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?

[quote coffeewithmilk]@copingnotcoping sorry I think I worded my initial play wrong - I'm trying to get across that an awful lot of people don't wear one (exempt those for medical reasons/personal reasons)
But for example a lot of younger people; teens/young adults that think they are invincible - walking around in large groups, not adhering to social distancing.
I even saw two people hugging in Ikea car park today.. went something like 'oh my god haven't seen you in ages hugs how are you!?'
Just grinds my gears

Under no circumstance did my post mean to 'get at' everyone not wearing a mask[/quote]
I didn't interpret it as you 'getting at' people not wearing a mask.

I think masks should be mandatory, although some people on public transport are not even listening to that, shows how little our government is respected

Maybe if they hadnt cut so many disabled peoples benefits people might have felt differently.

^ putting them back on again!

Maybe if they hadnt cut so many disabled peoples benefits people might have felt differently

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more on that aspect.

People should still be made to wear masks correctly when entering enclosed areas, shops and buses (unless they have medical issues restricting them to do so)On an individual level it's a social responsibility thing, not a government respect thing.

I laughed and shook my head but, blow me down, those people are here too

The video i saw was put up by a healthcare professional and member of BLM It was of a disabled man sitting on a bus with his crutches beside him not wearing a mask. She was shaming him for not wearing one. Her reaction to a disability blogger pointing out the equality issues was to block.

I'm sure most of by now have read about the American man who posted on Facebook that he wouldn't be wearing a mask. Got COVID and died 3 days later. How many people did he expose to COVID before dying? If you can wear the mask, wear it.

@EnthusiasmIsDisturbed

Oh ok then masks are mandatory for all except MaudesMum

But they’re not. It’s not just Maudesmum so don’t pick on her.

I am not wearing one. The government spent weeks telling us they were pointless and not to bother.

Now they want people to feel confident shopping and spending money on days out suddenly the science has changed and they do work.

Boris just wants us to feel confident that we won't catch it do we part with our pennies, even though they don't protect the wearer or others.

Please let's not allow it to become normal to wear a mask. I am against it. I wear one at work (clinical) and feel like I am gasping for breath with it on. I strongly believe we should have the right to breathe freely. Who am I saving by wearing a mask? I look after my health and my body, and I don't think I should have to wear a mask to protect those who don't, or who are elderly and therefore likely to die soon anyway. I realise my view is strong and may offend others, but it is how I feel. I want to live freely and without fear. I accept the risk of coronavirus affecting me, and I choose a not to be fearful and I choose to live freely.

If they become mandatory I'll wear one but until then, I don't feel the need. I see so many people fiddling with them, putting them under their chins, taking them in and off, lifting them off to chat to people. It's pointless.

Happy for people to wear masks if they like. But if you're one of the compulsive mask fiddlers (and to be honest I've never been out and seen someone just wearing it without constant fiddling/readjusting), don't think you're doing it for me, you're not. I hate to think what it does for contact transmission when people fiddle with their soggy masks and then touch other stuff.

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus yes, completely agree with every word.

@SecretSpAD

I can't wear a mask for two reasons - I'm asthmatic and any face coverings prevent me breathing properly and also during an attack by my ex fiancé years ago he tried to kill me by smothering and trying to strangle me.

Nit being able to wear a mask influenced my career choices so instead of becoming a surgeon I took the public health route, then decided that even that meant that I would occasionally need PPE - so I took on non clinical and policy/political roles instead.

If it is mandatory in shops then I'll have to stay at home or find an exemption card to carry. I cannot, will not, wear a mask.

There are a lot of people out there like me with justifiable reasons for our actions.

Wearing masks should be a bit like vaccination. Not everyone can have vaccines, and not everyone is a responder, but if enough people are vaccinated we get herd immunity.

If those of us who can wear masks do, we protect each other, and those of us who can’t, by minimising everyone’s exposure.

'am not wearing one. The government spent weeks telling us they were pointless and not to bother.'

Tbf they spent weeks telling us the evidence was limited but it was under constant review.

'I wear one at work (clinical) and feel like I am gasping for breath with it on. I strongly believe we should have the right to breathe freely. '

Oh stop being so dramatic, face masks do not hamper breathing, obviously. With respect if you feel you can't breathe I would suggest it is psychological and perhaps you could do some calming exercises.

They are to help the vulnerable, the elderly. People at risk of serious complications!! If it stops people becoming ill it is surely a small ask.

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus are you comparing 20 minutes or so wearing one around a supermarket to a shift at work? And what a selfish outlook, I don't mind catching it so why should I make a really small effort and help to protect others. Let's hope you were joking about working in healthcare, your empathy appears to be non existent.

Yes there are @SecretSpAD, which is why it should annoy you that people with zero issues besides nah I don't want to won't wear them.

I won’t wear one

66 million people in uk

5-600 per day get infection

99% fine

'besides nah I don't want to won't wear them.'

Imagine if NHS workers said the same, 12hr shifts in head to toe PPE. Sweating, with tight fitting masks and steamed up visors. Yet a few snowflakes can't cope with a bit of material over their faces to contain any droplets for 20mins in Primark. It's just too hard!

So... giving people a hug is the new "You murderer!" action.
Or it's at least as bad as not wearing a mask (says OP).

I don't know what OP's AIBU is. That she is in a high horse & is she entitled to dislike the choices that other people make? Knock yourself out if you enjoy feeling like that & talking about how you feel like that.

*I gave my friend a hug today. Zero regrets, too.

@daisymay133

I won’t wear one

66 million people in uk

5-600 per day get infection

99% fine

I agree with you. I won't wear one either

If it becomes mandatory (apart from a very small number of people with medical exemptions) you won’t get a choice. Other countries seem able to comply. Why is the UK special?

Who am I saving by wearing a mask? I look after my health and my body, and I don't think I should have to wear a mask to protect those who don't, or who are elderly and therefore likely to die soon anyway. I realise my view is strong and may offend others, but it is how I feel. I want to live freely and without fear. I accept the risk of coronavirus affecting me, and I choose a not to be fearful and I choose to live freely.

You're saving my sister. She's a paramedic and she gets called out regularly to people who are ill with things like Covid. The more Covid is out there, the more likely she is to catch it.

Most of her team have had Covid at this point - several of them have been very ill with it despite being mid-30s males.

I understand you don't give a shit about people like her, because she's not you, and you only care about you.

But she might be the person who picks you up one day when you've been hit by a car. So even from a purely selfish point of view, you might want to wear a mask so that she's around to do that if needed.

'I won’t wear one'

You will when it becomes mandatory. This week apparently. Nicola is very excited she thinks she's shown Boris the way.

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus

Please let's not allow it to become normal to wear a mask. I am against it. I wear one at work (clinical) and feel like I am gasping for breath with it on. I strongly believe we should have the right to breathe freely. Who am I saving by wearing a mask? I look after my health and my body, and I don't think I should have to wear a mask to protect those who don't, or who are elderly and therefore likely to die soon anyway. I realise my view is strong and may offend others, but it is how I feel. I want to live freely and without fear. I accept the risk of coronavirus affecting me, and I choose a not to be fearful and I choose to live freely.

I completely agree with you

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'I won’t wear one'

You will when it becomes mandatory. This week apparently. Nicola is very excited she thinks she's shown Boris the way.

I order online. Don't need to go in a shop. Don't use public transport. So. I won't be wearing one.