I wore a facemask doing my shopping today...

[Justmuddlingalong]

Yes, I initially felt self conscious, slightly embarrassed and generally a bit of an arse. However, the sky didn't fall in, nobody pointed and laughed at me and after a few minutes I'd gotten over the initial discomfort.
I know it's not a rule to wear one, but on the list of embarrassing things I've done in my lifetime, it's very near the bottom. 😷

I haven't worn one outside yet. But I've been lucky enough to get a weekly online shop and only need to go out to walk the dog, but should the government advise we should wear them at all times then I'll wear one.

I haven't looked to buy any, I dug my old sewing machine out, blew off the cobwebs and set to making my own, I sacrificed a new Egyptian cotton sheet to use for 3 layers and then a patterned cotton outer layer, as I didnt want sore ears or to be tying it behind my head as I'd get it tangled in my hair I did big loops of elastic, they go around my neck under my hair and one around the back of my head :-) I have no idea really how useful it will be, I plan to make lots more to allow for washing. Should I never need to wear any .. oh well .. they have kept me busy

If anyone can't find masks to buy have a look online for templates and youtube for tutorials, you don't even need a machine and make your own ... believe me if I can make one pretty much anyone can :-)

Noob you are boring me. It doesn't matter if the mask wearer is flicking their hair, adjusting the mask etc. Its not to protect the wearer. Its to cut down transmission. This has been covered umpteen times in this thread. As for gloves, whatever. I wear mine properly. Perhaps instead of sneering at people it might be better to guide people in the correct use?

To me HanyWany it's more the ridiculous depth of knowledge I now have about sneezing, coughs, people's breath; such as how fast and far will travel; spraying into a passer bys mouth nose and eyes. Hanging in the air in a huge cloud and carried in the breeze and now apparently sticking to the air pollution. No wonder east Asian cultures use protection in public knowing this information. Working in an office, going shopping sit in a big office breathing everyone's breath and germs covering everything. My dc have colds all the time. But I never considered bacteria (grosser to me) was also rather contagious.

I feel relieved in a mask filtering out most of the gossness in the air and will be aware of all this going back to work.

BTW pp that mask you made is very pretty.

(polite long rant apology, no offense guys)

Lots of people wearing them here now, and although all surgical masks were originally withdrawn from sake and requisitioned for front line workers, they will be on sale again soon. Pretty sure they will be obligatory in many places when we start deconfinement. I would feel happier if everyone wore one so we all protect each other.

Bloody ridiculous analogies to Muslim women covering their faces. It might be if only women had to wear masks and, if they didn't, they would be severely judged, potentially assaulted or be imprisoned.

You might as well say people who wear hats in winter are appropriating hijab as they are covering their hair....

I have not heard such analogies. I can't deny the likeness ?

The "analogy" came from a person who is herself Muslim. And she was being lighthearted.

We can understand more now the gear some Muslims might wear. I'm pretty certain it is not all just based on abuse. That is very offensive generalisation.

I'll probably get slated for saying this but as a Muslim woman I find it quite funny to see how everyone else is now covering their faces too!

I had wondered about this.

I also wondered at the woman I saw driving away from my local shop the other day with a face mask on in the car - and a lit cigarette in her hand....

changemind I knew about some of that but germs clinging to pollution that has blown my mind!! Omg!

Muslim women noticing scarves and snoods. At the start. They seemed interested but still had an expression of looking at a normal person. The white people openly stared as if they are witnessing some kind of bizarre weirdo.

Apparently untested if virus is still viable on air pollution. But yeah its there apparently. Its just everywhere isn't it :(

Most seem to wear them around our area, I wear mine automatically without thinking about it now, also thin gloves.
I find both also helps to remind me not to touch my face or any surrounding surfaces too, being on, it keeps me alert as so easy to forget about safety when preoccupied..
anything that helps is good surly.

We are being asked to wear masks here when shopping. It felt odd the first few times I did it. Like a sci-fi movie, but I'm no longer startled.

I'll see the odd person not wearing the mask at the supermarket and think, "Ok, they probably have a good reason." (Forgot, don't have one, anxiety, etc.).

I do not wear one outside, nor do I ask my children to wear one outside. Just had our first post-Covid one-on-one play date where the children biked and took a walk. Played with dolls on a picnic blanket. The other mom and myself sat in porch chairs six feet apart and had a glass of wine. No masks.

I wear one every time I leave the house - how odd to be concerned about what other people might think about your appearance! Who cares what other people think?

The other mom and myself sat in porch chairs six feet apart and had a glass of wine. No masks.

It's mandatory where i live or else you may be fined!

I've just ordered some cloth masks off Ebay and had them sent to my daughter and her boyfriend who live in Scotland. If I've understood the news correctly, although the Scottish government hasn't made it mandatory to wear face coverings it is being encouraged. Don't know why I did it really - they are perfectly capable of getting their own. Mothering instinct gone crazy I suppose. Im finding it hard not seeing her.
Anyway, I suspect that it might become commoner to see people in masks once the lockdown restrictions start to be relaxed, though I don't imagine that's going to happen any time soon. At the moment we aren't going out at all as my husband's had a temperature, but I might consider it later. Some more consistent advice would be helpful. I don't know what to believe.

They really are unremarkable and completely part of the new normal here, wouldn't get a second look or even a first.

It's strange how quickly things change. About a week before lockdown I went to a shop wearing gloves and people kept thinking I worked there. Now, the vast majority if not all shoppers I or DP have seen are in gloves. Masks not the majority yet but there are always lots of people in them, and that is going to increase I think.

I am not entirely convinced about them myself, I still have questions about circumstances where they might do more harm than good, but i am assuming we'll all be in them soon. Difficult for those who have phobic or other issues with face coverings.

It's mandatory where i live or else you may be fined!

I’ll take the fine any day than wear one.

Luxembourg
It has been compulsory to wear face covering or a mask since Monday 20th April in Shops, public transport and where there are issues with social distancing. Everyone was given five masks as a “starter” kit.
It was amazing how easy it has become to except this new norm.

I suspect we will get so used to it that society might be changed so that in future if you have a cold you wear a mask to protect others and frankly if I were still using the London Underground I would always wear a mask on there.

I didn’t mean that the London Underground was a dangerous place but that overcrowding means colds are easily passed around.
Sorry London but its what I believe.

@NoobThebrave I completely agree with you.

Saw a woman walking along the street wearing a mask...under her chin. She then gobbed on the pavement the dirty bitch! 🤢