To miss out on this show as I don't want to wear a mask

[Witterywoman]

DD and I (along with friend & her DD) were due to see a West End show we'd been wanting to see for ages. It was cancelled due to Covid. We then bought tickets for a drive in version of the show which was cancelled last minute. They've now announced a limited run of the show later this year. I was initially excited thinking 3rd time lucky but my heart sank when I read all the inevitable "Covid safe" blurb about masks, sanitising and temp checks. Sent it to my friend anyway who was "urgh no thanks". She then added we'd probably get cancelled again anyway! Although I would love to see the show I too don't think it's worth the hassle. DD & I hate wearing masks for any length of time so to wear for an entire show plus the journey into town would just be uncomfortable & depressing.

I know it's good to support the arts but I just feel sad about the whole thing. We"ve tried to go out and do normal things like go out for meals, to attractions etc but just feel sad at the reality at how far from normal things are and don't feel I can be bothered trying anymore.

No point to this really, I know why these measures are necessary but just feel so sad about it all and long for it all to end. I find seeing masks everywhere so depressing! Unfortunately reality has dawned that we may be living like this for a very very long time

I think you are cutting your nose of to spite your face but it's up to you. Masks are here to stay for a long while so I'd be getting used to them if I were you.

i can do masks for about an hour then get very uncomfritable -its up to you of course

it will prob be cancelled if the rules dont change again anyway

Only you know just ho w much you want to see this show!
So only you can decide if it’s worth wearing a mask or worth missing.

For what it’s worth, I’d have gone to see Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Michael Buble, Derren Brown and Elton John this year wearing a mask, rather than having a credit note for Phantom and Les Mis and another 12 month wait for the others.

Sorry op, I’m not sure why you’ve asked a public forum to answer a question that only you can decide.

I’ve seen six three times

Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just go and see Eighteen?

I find it irritating too when people insist that you're wrong to dislike masks, find them uncomfortable, make it difficult to breathe, steam up their glasses, make you feel claustrophobic, spoil your experience - whatever. Other people are not you.

As for comparing to NHS staff, I'd hate the responsibility and concentration required to carry out brain surgery, so that's why I didn't train to become a surgeon (well, that and not being smart enough to do so....). I'd hate the idea of crawling around under dirty cars and having to diagnose and fix complex problems (and have a disability that would make it nigh on impossible anyway), so I didn't choose to become a mechanic. You might as well say that any ordinary member of the public IBU if they say that they would hate having to run through muddy trenches in the freezing Winter, carrying huge heavy backpacks and being screamed at by their boss; or indeed having to deliberately kill somebody and put themselves at a very great risk of being deliberately killed - just because those who've chosen to join the army 'seem to manage OK without whining'.

You do sound a bit petulant, OP. Most people are just getting on with things as best they can.

I find it irritating too when people insist that you're wrong to dislike masks, find them uncomfortable, make it difficult to breathe, steam up their glasses, make you feel claustrophobic, spoil your experience - whatever. Other people are not you.

It's not other people's jobs to make mask wearing palatable to you. We're all in the same boat (except for those who are exempt).

I went to the Bridge Theatre London at the start of this month. My temperature was taken before I entered the foyer, everyone was wearing masks, out of a 900 seat theatre only 250 seats remained (the others had been physically removed!) and there was no interval.
It was far more pleasant sitting in the theatre in my mask than dashing round the shops or using the trains in a mask.
Sitting down & relaxing, the mask became less cumbersome, less of an obstacle & my breathing calmed down. My steamy glasses actually cleared!
Try using surgical masks, have a practice at home before you go to get used to how it feels just to sit around & watch something whilst wearing a mask, have a quick 'mask' break before you go into the theatre.

My son really struggles with wearing masks (sensory issues) but we have found that the masks in home bargains are great for him. You can get 3 for £5 and it doesn't feel like you are wearing a mask much. I also put a few drops of peppermint oil on his as he hates the fact he can smell his stale breath. Might be worth a try looking at some different masks.

@Cadent so bloody what. Just because we are confronted with the same issues doesn't mean we have to make the same decisions. If the OP is perfectly entitled to not like wearing masks and perfectly entitled to choose not to so something that requires wearing them. Just as other people are entitled to decide to wear a mask in the middle of the moors should they wish.

It's not other people's jobs to make mask wearing palatable to you. We're all in the same boat (except for those who are exempt).

Exactly, but people on here are trying to do just that - for an optional leisure activity. Saying "It's not an ideal situation, but you'll just have to decide whether it's worth it to you" is one thing but declaring "Oh, no, you're completely mistaken about masks - I have no problem whatsoever myself and actually prefer having to wear a mask to not having to; so it's the same for everybody, problem solved!" is quite another.

It just makes me think of the male leaders of a certain minority religion that's popular in Hollywood informing women that there's no need for them to make a sound whilst giving birth, however much they might 'mistakenly' think that they need to or find it helps them cope.

By the way, people who are exempt (except those who are obviously young children) are in a whole different boat altogether. They have the joyful decision to make as to whether to struggle enormously and worsen/compromise their health and wellbeing by wearing one anyway or otherwise use their exemption and then be shouted at, abused and called liars every time they try to use public transport or go in a shop. Lucky them.

I'm in a similar situation to you in that I'm not excited about having to wear a mask throughout, but I desperately want to see live theatre. I was thinking about a little trip to my local cinema to see how I coped with sitting through something in a mask - if its a bit much I can leave and I won't have spent as much money on the experience. That might be worth a go?

X-posted with countrygirl99, who said it much more succinctly than I did.

Fine to go and wear a mask, fine not to go because you prefer not to. Both options equally unobjectionable.

@ameliajoan

YABU. Masks are here to stay and tbh you just need to get the fuck over it and wear one.

Plenty of people wear them all day every day with no issues.

I certainly hope masks are not here to stay.

[quote countrygirl99]@Cadent so bloody what. Just because we are confronted with the same issues doesn't mean we have to make the same decisions. If the OP is perfectly entitled to not like wearing masks and perfectly entitled to choose not to so something that requires wearing them. Just as other people are entitled to decide to wear a mask in the middle of the moors should they wish.[/quote]
Who on earth has made the decision for OP that she HAS to go?

@namechangetheworld

I think I'm at my Mumsnet limit of perfectly healthy people whining about masks.

The complaining is all very tedious now. My four year old is capable of wearing a mask around the supermarket for 45 minutes without all of these dramatics, so this behaviour from grown women is absurd. Grow up.

Why do you make your 4 year old wear a mask? That's absurd.

I’d go! I wear a mask 8-10 hrs a day. I have a bit of claustrophobic/ anxiety at times but mainly when I am talking whilst moving and stressed. I keep my room as cold as possible to help (hands freezing/face warm!). I haven’t passed out in work yet!
Wouldn’t be a problem watching a show and I’d love that.

Whatever, really. Either you want to see the show enough that you will put up with wearing a mask, or you find the prospect of wearing a mask annoying enough that you'd rather miss the show. Like everyone else has to these days, you make a choice, there's no right or wrong answer, you do what seems right to you.

I'm fine with the masks, probably because I've been wearing one all day at work for months now, but I know plenty of people who hate them. It is what it is.

Just to clarify, I'm in no way getting at those sharing their experiences and finding it personally less onerous than they might have imagined beforehand or those making suggestions as to what alternative types/options might help - it's just the attitude of slapping somebody straight down and suggesting that they are mistaken in their own feelings, experiences and needs.

Also, yes we know that this is not the most pressing or disastrous thing going on in the whole world right now, but it's Mumsnet - where people are allowed to discuss pretty much anything they want to and invite others to engage if they wish to - this isn't the COBRA committee or a UN taskforce on saving all of humanity.

Exactly, but people on here are trying to do just that - for an optional leisure activity. Saying "It's not an ideal situation, but you'll just have to decide whether it's worth it to you" is one thing but declaring "Oh, no, you're completely mistaken about masks - I have no problem whatsoever myself and actually prefer having to wear a mask to not having to; so it's the same for everybody, problem solved!" is quite another.

But generally people have been saying, it's up to the OP. No one has tried to dictate she must wear a mask and go.

One poster did say to get over it as masks are here to stay, but even she isn't telling OP she has to go!

@Hardbackwriter
So it’s a choice for OP, she’s whining, why bother with the post; she’s decided she’s too delicate to wear a mask, if she really wanted to see the show she would 💁

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

The complaining is all very tedious now. My four year old is capable of wearing a mask around the supermarket for 45 minutes without all of these dramatics, so this behaviour from grown women is absurd. Grow up.

You have a very resilient four year old if they can wear something over their face after being held down and raped with a hoodie pressed over their face so that their crying didn't make the rapist lose their erection.

Oh wait. Sorry that was me. But, you know, I'm happy to relive that every time I go in a shop for the next year, so long as no one thinks I'm whining or being dramatic or thinking I'm special. Perhaps if it had been your child you might have a bit of compassion for them.

Doctors choose a career where they have to wear PPE. We aren't choosing, we're being forced. No matter how much distress it causes us because even when we are legally exempt some busybody, holier than thou, smug cunt thinks they have the right to judge and go Oh but my 4 year old... just fuck off and take your mask with you.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut I'm sorry for what happened to you, but that comment was uncalled for. @namechangetheworld didn't say everyone has to wear a mask. Why make it about a 4 year being held and raped?

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut
Whilst I have very sympathy for you, your post is ridiculous and unneccessary.

With you there OP. I'm not going anywhere I don't have to if I have to wear a mask. Which is probably good from a prevention point of view as its overall numbers that increase spread, with or without a mask. Just a shame for the arts, yes.