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

[NiknicK]

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?

If it helps, even a little, with the transmission rates then it's worth it. My daughter is below the age at the moment and has pretty severed asthma so is exempt although she can and is willing to wear them for short periods of time. My son is autistic and has severe sensory issues so is also exempt, we are working with him to get used to them as it's better that he does.

I struggle in them but know it's worth wearing them so will just have to get used to it. I'd hate to think I was asymptomatic and putting other lives at risk!

Hate the bloody things. I will not be able to go shopping at all when they're compulsory, meaning I'm taking up an online shopping slot and that I'll be cooped up indoors 24/7 again.

I'm really sorry to hear about why you can't wear a mask -but people like you and your situation are exactly the ones who should be getting the online shopping slots.

There is nothing at all stopping you going anywhere else except shops and public transport though - so even a turn around the block should be ok.

YANBU

yeah well Covid makes you dead.

Realistically most people will not die from Covid, but it seems likely that for some the long term health implications of a mild case will be significant.

Honestly OP you've worn a mask for 10 minutes once or twice a month and decided you can't do it?

Practice makes perfect. You'll get used to it just like most people will.

No faux anything @peasaregood.
Why so aggressive?

Is it difficult to explain why you don’t want your child wearing a mask in school?

I don’t think tens of thousands of people dying in the uk already IS a teeny tiny number of people.

OP, you are being ridiculous.
The reason we have not had to wear masks is because the government need to grow a couple.
South Asian countries, where the people wear masks without complaining, have the lowest death rates in the World.
We in the UK currently have the second highest death rate in the World.
If you don't want to wear a mask, then don't go out and put the rest of us at risk.

@2020iscancelled

Exactly . How do they think front line health people managed ?

I just saw a post of a holiday Facebook page where a mother was moaning her daughter who has asthma would have to wear a mask on the plane ? So you have a family member who is probably high risk going on holiday , where probably face coverings are already mandatory and you are moaning about the holiday company .

I just give up sometimes .

sorry, just shows you what?
I'm assuming your family member didn't drop dead after this contact with a diseased person?

they may be asymptomatic, you might be, your DH might get a mild dose but the ol' fella in the newspaper shop he passes it to might die, as might his equally old and shielding wife etc etc.

Everyone else will be fine
news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-warning-from-italy-effects-of-covid-19-could-be-worse-than-first-thought-12027348
The long-term effects of COVID-19, even on people who suffered a mild infection, could be far worse than was originally anticipated, according to researchers and doctors in northern Italy.
Psychosis, insomnia, kidney disease, spinal infections, strokes, chronic tiredness and mobility issues are being identified in former coronavirus patients in Lombardy, the worst-affected region in the country.
The doctors warn that some victims may never recover from the illness and that all age groups are vulnerable.

The lockdown was to get the virus under control, now we have to use mitigation/ measures to keep it under control

@peasaregood

Actually 4 members of my family have died from covid . And I had to arrange a joint funeral . So just do one.

@022828MAN seen your post on page 1 - look up buteyko breathing.
I have anxiety breathing issues like that and chronic hyperventilating - buteyko breathing has fixed it.

Ask for it to deleted @peasaregood I think you got carried away.

Count yourself lucky if the only fucking mask you’ll have to wear is a cloth one

Wear a mask & protect others & hope they do the same. For the love of little fish, stop behaving like a bratty pre teen.

You have the option of online shopping & a DH whi has said he will do the shopping.

You are in a much better position than many so please stop whinging & making out you're the worst off or have 'done more than anyone else, so you 'deserve' not to have to wear a mask'. It honestly is pathetic.

Most people are fed up of Covid
Most people want life before Covid back
Most people have other difficulties

You are special, you are unique, but you are no more special or unique than anyone else.

@ActuallyItsEugene have you tried out a shield? They give a bit more space around the mouth. Jfhsre not too expensive in my local chemist so could be worth trying.

I don’t know how to explain this properly but when I was in hospital there for an appointment and my glasses fell off the nurse said if you twist the loops just once and then put it over your ears it helps stop them falling off and it did work.

Look, I fully understand suffering from anxiety, claustrophobia, etc. (I have suffered from both and still suffer from extreme anxiety), but I'm sorry, I do not think that suffering from one of these is a valid reason to write off masks completely and refuse to even try wearing them. Masks are new, they are scary, they are uncomfortable. This is a common feeling for everyone as wearing them on a regular basis is something that our society has never had to do before. They are a new societal trigger. As anyone with anxiety will tell you, the World is (and will always be) full of triggers. This is a fact as society cannot stop for us and cannot accommodate every single trigger since there are different triggers for every anxious person. But masks are becoming necessary and they are a trigger that we need to do our absolute best to learn to try to cope with.

As an anxiety sufferer it has always triggered me when people invade my personal space. Living in London this happens on a regular basis. As a teenager I would have full blown panic attacks when someone on the bus would press their arm and leg against me and refuse to move it (usually a manspreader). It would drench me in sweat, cause me to shake and cry. This is because it is one of my triggers, but I cannot expect TFL to have a security guard on each bus ensuring no one is physically touching anyone else, I cannot expect them to create seat capsules on every bus to ensure I have my own bit of space. It is the same with masks; the evidence is showing that they will help keep us safe and protect the vulnerable, so even though wearing them makes me feel uncomfortable I will not expect society to just allow me to refuse to wear one under all circumstances. Also, seeing masses of people not wearing masks triggers anxiety and panic attacks in a lot of people!

This is the way our society will be for the foreseeable future and it is something that many people will have to come to terms with. It is estimated that one is six people suffer from anxiety. That is just anxiety, you then have autistic people, people with physical disabilities/ health conditions, people with PTSD, all of whom have reason not to wear face masks. Masks will only be an effective precaution if the vast majority of people wear them when out. I do not want to shame fellow anxiety sufferers, I really don't, but I don't think it's fair to expect that because it is a new trigger you should never have to try and practice coming to terms with it. Will you also refuse to wear one in hospital? I think because of how long this has been going on people are forgetting that we are still in the middle of a literal pandemic. During pandemics life is unfair (for most people probably) but that is simply the way it is. If you have anxiety about wearing masks I sincerely hope you will not just write them off completely. It is our responsibility to practice calming techniques to avoid panic attacks (as we would with any other trigger), practice wearing masks so that it becomes less alien and we learn how to breathe normally in them, and honestly yeah, don't go on unnecessary leisure shopping trips if you are not willing to wear one. If after that you still physically can't do it then I wont be judging you, but we do need to try

I've just been into town and spent less than 5 minutes in two shops. I wore my face covering in the shops and inbetween and took it off once I got out of the second shop to walk home. I'd say more than half the people were wearing masks, even though it's not compulsory yet.

@peasaregood

Are hope you are not being sarcastic because it’s true . I also my sons neighbour died within 72 hours of being in hospital . She was 44 with three teenage children and worked on customer service in a supermarket. So bully for you if you feel you are immune and know it all but just lay off the comments .

I’m slightly confused how we need to wear masks in a shop where you don’t actually spend any time near anyone, but you can go to a pub without one, get drunk and social distancing goes straight out of the window??!! All the rules are so contradictory all the time

The reason we all have all been through 'enough' is becuase people have not cooperated and the uk gov has been remarkably incompetent. We havent been trough enough - There is more coming. And its coming soon. The more people who act as you are acting, the worse it will be. We cant stamp our feet and wish it away. Wear the bloody mask.

Covid-19 is a horrible way to go. Its awful that our elderly are being subjected to it. And it looks like the nxt wave will affect younger people.

From the beginning of this crisis, posts like this have made me despair. There was an early one in particular that had 40 pages of people stating they would go on with their normal activities (and virtue signalling about it) and go to the theatre etc, even though other countries had already shut down and people were dying.

Some countries are doing worse than others. Uk and us are a horror show. And these are the countries that voted for donald trump, boris and brexit. For all the blitz spirit, there seems to be a complete lack of care for the vulnerable in these states. We are all interconnected. If you put your discomfort ahead of the safety of the vulnerable, covid19 will thrive in your community. If this happens, there ll be second lockdowns and more tragedy.

I dont like wearing the mask. I dont like having lost my job. But I try to be decent and think of others. And i want to see an end to this tragedy. So I WEAR A MASK.

@AlternativePerspective

The reason why people are being told what to do is because of people like you who think they should be able to do what they want, be exempt from this and allowed to go there and so on.

People are very quick to jump to accuse the government when figures rise when in actual fact those same people are flocking to the beaches while still wining that the kids should be off school, having all and sundry round for parties, bbq’s, to stay at their houses, refusing to wear masks and wining like spoilt brats when they’re told they need to.

In the beginning of this I said that if people just had more common sense and did as advised, then it would be longer before more draconian measures had to be introduced. But no, people have no common sense and don’t give two shits about anyone and still feel the NHS should help them if they become infected through their own stupidity and selfish attitudes.

The reason why the UK have one of the highest figures in Europe is because of the selfishness of its citizens.

Anyone who feels they shouldn’t have to wear a mask should spend a day wearing an actual oxygen mask and see how you feel about that. Oh, and you will be conscious for the duration unlike a ventilator. The mask will be hot, will steam up, and you won’t be able to take it off because you’ll be reliant on it to breathe.

Stop being so fucking selfish and get over yourself. .

I agree. If you get Covid, you'll have to wear a far worse type of mask and one you can't take off for hours and days on end because it is your only chance of survival. A mask that is sealed around your face and nose and mouth.

I genuinely don’t think anyone should be eating/drinking inside in pubs and restaurants.