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

As appalling as are the experiences that mean some posters are traumatised at the prospect of wearing a mask, that's not particularly helpful to this discussion. This is about the majority of people, for whom masks may be uncomfortable/hot/inconvenient etc, but within 'normal' range rather than being something that triggers trauma.

I too am a bit tired of people without these reasons complaining about masks. If we want a semblance of pre-Covid life with shops, theatre, galleries, etc, we just have to deal with them.

I speak as someone who wears glasses, which steam up in a mask; has mild claustrophobia, which means I feel as though my breathing is restricted, which makes me mildly panicky sometimes; and speak quite quietly, making it hard for people to hear me in a mask.

BUT I'd rather put up with this than see galleries/theatres etc have to close.

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

What, are 4 year olds not capable of spreading a virus?

@IntermittentParps

As appalling as are the experiences that mean some posters are traumatised at the prospect of wearing a mask, that's not particularly helpful to this discussion. This is about the majority of people, for whom masks may be uncomfortable/hot/inconvenient etc, but within 'normal' range rather than being something that triggers trauma.

I too am a bit tired of people without these reasons complaining about masks. If we want a semblance of pre-Covid life with shops, theatre, galleries, etc, we just have to deal with them.

I speak as someone who wears glasses, which steam up in a mask; has mild claustrophobia, which means I feel as though my breathing is restricted, which makes me mildly panicky sometimes; and speak quite quietly, making it hard for people to hear me in a mask.

BUT I'd rather put up with this than see galleries/theatres etc have to close.

This. Theatre is my biggest love in life and if wearing a mask helps keep it alive, then so be it.

I too am a bit tired of people without these reasons complaining about masks. If we want a semblance of pre-Covid life with shops, theatre, galleries, etc, we just have to deal with them.

That doesn't mean that people are obliged to to attend events that require them to wear masks for hours. Their choice to avoid going because they don't think the pay-off is worth it, is as legitimate as your choice to go.

I also wear a mask for 12 hour shifts in the NHS. I’m lucky that I haven’t had any traumatic experiences that could make this impossible for me, or have any other condition that would make me unable to wear a mask. I wouldn’t dream of judging anyone not wearing a mask. Try and develop a bit of compassion and empathy, for the poster who works in the NHS and criticised other people not wearing masks, this will really help you in your work too!

We are going (except to Manchester). we have also just booked for Last Five Years & Song for a New World. Ds has autism and struggled with masks at first but he' ok now as long as he sticks to disposable.

For us, anything that facilitates us being able to get back to going to the theatre.

Well I got my ticket for SiX at the Lyric a couple of days ago, but I like wearing masks anyway, I've got lots in pretty fabrics.

Comefromaway I'm going to The Last Five Years too. It was one of the last shows I saw before lockdown, looking forward to seeing it again.

I wouldn’t go. I’m having a nightmare just shopping at the minute because my glasses always steam up. My choice would be either steamy glasses or to not bother wearing them and not be able to see anyway. I wouldn’t be wasting my money.

FFS! On MN, you have to wear a mask and like it. Fuck that.

@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?

Not going contributes to keeping the numbers down even more effectively!

That doesn't mean that people are obliged to to attend events that require them to wear masks for hours.
I didn't say anyone was obliged. The OP wanted opinions about how we feel about mask-wearing and about her situation, and that's mine.

Isadora, ds and dh were booked to see it in March and the theatre closed the week bore they were due to go.

So we are all going this time.

JRB's shows have done really well out of all this haven't they?!!!!!

I'm just a bot worried because we are due to be going the weekend in between ds and dd's half terms and they are talking about a mini half term lockdown.

FFS! On MN, you have to wear a mask and like it. Fuck that.

I was just reading the thread thinking that.

OP doesn’t like wearing a mask so she’s thinking of avoiding a voluntary situation where she will have to wear one. Like someone who doesn’t like Chinese food not going to a Chinese restaurant.

It really is ok not to like wearing one.

I completely understand why masks are required. I can’t really relax while wearing one so I’m sticking to at home or outdoor with social distancing entertainment until this is over. No shows, no movies. Well, it’s possible a movie will come out that I care enough about seeing in the theater. A cinema close to me is letting you rent the entire showing for a very expensive, but not completely unreasonable price. It’s possible some movie will come out that I’m desperate enough to pay for a private showing for my family, but it would have to be one I was ridiculously excited about. B

*FFS! On MN, you have to wear a mask and like it. Fuck that.

I was just reading the thread thinking that.

OP doesn’t like wearing a mask so she’s thinking of avoiding a voluntary situation where she will have to wear one. Like someone who doesn’t like Chinese food not going to a Chinese restaurant.

It really is ok not to like wearing one.*

I don't think anyone likes wearing a mask. It's not like those of us that wear them have been sat around with vast mask collections for years thinking "golly, I hope there's a pandemic soon so I can crack out these beauties". But we do it because we're adults and it's a pretty small price to pay. Those with genuine reasons not to wear them are relatively few; and I have no issue with them at all, but those who consider themselves special and more important than the rest of us, I have no time for.

This is the same as the Chinese restaurant example. But if someone posted that thread on Mumsnet everyone would just say "yeah, so don't go to the Chinese. What are you moaning about? Why is this even a thread?" And this is no different - don't want to go to the theatre if you have to wear a mask. So don't go. You have a choice. I personally would rather wear a mask and have a life.

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

My 4 year old also wears one. I don't think it's absurd.

I ask him to wear one because I think it's good to teach children to think about others, and accepting a minor inconvenience for the sake of protecting someone else is a value I want to instill in my children.

Go with a mask or don't go if you really can't bear it. Not really anything more to be said than that, is there?

And this is no different - don't want to go to the theatre if you have to wear a mask. So don't go. You have a choice. I personally would rather wear a mask and have a life.

And that is exactly what the OP is choosing to do.

It doesn’t mean she thinks she’s special or more important or precious or any of the other insults that have been thrown at her on the thread.

It just means that for her, she thinks the negatives of extended mask wearing outweigh the positives of going.

And that is fine.

It's frustrating when mask threads descend into hyperbole. As stated above, people aren't trying to force Op to wear a mask, of course it's her call to not go.

I got the impression Op that you were bitterly disappointed at the prospect of missing a show you have wanted to see for a long time. You thought a mask would spoil the experience.

Perhaps you were open to other views. I mean you went as far as showing your friend the details. Maybe if she had reacted with "come on, let's do it! A mask won't hamper our fun" rather than "ugh no" you may have been persuaded?

The replies you got seemed reasonable to me; suggesting trying different masks, reasoning that a mask isn't so bad sitting down, you'd get used to it, or someone suggested trying a cinema trip as a trial run, even the posts saying perhaps you should get a grip and accept mask wearing, to me all seemed quite constructive.

It's not clear why people exempt from wearing masks due to severe psychological trauma thought those comments were directed at them and got so angry.

It's a leisure activity and meant to be for fun, so I understand if you decide not to bother. At the same time you say this just feel sad at the reality at how far from normal things are and don't feel I can be bothered trying anymore and I wonder if that is really the example you want to set to your DD. She may be more adaptable than you and given these measures are likely to be in place for some months at least, it might be a good idea for her to try and get used to them. Not necessarily with the show, but with some things at least.

It's not clear why people exempt from wearing masks due to severe psychological trauma thought those comments were directed at them and got so angry.

Masks make me so angry I want to break things because everywhere I go they remind me of how utterly worthless and rubbish I am. Obviously can't speak for anyone else and I have been trying to avoid threads because it's like pouring vinegar on a paper cut but months of being told by people online and in real life how pathetic, worthless, useless, selfish, stupid, weak we are occasionally gets a bit much.

I agree inkpaper and if masks are the norm for the foreseeable future it's a real shame to avoid all situations that would otherwise bring you joy or some resemblance of your "old life". Particularly if you are feeling down and slightly depressed about everything being put on hold.

I have a feeling you would enjoy the theatre trip so much that you'd probably soon forget you're wearing a mask. Everyone has different levels of tolerance though.

As already mentioned, you can weigh it up and choose not to go.

I am just so grateful to have any form of theatre back.

It's a huge part of my life and my family's life, so we've really been missing it. I'm genuinely frightened of the future for the Arts.