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?

It couldn’t be clearer from our infection and death rates and cautious approach that we are doing much better than England. Of course she can’t close the border but it doesn’t mean she’s wrong to try to be if the virus to the lowest possible level of infection to try and keep outbreaks manageable. Better than assuming there will be a second wave due to government recklessness.

Believe me, I know how it feels. I'm in a US state that has a similar Covid rate to Scotland, but we have people from the other states wanting to come here for their vacations.

I have been against masks from the start and this is wholly because of the health risk of improper use and I believed that improper use would out way any very small benefit. I still believe that. And the anecdotal evidence I have seen on here and myself backs that up. I also believe that social distancing and hygiene have played a greater part and that gives gave changes their stance to get economies up and running again. The CTC in the US being a notable first when fighting against Trump and his insistent focus on the economy and not locking down.
That said as an extremely vulnerable shielded person I am extremely grateful to those wearing masks correctly and preventing spread.

So if masks are to be made mandatory this inny opinion needs to be coupled with a massive and I mean really massive public education campaign on how to wear a mask correctly.
I firmly believe that wearing them incorrectly creates greater hazards .

I do have a few questions for mask wearers:
What do you do when you want to cough or sneeze?
What do you do when the mask gets very moist?
How do you clean yours?

@2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney

I have been against masks from the start and this is wholly because of the health risk of improper use and I believed that improper use would out way any very small benefit. I still believe that. And the anecdotal evidence I have seen on here and myself backs that up. I also believe that social distancing and hygiene have played a greater part and that gives gave changes their stance to get economies up and running again. The CTC in the US being a notable first when fighting against Trump and his insistent focus on the economy and not locking down. That said as an extremely vulnerable shielded person I am extremely grateful to those wearing masks correctly and preventing spread.

So if masks are to be made mandatory this inny opinion needs to be coupled with a massive and I mean really massive public education campaign on how to wear a mask correctly.
I firmly believe that wearing them incorrectly creates greater hazards .

I do have a few questions for mask wearers:
What do you do when you want to cough or sneeze?
What do you do when the mask gets very moist?
How do you clean yours?

They must be disgusting germ traps those masks. Probably doing more harm than good

They must be disgusting germ traps those masks. Probably doing more harm than good

Yes but catching your own disgusting germs not others ! It is when you touch And wipe your moist hand on something else that it then causes problems

I have been against masks from the start and this is wholly because of the health risk of improper use and I believed that improper use would out way any very small benefit. I still believe that.

I am sure English could learn how to wear masks. Hundreds of millions of others managed. I have faith in you!

Well here in Scotland there is no choice. I haven't been wearing one and I don't want to. However I will have to now.

This means that I will not be going to the shops very often and I might re start home deliveries. I feel like I can't breath.l when I wear one and my glasses steam up. My mum has bad asthma and she wore one yesterday at supermarket (they say U can be exempt under some medical conditions) she felt too paranoid not to wear it as she was scared someone might say something to her. She said every person had one on at supermarket. She had to leave the shop half way round and get some air. It's going to lose retailers even more business but I understand why they are doing it. It just seems crazy that at the height of the outbreak we didn't have to.

My brother also was refused entry to the bank and the petrol station on Friday when it became law here. He had forgotten his mask.

So if masks are to be made mandatory this inny opinion needs to be coupled with a massive and I mean really massive public education campaign on how to wear a mask correctly.

Agree, strongly.

I firmly believe that wearing them incorrectly creates greater hazards

Possibly, see above.

I do have a few questions for mask wearers:
What do you do when you want to cough or sneeze?

Not happened so far, but change mask as soon as possible. Put in bag, in my bag. Wash/gel hands. Put on new mask. Wash/gel hands again. Pretty much the same answer for if I’m wearing a surgical mask at work.

What do you do when the mask gets very moist?

Not had this problem yet, but see above.

How do you clean yours?

Wash with laundry detergent. They are treated as single use.

I am sure English could learn how to wear masks. Hundreds of millions of others managed. I have faith in you
You have more faith than me ! That is why I think we need a massive public information campaign .

What do you do when you want to cough or sneeze? What do you do when the mask gets very moist? How do you clean yours?

I haven't had to cough or sneeze in it yet, but I would hold a tissue and keep the mask on and place the tissue and my hand over the mask as well to try and double up on protection. Seen as though I only wear it when it's hard to keep 2m distance, it's not on for long at all. However I carry a spare in a sandwich bag in my handbag, so I would just either deal with it or swap it over. Fabric masks have an estimated 30 mins before they need to be changed as they are likely to be too damp to do much good. I either boil it or chuck it in with towels/bedding when I'm doing a hot wash. I make them myself though so I have quite a few and do them together. Most of the time I don't need a mask, only go to the shops once a week and don't wear it for walking etc, so perfectly managable.

I've coughed and sneezed with a mask on. It was fine.
If necessary, just replace it afterwards.
I wear washable masks, so it's fine.

Ideally, would do it to a tissue, but sometimes there is no warning.

@Lweji

I've coughed and sneezed with a mask on. It was fine. If necessary, just replace it afterwards. I wear washable masks, so it's fine.

Ideally, would do it to a tissue, but sometimes there is no warning.

May as well just wear a snotty tissue. Disgusting

How do you clean yours?
Wash with laundry detergent. They are treated as single use.

If you don't want to run washing machine, you can boil them as long as they are cotton. My family has their made (so does most of the country incl hospital staff during shortages). They all boil because it's more economical than run a machine.

Allergy, like hey fever, sufferers actually reported milder symptoms when wearing masks so that's another positive.

Fabric masks have an estimated 30 mins before they need to be changed as they are likely to be too damp to do much good.
Really depends on which type. Some last considerably longer so people need to consider whether they have single layer or double with pocket for filter.

It's been made law ins Scotland so we have no choice

I made masks for my entire family, 3 each all hand sewn (Thanks brownies and YouTube) They are washable and we wear them every time we go in a shop.

We take hand gel everywhere when out and wash our hands ASAP.

We spray all high traffic surfaces down.

We spray or wipe all incoming post/parcels.

I clean all my food shopping.

I've done this since the get go and I won't stop no matter how much the naysayers get their knickers in a twist.

People I know have died due to the virus and we also have a friend who's child has the PIMS illness linked to Covid.

Absolutely carry on doing what you think is best for you and your family

May as well just wear a snotty tissue. Disgusting

Not if you have dry coughs or sneezes due to allergies, rather than a cold.
It's not worse than breathing and talking with the mask for up to four hours.

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

Masks don't protect you. They protect other people - in the very unusual circumstance that you have Covid, don't know you have it, and cough on them,

Lots of people think it's a sledgehammer to crack a nut and the tiny potential benefit is massively outweighed by the inconvenience, discomfort and difficulty in communicating.

Most people don't wear them properly and are constantly pulling and adjusting them - because they are so uncomfortable.

Many mask wearers who are doing it when its not compulsory are doing it to virtual signal and show how amazingly caring they are.

Really depends on which type. Some last considerably longer so people need to consider whether they have single layer or double with pocket for filter.

Yeah, I go by 30 mins as I don't usually take longer than that in a shop, if I had to wear it for public transport for longer etc I'd look into it and make sure it was one that was alright for longer.

Many mask wearers who are doing it when its not compulsory are doing it to virtual signal and show how amazingly caring they are.

This is the kind of pathetic excuse that is the issue. No, it's a piece of fabric, for some it's problematic yes so don't wear one, for most its hardly any additional effort or inconvenience. Those who aren't worried about catching it are exactly those who should be wearing one, because they are likely to be asymptomatic if they do get it, hence why they aren't arsed.

Many mask wearers who are doing it when its not compulsory are doing it to virtual signal and show how amazingly caring they are.
Or they read news and guidance from countries where it has been handled better....

Lots of people think it's a sledgehammer to crack a nut and the tiny potential benefit is massively outweighed by the inconvenience, discomfort and difficulty in communicating.

Lockdown is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Masks are a finer tool.
People can't be tested every day and results are rarely immediate, so wearing a mask, with distancing and hand washing, can contribute significantly to lower the risk in the community.

People often wear them wrong, yes. But they can be a tool, at worst to remind people that there's a virus going around that we should try to avoid catching or spreading.

No, it's a piece of fabric, for some it's problematic yes so don't wear one

Unless you're in Scotland and have to go shopping.

I wear surgical masks or bought fabric masks that have been tested for breathability, length they can be worn and number of times they can be washed. My government has made sure there's certification for these masks, and I've had no problem wearing them for hours.

BTW, if you get foggy glasses, you need to wear your mask more snuggly around the nose.

Unless you're in Scotland and have to go shopping.

There are clear exemptions to that, so no, if you will cause you medical or mental issues or distress then don't wear one. If it won't, then you should. But people are selfish and won't anyway.

And why should you have to explain your mental distress or medical history to some randomer in the cheese aisle at Tesco when they hiss at you for not wearing a mask?

The whole thing is ridiculous. Just keep your distance from each other.

I haven’t and have to say I have historically seen it as a badge of anxiety (we are in a low Covid area, almost zero). But I agree it will be the way to give people confidence to go out so I’ve ordered some for all of us. The government’s messaging was too good, and I worry that if people stay home the economy will be in even more trouble.

Because we are in a global pandemic, sock. If it is that bad then have a delivery, someone else to get your shopping, or whatever- as the shielded have had to do. Other countries manage it okay, why are we so special?