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?

There is a video on how to wear the paper masks properly. A lot of people are wearing them wrong . You should twist and fold the side parts.

Look up the images-of virustatic shield . They are much more comfortable And even if you don’t buy that brand as expensive something in that style might feel better.

@Quarantimespringclean

Incidentally I am deaf. I wear hearing aids and also rely on lip reading, so find people wearing masks very hard to hear which had lead to some misunderstandings on the few occasions I have left the house recently. I find it perfectly possible to wear my aids and a pair of sunglasses and a mask (my sticky out ears are finally useful!) and my temporarily limited hearing is a small price to pay for limiting the spread of this virus.

I also wear hearing aids and lipread. And wear glasses too and I completely agree. I find it so petty when I hear people and their 'wah wah wah I don't wanna wear a mask, I'm not a sheep' nonsense. I'm not talking about those who can't, I mean those who just won't. God forbid they might be a bit put out to possibly help stop the spread of a virus that has so far killed or contributed to the death of over 45,000 in this country.

Though of course, it's all just a bit of flu isn't it ...

You might feel like we've had enough but with less than 10 % of people having not caught it yet there's a long way to go before things get back to normal , especially if it is found covid can be caught again like some other coronoviruses. Let's hope not.

However disruptive it feels now people have lost loved ones their health or their jobs. Wearing a mask is not so much to ask to spare others from similar suffering. Some people may well go out less as masks make them uncomfortable but it is a sensible precaution as we move into autumn and winter.

Itisbetter why not? I had lunch in a pub last week and we were sitting at least 2 metres away from the nearest table. I've been in 2 pubs since lockdown and both have been table service only and I've had to give my name and phone number on entering. I didn't see anyone drunk and not social distancing, I just saw people eating and drinking with family or friends and having a nice time. And saving jobs and helping the economy recover, which is essential for saving lives.

I hope they will be compulsory in schools in September.

Adults working in schools have as much right to protection as retail workers.

Another selfish whiny person who doesn't give a shit about shop workers

@justinhawkinsnavalfluff

Another selfish whiny person who doesn't give a shit about shop workers

Precisely. They're everywhere.

@Crystal1975

I sort of agree but I think it is because in pubs you are supposed to be sitting apart at tables and social distancing where as in shops it seems this is nearly impossible . You are walking about and browsing and zig zagging . If we all wore face coverings then the risk would be greatly reduced .

I think also the science is still evolving and they are realising that viral airborne load is more of a problem than we were first advised . Don’t forget there is a huge amount of research still going on in the uk ( thank goodness) and of course advice will change as we go along .

Especially as we approach winter .

The government should have insisted on them indoors from the beginning, or, if they were in too short supply, been frank about that.
They have messed people around a lot.
Now, they should put their hands up and say their advice was wrong (though perhaps well intended to avoid a run on mask leaving to shortages in care homes/hospitals etc).

The countries which insisted on them from the get go are now getting back to normality. China, for example has been mask free for more than a month - people totally back to normality and enjoying shopping and eating out in complete normality (save for the few days spike in Beijing, which was also quickly contained).

@SusieOwl4 looking at that virustatic shield thing there. It actually looks a lot more claustrophobic than a mask. Have you used it and is it lighter?

It’s not too expensive at £20 for something that can be used hundreds of times.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

I hope they will be compulsory in schools in September.

Adults working in schools have as much right to protection as retail workers.

They won't @DomDoesWotHeWants

I've been shielding since March but will go back to work in September unable to do all the things I've been told I should be doing. Social distance - nope, not in a school. Work from home where possible - that won't be possible come September. Meet in groups of 6 outdoors - umm ... can't do that in school. I'm buggered basically.

Practice wearing one at home for short periods of time or try a bandana type thing which might be less claustrophobic. I found it weird at first but you get used to it.

I think to care about humanity and doing our civic duty come before our own comfort and convenience. A small price to pay.

Look up the images of virustatic shield
Suzie thanks for alerting us to this, I've never heard of it but if it's as effective as it claims then I would buy one and make several face masks out of it!

@crosseyedMary

I needed a mask as I have to car share and found that many other styles made my glasses steam up . Not ideal . But this one was ok . And feels better round the nose area . Not tight but more secure .

www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/scientists-develop-snood-germ-trap-17963710
According to this it's very thin, easy to breathe through and it kills viruses?

@Thewindofmysoul I didn't realise those visors were for sale! I'll try that definitely, the mask covering my face tightly is what triggers my flashbacks and I have to restrain myself from clawing at my face and neck - a visor with a bit more give wouldn't do that.

Thank you!

@Thewindofmysoul

I think everyone is different to be honest so I would not like to comment. I get on with it fine because I feel it’s more secure but it might not suit everyone .

I also bought a washable Mask from a company called lush . I personally did not get on with it . My sister thinks they are great and much better than the paper ones .

Everyone to their own .

I was dead against the idea of wearing a mask back at the beginning of all this. As a glasses wearer I face the choice between steamed up glasses or fumbling around glassesless. However, given we are now in July and there is still no end in sight in this country, I have come round to the idea. If it brings an end to this utter nightmare sooner rather than later I am prepared to go along with it.

Just one gripe though. Why oh why do shops not all have a prominent display of masks right by the entrance? Admittedly I have only been in supermarkets and smaller food shops for the last few months, but if people are to be expected to wear masks in these places it needs to be easier to find them. We got our reusable ones in Aldi. I only found out Aldi sold them from social media (or possibly MN, can't remember) and we spent ages wandering around the store looking for them, which can't have been very conducive to social distancing.

I'm in Scotland where it's already compulsory to wear one. My ds has asd too so dosnt wear one and I've never been asked why.

Blimey just wear one ... we will never be out of this otherwise 🙄

I'm afraid YABU, yes. There is evidence they slow the spread. The relatively small inconvenience for you (for us all) is worth the reduction in risk. Never mind that they didn't ask us to at the beginning - there was a shortage at the time and we were locked down anyway - it's important now that we are barely locked down and life has to get back to normal.

I have only read your posts OP as such a long thread. I appreciate that you have been someone who has really carefully followed the guidance and protected others, and I don't think you come across as selfish at all.

I don't know enough about the science to know if masks are really key or not, but unfortunately in general with this virus it is not so much about what we have been through or how we feel as it is about what just needs to be done. It's a bastard, no doubt.

I think for the moment, and things might change, you have three options. One, go into shops without a mask and explain if asked about your anxieties with them. Two, avoid places where a mask is required.
Three, try to get used to some sort of face covering...there are so many different kinds and even just with masks different types feel very different. I think three is probably best, and I really think you can do it.
I am trying to help my DM do the same, not easy but I am hopeful.

I do not blame you at all for feeling frustrated and resentful and at the end of your tether, it's ok to have a rant! I just hope that ultimately you can find a practical solution to make things a little easier.

What type are you wearing? I find the disposable surgical style, usually blue one side and white the other, vary in how much breathing room you sense depending on how you bend the nose wire. But they also ride up on me and get over my eyes. I find fabric ones better for that, I have one shaped with a central seam that doesn't ride up at all, and has adjustable ear loops for fit. I can pm you a link if you want. Alternatively a scarf around your face or something like a seasalt handyband might feel better.

Not sure as haven’t RTFT but you can just wear a bandana or something like that so not a proper tight mask but loosely covering your mouth and nose, I understand you don’t want to but it’s not really about we’ve been through enough, it’s about what we will go through again if we don’t all step up and work together. I work in a job that I have to wear a mask all day and it is uncomfortable but I’m doing it to protect myself and others around me. We don’t always do things we like but do it for the greater good

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

I've loved being able to eat out the past couple of weeks, it's been glorious. And very safe. Tables are well apart.