To not own a face mask

[BeeB29]

Aibu to not feel the need to buy one for my situation?

Mil was talking about face masks over the phone and I said I didn’t have any and I haven’t been actively looking for them.

I complete understand they have their purpose.

We are low risk. We live rurally in a quiet area so no crowds and avoid any crowds at the best of times, I try and get my shopping delivered, I social distance from people when I do have to go shopping, I drive so don’t have to use public transport (no public transport where I live anyway). I’m off work, home with dc. Other half has been working throughout but his job is low risk.

I just don’t feel there’s a need for me to buy them when others might be in greater need?

I haven't seen many people wearing them round here. My dd has been in hospital for the last week and every day I've been into see her it seems only a few members of the public are wearing them. The only people with them on all the time are the people who work in the hospital.

Not many people are wearing them where I am either. I'd say about 10% of people in shops have one on.

You can't always avoid getting into a crowded place when you are out in a public area, esp as places get busier and busier.

Surely depende where you live and where you go out to. I haven't seen a crowd in weeks and have no intention of going anywhere that there might be one (eg when town centre shops reopen.)

I think it’s rude and disrespectful to not wear one in public places indoors

Its not really about respect o rudeness though is it? Its about transferring the virus. If you aren't going to openly cough or sneeze then social distancing works more efficiently. Certainly people in masks don't seem to social distance as well as they should be.

Having said that, I've ordered one from etsy to use just to be polite if peer pressure starts to be overwhelming.

I have ordered two fabric ones for myself and partner. It's more a just in case it became mandatory in shops, or use for public transport ( can't brave it just yet!)
. I wear one at work 12 hours a day. My face/ears are already sore without wearing one everywhere else. I'm protecting patients who I can't socially distance from.

It's don't wear one in a supermarket. I go at a quieter time and I socially distance and I'm very cautious with hygiene. Some wearing them seem to think their invincible and don't have to distance or be careful. But even now less people have them on than initially.

To be honest recently the supermarket staff have stopped wearing them in the aldi I shop at ( they have screens). Probably because it's horrible and dehydrating. I try and drink more to compensate. It affects communication and makes your face sore.

Also before judging be aware medical and mental health reasons for not doing so. The government recommended face coverings if socially distancing is not available. It's not mandatory.

None of the staff in the supermarkets wear them. If they aren't then I certainly don't feel any pressure to.

I live in a country where it is pretty much mandatory to wear a facemask.

I personally find them very suffocating to wear, especially in hot climates.

If I am in an enclosed space, like the supermarket, then I will wear it, but I have drawn the line when I am walking in the street - primarily because I am in open air, and I always make sure I maintain a distance.

I am dreaming of the day I don't see a bloody mask again as I hate them.

You can't always avoid getting into a crowded place when you are out in a public area, esp as places get busier and busier.

You certainly can around here. I'm very rural in a small town and there are no crowds here. Even if I go to our nearest large town it's very easy to keep your distance from others. I hate crowds at the best of time though so naturally avoid them even when we're not in the middle of a pandemic

I bought my first ones last night actually! I’m in ireland & we have been told they’re not compulsory but advisable in shops & public transport. There’s so much mixed reviews about them. I have been in shops without them & I don’t use public transport. The only reason I bought them is because as of Monday we are now allowed to go into my parents home but only if we wear masks & gloves & of course sit 2 meters away. I want to be able to go in my parents house so I got the masks. My daughter will use them on the train when she goes to visit her friends 45 mins away which she’ll be allowed to do after the 29th June.

I’m a teacher and the most crowded place I’m likely to be is my classroom. We’re not allowed to wear them in school so what do I need one for?!

@Digestive28

Also a scarf isn’t ok - you need a three layer mask to be of any benefit.

No you don’t . You don’t need one at all unless on public transport

I'm off on London transport today and I'm not wearing one - waste of time

Haven't actually been anywhere where I risk coming into contact with people (shopping done by other family members) but I am going to spend some time studying YouTube clips on how to make a mask from an old scarf and a coffee filter.

I do find it triggers my anxiety as I used to have croup as a child. But then again, having been in that situation of struggling to breathe, I don't want to risk inflicting that on somebody else.

Ds has to work up to 12 hr shifts wearing one (KFC) and says it's exhausting, but understands why it has to be done.

I think a time may come when we are told we HAVE to have a face covering for any enclosed space.

I bought 2 off Ebay a couple of weeks ago. Not expensive.

I’m not going to wear one. I don’t want to, I also won’t be making my children wear one. Since they are becoming compulsory on public transport soon I will stop using it.

Luckily I don't go anywhere where you need to wear a mask. I have a couple just in case.
What I don't understand is people who wear them when out for a walk, especially in the countryside (only person I saw on a walk was wearing a mask).

I don't have any and don't intend to get any. Avoiding public transport and I see no need to wear one in supermarkets when we are 2m apart anyway.

Avoiding public transport and I see no need to wear one in supermarkets when we are 2m apart anyway.

Because the droplets from a cough or sneeze or even a sudden exhalation travel further than 2 metres. 2 metres is cutting down on the risk, not getting rid of it.

@Coulddowithanap

Luckily I don't go anywhere where you need to wear a mask. I have a couple just in case. What I don't understand is people who wear them when out for a walk, especially in the countryside (only person I saw on a walk was wearing a mask).

I do think it's sometimes a bit of a statement thing rather than anything to do with safety.

I've been keeping a buff in my bag just in case I find myself somewhere where one is required but I haven't used it yet and I haven't bought any masks.

It is worth having one in case of situations when it is useful to protect other people, for example at an opticians appointment today they were pleased I was wearing one

@WowLucky

I've been keeping a buff in my bag just in case I find myself somewhere where one is required but I haven't used it yet and I haven't bought any masks.

I read this as "keeping my muff in a bag", and it made me laugh.

Sorry.

I wear one when I'm inside and there's a chance I might infect others/be closer than 2 m - so shops, chemist, ready for potential doctor/opticians appointments etc.I wore one when I went to give blood recently. I've bought & made reusable fabric ones with a pocket for a removable insert. UK is (as so often...) one of the few countries making facemasks mandatory, and I think it's a mistake: it simply has to help minimise transmission. DH works in a lab, so I know how to wear a facemark sensibly and take on and off without cross-contamination. I also notice that when I'm wearing a mask people behave more carefully around me - clearly suddenly reminded that I might be catching... it's a good visual reminder imo

I haven't spent more than a couple of seconds within 2m of anyone not in my household for months. Neither have my household. I can not pass on a virus that I do not have.

I don't see the point of badly virtue signalling by putting an irriating object on my face that makes breathing uncomfortable (I hate warm, soupy, humid air) and makes me want to scratch and fidget with it. Under current and forthcoming circumstances, I have no need to cover my face. I do not use public transport or go in small, crowded shops.
There may come a situation where it becomes a necessary evil, but until one comes up, I'm not covering my face; they are a double hinderence to communication by removing lip reading and facial expression as well as muffling speech. Most people negate any infection control benefits by fidgeting with them or wearing them badly anyway.

I have been out all along, regardless of the stupid rules, and have been seeing people. The whole lockdown things is ridiculous.

Guess what? I don't know a single person who has had Covid.

So no, I won't be wearing a mask.