To pop to the shop today without a mask?

[Popsie17]

I know they don’t become mandatory until next week so I don’t have to but I believe most people in my area have started wearing them already. Will I be frowned upon for not doing so?

Basically, I’ve only ever bought one pack of masks and not wore them. I live in the countryside, don’t use public transport, don’t go to busy places and generally get my shopping delivered.

I give the only masks I had to my granny because she was struggling to find some (doesn’t do online shopping etc). So I re-ordered some for myself but they aren’t here yet.

Need to pick something up from the shop today.

Aibu?

Of course I don't have any research backed evidence but I know that when people are adjusting their face mask when talking as it moves then they wouldn't need to do it if it wasn't there. If you are adjusting it across your nose and mouth why would you need to adjust your face to talk without a covering.

Just because I don't agree with a cotton fabric mask making any different doesn't mean I need to provide any evidence beyond what I have noticed. It's my opinion and my choice to reject wearing one. Except I am not an arsehole and won't stand in a shop saying I won't wear one. I accept that the government has decided to make it mandatory and will object by not shopping in person as is my right.

I was in Tesco today and was surprised that none of the employees were wearing masks. I wore mine for the first time...lots of customers wearing them. My glasses steamed up so much I couldn't see a thing 😂 No idea what I was throwing in my trolley by aisle 2 🤷‍♀️😂 Ah well...

@GinWithRosie

I was in Tesco today and was surprised that none of the employees were wearing masks. I wore mine for the first time...lots of customers wearing them. My glasses steamed up so much I couldn't see a thing 😂 No idea what I was throwing in my trolley by aisle 2 🤷‍♀️😂 Ah well...

As far as I am aware masks won't be mandatory for any shop worker so it will come down to company policy.

If you are really caught short, just pull your T'shirt/blouse up over your face, or use the arm on a cardigan or long sleeved shirt to wrap around!

I can't believe this has got to 100 posts!. OP - just go to the shop! Of course you're not being unreasonable to do so.
But make sure you have masks for next week

@GinWithRosie

I was in Tesco today and was surprised that none of the employees were wearing masks. I wore mine for the first time...lots of customers wearing them. My glasses steamed up so much I couldn't see a thing 😂 No idea what I was throwing in my trolley by aisle 2 🤷‍♀️😂 Ah well...

My kids work in supermarkets. Why would they wear masks? The rate of infection is not higher for supermarket workers. They are young. Their risk of catching it is tiny. Their risk of being ill even smaller. They don't interact with people long enough to spread it. Their teachers aren't allowed to wear them in the days they go to school. They don't wear them when they play sports or hang out socially distanced with friends. What's the point?

As I already said, wearing a mask effectively prevents me from touching my nose and mouth area

Well I’m on a train wearing one right now (on the way to my ‘final fling’ non-mask shopping trip) and I can confidently state this it ain’t working for me. I’m sweaty and uncomfortable and can’t stop fiddling with it to try and make it more bearable. Evidently most of my fellow passengers have decided the same as their masks are either completely absent, hanging off their chins or covering their mouth only. For all my protests, I’m one of the few actually complying with the rules. Anyway, it’ll be coming off the minute we arrive at the station.

My dad went to a busy Waitrose this am and said maybe 3 shoppers were wearing masks.

@Popsie17

I can’t wear one I don’t have one *@TwilightPeace*. I did have some but I give them to my granny as mentioned in original post! She doesn’t do online shopping and hasn’t seen any in the shops!! I’ve re-ordered but not here yet. I am not refusing to wear one. Just don’t have one because I give them to a more vulnerable family member who can’t easily get some!! I can’t magic a face covering up. I am not really a scarf wearer either rain I’m not even sure I have a suitable scarf (I’ll have a look though).

Up until recently hardly anyone wore them here. Hardly any cases here!

Don't worry about it. Just go and don't feel guilty.

There is no evidence anywhere that wearing anything other than a proper mask and wearing it correctly makes any positive difference at all.

If you search for evidence it all says 'could' and 'may' rather than does. And there is also plenty of evidence to show they give people a false sense of invulnerability and therefore less careful about risky behaviour.

Regardless - wear one if you believe it helps, where one when it becomes illegal not to otherwise please yourself.

But search for and read the 'evidence' either way and don't worry abut the opinion of people who don't matter.

The stupid meme showing the difference on a petri dish is nothing to do with Covid.

I've been wearing one to go out since end March. I have no problem with them. My husband is sheltering so I have to be careful. I've lost two family members to covid in different parts of the UK, and two cousins were hospitalised in NY. Play your part, wear a face covering/mask.

Except I am not an arsehole and won't stand in a shop saying I won't wear one. I accept that the government has decided to make it mandatory and will object by not shopping in person as is my right.

This is how I feel. I've worked through Coronavirus in a key worker role, never once taken a supermarket slot, helped those around me and extended family. I'm spent. I'm just going to shop online now and get a regular slot. I'll minimise my mask wearing as much as possible.

To be honest, I think everyone on here who is not keen on wearing a mask is saying the same. Which is why the frothing shouters are a bit unnecessary. It's all about control, for them. Do it. Just do it. Wear a mask. Smile. Enjoy it. Shut up. Do it.
Walk away and shop online?
Omg how dare you?!?

@Autviaminveniamautfaciam

Except I am not an arsehole and won't stand in a shop saying I won't wear one. I accept that the government has decided to make it mandatory and will object by not shopping in person as is my right.

This is how I feel. I've worked through Coronavirus in a key worker role, never once taken a supermarket slot, helped those around me and extended family. I'm spent. I'm just going to shop online now and get a regular slot. I'll minimise my mask wearing as much as possible.

Yep Me too

If you have a Halloween mask you can use that,

Oh you naughty person, putting that idea into my head, I'm off to look for it now!

I don't want to wear a mask so just won't be going into shops except in an emergency when its compulsory. Not sure thats the reaction Bris expected but I'm sure Im not the only one. I think they often give people a false sense of security and mean they don't social distance as much so I don't really see the point in most circumstances.

Got an old coat with a hood? Put it on back to front, then put the hood up. Cut an eyehole or two if it helps.

@TheLegendOfZelda I wasn’t having a pop...I was simply surprised that they weren’t, with the rules being brought in that’s all. I’m a teacher myself and I know the risks that I’m up against every day 🤦‍♀️

Interesting read about how infection rate demographics are changing..teens/young adults are now more at risk than over-44s due to being less willing to social distance:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/news/health/young-adults-social-distancing-warning-highest-infection-rates-coronavirus-a4498706.html%3famp

We just have to learn how to live with it don’t we...and make our own choices about doing so when managing that risk I guess.

Do people post on MN just to get a reaction? Why do people need so much validation?

It's not yet law in England to wear a mask in a shop. So of course you can go shopping without one and you don't need permission from MN. Sigh.

Seriously OP and others, grow a pair and get some self-confidence. Needing to ask strangers on the internet this sort of question is worrying.

You can chop the sleeve off a long sleeved top and turn that into a no sew mask. Videos on you tube.

Department of Health and Social Care
@DHSCgovuk

For many people wearing a face covering is possible.However, there will be some who are exempt from wearing one.

You should not challenge anyone for not wearing a face covering.

See guidance 👇🏼

gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

[quote GinWithRosie]@TheLegendOfZelda I wasn’t having a pop...I was simply surprised that they weren’t, with the rules being brought in that’s all. I’m a teacher myself and I know the risks that I’m up against every day 🤦‍♀️

Interesting read about how infection rate demographics are changing..teens/young adults are now more at risk than over-44s due to being less willing to social distance:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/news/health/young-adults-social-distancing-warning-highest-infection-rates-coronavirus-a4498706.html%3famp

We just have to learn how to live with it don’t we...and make our own choices about doing so when managing that risk I guess.[/quote]
So it gets us well on the road to herd immunity.

They are right not to social distance imo, it is likely that the majority of infections were in this group but they have few or no symptoms. That is the truth of this virus. It isn't going away and the more people that have had it the better.

[quote IAintentDead]Department of Health and Social Care
@DHSCgovuk

For many people wearing a face covering is possible.However, there will be some who are exempt from wearing one.

You should not challenge anyone for not wearing a face covering.

See guidance 👇🏼

gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own[/quote]
You just know that people will be challenged. I can't wear a mask/covering or shield due to facial pain issues (yes, a shield will still cause problems ). I'm just waiting to be challenged by a member of the public, I just know it's going to happen. They can fill their boots as far as I'm concerned, I don't have to provide my reason to them at all.

I've been on holiday for 2 weeks and I can say in cornwall I've only seen a handful of people with masks and it has been busy!

Thanks all. My masks arrived today a week early than expected! So I’m sorted 😀

I don’t know why, after everything that’s happened, people here are saying they’re not wearing a mask till the Government tells them to