Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

209 replies

Witterywoman · 18/09/2020 07:42

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 Hmm

OP posts:
Dinosauratemydaffodils · 18/09/2020 11:29

I wear a mask 12 hours a day at work in the NHS and it is no big deal at all, I don't even notice I'm wearing it half the time. You are being ridiculous and a petulant princess.

Good for you. I nearly got sectioned earlier in the year because I can’t separate the stupid bit of fabric from my rapist's hand in my head. The longest I've managed so far is 5 or so minutes and those days I need zopiclone to sleep. If people can comfortably wear masks, awesome but stop and think about the issues others might be fighting against.

It's like we can't win, selfish for having issues with masks which stop us spending money but also selfish for feeling suicidal because it feels like we'll never get our lives back.

AllPlayedOut · 18/09/2020 11:32

You are being ridiculous and a petulant princess.

I don't care how long you wear yours. It's completely irrelevant to how other people feel about them or how well they can tolerate them. We're all individuals and what's tolerable for one is insufferable for other people. As demonstrated by a nurse on the thread saying that she tries to avoid them outside of work because she finds them so uncomfortable.

I detest camping and would rather chew my limbs off than spend a night in a tent. Others love it but at least no one is dragging me outside kicking and screaming and forcing me into a tent while expecting me to be grateful and happy about it. You and the others I've seen who seem to take it as a personal insult that many people dislike masks and aren't dancing down the street with theirs on, while Walking On Sunshine plays, seem far more petulant than the OP.

tappitytaptap · 18/09/2020 11:32

I wouldn’t be a fan either OP. I’m not sure why people are being so nasty. No one can force you to spend your money on something you won’t enjoy! I can tolerate a mask for maybe 90 mins or so when shopping, but theatre is expensive and I want to enjoy the experience and find it relaxing for that kind of money to be honest. Great for those who are ok wearing them for longer periods of time, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

Funkypolar · 18/09/2020 11:32

The OP is saying she doesn’t want to wear a mask so she won’t go. You can’t make people go to the theatre!

I don’t like masks, I wear them if I have to (in a shop) but I avoid going places where I have to wear them. That’s my choice.

Lexilooo · 18/09/2020 11:35

I wouldn't go, not because I don't like wearing a mask, I wear one to shop and have been to a couple of museums and galleries that require them but I think theatres and cinemas are really high risk and I'm not sure mask wearing makes it safe.

Funkypolar · 18/09/2020 11:37

I’m also ordering most things online to avoid going into shops. I daresay someone will be along shortly to screech at me for not supporting the high street or something.

trixiebelden77 · 18/09/2020 11:49

Never mind. Just don’t go.

Once again we can only be thankful that people who find it unbearable to pop a mask on for a couple of hours don’t tend to have jobs that matter like health care, emergency services, food provision etc.

Funkypolar · 18/09/2020 11:52

trixiebelden77 - I have Hyperemesis gravidarum and wearing a mask is very hard for me. I also vomit around 10 times per day and I can’t vomit into a mask.

LindaEllen · 18/09/2020 11:56

I wouldn't go either. There are so many things I'm not doing because I can't be bothered with the ballache of everything you have to do jumping through hoops etc. It's like I won't go to eat out because I don't want to have to isolate if we get contacted after handing in our details. I can't afford any more time away from my job - I'm freelance!

SockYarn · 18/09/2020 11:56

@trixiebelden77 people who don't like masks or can't wear them for other reasons are hardly going to choose to go into a career where they're needed, are they?Hmm

ChasingRainbows19 · 18/09/2020 12:08

Some of these comments......I’m NHS therapeutic staff funnily enough I didn’t sign up to wear a mask all the time. In 15 years of practice I’ve only worn masks for short periods with the odd infectious cases. Not 13 hours every shift while clocking 5/6 miles of walking round the hospital during my day.

Yes I get paid, but I didn’t sign up to be working through a global pandemic. No one did. No one actually thought that when signing their contractshmm I wanted to help people in healthcare. People like some of you commenting who don’t give a shit about others.

If anything this pandemic has shown how selfish the human race can be to be honest.

Cadent · 18/09/2020 12:13

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Why make it about a 4 year being held and raped? Because I was. I was just a child yet I need to get the fuck over it? Maybe if it were her child she'd have some fucking empathy for others. Sick to death of people being the mask police. Had 2 people just this morning confront me about it. One more and I'll be explaining myself in graphic detail in front of their damn kids who are supposedly better than me because they can wear them and I can't.
But she didn’t say everyone needs to wear a mask. Of course lots of people are exempt, no one has said everyone needs to wear a mask. The point is, for those of who can wear mask, is to decide for ourselves if we want to go out. That’s all.

It’s like you’re looking for a reason to kick off.

And again you’re alluding to her 4yo being raped. I hope you find a way through what happened to you and I’m so sorry but these comments are uncalled for.

lazylinguist · 18/09/2020 12:16

It's not really a question of being reasonable or unreasonable imo. Anyone is entitled to avoid (when possible) places and events where masks are required, if they feel that strongly about wearing one. Personally I don't find them a problem really, and neither do I find the sight of them depressing, so in your position I wouldn't hesitate about going. But that doesn't mean YABU, it just means you and I feel differently about masks.

ClickandForget · 18/09/2020 12:17

Just a shame for the arts, yes

Fortunately not. I don't think they'll have trouble selling tickets as the vast majority of people are willing to wear masks to see a play.

cocopops · 18/09/2020 12:17

I love going to the theatre but there is no way I am paying the extortionate sums charged for decent theatre if I have to sit in a mask (although SD founds good in a theatre, given the way some people behave!). I don’t expect to be back for a long long time and have received refunds rather than tix for rescheduled dates for about 10 shows I had booked for this year and next as I don’t want to risk having a weird experience. It’s a shame- I know lots of people in that industry and I think they’re truly fucked.

YADNBU op.

AwkwardPhase · 18/09/2020 12:20

Aww that's a shame then. It's a brilliant show. I'd try different masks if you change your mind. I find the disposable ones are so much more comfortable worn for long periods. I'm sure you can buy more expensive reusable comfy ones but I haven't tried those yet. The disposables I forget I'm wearing them after a while.

ClickandForget · 18/09/2020 12:21

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

My little nieces and nephews wear masks because they want to, because everybody else is. Kids like to copy.

Funkypolar · 18/09/2020 12:22

ChasingRainbows19 - how is it selfish to avoid going places so you don’t have to wear a mask? Who is being harmed?

namechangetheworld · 18/09/2020 12:37

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Ah, alluding to a 4 year old being raped on a thread about face masks. What class. Off you pop now.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/09/2020 12:39

OP, no way would I go and sit in a theatre wearing a mask. I find them sweaty and uncomfortable and they make me cough so I'm only wearing them if I have to and going to the theatre doesn't come into that category.

Jaxhog · 18/09/2020 12:45

Well, it's your choice really.

Masks aren't great, but they ARE contributing to keeping the numbers down. That's worth it, isn't it?

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 18/09/2020 12:47

YANBU. They give me acne. Every single one of them. I have facial scars from acne in the past and it costs me a fortune to lighten them/get rid of them. So I don't go out much to places where you have to use a mask and wouldn't pay to go to a function where I had to sit for hours in one.

I don't give a fuck what others do. That's their business. My life is mine.

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 18/09/2020 12:52

The 'selfish' comments are so tired, too. And the I have to wear one for work so you should like to use them, too. She doesn't want to wear one in a theatre so is not going to one. Perfectly valid.

Dreamcatcher34 · 18/09/2020 12:57

I would LOVE to see Six, but if I had to wear a mask I wouldn’t go. It makes me uncomfortable, hot, claustrophobic. I barely even go into a shop now as it makes me feel horrible. Doesn’t bother some people, does bother others. No one is right or wrong. YANBU.

BogRollBOGOF · 18/09/2020 13:33

@Jaxhog

Well, it's your choice really.

Masks aren't great, but they ARE contributing to keeping the numbers down. That's worth it, isn't it?

Probably mainly because people are avoiding settings where they have to wear them, rather than their magical virus/ aerosol filtering properties. Especially with something light enough to be tolerable for going about your daily business, and the average standard of hygiene practice.