Wearing masks everywhere indoors is so depressing

[Sossen]

AIBU to feel frustrated and, at times, a bit upset that I can’t really do anything indoors now, either on my own or with my kids, without wearing a god damn face mask? I’ve just about been able to tolerate wearing them whilst food shopping but that’s because I now take a lot of time to write out a list and meal plan beforehand and I get in and get out, as opposed to before, when I took the time to browse, picked out what I fancied, and maybe tried on some clothes whilst there. I can cope with this ok but what is depressing me is that my ds is desperate to go to a few indoor places like the trampoline park (our local one has strict guidelines in hygiene social distancing and staggering sessions) and I’ll take him but the thought of sitting there for an hour and a half opposite my dh trying to talk to him with a mask on or watching my ds play and he can’t hear me because of the mask, well it fills me with dread. I had a cinema pass which i’ve has for years but I’ve already cancelled It as there is no way I can sit for up to 3 hours with a mask on, it would be unbearable. Every day out we go on that is predominantly outdoors but have some indoor areas I’ll have to remember to take masks with me. If I nip to post a letter, pick up my medication, go into a public car park to get my car after work I have to wear a mask. I expect to be told I’m moaning but I can’t help it. I fully resent the fact that I am being told to cover my face and I have no choice in the matter. Please tell me I’m not the only one.

The hell kind of material are your masks made from that you can't hear each other talk?

When my mum and I go shopping we chat all the way round the supermarket, mask and all.

You’re not the only one, absolutely nobody loves wearing a mask. But it’s just too bad just now, we have to wear them and that’s that.

Maybe change what you’re doing though - does your DS need both his parents at the trampoline park? Couldn’t your husband just take him? Loads of places are doing outdoor cinema just now, where you sit in your car so no mask.

Or just leave the places you have to wear a mask for a while. Go out to eat instead if you’re happy to do that, no masks and a lovely family activity.

I hate it. It’s hot and uncomfortable, and a barrier to communication. But the alternative is worse so I’m just sucking it up and trying to get used to it.

I hate it too and it is definitely inhibiting the activities I'm choosing to do outside the home. I struggle to hear people, make myself heard and even just breathe sometimes, especially when it's hot.

But we are in uncharted territory and it's not such a difficult task really, so I'll suck it up if there's the slightest chance it will help.

Yeah but it's for the greater good. Better than being lockdown again, eh?

You’ll get used to it. It’s really not a big deal when it comes to saving lives.

In cinema you can take them off in the auditorium. They need you to buy snacks to make them money.
I’m getting used to it. Going to buy a pack of disposable masks and put them in the car for times I forget.
It’s not great but if it helps then fine. It won’t be for ever.

YANBU to hate them. You would only BU if you refused to wear one.

I LOATHE wearing a mask. It makes me feel panicked and claustrophobic. But I have no medical reason not to so I’ll struggle on in order to protect others. I’ve tried every style of mask going too. Turns out I never knew but I can’t stand the sensation of having my face covered.

I will however now avoid going to places I don’t absolutely have to. If a mask is required I’ll only go if no choice. It’ll save me money as I won’t be browsing shops or using some leisure facilities but then I wonder about how it’ll effect the economy.

I totally support mask wearing for all the health reasons. But my support doesn’t stop me personally HATING every minute I’m wearing one.

i dont like it, especially on hot days, but we have to do it to try and keep tthings going. Covid is still very much around.
I prefer mask wearing to lockdown and some masks are easier to tolerate than others

There are different kinds of face covering- could one work better for you than others?

I have found some of the cotton masks are thinner than others and they are more comfortable to wear. I found the more you wear it, the less you notice it.

Yanbu and I’m fed up of the fact everyone has just accepted them. ( including me in that I conform) even WHO, if you believe them , say there’s only marginal positive benefit and that’s if they are worn properly - he put in when guy leave house, don’t touch them, only remove when entering house again. Etc- no one does that !
We need a Reality check As this is not the way to lice and can’t continue indefinitely.

I hear you. Same, tbh. I can’t wear them for more than a few minutes; could use my medical exemption but it’s not worth the hassle of having to repeatedly explain myself to the self appointed mask police so going to be staying in a lot for the foreseeable future.

Going to be good for online shops and streaming services I guess.

Yeah I could take my ds on my own but my dh has booked 2 weeks off work so I’d love to do some things as a family. I guess we don’t have to take our ds to indoor places at the moment but come winter we won’t want to be outside all the time.

@ChristianGreysAnatomy

I hate it. It’s hot and uncomfortable, and a barrier to communication. But the alternative is worse so I’m just sucking it up and trying to get used to it.

Exactly this

I’ve ordered some cotton face masks so they might be better then the clinical ones. My ds doesn’t need to wear one as he’s under 11 but they do freak him out a bit.

I thought you had to wear them at the cinema now?
I hear you OP, I absolutely hate them. Yesterday I got the train home from a dinner out at 11pm and the train was like a sauna. Luckily it was only 20 minutes as I don’t think I could have worn it for much more than that.

The hotel we’re staying in next week is saying they have to be worn in all common areas of the hotel unless you’re eating or in the pool and it’s put me right off going

Yes it's uncomfortable and frustrating but you do have a choice to limit going to places where you'd have to wear one.

Be thankful you're not a medical professional who has to wear full PPE for 12 hour shifts while doing v stressful job.

Ps the cotton ones are much better.

Surgical masks are much more breathable and comfortable. Also, if you wear them upside down (with the bendy part under your chin), they don't hurt your nose. Rubbish, but quite bearable.

Totally agree OP! If masks were efficient at preventing the spread of corona, they’d have made us wear them from the beginning! This is just ridiculous! I don’t want to bring anymore children into a world like this, it’s grim

No ones loves it.

But the alternative is worse.

(Predicted boom items of A/W - good warm coats, fleece lined jeggings, welly liners, thermal undies)

I do it, and I've worn one when food shopping since March, but I am struggling with the prolonged wearing of them e.g. going to 2 or 3 shops inside our local shopping centre or when queueing somewhere like a petrol station or Post Office. I start to crave really deep breaths and I get a sweaty mouth and nose. YANBU to hate it.

To be honest I don’t quite get why wearing masks weren’t made mandatory at the peak of this pandemic and it’s only now we have to wear them. I get that we now have people who where shielding out and about again but other than that I don’t understand the government’s decision to not make masks mandatory sooner.