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?

YANBU I agree with you. The media (to sell a story) and the government have scared the living daylights out of people so to make them feel safer (they aren't safer) they have now made face mask wearing in shops mandatory so that the fearful will shop on the high street again. Teachers can't wear them, people in pubs, restaurants and gyms don't have to wear them...some people just do not think critically about why governments are doing things. I'm shopping online from now on....I'll go to pubs and cafes though.

@wanderings I completely agree.

It's been terrifying to see how easily it's been done too.

Wanderings

Well said.

A well @wanderings look on the bright side. All those face masks will really fuck up big brother's attempts to spy on us using face recognition software. So really they are a blow for freedom.

@Porcupineinwaiting. Hahaha. Yes indeed

Well said, @Wanderings (unfortunately).

*For anyone going to the peaceful gathering re masks and other issues the venue has been changed to Hyde Park , Sunday 19 th at 1pm

SPEAKERS CORNER FOR PEACEFUL GATHERING RE MASKS AND OTHER ISSUES

SUNDAY 19 July at 1 pm

Apparently police weren’t happy about Trafalgar Square.
If you’ve shared it please can you amend it

It’s all been rushed together before Parliament goes down for the summer and the mandatory mask law has been brought in

Please check in with Leah butler smith on fb for latest updates*

saw this and thought of you @wanderings

@Porcupineinwaiting It did occur to me about masks foiling facial recognition, and yes, there is the irony of this in France. Let's keep an eye out for headlines about "masked criminals". (Do masks have to be lowered for passport officials in airports?) In fact, I'm using it as an argument in the letter to my MP; that the masks can facilitate crime.

@Porcupineinwaiting

A well *@wanderings* look on the bright side. All those face masks will really fuck up big brother's attempts to spy on us using face recognition software. So really they are a blow for freedom.

Indeed! In Hong Kong, following the protests last year, the government tried to make it illegal to wear face masks in public, and were taken to court which declared the ban was unconstitutional.

Fast forward six months, and the HK government just passed a law making face masks mandatory in public transport.

I care about personal freedoms wanderings but this time I think you are completely wrong. As others have said, wearing face masks hides faces, it is NOT something the government would be requiring as a form of reducing freedoms fgs, or for anything other than on recommendation of scientists, many of whom have risked their lives speaking out in Asia to get people to take the virus seriously. Look at the countries which were stricter with enforcing the "loss" of freedoms - czech, france - all now opened up and normal - no loss of personal freedoms - and all with clusters, though that is a different thread.

This is not about the loss of freedoms.

For those who don't want to wear them because of discomfort, where we are it was required, and the first time was awkward but it became easy very quickly. It really isn't a big deal. It does protect - there are far fewer bugs being circulated generally.

@wanderings I totally and utterly agree. Far too many people expecting us to conform. We need more liberty! Fuck it! Personally I think it's a person infringement of my liberties as a UK citizen that I have to drive on the left hand side of the road. I know how to drive. I can avoid other people easily enough.

And I hate wearing pants. Why should I have to wear them? If people don't want to look at my genitals they don't have to look.

My god! Now I come to think of it I hate having to go to a private place to shit as well...

Jesus...its not hard is it
I wear a mask to protect you, and you wear a mask to protect me
If you are exempt don't wear one.
The tin foil hattery is doing my fucking head in

Bupkis

“The tin foil hattery is doing my fucking head in”

😂 succinct and to the point. Agreed.

Predictions are a dark art. But this is an example of why masks wearing is being brought in. It's not to inconvenience you. It's to stop people dying. Stop people needing dialysis. Stop people having damaged lungs. To save jobs.

But obvs it's all about you and stopping future protests

Sobering quote in the radio today. “If you don’t like wearing a mask, you really won’t enjoy a respirator”.

I worry about the erosion of liberties too. Write to your MP to express your concern and ask about safe guards.

Then wear the mask.

Caveat: unless there is a genuine reason why not. Or you socially distance well away from me and mine.

Oh what a load of old tosh....to stop people having damaged lungs? So why the start date in the future?

Please do some online CBT for your anxiety.

It’s a very simple and not unreasonable request for people to wear masks in shops.

Some mild humour!

The law is not yet published and not yet in force. When it is in force in my view it is likely for many people to be voluntary in shops due to exemptions so people can make their choice and act accordingly in the light of their own exemption status, views and views on risks of all kinds.

Thing is you’re unlikely to be challenged by shop staff. As for police. More than they have to do. Don’t blame them. Other shoppers may give you a hard time though.
I wore one today as a trial run. Had problem with it misting up glasses. Now realise fit mask first, then glasses on top. Worked fine. Hated wearing it. But if it has to be done....

Masks are supposed to be mandatory in Scotland already but my experience has been that some people - mainly in the 16 -20ish age group are just ignoring the ruling and nobody is prepared to challenge them. The shop staff don't want to take them on and the police are never in sight. What is the point of making laws if you are not prepared to enforce them?

What is the problem with masks? If you're worried about them, then practise for short periods at home before taking it when you go shopping. Try 3 to 5 minutes and build up to 10, 15, 30 minutes. How long does it take to go around the shop?

I have disposable masks, which are an environmental nightmare for disposal but are really light, I have pleated cotton masks, and some fabric ones in a more moulded shape that fit closer. The last ones are the hardest for talking, they fit closer to the lips, but none of them are any trouble to breathe through, even when it's hot. Hospital staff, nurses, surgeons manage for hours at a time, surely anyone can manage for an hour here or there. Practise, practise, calm down and remember, if you don't like it you sure as hell won't like a ventilator. You CAN breathe perfectly well with a mask on, and they're routinely worn outside the home in countries a lot hotter than the UK.

Hopefully wearing masks will slow the spread of covid and also other illnesses as well. As someone with a compromised immune system, I welcome this.

People need to get over themselves, at least this offers some protection to the poor shop workers who have been working while alot of the rest us have been at home.

Or if you can’t cope with wearing a mask, don’t go into a shop. What is there that can’t be ordered on line?

It’ll cut down on all the impulse buying and reduce pointless consumerism. Good for your pocket & the environment.