What a surprise "wear face coverings"

[BruceAndNosh]

As above

[halulat]

But if you are a teacher you magically don't need one!!!

[Comenext]

Interested in this. So, if you are a teacher you don't HAVE to wear a face covering? But you can if you wish? Or are you told you must NOT wear a face covering while in the classroom?

[CaptainMyCaptain]

I Remember posting on a crafting thread on here at the beginning of lockdown that I had been making masks and my post was completely ignored
Early on there were people making masks for hospitals and others were pointing out that it was a waste of effort as hospitals wouldn't use them. (I don't know if you were in that category) Making them for your own use or others to prevent transmission in public is completely different.

[SMJYellow]

I bought a mask from a maker on etsy. It's a cotton mask with a filter pocket on the back of the mask. I washed it when it came.

I decided to try it on last night in preparation for using in public. I found it hard to wear. The fit was good. It felt comfortable but it felt heavy or smothered. I found it tough. I got 15 minutes wear from it.

[halulat]

Comenext
The guidance is that wearing a mask or face covering is not recommended in schools or other educational settings ...

[Comenext]

@halulat Thanks for that.

[Kokeshi123]

I won't be wearing masks, it's the height of hayfever season and my face is itchy and uncomfortable enough without a mask adding to it.

Where I live people actually wear masks to combat hay fever as well. Give it a try---you might find your symptoms are better (add sunglasses as well for more impact).

[Kokeshi123]

The lower death rates in other countries may be because of a range of other factors - better testing, more prompt treatment, people with less risk factors, fewer people over 80 or in care homes - whatever

Well, Japan has the world's oldest population and the government has done a very poor job of handling the pandemic with hardly any testing. No lockdown here either (lighter social distancing only). Strikingly low level of deaths. I don't think masks are the only thing that has saved Japan's butt, but they are almost certainly a very big part of it.

[Scottishgirl85]

I can't help but think this to ease anxiety rather than actually helping to prevent the spread of the virus. How can a homemade mask be useful??

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

How can it be helpful?

As many have said before, it helps reduce the spray of your spittle.

Like wearing your elbow over your mouth all the time, but more practical.

[BottomleyPottsCoveredInSpots]

Scottishgirl85: I can't help but think this to ease anxiety rather than actually helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

It’s probably the government being seen to do something to shut people up about this issue - much like the reason I’ll comply with wearing one, only in shops and if I have absolutely no choice but to travel on public transport (mostly I walk, including to work - key worker; not public-facing).

But as for easing anxiety, it’s the first thing in relation to the virus that really has made me feel very anxious - the thought of wearing something on my face (can’t stand hats or hoods and reacted a bit like a pp when I had to wear an oxygen mask in the past). How I’ll be able to keep it on without touching it, the risk of transferring the virus to my hands when I take it off. I’ve ordered a couple of handmade ones from Etsy as I know I’ll never be able to keep a scarf over my face without it falling down and without adjusting it, never mind the “no-sew” ones you see in the videos. Just hoping they come soon, as I’m anticipating being on the receiving end of glares or worse in Sainsbury’s in the meantime.

[bellinisurge]

Making a job lot for family today

[ivykaty44]

Where I live people actually wear masks to combat hay fever as well. Give it a try---you might find your symptoms are better (add sunglasses as well for more impact).

Is sensible to protect your nose from the pollen, which eliminates the itching.

Glasses help in U.K.

So wear both and have some relief

[Bluewarbler27]

I saw people driving around in them today 🙄

[Sarcelle]

I fear there is going to be a lot of stupidity around masks. Why would you need one in a car????

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

I've just walked the dog and seen half a dozen people in cars with masks and gloves on.

Not sure why, maybe it's just easier than taking them off before you get home... but I did feel like shouting " you've just smeared the outside all over your steering wheel" but figured they'd also got "outside" on their feet and bums and backs too. Pointless!

[marlboroughlemon]

@blue "I saw people driving around in them today 🙄" ---- yes, well before you judge, maybe it was a group of doctors or nurses travelling home for work, or maybe the group are protecting each other - this is invisible virus and we cannot know who is infectious - or maybe they've just taken someone to hospital who is covid-positive, or maybe some of them in the car had covid …. there may be lots of reasons. So many in UK love to be superior about masks ….

[whenwillthemadnessend]

If I have to go to more than one shop then I will leave my face mask on rather than fiddle with it and put it back on when I get to the next shop I also keep on the same pair of gloves but I anti back my hands and anti-back steering wheel. As a retired nurse I feel confident that I am not infecting myself by keeping my mask on to travel short distances.

[JosephineDeBeauharnais]

Our friends in Mallorca have been forced to wear masks at all times out of the house, including in their cars. As lockdown has eased somewhat, they are now only forced to wear them in enclosed spaces (shops etc).

[Kokeshi123]

I saw people driving around in them today

It's generally better to avoid constantly fiddling with them so that you do not end up touching your face all the time. I usually just leave mine in place unless there is a reason to lower it. If I was out in a mask, I would probably leave it in place while I drove home and then put it in the bowl for washing them when I got home.

[bellinisurge]

I made a little washable PUL bag to store a mask in with an extra pocket for a spare for the distant future time when I will be out and about. The thought of endless plastic bags to carry it in after use made me fed up.

[TemoraryUsername]

@BruceAndNosh

I wear glasses and hearing aids. Both felt uncomfortable and invasive when I was first fitted with them - you have to wear the new thing as much as you can stand to in order to get used to it.

(Or try a different design if it's too close fitting over the nostrils and lips)

[TemoraryUsername]

I fear there is going to be a lot of stupidity around masks. Why would you need one in a car????

I had to have a day going from a shop to a pharmacy then on to a vet with a short drive between each, it's safer and more practical to leave the mask on the whole time. Perhaps they were doing similar.

[Chillipeanuts]

I’m surprised anyone is surprised.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I’m going to have something as loose as possible and not hooked on my ears which will hopefully make it more comfortable and less like I’m being suffocated and I’ll be less likely to fiddle with it!