT but just roll their eyes.

I would never wear one (even if I was sick) but equally wouldn’t judge anyone else for choosing to wear one.

Very sensible and thoughtful towards your “oldies” to wear the mask. My retired nurse aunt swears by a good dose of First Defence before the airport/plane too.

I’m on chemo and wear a mask. People stare or shout “ooh keep away from me I don’t want the lurgy” so I wrote chemo on it and now people don’t bat an eyelid

I flew long haul last month and lots of people on board were wearing masks. I'm sure you won't be the only one.
As for hand gel, Boots antibacterial hand foam is supposed to be the best, it kills most things and doesn't dry your hands as much as gel.

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

The only twit is anyone with a puerile attitude like this.

I have been on 3 flights across the EU this week and many people were wearing masks - same as on the metro in one of the cities I passed through.

I'd forgotten that masks were a thing and was wondering if you meant an eye-mask (very normal on a plane) or like a face pack (less normal, but probably quite sensible considering how tough air travel is on skin moisture levels.) 😂

But no, I don't think it will be seen as weird, lots of people get sick when travelling and I believe NHS guidelines are advising us to wear them this year due to the amount of flu going around.

Wear an FFP3, or failing that an FFP2. It will significantly lower the risk to you and to others if you’re unknowingly carrying something. It’s also a good idea to wear one at the airport. Re: particle size - here is a simple explanation https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/faqs#collapse-respirator
Have a good holiday.

Yes

I wouldn't be able to get my gin and tonic in my mouth.

Of course you should wear one if you think it’s beneficial and will reduce the risk for your elderly relatives. Lots of people will be doing the same, so I don’t think you’ll feel silly.

Silly or sick, I know which I’d rather feel! I’ve noticed several people in facemasks out in town recently, and flights are notoriously great for spreading germs so I don’t think you’ll be noticed as much as you fear.

I would wear an FFP3 - it can't do any harm. Went to two events at the weekend and chatted briefly with someone who said she was 'keeping her distance' because she had just started with cold symptoms that morning. Like that was supposed to be reassuring... hello, it's the most infectious period! She probably wasn't the only one. Now I am sick with a fever and a horrendous cough. I won't be socialising next Christmas. I wish people would stay home when they are sick but if they have flights booked they'll go, unless they literally can't get out of bed.

I was contemplating the same. Flown twice this week and saw just one person the whole time in both airports or on both flights wearing a mask. I was surprised, thought there would be far more.

Not at all. There are people wearing masks everywhere at the moment. In shops, hospitals/pharmacies, on buses and trains, etc. When I last flew several months ago over Summer, there were a fair few mask wearers in the airport, on shuttle buses and in the aircraft. Don't give it a second thought. Just make sure you use a proper mask and not one of the paper/thin ones that are pretty useless, especially if you're wanting to protect vulnerable people.

Overkill and a basic one doesn’t work. You need the hospital grade ones. There’s been plenty of advice from people who know about masks on the radio recently and we keep deluding ourselves with cheap ones. How will you eat and drink?

Sounds to me like an additional benefit to wearing one!

Right fanny 😂 you from West of Scotland by any chance?

Stopped off at the supermarket at lunchtime and there were a few people wearing them.

It doesn't seem odd seeing people wearing them anymore.

wear in the airport but I wouldn’t bother on the plane, the air is hepa filtered constantly, it’s probably the cleanest air you breathe all year.

It looks odd to me. The worried well should get groceries delivered. Wearing a flimsy mask is pointless.

You need a decent N95 mask. Take some antibacterial wipes or spray to clean all the touch points in your seat area - armrests, that, seat belt etc

That meant to read 'tray'

Flew home last night. Didn't see anyone wearing a mask but I had mine with me and if I'd heard people coughing and sneezing I'd have put it on even though I'm aware that it's really the sneezer/ cougher who needs to wear one rather than you.
Do what you feel comfortable with, you won't look silly.