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

I will wear a mask, ordered some today. But I will be careful about handling one. I will wear it while shopping, will remove it and dispose of it carefully. I carry both antiseptic wipes as well as hand sanitizer when I'm out.

I didn’t feel unsafe without a mask but I’ll only be doing supermarket shopping in the future. Everything else I can get online. I’m not a great fan of shopping as a leisure activity anyway but mask wearing will make sure I don’t do it at all.
Hopefully the powers that be won’t be making us wear masks in restaurants or pubs so I can still go there.

Yes. I might actually consider going out if everyone around me has made at least some efforts to not potentially infect me.

Same here. I'm actually shopping less now that I was a month ago, because the relaxation of SD to 1 metre plus seems to have morphed into everyone not giving a shit anymore and just doing what the hell they want, including brushing past you, standing virtually touching you in queues etc. When most people are wearing masks, I'll start going out shopping again as hopefully it will be a big kick up the arse to all the covidiots who seem to think it's all over and may get people back to at least respecting personal space if they can't manage a metre!

Nope, opposite. I’ll just go back to online and I think it’s weird to wear a mask in a restaurant or somewhere where you’re trying to eat and drink.

Neither, makes no difference to me.

Yes, they'll remind us constantly that things aren't normal - that's because things aren't normal and I think it frankly might be a good thing to have it literally in our faces that we can't, sadly, act as normal at the moment.

It is just a matter of getting used to masks so I don't think it is a big ask considering we are already talking of a much bigger peak happening in the winter.

Personally, what prevents me from going out more (shopping, leisurely shopping or eating out), is not having to use a mask or not but the staggering vast majority of people who are ignoring social distance advice.

Honestly, I respect their right to self determination, if they don't care about getting infected or dying I can assure you I couldn't give a shit if they get infected and die either, in fact the sooner they are out of circulation the better, but it is not their right to bring other people down with the virus just because they got infected while exercising their personal "freedoms".

I wish there was less emphasis on dying and a bit more on how very sick some people are who "recover". Yes the under 40s are not likely to die of this but that doesnt mean you will get off scot free. Also if if you infect someone who takes up a bed for months when you have your drunken accident finding a bed and a doctor will be considerably more difficult.

More mask wearing means more health care available when you need it.

I'll shop online wherever possible. I have bought a cheap fabric mask which will live in my bag and I'll sling on for food shopping. The chance of me shopping on the high street has reduced from low to zero.

Honestly, I respect their right to self determination, if they don't care about getting infected or dying I can assure you I couldn't give a shit if they get infected and die either, in fact the sooner they are out of circulation the better, but it is not their right to bring other people down with the virus just because they got infected while exercising their personal "freedoms".

Well said. I don't care what people do when the risk is to themselves, but I do care when people are doing what the hell they want and risk passing on Covid to others.

How does eating out whilst wearing face masks work though?

But then shops will find that you can browse and impulse purchase far more easily at home. It's a pain in the arse to get in the car and park, queue, don face mask, be shunted round a shop quickly.

Shops have spent years making shopping an 'experience' so that people spend more money so it doesn't stack up to make it unpleasant.

How many times have you wandered around a shop for something and then found you saw lots of other things that you just fancied and bought. Without the browse factor then shops will lose out in the long run.

Maybe getting OT, but reducing this sort of thing was talked about at the beginning of lockdown. We've known for years that shopping as a pass-time is a negative part of the consumerist society and not environmentally sustainable.

I worry about how money will be managed for people who become out of work, but impulse and unnecessary consumption going by the wayside would really be a positive thing.

I won't be going out to eat with one its pointless I can supermarket shop with one but I don't shop unless I need to these days unlike previous when I would go for a walk around and a bargain shop

Less likely definitely. I have a phobia about being facially smothered and the thought of having my nose and mouth covered for more than a minute or two fills me with dread

How many times have you wandered around a shop for something and then found you saw lots of other things that you just fancied and bought. Without the browse factor then shops will lose out in the long run.

On the contrary, some people spend a lot more online because things are easier to buy, greater choice, less chance of the old "out of stock" from the High Street shops. There are also lots of things that are available online that people didn't even know existed. We've literally spent thousands over the past few years in online purchases for hobbies, DIY etc on things we simply wouldn't/couldn't have bought in our High Street. OH has spent about £5k on model railway items alone over the past decade and we don't have a model railway shop within 25 miles - it was only by looking online that he got into the hobby in the first place!

Probably less. I'm not bothered on 'ideological' grounds. I just find them really uncomfortable (wearing glasses doesn't help) & whats the point of being uncomfortable unnecessarily? On the other hand I do want to support our town's shops so will try & power through.

No, I won’t be going to the shops for anything other than essentials after the 24th. I understand why wearing a mask is important but I really don’t enjoy it so would rather keep shopping to a minimum, which I presume is safer anyway.

I haven't been wearing a mask up till now but I'm perfectly okay with wearing one and will probably be happier to go shopping if everyone is obliged to wear one.

For those saying they won't be going out to eat if they have to wear a face mask, I think you'll find that when you're in pubs and restaurants you'll be exempt from wearing a mask, for obvious reasons.

YANBU.
No. I will avoid shopping as much as possible!

I’m in Germany where masks are compulsory. It felt weird to begin with - now it’s fine. If it means we can eat out and haven’t had a single reported case for a while - so be it. People seemed to get used to carrying huge phones - because, guess what, they provided something people wanted. Works the same way. I went out for the first time on 25th May. We’ve now been out weekly - it’s great.

I have been wearing a mask since before lockdown started, and will continue to do so in supermarkets, food shops & pharmacies.

I am in a high-risk group due to asthma, so I have no intention of going into any other sort of shop, pub, hotel or restaurant or of using public transport until this nightmare is over. Increased mask use will make no difference.

I'm sure this has been said before, but not got time to read whole thread. It is economic factors governing this in the main, I'm sure. Apart from arseholes who think social distancing is an assault on their human rights, and those whose hygiene is less than desirable anyway (ie. most men, IMO).

Economic factor may backfire.

@DasPepe

I’m in Germany where masks are compulsory. It felt weird to begin with - now it’s fine. If it means we can eat out and haven’t had a single reported case for a while - so be it. People seemed to get used to carrying huge phones - because, guess what, they provided something people wanted. Works the same way. I went out for the first time on 25th May. We’ve now been out weekly - it’s great.

May I ask how does eating out with face masks work in Germany? Presumably you take them off to eat

How can you eat out with a mask on?

Wearing a mask is now a major trigger for me. My Dad recently died of COVID and of course we had we wear a mask when we said goodbye to him. I will only go to the shops if absolutely necessary.

I've been wearing them for ages. Can't say it has been a bother tbh. I have quickly gotten used to it- reuseable ones from etsy for short trips and more comfy dispo ones for longer trips out.
My young and fit DH had covid and was ill for three weeks, for half of that very ill. He isn't really completely right weeks later. I wouldn't wish this bug on anyone for the sake of a mask.