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?

Sorry not read all posts but read all of OPs. Here is my two pennorth.
First, I wonder if a clear visor (worn over the face with a headband) counts as a mask? They are lovely to wear and you could try to get away with it then put on a mask if you're barred entrance. Can be bought cheaply online. Or you could make a nice homemade silk one.
I think the MH issue and emotional pain of this going on and on is real for a lot of people, many believed that if they obeyed govt edicts and were "good", some sort of invisible higher power would take away the fear and hardship after a fixed amount of time. But we have got to the stage with the pandemic that there is no clear view of what is coming around the corner any more, and no concept that anyone will save us. Hence it makes sense to take every precaution we can for the sake of ourselves and the herd. I was lucky in one way, felt the govt was eternally behind the curve from the start, was totally useless at protecting us, and is not getting any better, so always applied higher strictures than they do. Hence I've been wearing masks since March. It's a pain, but it's safer, that's the bottom line like wearing a seatbelt despite feeling restrained by them, or not speeding on an empty road. Oh and online shopping that's got so much easier now, as certainly in London supermarkets are no longer limiting their deliveries to just shielders. I get two a week with no vulnerability. And you can get specialist food online too. And finally ASD -- I have ASD children. Yes they don't like change but yes it is our parental duty to explain and micromanage behavioural change when it is necessary for their safety. An ASD diagnosis is not a get out of jail free card! It's a go back three spaces and do not pass go card unfortunately for us parents. But we are the ones throwing the dice, not the kids.

You have't got this have you? If you don't like a facemask I doubt you will like a ventalator either. Thats the reality. This is to help prevent it.

Have you kept up with the news on this? It doesn't seem so. They are to help prevent a major second wave.

They are expecting a second wave this winter. Masks are to help keep the no's down. Other countries have gone back into area lockdowns. This virus hasn't disappeared. Its highly contagious.

The only thing i agree with you on is this should have been done much earlier. As usual this government lags us behind in everything

If you have a genuine proveable condition of which you will need to carry proof with you and get an exemption certificate then you won't have to wear one

The conditions will be around COPD, Asthma and the likely. I would suspect such conditions as autism will be exempt. You need to do some checking up and get the correct paperwork.

This is only for people 11 and older. Under 11s are not affected by this

It’s tyranny and control and symbol that we keep our mouths shut. I honestly think they do more harm than good when it comes to locking in germs. Bull

If you don't like a facemask I doubt you will like a ventalator either

Au contraire, I feel you haven't quite got this?

It's a tyranny and control that they are also subjecting themselves and their own families to. Its not like they are exempting themselves!

And just because you believe something, doesn't necessarily make it true. I'll take my guidance from the scientists, who seem to think it will help reduce infection.

What should you rather, we ease lockdown and use masks to help, we stay in lockdown, or we just go back to normal and just hope things don't get worse? Or do you have a better option?

I actually agree with you op, and I truly believe the only reason they are advising this is so shops can drop the social distancing and pack in the consumers to try and boost the economy. Sadly, all it means for me is that I won't go shopping and spend like they want me to. I certainly dont find browsing shops wearing a mask enjoyable, don't feel that I want to expose my kids to a world of expressionless strangers and will continue to buy only essentials primarily online. So if others feel like me, it won't be kick-starting the spending like they hope.

Yeah - we are just following the science - which has been consistently wrong / misleading pretty much since the start of this fiasco.

@plumpynoo if you were allowed in shops without masks, would you be happy to expose your kids to a world of potentially infectious strangers instead?

Of COURSE they are making it law so that things can get back to some semblance of normality. That's exactly the point! I'm not sure why the anti-maskers think they have uncovered some kind of secret plot.

As someone who has had Covid I'd just like to make the point that wearing a mask is a lot more comfortable than the pain of not being able to breathe for 6 weeks and the pressure on my chest every time I lay down

I’ve stayed at home with my autistic daughter and a 5 year old with severe asthma. Like millions of others my mental health has suffered too. Family live in the U.S etc etc. I will obey the law and wear a mask even though I heat up, fell itchy and generally miserable when wearing one. I
OP.... you do sound whiny, it’s as if you’re the only one with problems.

The advice has been so conflicting.
Scientists and politicians have previously said, with great conviction, that unless you had one of those high grade medical ones, that masks weren't effective in controlling the virus.
Now with equal conviction they are all telling us the complete opposite.
I also can't see the logic in wearing a mask in a shop where you will be 1-2m away from someone for a few seconds, but are encouraged, with the £10 voucher scheme, to sit in a restaurant 1-2 metres away from other diners without a mask for a couple of hours.
Heard a minister say on the radio this morning that masks aren't effective in office environments!! So do masks have magical powers and only work in certain situations??
Masks are really unpleasant to wear, I think Boris is bowing to public opinion/hysteria because he wants to offset any possible criticism of how he has handled the pandemic.
The mayor of london has pushed hard for this and is probably primarily interested in kick starting the london economy and thinks mask wearing will encourage visitors, however in the wider country I think having to wear a mask will put people off shopping and they will be more likely to shop online.

Ah, so the scientists, in order to be believed, need to be clairvoyants, and able to see the information that they will be able to get in the future.

Or maybe they can only work with what they've got, which, with a brand new virus, takes a while to amass...

YABU it’s not about you, it’s about what you can do to help and protect others.

@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. .

Agree.....

Finding wearing a mask "uncomfortable" ? Well diddums.......we've been wearing the bloody things
since march & still are, firstly because it was (& still is) the law & secondly because it the right thing to do

I'm totally with you on this NikNick and I don't think it is selfish for people to question mask wearing as there is, as yet, no evidence that they are effective (if our chief medical officer is to be believed). I find it a bit worrying that people get so aggressive about this - it would be more helpful if we tried to understand each others' anxieties. Some people are frightened of catching Covid and others fear being controlled by the state or have breathing difficulties, or feel panicky about their face being covered etc. So can we all be a bit more tolerant about each others concerns! I also think it is important that we question some of the messages we are being given by the government and the mainstream media (they are so obviously contradictory ) so I think it is good that you have raised this issue - it isn't a black and white question and it deserves to be taken seriously.

I have had to wear mask & gowns & visors at work. They weren’t comfortable at first & those used in medical facilities are a lot tighter, but. Hit used fo them. I have a 8 year old DS with Autism & sensory issues. We did short bursts of daily practice with him at lockdown (with soft cloth masks) & he was able to get used to them. I understand they feel alien but it is the need of the hour same as lockdown was 3 months ago. If a lot of people say “I don’t like it, I won’t wear it” we are going to have rampant community spread again & we are going to be back to square one & if the second peak comes in winter we are probably looking at far worse mortality & morbidity.
Yes the Government messaging should have been better. I think the reason it was not mandated in the beginning was - 1) There was severe shortage for key workers & there was concern mandating public to wear masks would lead to panic buying & hoarding (it was already happening without mandating). The general public was protected by stay at home advise & advise to maintain 2m social distance when in shops & shops advised to regulate numbers, public transport almost shutting down.
2) There has been more evidence coming to light about the role of face coverings with public health point of view- and we are updating our advise based on new evidence
3) we can’t forever be in lockdown- as different households mingle & travel resumes we need rules to stop the virus from spreading quickie in the community we need to safely open up- part of safely opening up is using masks/face coverings.
You don’t have to wear masks if it touching yourself face is what you find hard to tolerate - you could try using visors which don’t touch your face & see if they are more comfortable for you, you could try a soft scarf to cover your nose & mouth.
I know it feels like we have done enough already, but we need to also ensure we are not back to square one again.

@NiknicK all I see on your comments is one excuse after the next.

I work in a hospital and we still have multiple wards full of Covid patients of all ages so allow me to impart some wisdom:

• no you wouldn't necessarily know if you had the virus just because you're susceptible to colds: we now screen staff weekly (in the last 4 weeks) many have had ZERO symptoms yet their antibody tests have come back positive so they've had it at some point and haven't had so much as a twitch. Your logic is flawed because you simply don't understand what you're dealing with or how this virus works. E.g we are now seeing increasing instances of "contained Covid" where patients are generally unwell (unusual symptoms) and when we screen them with a swab it comes back negative but it's showing up on chest x-rays.

• the public were not issued or instructed re: appropriate PPE from the get go because A) our government was slow to react B ) everyone was instructed to stay at home and the majority did C) there wasn't enough PPE to go around and as another person said, the last thing the NHS/healthcare services needed was the public draining their resources unnecessarily.

• practice wearing your mask at home and breathe through your nose not through your mouth. It takes practice, even I hate wearing masks and I wear them for 8hrs a day but outside of work I wear the cloth masks (£3.50 on Boohoo.com).

TBH I'm sick of seeing this whiny, self absorbed rubbish on here. Whatever you think you've had to put up in the last 3 months I can assure it is NOTHING compared to what myself and my colleagues have gone through.

Sometimes in life we have to do things we don't like for the greater good.... some of my colleagues (2) have DIED as a direct result of catching Covid from patients, one of whom was pregnant.

If you don't want to wear a mask, don't. But if you get sick and spread it around that's on you so just think about that and how you would feel if someone died because you're a carrier and you weren't aware.

I'm so tired of this god awful entitled attitude.

*but got used to them
Sorry lots of typos on the post from autocorrect- should have checked before posting- can’t seem to go back & edit now !

Of COURSE they are making it law so that things can get back to some semblance of normality. That's exactly the point! I'm not sure why the anti-maskers think they have uncovered some kind of secret plot.

This! Seriously...it's not a secret. Obviously they are making masks mandatory so we can get shops back open! Would anti-maskers rather another lockdown, is that really preferable??

Masks are uncomfortable. You're right. But guess what? It's not about your comfort level. It's about acting for the common good.

I don't know how to explain to you that you should care about other people.

I cant believe so many people are being so horrible to this woman and others on here who hate the bloody things,i agree with them.I live in an area which has one of lowest rates of cases and deaths in UK all through lockdown but hardly anyone wears a mask,but to
hear some on here you would imagine we should all be dead.Paranoia is the order of the day,the bloody virus has taken over everything.My oldest friend cant get a scan as they think her ovarian cancer has come back,she cant even get in privately as of course those hospitals been turned o ver to NHS.Is that right,perhaps you think all cancer sufferers should be allowed to die but its ok because hey ho we ve saved some from dying of corona virus,Many cancer sufferers if treated would live,or does that not bother. you Millions will be unemployed,more in my opinion because of this stupid mask wearing in shops.They are horrible,i agree with lady who cant cover her nose,i feel same,is it ok not to breathe properly then,id prefer to, and im sorry if im being selfish but my own health means more to me than a total strangers.Perhaps if some of the people who have been seriously ill with this virus had been less obese as many were,including the fool governing us,they might not have got it so badly.

This virus has already cause millions to be unemployed and as i said i think mask wearing will mean less people shopping on high street, ,shops are half empty now,more assistants than people in Debenhams today. i love mooching round shops,but i will not want to masked with everyone else same in a hot environment,it wont be a pleasure it will be horrible.Shops apart from Supermarkets have very few customers now,social distancing is a doddle,well in my city it is.People like nomally very social friends of mine are becoming recluses and wont leave house except to supermarket,i cant see them shopping,they are paranoid now.Here wearing masks on buses has meant no extra customers,the opposite id say.

Masks at beggining of lockdown might have helped,sure they would hospital staff,and yes now im fine wearing one there,thats understandable.But in shops with hardly any customers there seems no point.The whole idea of compulsory mask wearing is to take peoples minds off the total mess the government made of virus situation,the Russian report and the disaster that is Brexit.This shower care little for people of UK,just their image.I dont believe anything a pathological liar like Johnson says.

@NiknicK

Well said, and thank you. Far more eloquently (and politely) than I would managed.

Well said @JFM27, however someone will be along soon to say but don't you care about other people, or worse, you are a murderer! or some other shite.

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?

Be case the government missed the boat on everything. We had no PPE for our frontline workers so to enforce a mass surge or mask purchase for those who didn't need it, would be negligent.

To those who want our economy to recover quicker.....wear a mask
To those who want things back to normal ASAP....wear a mask
To those who want to be a decent member of society .....wear a mask
To those who don't want to be selfish ...wear a mask

Anyone who can wear a mask should, unless you medically can't, not you don't like them,medically can't, everyone else should, no one likes them but we struggle on and do the right thing.

Shops should refuse entry to those who choose not to wear them, but it shouldn't come to that !!
Why do people need it to be law to behave in considerate manner and be a positive contributor to society.

@Thedogneedsawalk

I agree!!
@JSW642 It's your ignorance and denial to claim you don't know how to wear a mask - you cover your nose and mouth because any one alive is aware you breathe through your nose and mouth. Christ's sake. Stay indoors and let the responsible amongst us get on with life before you doorstep A&E feeling very unwell. I guess you know how to do that?