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Original poster

Face masks and shopping

105 replies

Emma123L · 16/07/2020 15:04

For me shopping on the high street now is a quite a depressing and anxiety ridden experience. You queue to get into the each shop for 10 minutes, then anti had had to be slathered on hands and it be has made my skin peel on my fingers, I was told loudly by shop staff to follow the arrows on the floor and not to touch the clothes unless absolutely neccessary. Supermarkets are nearly as bad. Now with many people (all from 24th July) wearing masks people nervously dart out of the way of you with fear in their eyes ...mainly middle aged or older people .you can't see the rest of their face behind the mask..Is this how we are supposed to live for the next year or two before a vaccine is found...if one is found? I must say that cafes and pubs are populated by less nervous people and are bit more relaxing to go to. I'm doing most of my shopping online now for everything and just one trip to the supermarket. I'm sure many people's mental health will be affected by this if these measures are in place for a year or two.

OP posts:
sillysmiles · 16/07/2020 17:23

..They don't and most scientific advisors do not really know if masks make any difference ....

I'm sorry this is BS, the scientists have said that people should wear masks. It's pretty clear. The clear thing is that the mask protects other people, not the wearer, so they work on a societal level when everyone wears one. I wear a mask to protect others. Others not wearing a mask are the ones saying they don't give a shiny sh!t about anyone but themselves.

Lonelykettleshed · 16/07/2020 17:28

Can I ask what you think people should do if you don't agree with masks? Do you think that everyone should stay at home while the economy collapses around us or should we just 'crack on' which may lead to many more deaths? I don't think that there is an easy solution but currently being careful and wear a mask' seems to be as good as any (although it's a shame that it's taken us so long to get there).

Infullbloom · 16/07/2020 17:29

Now i find shopping even more horrific because of the masks - people no longer seem to respect SD

That's kind of the point of masks as far as the government are concerned, they reduce the need for SD meaning businesses can take more customers, people can go back to work. It's all about boosting the economy now.

GreenLeafTurnip · 16/07/2020 17:30

Good God the moaning in the UK about face masks! We've been wearing them from the beginning and I haven't heard anyone complain about it. Just get on with it!

sillysmiles · 16/07/2020 17:32

The funniest thing I see when driving is the face mask fanatics driving in their cars with their face masks on🙄

Now you are just being obtuse. People driving may need to wear a mask is they have someone else in their car.

Additionally the guidance for mask wearing if you are going to the supermarket etc is - you put the mask on in your car before going into the shop, and then you don't take it off until you get home and safely take it off and wash your hands.

Everything about the PPE is hard, the increased hand washing, the distances. The effects of COVID-19 on daily life is hard. I miss hugging people when saying hello. I miss random pints. I miss large family get togethers.
But burying people who died unnecessarily because I couldn't be arsed wearing a mask, keeping my distance and washing my hands is harder. Choose your hard.

Thereisalight7 · 16/07/2020 17:40

I’m afraid you are completely projecting @Emma123L this whole situation is what you make of it.

I’m just back from the hairdressers. I had my mask on when I went in. She said hi great to see you again. Took my temperature And said do you mind sanatising your hands. I said it’s great they’re being so proactive with the temperatures etc and she said oh well we’re just trying to make people feel safe. We then had a great catch up ( I’ve been going to her for years) about everything we’ve been up to during lockdown and how she felt being off work for a bit versus me work from home and how dogs are our saviour. This was all done through masks and I had a lovely time. Yes the mask got a bit hot and it’s uncomfortable but I just thought about something else whenever it started to get to me and it was fine again in a few minutes. I was there an hour.

People with masks are also not likely ‘skirting nervously away from you’. They’re following guidelines to try maintain social distancing. I do this if I’m near anyone - I move away as quickly as possible. In my opinion it’s polite to do so. Personal space has become very important.

If you create an issue for yourself every time you go out ‘on how awful - the masks, the nervous people, the cleaning my hands Biscuit then yes it will likely lead to mental health issues down the line.

SandieCheeks · 16/07/2020 17:43

You sound very anxious OP, and that's understandably a difficult way to be at the moment when life is still far from normal.
I totally understand why you would want to grasp on to a "the government wants to control me" conspiracy theory - it's easier than feeling anxious about what's actually happening.

But, I would really try to relax. Masks aren't going to harm you and other people wearing masks aren't going to harm you. It will soon become very normal.

Thereisalight7 · 16/07/2020 17:44

Oh and @Emma123L having read your other posts it’s clear your faux concern for mental health is really just you wanting to get a mask bashing thread in because you’re so uninformed you haven’t even bothered to read the scientific studies about how masks do actually make everyone safer. Have another Biscuit

VioletCharlotte · 16/07/2020 17:47

I've not really experienced this at all. I've not been to many shops, apart from Supermarkets, but when I went to Primark, I queued for about 5 minutes to get in. Very friendly staff member of the door. Once inside there was no one way system and you could touch the clothes. Everyone seemed perfectly relaxed. I try and avoid weekends and go when it's quieter.

Aragog · 16/07/2020 17:51

Face masks DO NOT make you safer.

Having read several pretty balanced articles online (and not just the anti mask versions pedalled by some on here) the science behind it seems to point to the fact that we are at less risk if we wear a mask, even a home made 2 layer one, and even more so if those around us do too. Whilst there is still some debate as to how much safer it is the overall view is that they do appear to make some difference, and for the vast majority of people cause no issues in wearing them. they do not restrict oxygen levels and air flow for example.

For now , as someone who is clinically vulnerable, I am happy to wear a mask if I want to shop.

I haven't seen anyone darting around fearful round here though. Mind you, we are used to seeing people in masks anyway as we ave a large number of students from Japan, China and other mask wearing countries.

TheHighestSardine · 16/07/2020 17:52

@Emma123L

Gamerchick Face masks DO NOT make you safer. They make you FEEL safer! The government needed to entice the fearful back onto the high street. Teachers do not have to wear a face mask, nor do people frequenting pubs , cafes or restaraunts.
Oh, it's you again. Hmm
Aragog · 16/07/2020 17:53

The funniest thing I see when driving is the face mask fanatics driving in their cars with their face masks on

I suspect this is for a range of reasons, such as:

  • because they are in and out of the car a fair bit visiting clients
  • because they don't want to keep touching their face to take their mask on and off, increasing risk
  • because they are car sharing and it is advised to do so
Sparklesocks · 16/07/2020 17:54

For me it’s a compromise, in an ideal world I wouldn’t want to have to wear a mask or queue to get into Sainsbury’s. But we are living in the midst of a pandemic, albeit one that has peaked. I don’t live in fear of the virus but I understand the damage it’s done, I know it’s not likely to affect me as badly because I’m a younger and healthy individual but I could still be one of those unlucky ones that end up hospitalised. And I wouldn’t want to pass it onto anyone else if I did unknowingly have it.

So I wear a mask, and I queue, and stand away from others. The queues aren’t anywhere near bad as they were in March/April. I’m alright with doing these things if it means I can visit shops and get my hair cut and not be stuck indoors limited to one walk a day.

Most people I have seen seem to have a similar attitude, I haven’t witnessed much obvious anxiety or anger personally.

gotothecooler · 16/07/2020 17:58

@Emma123L

The funniest thing I see when driving is the face mask fanatics driving in their cars with their face masks on🙄

Why do you find this funny?

So what if someone decides to keep their mask on 🤷🏻‍♀️

wheresmymojo · 16/07/2020 17:58

Sorry OP but I agree that you're projecting.

I don't feel anxious. I would feel more anxious if the measures were removed and that would stop me from going shopping at all.

slashlover · 16/07/2020 18:19

Take the fact that male biology (maybe more ACE 2 receptors or absence of oestrogen) means that objectively the death rate for men is higher than that for women. Is that still the case for trans women who retain male hormone profile/biology or is their feeling that they are really women or dress as women determinant in relation to severity?

I wonder why people think mumsnet is anti-trans?

JingsMahBucket · 16/07/2020 20:13

@slashlover I KNOW! That anti-trans shit came out of nowhere. They really have to shoehorn it into everything don’t they? Jeebus. Give it a rest already.

mencken · 16/07/2020 20:21

are the OP and the 'masks in cars' person (are they the same?) feeling as stupid as they appear, we ask? And that is pretty stupid...

dancing round each other at a distance in shops is what you are supposed to do, even with a mask. Over sensitive flowers who think they are seeing 'fear in eyes' (this is total bollocks) need to grow the fuck up. And a nice bit of ageism on the side.

I shall be doing a bit more shopping once masks are mandatory. It is good now shops limit how many can go in. But not being a saddo who thinks shopping is a recreation, I will still only be buying what is needed and what I've had to do without for some time. We need to get lives and not see shopping as fun. Would help the planet too, if anyone still cares.

TheHighestSardine · 16/07/2020 20:54

@mencken Yeah, same person. The other thread got taken down.

StCharlotte · 16/07/2020 21:25

@youhave4substitutes

Wow. DARTED.

It's possible that they nervously farted

I recall an early Covid joke:

"It used to be that you'd cough to hide a fart, now you fart to hide a cough."

I'm mid 50s, a bit overweight, diabetic and a smoker. Honestly I don't stand a chance! But I'm a fatalist. What will be will be. I'm not darting - or farting - nervously. I can only do what I can do and if that includes wearing a mask, so be it.

Many Asian countries have been routinely wearing masks for years. It's been their normal for ages.

The years (and the smoking) have not been kind to me. My face is jowly and wrinkly but my eyes are still lovely. I'm going to look hot! (And hopefully people will stop offering me senior discounts Grin)

FiveToFour · 16/07/2020 21:29

People (mainly middle aged and older) do nervously dart out of your way and many do look fearful

No,OP - that isn't nervous darting and fear - it's irritation having realised a bit late that you aren't social distancing,and they'll have to do all the moving...
Smile

quarentini · 16/07/2020 21:57

Wear a mask and go shopping or don't and order shopping online.
It's really that simple

quarentini · 16/07/2020 21:57

Wear a mask and go shopping or don't and order shopping online.
It's really that simple

Justgorgeous · 16/07/2020 22:02

I’m really enjoying shopping and refuse to shop online. It’s been fine, no shop staff have made me feel uncomfortable and everyone has been wearing a mask. This has been in London.

Freddiefox · 16/07/2020 22:07

@Emma123L

GinDaddyRedux I waffled on a bit ! My main point was that these extreme measures are most likely to be with us for a year or two and the damage they will do to the high street and people's general mental well being will be immense. What happens if no vaccine is found ? Are we supposed to live like this and be constantly anxious when we leave our front door? It wouldn't surprise me if the government makes wearing face masks outside in public mandatory soon and there will be clapping from many on Mumsnet of this happens!!!!🙄
Yes I will be clapping and I fully support teachers wearing them too.

Wear a mask if you can, don’t if you can’t.

If no vaccine is found, we will either find treatment, or it will get milder or those that will die will die.
In the meantime, try to stop passing it on by wearing a mask.