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?

I hate the fucking things but have to wear one all day at work. They make my glasses steam up and its horrible. But i dont have a choice, we all hate them and find ourselves pulling them down alot so im sure they do sweet fa.

Yes, it’s definitely the straw that has broke the camels back as it were @KatherineJaneway

So stay at home then.
Or do you not ‘like’ being told that either?

Honestly the great UK public are yhe biggest load of whiny babies. FFS it’s a fucking pandemic. Count yourself lucky the only fucking mask you’ll have to wear is a cloth one.

Plenty of people did not comply with the home restrictions in ww2, did not wear masks, didn't evacuate, didn't use bunkers

None of those things affected others. If you chose not to go into a bunker and a bomb dropped on your house, it was you who got killed. Completely different from wearing a mask to protect others.

I've been wearing a mask for shopping since the lockdown began. It gets easier as you get used to the mask.

It wasn't such a thing at the start of lockdown as people weren't out and about a lot in the beginning anyway. I hardly went out except for food every couple of weeks and some exercise down the deserted country lanes. And masks were needed for the NHS workers.

But now lockdown is easing, everyone is out and about much, much more. Social distancing is down to 1 metre some places, strangers are in each other's company much more...… It makes sense to introduce masks now. And they're easier to get hold of, lots more have been made and you can even get cheap batches of the paper ones in supermarkets.

Other countries wear masks without complaint, like China, Japan etc. Many European countries have introduced compulsory mask-wearing, Germany, France, Spain, Italy I believe....and Scotland. Everyone gets on with it....but no, in England everyone starts to grumble and complain.

I welcome the mask wearing. If you really have a problem you can get an exemption or just shop online. No-one says you have to wear a mask when out in the garden or in the countryside, just when shopping or on transport etc. It is a small thing to do to protect others and if they wear masks too, it protects you as well. I think it's the right thing to do....sadly we have to make it compulsory to get the majority of people wearing them, otherwise folk in this country just won't bother. Sad that so many complainers demonstrate such a lack of responsibility.

I know I’m coming across as selfish but aren’t we all completely fed up with this now?

Yes, we are all fed up. That’s why we don’t complain about wearing masks in shops.

And there’s no need for you to swear like that really is there!

I agree. I will avoid shops for the foreseeable.

How will it work in garden centers with restaurants or shops with cafes in? It's so backwards all of it.

I believe a virus can go in your eyes. I also believe these masks and coverings won't help as much as people think. they all come in different shapes and sizes. All made for different purposes. They are being made on places like Amazon but they cost a fortune. The reviews speak a thousand words on the quality and unreliability of them.

I personally won't be going in a shop now. My five year old would have to wear one and I just don't agree with it. She's at school in September and won't be wearing one..

Also don't get me started on pubs and restaurants. Swimming pools and gyms too.

It's annoying and it's going to put people off.

I wore one too a drs appointment. I have a high bridge nose and the stairs were steep. The mask made me nearly fall down the stairs. It was horrible. I couldn't see properly.

Not to mention kids having to see adults with masks on and no visible smiles. I dread to think how long it will go on for.

Fancy bringing it out in the middle of bluddy summer too when this virus has been about since the back end of winter. Absolutely ridiculous.

Roll on life getting normal again. I'm already anxious.

I don't think masks will work unless they are perfect sized and not some fad that's been made for eBay to make money!

YABVVU. It isn't about you, it's about protecting everyone else. Why wouldn't you want to do that?

Niknick I don't know what your problem is. You don't have to wear one. Just stay home. I've autistic children too. We have masked up our soft toys at home (they are teens ) and used these to demonstrate the circumstances under which we are living.
Masks aren't fun but I've been wearing one pretty much throughout. There was evidence from the beginning that they may help.
To begin with I couldn't work in one but I've got used to it now.

It's MN, people swear.

Honestly the great UK public are yhe biggest load of whiny babies

Yes, stiff upper lip - my arse.

I just cant understand some people's attitude to this - why on earth are you wearing a mask to walk your dog?! I understand the science and I will wear my mask properly if I'm in a situation where I'm closer than 2m to other people or at a checkout where people dont have perspex screens. But I've yet to encounter this. I've not been within 2m of other people since lockdown began since I live in a fairly quiet area of Scotland, with a large supermarket. I have no cause to be near others so no cause to wear mask in my opinion, except that is our law so I'll give a cursory nod to it by having it on but I'm not wearing it properly unless I'm in a situation where social distancing is impossible.

@NiknicK You keep ignoring points made.

Your son won't wear a mask if he is under 11.

He doesn't need to go shopping with you, surely?

You can use online shopping and get 90% or more of what you need. If not 100%.

He will be back at school if he is old enough soon.
If he is not old enough to be in school or nursery he won't need a mask!

You are whinging and being a bit pathetic. It's a blinking paper or cloth face covering.

what's the big deal?

I genuinely don't get you.

YANBU to be fed up with all this.

But wearing a mask is better than wearing a ventilator.

If you are surprised about this government's ineptitude/inability to lead the country then you haven't really been paying attention over the past few years.

I wish more than anything, this had been enforced months ago. I know that, when I watched the daily briefings, I used to think why the heck aren't we told to wear masks. Why are we so late on this compared to other countries. Well... that's Boris for you...

This is long overdue.
I hate wearing one but I'm not a selfish person so I will do so without going on and on about it.
Let's hope the £100 fine is enforced.

Just wear the face covering while you do the shopping ffs.
It's not a big ask.
Alternatively, come and join my colleagues and work at least a 12 hour NHS shift in full PPE, in sweltering summer temperatures, whilst attempting to care for people to the best of their ability. I count myself lucky that I only have to wear a standard medical mask for 12 hours for my job, unlike them.
You'll be grateful it's just a piece of cloth for an hour or so after that.

Sorry but I also think YABU. And I also despair of UK people freaking out so much when they have to do something even slightly uncomfortable for the greater good (exemptions ofc here for those who has asthma, other conditions that make mask wearing impossible). Other countries manage it.

Someone else has said under 11 year old doesnt , so would would u 5 year old need to wear one melon

@jinglinghellsbells

Are you for real? Change or manage her son's behaviour? Good grief. You've just done the equivalent of telling a wheelchair user that you're sure they could walk if they tried!

I don't think masks will work unless they are perfect sized and not some fad that's been made for eBay to make money!

God help us if you think that wearing a mask is so people can make money on Ebay.

Get one that fits then! Keep trying until you find a suitable one! No one likes wearing one, we all wish it didn't have to be so, but the whinging on here is beyond ridiculous

It seems you can't argue with stupid.

What is it that people don't get that this is a global pandemic where everyone has to comply to make a difference?

@GarlicMonkey I meant he might accept small changes to what he eats. Don't need the lecture- spent years teaching kids with ASD and very happily and successfully.

OR she can shop online.

Even most asthmatics will be able to wear a mask for the short amount of time that is required to go into a shop. I'm shielding because of asthma and I was able to wear a mask the whole time I was in a hot ward waiting for a chest x-ray in the middle of an attack. It's amazing how the context can nudge compliance.

Have there actually been any outbreaks in shops?

A month ago I asked in my local superstore how many staff had had it...the answer was none! I haven’t seen anything in the press to say that retail workers are getting it, even during the peak. They weren’t wearing masks then.

So what’s going on here? Why aren’t people who work in retail getting it?!!
That’s my question about ‘the science’ backing this up...where is the evidence that shopping causes transmission? Is it necessary? I think it’s clear that hospitals and care homes require masks, shopping I’m just not convinced?

And also, once we’ve introduced this, it’s so so hard to turn it back off, so it really has to be absolutely necessary.

Well those ten days are fine with me as it’ll give me chance to go and spend a shed load of money on bulk buying foods my ds will need do that I don’t have to go out. I honestly don’t understand why you haven’t done this before? If your son has a restricted diet OF COURSE you should have food he can eat in the house. Why on Earth have you been shopping three times a week if this is possible? EVERY trip increases risk and helps spread the virus. I had assumed it was perishable or you didn’t have funds to do this.