To mask or not to mask

[coffeewithmilk]

This thread might have some divided opinions

I have been wearing a face covering whenever I go into a shop or enclosed space where I cannot social distance - for example: went to IKEA this morning and put my mask on. I'm really shocked at the amount of people not wearing one.
I would have thought with everything that has happened the last few months that people would be inclined to wear a mask, but it's almost like nothing has happened... and feel like I even get some strange looks when I am wearing one.

Just for context: I'm not in the UK. Currently in ROI.

Do people think they are superior and won't catch anything so they don't bother putting one on?

AIBU with this?

I’ll wear one inside (except at home) not just to protect myself but to reduce the spread if I do get it. I can’t see a problem wearing one, but my mum says she feels self conscious and one of my friends won’t wear one as she’s claustrophobic. I think they’re something new we just need to get used to, it does feel strange seeing someone in a mask. Kind of threatening?

I always wear a mask. Thank you for doing the same.

The UK is the number one country when it comes to people’s reluctance to wear masks, even above the US.

Personally I think they should be compulsory.

We need to get to the same kind of stage where the Far East is, where wearing masks is standard and not seen as different.

It's not occurred to me to wear a mask at the shops tbh. I clean the trolley and my hands, use shop and go so no one else touches my stuff but never thought to wear a mask. Just bought some for when we visit PILs in case we have to go inside with them.

Unless somewhere asks for masks I am not wearing one. If asked I would.

I do however always keep at least 2m away from people.

i have personally been on both a ventilator and oxygen and I am not keen to repeat either experience.

People who don’t wear masks are idiots, but will be among the first to complain when figures start to rise no doubt.

If is made compulsory to wear a mask outside, then I'll do it. I've only worn a mask three times so far- once on a train, once in the hairdressers and the other time was at church last weekend. I'll be wearing one again at church tomorrow. I'm not allowed to wear a mask at work (Primary school).

People who don’t wear masks are idiots

Well, thanks for your opinion but my regime remains the same. If I'm required to wear one, I do so (without having to be asked) and if I'm not, I don't.

I’m heavily pregnant & struggling to breathe at the best of times without a mask never mind with one. I would only be able to wear one if it was for a short period of time. I couldn’t face wandering around the shops in one or sitting in the pub/restaurant with one on

I mask anywhere I'm going indoors (apart from home), or where there might be lots of people.

I don't mask up for walking the dog, I'm blessed with instant access to rural lanes with no-one on them. If I had to use city streets/parks I'd mask.

Fuck all other people are though. I see max one other person a day, it's ridiculous.

The only place I've seen more than that was on a work drive through Bradford recently - well over half the people I saw were masked walking through the high streets in central town; none in the outer regions though.

Every time i leave my house

I wore one today because I was going into several shops in one trip. It took getting used to but was fine. I take it as helping protect the shop workers. Even if I wasnt wearing one I'd be social distancing and using sanitiser. Not everybody is bothered where I live unfortunately.

1. Masks prevent others, not the wearer and anyone with any CV related symptoms is being asked to isolate. People often cite Japan as a place where people wear masks to protect others. This is when they have symptoms of a cold, not all the time. At the moment nobody should be going to a crowded space when they are unwell.

2. Social distancing is still a thing. Everyone I know is practising it in some form.

3. Hand and tissue hygiene is way more effective than mask wearing, particularly bad mask wearing.

Therefore, I don’t really see the point in mask wearing in places where you are likely to be in close contact with people for less than 15 minutes. More than that and yep, fine.

I've just got over a very painful sinus infection. After three attempts at treatment by my GP I was referred to an ENT specialist. I asked my GP why he just couldn't take a swab and identify what was causing the infection. He told me that there is so much bacteria in your nostrils it wouldn't be possible to identify the cause.

The ENT doctor eased the symptoms but it took months to clear up completely.

For that reason I will resist wearing a mask unless it utterly necessary.

No you dont need to

I wear one when I shop as I think it's common sense to do so - helps prevent me passing anything on.

It annoys me that by wearing one I protect others but they don't give a crap about me. People have sacked off the 2m rule here too. I'm nearly 39 weeks pregnant, and someone gave me a funny look the other day because I stepped sideways so they didn't walk within a metre of me

It's not hard to wear a face mask, and I think quite few people have a genuine reason not to wear one.

I can't because I'm Autistic so it is a sensory nightmare. My PTSD also gives me flashbacks if I wear them.
However I am extremely careful with social distancing and sanitising and I work behind a screen so other people are protected from me. If I could wear a mask I would and my family do wear them. The only thing that worries me about the idea of making them compulsory is that this country doesn't have a great reputation for accommodating disabilities.

I was repeatedly sexually assaulted in an abusive relationship by having things put in and over my mouth so it triggers PTSD for me. I wear one when I have to but it's challenging. I am not keen to tell people why or be reminded of it constantly so I'll probably not go to the shops unless I really have to if it becomes compulsory. I'm running out of money anyway so it will kill two birds....

No, only if I have to, I wore one in the hairdressers today, put it on outside before I went in and took it off when I left. I haven't worn one anywhere else and only will if they become mandatory.

According to the ONS, THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE people haven't got CV19 for every ONE that has. In order to catch it I need to spend a period of time closer than 1m indoors being breathed on by that one person.

Not great odds if I want to try and catch it is it?

Ah well!

I genuinely am so taken aback at people’s reluctance to wear masks in enclosed spaces. Like others have said, you don’t wear a mask to protect yourself, you wear it to protect others. Its such a lack of respect to others not to wear it. You could be pre symptomatic and be spreading COVID. I understand a small and I mean tiny percentage of people may not for medical reasons wear one but that’s all the more reason why those of us that can, should. To protect the vulnerable. It’s not pleasant, but the drs and nurses who treat us wear one for hours on end, I think the rest of us can manage to wear one in the shops for 20 mins. I feel it’s a small price to pay to keep transmissions as low as possible, to keep people safe and to get the economy going again. Why wait for it to be compulsory. Be a responsible citizen and mask up.

I wear a mask inside shops. It’s not for my benefit. The masks reduce my risk of spreading germs to others. I do got the odd funny look but I don’t give a fig so it’s fine!

I have worn one whenever I'm in shops, including the supermarket for weeks. I'm in Scotland so it is now mandatory as of Friday and many more are wearing.

Part of the problem in the UK is it when the majority of people don't wear them others don't either as they don't want to appear weak/scared/in the minority/compliant or worse they think they know better/are invincible/don't give a shit about others. Obviously I am not referring to those with a disability and have genuinely tried to wear one.

Government should just do the same as they've done in other countries and make it mandatory whenever in public indoors, get people used to it before flu season.

Loads of people wearing them where I am it's become normal. I've never had a funny look. I'm not convinced of the benefits though and my hearing is totally fine but I struggle to understand people in a mask.