Will face masks make you more likely to shop and eat out?

[CamDram]

I understand the reasons for making face masks compulsory. But I’m not sure whether I’ll want to go out into the shops or restaurants and spend money on the high streets unless I really need something specific once everyone’s faces are covered.

Will compulsory face mask make you:

YES - MORE likely to go out shopping/ eating out on the high street

NO- LESS likely to go out shopping

W

bloody internet

I wonder if the government know more people will stay at home rather than wear masks so are banking on it reducing crowds without having to lockdown.
Personally I will wear one for food shop and get everything else online, however I don't want to go to high street while wider measures are in place anyway so masks don't change my stance. If masks were instead of other measures I would be more tempted to have a wander around town.

Less likely for me, which is ironic as someone on the radio this morning (a minister) was trying to 'sell' mask wearing as a reassurance for us all to get back out onto the high street and spend

Yes it will be a tedious trial. ‘Tedious’ as in boring, effortful, an activity to be avoided, lacking in pleasure etc etc.

If it means the virus doesn't spread as much AND we get some of our freedoms back, then why wouldn't you?

Masks are easier to breathe through than ventilators!

I wear fasce masks when qorking in thatre...i forget they are on half the time. If you go for a lightweight surgical one...not that bulky...its ok. I hope this is temporary.

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned

If it means the virus doesn't spread as much AND we get some of our freedoms back, then why wouldn't you?

Masks are easier to breathe through than ventilators!

We shouldn’t be trading one “freedom” for another. The virus is barely spreading at all now - have you bothered to look at the figures? Infection, hospitalisation and death rates all down apart from in hotspots.

Wtf..horrid typos sorry!

I'll be out more if anything. I've found the lack of clear rules around mask wearing awkward and uncomfortable. I'm so much happier everyone will be wearing them. It'll soon feel normal. And hopefully COVID will do less harm as a result.

I cannot understand why people are so ridiculous about wearing them! And FWIW I have to wear one at work all day and you do get use to it quickly.

I dont know.

I will obviously wear a mask shopping, but I dont think I will spend as much time browsing as I maybe would have done.
I have been 'none food' shopping once and it was OK. Tkmaxx was great, Waterstones was great, ryman and claires were alright we had a nice look around and the staff were friendly but no masks.
We went to go into next and the staff had visors on and I backed away, I thought are we going to be judged for looking around? Even though we needed something. So we bought it on their website instead.

There's so many threads on here today re wearing a mask but most others focus on whether you should or should not. I like the fact that you've started a thread that doesn't debate the rights and wrongs of mask wearing but whether or not our purchasing behaviour will change as a result.

My personal view is that I won't be going for a leisurely shop wearing a mask. I will stick to the basics eg supermarket and it will be in and out.

As a result my spending will go back down. I have been in three different independent shops in my town today and they are all really worried now. As one said 'who browses in a mask?'

Yes, DD and I have a shopping trip planned for the 25th, neither of us are bothered about wearing masks, nobody I know is bothered about wearing a mask, even my mother who has COPD.

I've got no issue with wearing a mask but they do make me feel quite claustrophobic , especially on hot days so I will probably avoid going to the shops as much as possible and when I do have to go I'll probably be in and out as quick as I can be!

More likely because I will feel safer but I'm not sure how you could eat out with a mask on. How would you eat?

I’m not opposed to mask wearing; but I am extremely opposed to living in an Orwellian society where the public grasses on each other, and names and shames each other on social media. Making masks compulsory has handed such people another weapon, on a golden platter.

I’ll muzzle myself up when Bojo talks about when other confiscated freedoms are about to be returned, especially recreational sport, and I don’t mean the stuff mentioned already, and says more to reassure us that these measures are temporary.

Meanwhile, goodbye high street, it was nice knowing you. We might as well indeed hold a funeral for the high street.

This will backfire on the government. Non essential shopping which is what the economy needs is meant to be a pleasurable experience. It won’t be if we have to wear masks so many won’t bother, including me. Hopefully, the reduction in footfall come 24th onwards will have the retailers up in arms and the decision will be quickly reversed. If people wanted to shop wearing masks they would be doing it now without the government needing to make it compulsory. Many of the shops I have been in recently have had very few masked shoppers in them.

Indeed, when I decide not to do high street shopping, I intend to email the retailers to let them know why. It’s not their fault, but it needs to be very clear (much clearer than Boris’s clowns will ever be) why people will abandon the high street.

I'm about to go out for a meal. I've got my mask here but I'm thinking 'what's the point of that? I can't wear it and eat can I or drink? I know the restaurant has barriers between each table anyway. Pointless.

I've been wearing masks in all larger shops and crowded spaces since lockdown.

Probably only a third of people in my area wear them, it would be great to see more masks on people.

I do agree that people should be exempt for certain reasons and have a way of showing their exemption but the majority should wear them or stay at home.

I flakes are less crowded because people won't wear a mask then great but I will go out about the same as I have always done but I'll be happier.

We shouldn’t be trading one “freedom” for another. The virus is barely spreading at all now - have you bothered to look at the figures? Infection, hospitalisation and death rates all down apart from in hotspots.

So you think we're done with Covid ? In which case I'd def say don't bother with masks.

I think people are getting confused.

Most people that hate wearing masks will still wear one if they have to. I have several for emergency health/hospital visits which will now be used for shopping. BUT that means shopping for essentials not shopping for fun or browsing. Shopping for essentials will not save the economy which is why some of us are despairing at the government who want to get the economy going again but on the other hand are stifling the things that will pump money into the high street.

I may be wrong and footfall overall may increase but quite frankly I don't care now as I will just shop for non essential frivolous stuff in the comfort of my home and at the same time save money as I am less likely to buy as much.

We shouldn’t be trading one “freedom” for another. The virus is barely spreading at all now - have you bothered to look at the figures? Infection, hospitalisation and death rates all down apart from in hotspots.

So you think we're done with Covid ? In which case I'd def say don't bother with masks.

Non essential shopping which is what the economy needs is meant to be a pleasurable experience.

But I just don't find shopping a pleasure when On the off chance I'm going to be breathing in virus droplets? Why on earth is that better than a mask. Ultimately neither is pleasurable but one is surely better than the other.

In answer to OP yes, I'll be far more likely to go shopping now everyone has to wear a mask. Rightly or wrongly, I feel much safer wearing one, especially if others are too. I have a medical condition which makes wearing one more of an issue but you do get used to them if you practice.

Why such vitriol to those deciding they would rather stay home than shop in a mask?
It’s supposed to be a free country. Along with the freedom to choose to go to the shops, we are all free to choose not to. For necessary purchases we will all have to wear one, fine. For unnecessary purchases we have to weigh up the pros and cons. The vote so far indicates 70% will choose not to bother wherever possible.

My issue is not wearing a mask. It’s the government attempting to sell It to us as a health based decision. COVID apparently understands not to enter a bar, restaurant or gym where there is far more risk of transfer as those places do not need the extra safety measures.
Yeah right

I think it's hilarious how many people are whining about wearing a mask. It's pathetic! Just wear one ffs it's a scrap of fabric across your face. The people we've been clapping for the last 4 months wear one for 13 hours straight!

And for all the "I can't wear one because I have anxiety/depression/asthma/insert medical condition here" I'm sure you can tie a scarf over your face, pull a hoody up a little higher. It's really a small ask.