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.

Yes the creeping impingement onto civil liberties is shocking to me too, look at Melbourne! Army patrolling the streets. And yet we managed to flatten the curve without quite such a draconian lock down or needing the army from a much worse position infection wise than them.

@LongAndWhiningRoad

Will have a proper read later, after feeding DD and hiding from the heat!

I wouldn't bother tbh. I was posting it more for people who may not have made up their minds yet.

I don’t understand this - VintageVixen said she was going to read the articles you posted (which I’m willing to bet is more than you have done). What’s your problem with this?

If it becomes 'Normal and everyone just accepts it then it will be forever.

I don't accept this. Things become normal in times of duress but change when the need for them ceases. For example rationing or blackout blinds.

As a Brit in the USA I've been told endlessly that socialism ( basically anything universal or evenly divided) could never work here.
A total shortage of loo roll everyone fine with just being allowed to buy one, crisis passes and so do the restrictions.
Survival of the fittest is about being able to adapt to current conditions whatever they are.

What’s your problem with this?

I don't have a problem with it. I just said she probably needn't bother. She's obviously already made up her mind.

I would like to see your evidence that 90% if all scientists already recommend it

Well 90% was obviously a figure of speech for the vast majority. I can't find a major scientific organisation or institution that doesn't. So are we supposed to trust the WHO, the CDC, scientists from Oxford university, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, etc.? Or a couple of strangers on an internet forum?

The WHO doesn’t support masks beyond circumstances where you can’t socially distance.

Either you trust science or you don't.

You are clearly not a scientist.

There is no such thing as “the science”. Scientists disagree with each other. Really crap quality studies are published all the time. Lab studies aren’t always transferable to real life situations. Results are often presented in the most favourable/unfavourable way possible in mainstream media articles to produce more exciting headlines.

I wish we lived in a country with a higher degree of scientific literacy.

Well no of course you shouldn't accept the opinion of randoms on Internet forums! You go back to source as you have clearly done then make up your own mind, as I have done too.

All the meta analyses I have read reviewing all the trials come out mildly in favour of masks, so I went back and read the actual (observational) studies and wasn't convinced. You have done the same but are convinced, we can debate and agree to disagree.

FWIW I do wear a scarf in shops etc because it is mandatory, I'm not a selfie taking anti masker! I just think it's a placebo is all.

The WHO doesn’t support masks beyond circumstances where you can’t socially distance

Correct. So?

You are clearly not a scientist

I never claimed otherwise. There is such a thing as scientific consensus, which is quite clear on this topic. If you can't see that, then perhaps it's you that has a problem with literacy.

The point at issue is what masks actually add to hand hygiene and social distancing.

I would actually argue that they take away from it. Because once someone has donned their magic mask of immunity, in many cases social distancing and washing hands goes out the window. Their face shield protects them from all ills.

And don't get me started on the dozens of disposable masks littering the streets by the station near me, dropped by manky fuckers who can't be arsed to find a bin.

I never claimed otherwise. There is such a thing as scientific consensus, which is quite clear on this topic.

There is a political consensus on this topic, yes.

There is a political consensus on this topic, yes

Yeah yeah yeah, you've made your mind up, you're smarter than everyone else, we're all sheep, etc. This one's been done to death, I'm off the thread now! Bye!

The WHO doesn’t support masks beyond circumstances where you can’t socially distance

Correct. So?

So you can’t really say that the WHO is in favour of en masse mask wearing. There are fairly limited circumstances where they say that they are worth wearing, and they’re not advocating the basis face coverings you can order from Boden.

www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/who-updates-guidance-on-masks-heres-what-to-know-now/

Ooh, a flounce.

This disease is so terrible that you have to be tested to know that you've had it.

Yes, I'm sure all the dead people agree that as it's not so terrible for others, they are just fine and dandy as well.

Lol. If a flounce means no longer wasting time talking around in circles to a dickhead, then I'll flounce away!

@LongAndWhiningRoad

The WHO doesn’t support masks beyond circumstances where you can’t socially distance

Correct. So?

You are clearly not a scientist

I never claimed otherwise. There is such a thing as scientific consensus, which is quite clear on this topic. If you can't see that, then perhaps it's you that has a problem with literacy.

I would more willingly accept the "science" if all 4 nations were in agreement, but seeing that they are all saying different things whilst claiming about science makes me less likely to believe.

What have I done that makes me a dickhead? I’ve challenged you on some of the stuff you’ve written. It’s a discussion forum.

You accuse people of having already made up their minds and not being willing to think about the other position but the person I’m seeing doing that here is you.

God yes the amount of disposable face mask litter...the amount of disposable plastics and waste being put into the environment. So we are all being non selfish by wearing them, but never mind the waste generated and the selfish implications of that. Even non disposable cloth ones require hot washing on their own if you are being serious about infection control, lots of wasted energy/water in doing that en masse too.

See I’be been called daft for not being overly concerned about getting seriously ill with this virus

Well you should be concerned! I caught it in March and four and a half months later I'm struggling to recover. Been left with a multitude of health issues which seriously affect my quality of life... the chances of this happening to you or one of your loved ones, if you or they caught it, is about 10% - maybe a bit more. Maybe you're 'not concerned' due to it being a relatively low %. If I was you, five months ago, I'd prob feel the same. But here I am, still unwell nearly 5 months later.

YANBU to not want to wear a mask. YABU to not be concerned about the consequences should you contract the virus.

God yes the amount of disposable face mask litter...the amount of disposable plastics and waste being put into the environment.

None of that matters, @Vintagevixen. All that matters is Covid.

I hate them Horribly depressing and unnecessary. We are therefore avoiding all places where they to be worn. If the Government introduced them with intention of boosting the economy I just cannot see that working. It is having the opposite effect.

And whoever said above about objecting to the Government mandating what we put on our bodies, I cannot agree more. What next? Hair should be covered? Gloves? This is a real slippery slope and people seem to be walking around blindfolded (maybe that's next??!!) accepting the situation. It is scary.

So 80% of people who have Covid are totally symptomless
And yet MASKS

I'm not sure what point you are making? They are still contagious, and as they don't feel ill, happily walking around spreading the disease.

@Vintagevixen
I like everyone of your posts.
You and a few others on here give me hope.
I can wear a mask (I do where I have to) but avoid going anywhere I need to. It's the only bit of power I have against something totally abhorrent to me.

Only when the number crunching shows that they are have a negative effect on the High Street will the rule be relaxed. It won't be anything to do with how many cases of CV19 are still around.

If, as some people think, there will be more shopping done, then I think we are stuck with them for a long time. Maybe forever. Tacit consent from the public. There will always be an excuse reason why obeying the government mask wearing must stay.

Thanks IAintentdead, I just like to think things through rationally is all. As I said I have worn masks for years as an HCP, I know it takes an awful lot of effort/training to keep maintain infection control whilst wearing them even in healthcare environments. I just can't believe the general public can do that en masse, any equipment is only as good as its user/users training!

I also know they are awful to wear, hot, claustrophobic and you have to speak loudly all the time to your colleagues! I completely get people whinging about them and I hate the "tough it out" narrative.

Believe me if there was strong science I would wear them despite the discomforts, and if a piece ever did come out that proved that I would admit I was wrong. I mean if it was the Zombie Apocalypse and they prevented that I would also definitely wear one (with my trusty katana by my side also !!!)