Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Face masks. To feel that we have all been through enough....

999 replies

NiknicK · 14/07/2020 04:40

And shouldn’t have to wear face masks if we don’t want to. I know it’s not officially been confirmed yet, but it’s expected to be today, and I don’t get it. If face masks truly help prevent the spreading of the virus, then why on earth wasn’t it made compulsory at the beginning of this pandemic, why now? I know you’ll all likely call me selfish but I can’t do it. I have to wear a mask for ten minutes once or twice month to collect mine and dh’s medication and I find it unbearable even for that small amount of time. They make my face itch and make me want to touch my face more, I can’t breathe properly and get panicky, they slide up as they’re too big for my face and hit my eye lids. My ds is autistic and I suspect I have some traits eg sensory issues, and the thought of having to wear these masks when I find shopping stressful enough as it is, fills me with dread. AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
kazzer2867 · 14/07/2020 05:45

I know we all have a duty of care and that’s why I wouldn’t dream of going out if I had symptoms. Now before anyone informs me that you can be a symptomatic, i feel really poorly when I have a simple cold, so I’m sure if I had coronavirus I’d know about it and I’d stay at home.

Not true. You can be a asymptomatic carrier and not display any symptoms. Haven't you read about the asymptomatic carrier in China who had no symptoms and from a single trip on an elevator infected 71 people. There are also many cases of asymptomatic carriers in the USA (yep, the ones screaming about the constitutional rights not to wear masks) who display no symptoms and are infecting family members.

Bluetrews25 · 14/07/2020 05:46

For those who feel the mask is too big, or moves around too much and into your eyes, try crossing the loop before putting it around your ears, and give the nose bar a good pinch so it fits.
You do get used to them, hardly notice I have mine on during my 10 hour working day.

ZombieFan · 14/07/2020 05:46

If you dont want to wear a mask you dont have to, just stay at home. Hopefully the police will be enforcing this law properly.

Iloveyoutothefridgeandback · 14/07/2020 05:48

Initial research suggested that PPE wasn't very useful in stopping the spread. We have a lot more information now and can confidently say that PPE does reduce transmission.

There was also a huge shortage of PPE at the start of the pandemic so it was being reserved for frontline doctors and nurses. This is no longer the case. There is enough PPE to go around.

The fact is, wearing a mask doesn't do much in stopping you from contracting the virus from others. However, it is very effective at stopping others from contracting the virus from you. So it isn't one of those things where you can say "I'm happy to take the risk" because when you don't wear a mask it isn't your own health you're risking, but the health of others around you.

AlternativePerspective · 14/07/2020 05:48

Well then you have a choice don’t you? You either do as you’re told and wear a mask, or you do as you’re told and if you don’t want to wear one then you stay home.

Decisions decisions..... mmm

As for “I’m sure I would know if I had coronavirus,” bullshit. Or do you think that the figures ended up where they are because everyone knew they had it and just merrily went about their day anyway?

onlywomennotmen · 14/07/2020 05:49

Unfortunately we haven't "all been through enough" and may well have a lethal second wave.

It may be uncomfortable but you have the ability and responsibility to find one you can tolerate and wear it. Or just don't go out.

Please don't risk lethally infecting others.

Original poster
NiknicK · 14/07/2020 05:49

I have to go to different shops to buy certain brands of food as my autistic son will only eat certain foods so this will be a nightmare. Sorry if no one understands that and just feels I’m being selfish.

OP posts:
Isthisfinallyit · 14/07/2020 05:51

Why are there so many whiny selfish people in the UK? Ooooh but I don't wanna, I've been through enough, it's uncomfortable waaaaaah. While people are actually suffocating and dying. How is you being uncomfortable for a few minutes so bad if it saves lives? I do think it's beyond selfish if your comfort is more important than someone else surviving, how on earth can you not see it as selfish?

ShirleyPhallus · 14/07/2020 05:52

@Madvixen

If you don't want to wear a mask you don't have to. The consequence will be that you can't go to the shops or access public transport.
Exactly this. Don’t go out and spread your potential germs around, you’re not above the law of the possibility of contracting and spreading CV asymptotically
Original poster
NiknicK · 14/07/2020 05:52

You may have not been through enough and struggled throughout this pandemic but lots of other people have including myself. Won’t bore you with the details, no one would care anyway, but it’s been tough.

OP posts:
Isthisfinallyit · 14/07/2020 05:53

You do realise that you actually get to go outside? Some people are shielding, they can't go to different shops to get what they want but will just have to make do. Maybe try and look at the vulnerable people who depend on people like you complying and seeing that so many don't give a fuck about their lives.

Limpshade · 14/07/2020 05:54

OP I understand the need to shop out - I have an autistic daughter who will only eat certain foods and on bad weeks when the food supply here isn't great, I have to do several shops too - but the fact is you're going to have a wear a mask for that. It really is that simple.

AlternativePerspective · 14/07/2020 05:54

If you dont want to wear a mask you dont have to, just stay at home. Hopefully the police will be enforcing this law properly. My DP came to see me yesterday and came by train. He said that the train manager was incredibly assertive in telling people to wear masks did ask if they were exempt and when told no he stated that they needed to wear a mask at all times...

And DP didn’t even come into my house.. Have been shielding and I’m not letting anyone in yet. We socially distanced in my back garden....

It’s because of people like the OP who feel they should be allowed to infect anyone because of their refusal to wear masks that many of the shielded won’t feel comfortable being able to go out even when shielding is paused in August. I know I won’t be going anywhere any time soon...

jessstan2 · 14/07/2020 05:55

You don't have to be in a mask all the time, only when you go out. I don't see a problem with that. If I had to wear one 24/7 it would be impossible because they are so hot but travelling to and from somewhere, going to a shop, I can put up with. If it helps prevent a second wave that is a small thing to ask.

I do agree all the 'advice' we've been given throughout this pandemic has been confusing and contradictory. We have to use our own common sense.

Isthisfinallyit · 14/07/2020 05:55

Honey, I'm very vulnerable, I'm in a worse position than you. I haven't been in a shop since february. So no, you're not getting my empathy here.

Spermysextowel · 14/07/2020 05:55

Since your husband doesn’t mind wearing a mask & is happy to do the shopping, then just don’t go to the shops.

Spinakker · 14/07/2020 05:55

You'll have to let your dh do the shopping then. It's not easy for anyone to wear a mask but it is possible, you can still breathe wearing one. I'm planning on doing less shopping trips now this will be mandatory. Just do a once a week shop with a list so I'm as quick as possible. Everyones going to have to find what works for them. If people in other countries can do it we can do it here. We just aren't used to it.

Original poster
NiknicK · 14/07/2020 05:55

FWIW I’ve kept my shit together throughout this pandemic, and despite feeling like my mental health has gone downhill slightly and feeling the strain of having my dc at home 24/7 trying to care for my autistic son etc, I haven’t vented to a single family member or moaned, until now granted, I’ve just kept on going. So no, I’m not usually “whiny”

OP posts:
EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 14/07/2020 05:56

It’s irrelevant that because you get really poorly when you have a cold if you are asymptomatic you don’t have any symptoms or it’s before you have symptoms you can still spread the virus

It’s been advised for sometime that face coverings can help prevent the spread of covid

Why our government constantly throughout the pandemic has been terribly slow in making crucial decisions I just don’t know I don’t understand the reasoning but it hasn’t benefited anyone

No one likes wearing a mask or face covering and most people want to get back to some sort of normality in their life so to do this there needs to be as much prevention as possible as it’s still around

amylou8 · 14/07/2020 05:56

Nik I agree with you completely. The governments handling of this pandemic will be the biggest scandal in history. They are systematically killing far more people than any virus through sheer incompetence. I will not stop anyone wearing a mask. If you don't like the fact that I am not then please feel free to avoid me...rest assured I will not be chasing you round the shop breathing on you.

SparklingLime · 14/07/2020 05:56

“ I know we all have a duty of care and that’s why I wouldn’t dream of going out if I had symptoms. Now before anyone informs me that you can be a symptomatic, i feel really poorly when I have a simple cold, so I’m sure if I had coronavirus I’d know about it and I’d stay at home.”

Dear god. This sort of ‘l know better than the medics’ and ‘I’m special’ thinking is so dangerous.

FoolsAssassin · 14/07/2020 05:58

I’d rather now wear one and only have once as only time needed to. I figure if my 1 year old niece can cope I can suck it up and will just have to practice.

As your DH doesn’t mind wearing them you are sorted for shopping so one problem off the list.

It’s unprecedented times and just how it is. Its ok to feel sad about what has happened but a case of accepting it’s all been shit (understatement) and getting on with it. If you don’t want to wear a mask it’s a matter of finding ways around going into shops.

Shame it didn’t work as a voluntary thing as harder now for those who can’t cope but it is what it is.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 14/07/2020 05:58

I do agree. I loathe them. As a a result I have stopped shopping. I think many people will which will bugger the high street. But I hate wearing one as it steaks my glasses up and I can’t see. Children in Scotland over five have to wear them too and my youngest said she she felt frightened and kept touching her face. Utterly pointless and probably dangerous for kids. Welcome to the world of the deluded Ms sturgeon

Isthisfinallyit · 14/07/2020 05:58

FWIW I’ve kept my shit together throughout this pandemic, and despite feeling like my mental health has gone downhill slightly and feeling the strain of having my dc at home 24/7 trying to care for my autistic son etc, I haven’t vented to a single family member or moaned, until now granted, I’ve just kept on going. So no, I’m not usually “whiny”

Everybodys mental health has gone downhill and everyone with children is feeling the strain. People are actually dying, do you realise that? Can you comprehend how much worse that is?

Vivana · 14/07/2020 05:58

Great now I have to wear a mask at work as I work in a supermarket which will be unbearable for 10 plus hour shifts. I've worked right through this and been fine. It's no use now to wear one and should be left upto the individual.