Going shopping today, should I wear a mask?

[WhatPollyForgot]

I am going to the supermarket today for my weekly shop. Should I be wearing a mask? What do you think about those who are / aren't wearing them?

If you have one and no pre-conceived ideas about wearing it then do so.
I wear a mask if going to the supermarket (happens very rarely as I try to avoid big shops). Around where I live at least half of shoppers wear them men and women, nobody bats an eyelid. Lots of people wearing them on the street as well.
I wish everybody was wearing them.

I see so many people using masks incorrectly. Also not observing social distancing because of the mask.

Yes (or rather, face covering). I was the only person wearing one in M&S but felt it important to embody what I think is right.

The coverings I ordered haven’t arrived yet, so I just wore a scarf, folded a couple of times. I put it on just outside the supermarket, took it off carefully outside when I’d finished, chucked it into a plastic bag, sanitized my hands and washed it when I got home.

I had to goto the chemist Yesterday and the pharmacist wore her mask under her nose 🙈😑

a face covering?

If you want to wear one, wear one.

I went shopping yesterday and didn't. Very few people had one on. I saw 3 women wearing them, non of them social distancing. Squeezing past people etc.

If you wear one make sure you wear it properly, social distance, don't faff with it and take it off properly.

Very few people have been wearing them here. I just tied a folded muslin around my face. It's horrible wearing it but if it helps prevent spread, then I'll do it

I am, most don’t, which possibly makes it futile? I’d like to see it become the norm so I’ll carry on wearing mine. It’s a washable fabric one I got from Etsy.
Any tips on stopping your glasses steaming up?

Are they a moist breeding ground for bacteria? Don't know.
I'm focusing h on not touching my face, keeping my distance and washing my hands.

I had to goto the chemist Yesterday and the pharmacist wore her mask under her nose

I think this is what bothers me most about masks.

People keep saying that learning how to wear a mask isn't difficult, people arent stupid the only need showing once, will use the properly etc

And yet, peolle trained to wear them properly dont.

I saw a carer outside a care home, interviewed for the local news, with it pulled down in to her chin and neck.

Trained to use the mask, but still forgets. Wearing them, but not using them properly could actually make more or a risk.

Plenty of other people are wearing them so if you want to them do. Just remember to remove it correctly otherwise you risk introducing the virus to your nose/mouth.

@Karmatime if your glasses are steaming up, you are not wearing it correctly.

@Peggysgettingcrazy unfortunately most are not trained in how to wear the mask and some people in homes and chemists do not want to wear a mask (I know as a relative fights daily to get staff members to wear one).

The advice is to wear face coverings now....

I don't. Some people are, some people aren't.

unfortunately most are not trained in how to wear the mask and some people in homes and chemists do not want to wear a mask (I know as a relative fights daily to get staff members to wear one).

Carers and people working in chemists are trained. They are at least shown how to wear it (above your nose) and how to handle it.

If they don't want to wear them, nothing can stop them feeling like that. Though some people need to for work.

But that still doesn't address my point. The point is that people insist, that people will wear them properly. Because they are told how to. But A big number won't. Which has potential for making it worse.

If you are in a supermarket, with a mask, touching it, removing it to talk to people, not social distancing and touching things in the shop its more of a risk than someone sticking to the SD rules and not touching their face at all.

OP, as you seem to be aware of the correct way to wear a mask, and that you still need to social distance when wearing a mask, I'm not sure what seeing other people not doing this has to do with your own decision on whether to wear one or not.

I'd say you should, but it's up to you.

A video showing talking with and without a mask - New England Journal of Medicine:

www.cbc.ca/player/play/1731271747905

People do inevitably talk in the supermarket, even briefly, and infected particles can linger in the air for up to eight minutes...

I have been wearing one when shopping recently. Very few people social distance in supermarkets near me.

Although not compulsory, the guidance is to wear one. Just wondering what people think of those not complying. I guess if it will keep people the fuck away from me if I don't wear one.

@WhatPollyForgot Any tips on how to wear it properly? I’ve tried tightening and inserting wire to fit around my nose but to no avail?

If you have one, I'd wear it. Protects others, and might give you some protection. Every small thing we can do individually will reduce the risks. I'd only wear it for a short time, is supermarket shop, in case it does get the virus on it. Remove it, bag it and sanitize after, a good idea if shopping anyway

I would imagine it's only the FFP3 masks which are fit tested to the wearer that don't stream your glasses up. I would have thought all other masks and face coverings have gaps so your breath will be forced upwards, escape from the gaps and steam your glasses.

Isn't it only recommended when you can't social distance? I'm about to head into sainsburys and am not wearing one because everyone is social distancing in there.

Definitely. I got what I think is CV from the supermarket (only place I had been) and I did everything else (gloves, sanitising, cleaning food packets) but I didn’t wear a mask. Maybe I would have got it anyway but I won’t be going into one without one now (in case I didn’t have CV!).