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

Definitely I'd go out more. I only go to the supermarket once a week at the moment and get everything else online. If it felt safer in shops, I'd go out more and use shops a lot more.

I’ll shop less - I was just enjoying getting out and about again and feeling more normal and will just not enjoy shopping if I’m wearing a mask as it’s so uncomfortable. Will keep to essential supermarket trips.

I've nipped out to non-essential shops a few times, and not felt at risk. I've not been in any shop long, and there's been plenty of space to socially distance. As people have socially distanced well I don't think masks will make me feel safer.

I don't particularly object to wearing one. I have to wear one at work now, and have gradually got used to it. Mask wearing does mean I will shop on the city, where I can take breaks in the fresh air and get a coffee outside, rather than at the large indoor mall.

It does make me wonder about pub opening though. If we need masks to go into shops however the short duration, and with minimal conversation, then surely pubs where you can't wear a mask, spend a long time in there, and where everyone is chatting lots must be pretty high risk.

I seem to have mislaid my shopping urge in any case during the pandemic. So I'm not sure what if anything will tempt me back.
I am however wearing a mask already fir supermarket and other essential shops.
So I am pleased there is finally some clarity on the issue.

I will shop and eat out more wearing a mask than if there is a second lockdown due to people not wearing a mask.

Masks are unpleasant. I will actively avoid going anywhere that I’d have to wear one. I understand why they’re necessary but they’ll negatively affect economic recovery because people will just stay at home.

And whilst I'm not a medical person, my family and friendship group is strewn with doctors, nurses and midwives, all of whom have been antsy for months now about the government not being firm on face coverings

Noooo you’ve got me wrong. I don’t care if people stay at home, but I do care about them publicly stating how stupid they are and how they refuse to do it

But this thread is NOT about people refusing to wear masks because they don't like them, it is about people choosing not to go shopping if they have to wear them. The OP has stated that several times and that is what we are voting on. Most people who are saying they don't want to wear them are then saying- 'so I won't be going to the shops', there are very few people saying- 'fuck it I am not wearing one but still going to the shops as normal'. So I think you ARE getting a bee in your bonnet about people saying they don't want to go shopping if they don't want to wear them, hence your comments about death of the high street. Despite what you said in your last post, I think you want people to just get out there and spend money whatever the circumstances, like they have a moral duty to buy stuff.

For what its worth, apart from supermarkets as food is essential, I have not been shopping because of: queuing to get in shops, one way systems, people who glare at you if you have to pass each other in the central aisles as if you are some sort of leper. Face masks are just the final thing on a long list of why I am shopping on-line instead.

Really looking forward to going out and about in my very attractive set of neck gaiters! I don't love masks - who does? - but a bit more normal life is preferable to not wearing one.

There are some ridiculously precious non face mask wearing people in this country who seem so outraged at the notion of having to wear a mask briefly when out shopping. Nobody likes them, nobody likes this pandemic. Just accept that they are here to stay for a while and we have to just adjust and get on with it all.
My late mother was evacuated as a child to the country from the city during the second world war and my father ended up being a POW in Germany. That generation would not have moaned and whined about wearing a bloody face covering that's for sure.

Wondered how long that would take

Someone in 2020 doesn’t like something that’s happening now and is told to be glad they aren’t in the 2nd world war being evacuated or fighting

No I will probably go out less and it will be back to just one food shop a week buying any other bits I might need in the larger supermarkets at the same time. I don’t want to wear a mask so if I am forced to I will go to these places as little as possible.

I live not far from Brighton and was going to go to the shopping centre there this week as I need some new basic stuff like underwear, plain T-shirt’s and joggers. Last weekend Brighton allowed a large BLM March so now I won’t be going as I see these large gatherings as a much bigger risk for spreading Covid than people shopping using social distancing. Looks like I will have to get what I need in Asda when I do my weekly shop.

I will avoid shops as I don’t like the idea of wearing a mask. Obviously I’ll wear one if I have to, but it will definitely be preferable to me to shop online instead now.

On a teams chat with 15 colleagues today, we all agreed we‘ll not be shopping anymore if we can possibly help it. Not one person however saId they’d refuse to wear one. No tantrums, no complaining - just people staring their preference now will be to avoid shops.

I think it will have a detrimental effect on retailers, in particular shops that have recently re-opened. I can’t imagine mooching around a book or clothes shop wearing a mask. It would not be a pleasant experience.
Eating out though is fine, as they are not required.

*stating

I feel very sorry for people that work in shops and will have to wear a mask all day. My friend works in a book shop and she’s dreading it.

We're not expected to wear them in pubs or restaurant (or how would you eat/drink properly) yet it's more likely to be transmitted there as people are closer for longer.

I think the inconsistencies in this are also not helping. If the measures are to keep people safe while out shopping why are those in cafes/pubs not having to take the same precautions? It seems the government is arbitrary in its application of the rules, which undermines the message.

Way less likely. In fact I'll shop online for everything I can now.

I will be shopping less in shops, I haven’t really been in shops much anyway and I feel the joy has been sucked out of it completely now, I do shop a lot online though so will do even more now, I will certainly be keeping up my Tesco, Next and Amazon Prime delivery subscriptions. I also hope to sign up to the new Ocado M&S delivery when it happens and then that’s all the grocery sorted. I probably won’t bother with eating out and just get takeaway.

I don't mind wearing a mask in shops but we will only be going out shopping for essentials. We don't really feel relaxed enough to do non essential shopping on the high street if we have to wear masks really. Will buy essential clothes online. We don't intend to go to any restaurants, coffee houses or pubs for a very long time either.

@ApplesinmyPocket

Yes, I'll be more likely to go into shops now.

I think there'll be sizeable numbers of those who, like me, have stayed at home throughout to protect ourselves or someone close to us, and will now feel confident enough to start using shops again given the lowering virus rates and the varying precautions beginning to be put in place everywhere.

Same here! When I have had to go to the shops I've worn a mask, I am however used to wearing them as I used to be an operating theatre practitioner. If you wear glasses and they fog up, tape the mask over the bridge of your nose, to your face, Micropore is the best one I've found and you can buy it from any chemist or supermarket.

Definitely more likely to go out as it reduces the risk of transmission. Our government has mismanaged this so we need to do what we can to protect each other given that the state has failed us.

@BobFleming

I will avoid shops as I don’t like the idea of wearing a mask. Obviously I’ll wear one if I have to, but it will definitely be preferable to me to shop online instead now.

On a teams chat with 15 colleagues today, we all agreed we‘ll not be shopping anymore if we can possibly help it. Not one person however saId they’d refuse to wear one. No tantrums, no complaining - just people staring their preference now will be to avoid shops.

I think it will have a detrimental effect on retailers, in particular shops that have recently re-opened. I can’t imagine mooching around a book or clothes shop wearing a mask. It would not be a pleasant experience.
Eating out though is fine, as they are not required.

Yes I agree. No one has talked about lying in the middle of a shop crying about being told to not wear a mask, just saying that they will avoid shops.

If I go to a shop I will wear one, but I will limit frequency and length and only for the absolute essentials.

We're not expected to wear them in pubs or restaurant (or how would you eat/drink properly) yet it's more likely to be transmitted there as people are closer for longer.

Restaurants are required to distance tables. When we were in one in saturday there was 2 metres between each table. You never came into contact with anyone but the waiter, and they stood a metre away and wore a mask.

Or are you laying in the middle of a shop? Lying / laying / laid out?

Less likely. Have been getting supermarket deliveries from day 1 but had started to go back out - won’t be bothering going into any shops now! This will totally backfire and a lot of businesses will suffer once again

Less likely. I find them uncomfortable and difficult to breath in. I’m pregnant so don’t want to put my body through the unnecessary stress. A shame as I have lots of baby things to buy and would much rather buy on the high street than on line but I think the joy would be gone.
I totally get the logic behind it and do agree with it, that’s just how I feel in my personal circumstances.
I’m also a little angry that it’s deemed necessary in shops but school staff and pupils are deemed to need no extra protection, even if they are vulnerable. I notice the date the become compulsory in shops is after the schools break up and I fully predict that this rule will not be enforces after September 1st.