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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think the majority don't understand that masks are to protect others?

26 replies

user8558 · 14/06/2020 10:47

AIBU in thinking that the majority of the population don't seem to understand that masks are not intended to protect the wearer but to protect those around them? That it's a courtesy and sign of consideration for everyone else.

YANBU - yes, most people don't seem to know this

YABU - everyone knows this

OP posts:

Laaalaaaa · 14/06/2020 10:52

Is that why you’re more likely to find those disregarding social distancing rules in shops, standing right behind you are wearing masks? Obviously plenty of people wearing masks are following guidelines but it seems to me that certain people think masks mean they no longer have to distance.

GinDaddyRedux · 14/06/2020 10:58

I think you're onto something here for sure @user8558 but as per usual in this wretched country, no one wants to be told, so you'll get a host of people saying "of course I knew this", and others just saying YABU because you dared to tell them something they didn't know.

Wakemeuuuup · 14/06/2020 11:03

I think they do understand and that is why so many people are reluctant to wear them. A lot of people are selfish

carexfairex · 14/06/2020 11:04

It's been covered plenty on here so yes Gin there probably will be a lot of 'I know' responses.

ShandlersWig · 14/06/2020 11:04

I didnt know that!

GreytExpectations · 14/06/2020 11:07

I agree. My in laws are really paranoid and have been "voluntarily shielding" even though they don't fall into that category. They keep going on about how they have made their own masks and want my DH to wear one when he goes back to work. It's obvious they see the masks as protection for the wearer. I also have come across the same attitude from people at work, who proudly declare they have got their masks so will safer in the shops. I have mentioned that it's to protect others but I tend to just get a shrug and ignored...

Isthisfinallyit · 14/06/2020 11:07

Well this pandemic has showed me that a lot of people, even very intelligent ones, have a very poor grasp of hygiene, how you get infected and the difference between bacteria and virusses.

SilverDragonfly1 · 14/06/2020 11:13

Gloves are to protect you, masks are to protect others. There still seem to be a lot of people who haven't understood either of those (hence 'omg, someone in gloves was touching lots of things' posts- that doesn't matter as long as you are also using gloves).

ImFreeToDoWhatIWant · 14/06/2020 11:16

Both gloves and masks are absolutely meaningless unless everyone uses them. And at 12 weeks in to lockdown, even more so.

Fluffiest · 14/06/2020 11:20

Yes, I think most people do understand that but I understand why people aren't wearing them.

At some point in your life you may be carrying the coronavirus for a 2 weeks and not show symptoms. Wearing the mask would prevent others catching it from you.

But you dont know when that two weeks is going to fall or indeed whether it's already been and gone, or maybe you will never catch it.

How long should people wear a mask for? 6 weeks, 6 months, years or forever?

Mollymalone123 · 14/06/2020 11:24

It is infuriating! Several of my local fb posts about this- I have politely tried to explain- the worst one was so arrogant- she works in the nhs apparently- she couldn’t understand the difference between her Ppe and the general public being asked to wear a mask or just some sort of face covering - I gave up in the end

BogRollBOGOF · 14/06/2020 11:25

I haven't been anywhere/ close enough to other people anywhere in months in order to have the virus to pass on. Therefore wearing a mask in a well ventilated/ distanced space is just an uncomfortable exercise in virtue signalling, and a complete waste of time if I'm fidgeting around with it or wearing it badly and getting my non-germs on my hands anyway.

Gloves tend to be more harm than good as people feel protected and wash/ sanitise their hands less than when they leave them bare. Most people are not trained in putting on and removing without contamination, and once you've done something like touch your face, it's a waste of time and plastics anyway. Throughout, I've had sanitiser in my bag and applied on entry to a supermarket, on exit, and a handwash on getting home.

So no, I'm not using PPE unless I'm in a high risk, poorly ventilated environment where distancing is not required, and that's not my agenda anyway.

Montsti · 14/06/2020 11:34

I’m abroad and we have to wear masks in public (Including children) and are refused entry to a shop without a mask...

People know that it is to protect others, particularly the most vulnerable. We don’t have great online shopping so many elderly people have no choice than to go to supermarkets...obviously there are always selfish people but they are in the minority.

I was astonished by the amount of selfish people on Mumsnet yesterday...”I don’t wear one because I don’t want to..”. How incredibly selfish!

There also seem to be a huge amount of people on here who are suddenly suffering from claustrophobia....

Yes it’s not ideal wearing a mask every time I go for a walk with the dog or do a food shop but it is what it is. My children have to wear one for the entire school day (back last week). My 5 year old wears one - you need to find one that is as comfortable as possible and get on with it.

chrislilleyswig · 14/06/2020 11:41

I think people still don't get it

Teachers unions calling for "full PPE". What for? Why would a teacher be protected by wearing masks and gloves.

TW2013 · 14/06/2020 11:42

I think that the low uptake is because people understand that it protects others not themselves. If they thought it would protect themselves they would be more willing to wear them. People are selfish also they feel that they feel well and unlikely to be passing on the virus so they can't pass it on. If they thought that the masks would protect them and that there was a high likelihood of catching it then they would wear masks.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 14/06/2020 11:43

I don't know what you base that on? You'd have to be living under a rock not to know by now.

vanillandhoney · 14/06/2020 11:45

I think people understand it, but most people I see aren't wearing them properly, which renders them entirely pointless anyway.

Until they're compulsory for everyone, and are worn correctly by everyone, they don't really make a difference imo. 25% of the population (or whatever) wearing a mask, and 50% of those wearing them incorrectly, means they're not actually doing anything to protect anyone.

Ponoka7 · 14/06/2020 11:49

chrislilleyswig, some teachers want face guards. My DD works in MH and it's the only way vulnerable workers can get back to work.

Masks are pointless without goggles, because if the virus is about, it'll get in through your eyes. That's if it doesn't get in through the side gaps in your mask. I'm sick of explaining that.

It is being suggested for older people with breathing issues that they should consider face guards.

Social distancing is going to be dropped, business is pushing for it.

Ponoka7 · 14/06/2020 11:51

vanillandhoney, they will slightly contain a cough, people still aren't covering their cough and over winter there'll be kick offs in shops.

It's not just about containing the virus.

vanillandhoney · 14/06/2020 12:05

@Ponoka7

vanillandhoney, they will slightly contain a cough, people still aren't covering their cough and over winter there'll be kick offs in shops.

It's not just about containing the virus.

Yes, but again, only if they're worn properly. I had a delivery driver the other day who had his slung under his chin - so it provided no protection whatsoever - he may as well not have bothered. If he'd coughed, it would have gone all over me and the parcel he was holding!

People wearing them incorrectly aren't actually doing anything beneficial.

Catastrofuck · 14/06/2020 12:10

I live in a way and in a place where you would have to work quite hard to get within 2m if someone else, even within shops as they don’t get that much footfall. So you would be making yourself uncomfortable for absolutely no purpose. If they mandate it I’ll wear one as I’m fortunate enough not to have any conditions that make it difficult for me, but no one here needs one according to the guidelines. And I don’t need other people to wear masks to show how much they respect me and my health either.

megletthesecond · 14/06/2020 12:12

Yanbu. I'm wearing one to collect my shopping in the fresh air. It's a basic courtesy and the more who do it the better.

hayfeverhellish · 14/06/2020 12:19

I really wish there would be a proper public health campaign about how to use masks and gloves. The sheer volume of people who pull them down to talk to other people is mind blowing. Or hang them off one ear or wear them under their nose, or touch them constantly etc.

nointernet · 14/06/2020 12:22

Masks are pointless without goggles, because if the virus is about, it'll get in through your eyes. That's if it doesn't get in through the side gaps in your mask. I'm sick of explaining that.

But you are explaining it arse about face. Masks are worn to prevent the virus getting out, not in, so there is a point without goggles. I doubt many people exude the virus from their eyes. Not without physical contact anyway.

DominaShantotto · 14/06/2020 12:31

AIBU to start yet another thread stating exactly the same point trying to bully people into wearing masks to protect me because I'm a delicate little snowflake?

I thought they were to prop up people's post lockdown double chins to be honest - they work nicely to hide and support those in a little hammocky arrangement, possibly with a couple of pina coladas for the chins to recline in as well.

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