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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if Anxiety is an acceptable excuse for not wearing a mask?

827 replies

balihai550 · 12/01/2021 21:19

Just this...I had a mild panic attack in M&S today because for some reason masks make me feel closed in and like I can't breathe.

So I took it off and then had to explain to three people why I couldn't wear it. Anxiety in their view wasn't a good enough reason.

I often try to get online shops but atm all the ocado, Sainsbury's and Waitrose slots in my area are gone, so have to venture out.

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

OP posts:
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5
FlorenceinSummer · 13/01/2021 09:17

I think some of these are being harsh, if you are having genuine panic attacks with a mask on you might want to find out why that is happening, I know a few people who have had past traumas that can't wear masks in public, as they panic and pass out. It is awful for them and they don't go out where a mask is necessary, if they do go out they have the clear plastic full face shields (like this one www.siteking.co.uk/face-shields?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0fr_BRDaARIsAABw4Ev7VCj4Gm4ISBOd_FzOlUaLp5bPrUJaYRbJpBwaalwPWgD3Gz06N-QaAu-WEALw_wcB) perhaps this is a solution if you do need to go out?

nanbread · 13/01/2021 09:18

I don't like wearing a mask or walking round the shops at the moment, I've been able to get a click and collect slot 1or 2 weeks in advance with no issue since about May 2020. So as long as I'm organised I don't have to go into a shop.

Think my children have been inside a supermarket twice in the past year.

Maybe it's different in other areas but I know my DPs and PIL who live in different parts of the country haven't struggled to get c&c slots either.

mygenericusername · 13/01/2021 09:19

I take on board what you say about 2 people shopping - you are right where people can shop singularly they should - we we're both at the supermarket when non essentials were open and bubbles of 6 we're acceptable, things appeared to be improving. Even at that point he was unable to cope.

I’m glad you have the decency to respond in a courteous way unlike most of the vile comments on here. I get that it was allowed. As such I will keep my opinions to myself regarding whether you should or shouldn’t have done it.

In the same sentence if the OP doesnt feel like she can wear a mask, has tried and is having severe panic attacks then she is exempt. Under the rules, she doesn’t have to wear a mask and as such there shouldn’t be 18 pages of utterly vile comments from people telling her what a murdering c*nt she is.

Laufeythejust · 13/01/2021 09:19

Have you tried a silk mask? I was getting eczema on my face from the disposable masks and bought a silk one online. It’s so much easier to breath through despite being quite thick. I’m asthmatic and struggle a little with masks if I’m too warm/ breathing heavily (think it’s more psychological than anything). I wish I knew about these sooner!

Rosehassometoes · 13/01/2021 09:19

Those face shields have the same function as eye goggles so are not comparable to a mask.

DenisetheMenace · 13/01/2021 09:20

AramintaLee

I suffer terribly from anxiety and also find the Mark suffocating. My breathing becomes very shallow and I get flustered and hot. However, I wear it to protect others. I know I can get through a shop with it on because I've done so many times and I will get through a shop many times going forward.

If it was so bad that I couldn't wear the mask, I would leave the shop and make other arrangements rather than put people at risk tbh

Thank you 😊

MrsMiaWallis · 13/01/2021 09:22

@DenisetheMenace

AramintaLee

I suffer terribly from anxiety and also find the Mark suffocating. My breathing becomes very shallow and I get flustered and hot. However, I wear it to protect others. I know I can get through a shop with it on because I've done so many times and I will get through a shop many times going forward.

If it was so bad that I couldn't wear the mask, I would leave the shop and make other arrangements rather than put people at risk tbh

Thank you 😊

I bought a pack of masks from a conpany called Maskies

Don't do it! They were thick, uncomfortable, evertime i breathed it i got a mouthful of fabric. Really horrible, made me feel a bit anxious. The neqi ones have been a game changer, I actually rather like wearing a mask now.

scubadub · 13/01/2021 09:22

Some areas in my work require me to wear all of this....why? Because it's a sterile environment and our aim is to keep it that way, we do environmental monitoring in those rooms too. Our plates come back clean in those areas so that means we manage to keep the area free from microbes. So...we can deduce that the masks do help to stop the spread of the virus. They are not the only factor helping but the contribute massively.

To ask if Anxiety is an acceptable excuse for not wearing a mask?
MaxNormal · 13/01/2021 09:22

Seeing others without masks triggers anxiety and panic in me. If you can’t wear a mask don’t go into shops.

The law is not on your side fortunately.

Nousernamesleftatall · 13/01/2021 09:23

Yes of course you are exempt if you can’t breathe with one on. Don’t mind the hysterical masses on Mumsnet. People forget face masks only became compulsory in July and before the majority went to the supermarket without one.

Brendabigbaps · 13/01/2021 09:23

I find a mask causes me anxiety but I still wear one.

I find it hard to breathe through them, so I walk round with my mouth open inhaling deeply.
I wear glasses so my glasses steam up and slip off, I still wear a mask.
A mask makes me panicky , so I do my shopping much quicker and only do what I have to do.

Markies · 13/01/2021 09:24

This reply has been deleted

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Speedyspunker · 13/01/2021 09:25

Priti did a good job yesterday, didn't she? 'Look over there! See all the terrible rule breakers! Killers!', she cried. And once again the Government ramped up the campaign to get us blaming each other to distract us from their staggering incompetence. Meanwhile, a new study out of UCL yesterday, which received very little coverage by the media, showed pleasingly high levels of compliance among the general public.

covidaintacrime · 13/01/2021 09:26

I find wearing a mask makes me feel less anxious. Just fucking wear it.

Queen of empathy 👑

MaxNormal · 13/01/2021 09:26

I find wearing a mask makes me feel less anxious. Just fucking wear it.

Not up to you and not the law.

covidaintacrime · 13/01/2021 09:27

Yep, Speedy turn us all against each other (preferably against the exempt / disabled) so everyone has someone to blame.

Markies · 13/01/2021 09:28

@covidaintacrime

I find wearing a mask makes me feel less anxious. Just fucking wear it.

Queen of empathy 👑

I don’t claim to have empathy hun. 💁🏻‍♀️
Sirzy · 13/01/2021 09:28

I think the key is remembering anxiety is different for everyone.

I struggle walking around with a mask on because it triggers panic attacks for some reason. I still wear one but I minimise the time it’s on and I always have an escape plan! Going to a shop would be a dire emergency for me at the moment because I know it will trigger my anxiety. My anxiety is on the severe side but not bad enough to make me mask excempt because I can still wear one.

Ds has a hospital appointment this week and we will be there for 3 hours, I wouldn’t dream of not wearing a mask then.

Obviously some people with anxiety won’t be able to tolerate a mask at all, others will be perfectly fine with it. But not wearing one should be a last resort and not IMO a response to one mild panic attack.

freeandfierce · 13/01/2021 09:29

I struggle with a mask too, get a bit panicky and I'm asthmatic. As a lecturer I have to wear a mask and visor at all times, teaching for 12 hours a day ( when we were open). I was dreading it but it's amazing what you get used to, still have moments where I get a bit breathless BUT my concern is to protect others. For the sake of me feeling a bit uncomfortable there's no comparison.

Livelovebehappy · 13/01/2021 09:30

Yep. YABVU. If you feel anxious, leave, go home, and return when you’ve calmed down. I’ve felt panicked a couple of times wearing a mask - it just comes on, but I would rather leave my trolley, and leave the store, than subject people around me to me removing my mask and passing on the virus. It’s rubbish I know, but has to be done.

covidaintacrime · 13/01/2021 09:30

I don’t claim to have empathy hun

Jesus fucking Christ. At least you're honest, but that's nothing to brag about.

MaxNormal · 13/01/2021 09:31

I don’t claim to have empathy hun

So why do you expect others to have it, to the point of distressing themselves to keep other people safe?
Its not all about you.

Markies · 13/01/2021 09:35

@covidaintacrime

I don’t claim to have empathy hun

Jesus fucking Christ. At least you're honest, but that's nothing to brag about.

I’m not ‘bragging’ about it - you brought it up expecting me to have it in relation to them saying masks make them anxious. I don’t like wearing them anymore than the next person but unfortunately it’s something we have to do right now. Just seems like so many people are creating excuses not to wear them. I have my opinion and you have yours. Of course i am empathetic - when I need to be.
covidaintacrime · 13/01/2021 09:36

Of course i am empathetic - when I need to be.

To me, empathy is not a thing of "I'll do it when I need to". You either give a shit or you don't.

And I don't think masks make them anxious, masks worsen their anxiety symptoms.

Booksandwine80 · 13/01/2021 09:37

I’m sorry but I don’t think it is acceptable. I suffer with anxiety, not surrounding wearing a mask, but I do get anxious around people who don’t wear them.

Do you really think that is ok?