Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Stop taking the fucking piss out of my mask.

158 replies

Snagscardies · 05/06/2020 12:42

It seems to be middle aged overweight men that have the most problem, or the rudeness to say something /point and laugh. Is that because they know they are more at risk so seeing me masked up makes them uncomfortable?
I wear it in any enclosed space including cars as I have to drive other peoples cars for work. I know the studies are limited but there does seem consensus that it will at least stop me spreading it if I'm asymptomatic.
Just going to a car and a man said 'why a you fucking wearing that' and laughed at me. Why?

OP posts:
DewDropsonKittens · 05/06/2020 13:37

I had a woman shout at me outside Aldi, my daughter and I were both wearing masks

She called me "fucking ridiculous and that I was creating hysteria and scaring her fucking children"

Hailtomyteeth · 05/06/2020 13:37

Went to the supermarket (reluctantly, once a week) in my mask. Favourite comment from another shopper, loudly to her partner, "They look like them things they put on dogs... not leads... muzzles!"

alittlelower · 05/06/2020 13:37

Draw some big sharp teeth on it

Grin
K4fkaesque · 05/06/2020 13:38

@Scotinengland76

Why did you feel the need to say they are overweight? Are you insulting them by saying that? You must be otherwise you wouldn’t say it
I think the obvious implication is that they are at greater risk from Covid-19. Hence the irony (or stupidity...) of them mocking people at lower risk wearing a mask to protect them.
TimelyManor · 05/06/2020 13:39

@Hailtomyteeth

Went to the supermarket (reluctantly, once a week) in my mask. Favourite comment from another shopper, loudly to her partner, "They look like them things they put on dogs... not leads... muzzles!"
I would have taken great pleasure in growling at her Grin
Cattermole · 05/06/2020 13:41

Completely unrelated to Covid but when the hell did it become acceptable for grown ups to start taking the piss out of other grownups? Did we not grow out of that aged about 15?? I remember gangs of spotty adolescents shouting "oi! goff! hurr hurr hurr!" at me on the street, 20 years ago. Presumably they grew up to be arseholes like your blokey there.
I'm not wearing a mask, given that I'm seeing three people a day and related to all of them, but it's bugger-all to do with me if other people choose to.

ChristmasCarcass · 05/06/2020 13:44

There is a subset of middle-aged men who just like to shout stuff at younger women. If it hadn’t been your mask, it would have been something about your weight or your tits. Ignore it.

Probably about 30-50% of people are wearing them around here. I’m not wearing one out in the street or in the park (because it’s pretty quiet around here so I feel it is low risk - I’m never within 2m of anyone), but I wear one on public transport and am in PPE all day at work (NHS). Getting food delivered, so not needing to go in any shops at the minute.

FruChoc · 05/06/2020 13:45

Bloody hell I live in a place with no current covid cases and ppl still wear masks and gloves... no one bats a eyelid, it's not a big deal I just presume they are taking extra precautions. I don't wear one but would if situation was different.
If I was in the uk I'd want a full hazmat suit situation.... 36000 + dead and ppl pissed off at other ppl wearing masks?.!? Insanity...

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/06/2020 13:48

I too am in a sma town in Gloucestershire and people out shopping are wearing masks. Those walking round our green spaces, with or without dogs, are mainly not. Care workers are noteable, we have a large number of care homes of various sorts, wearing gloves and masks in cars and out.

All perfectly sensible.

Pluckedpencil · 05/06/2020 13:48

I'd reply "because I'm a nice person and I want to protect people if I have the virus, shame you don't have the same consideration of me". But anyone considerate wouldn't make such a dumb ass comment during a pandemic so maybe just tell him to fuck off.

EnlightenedOwl · 05/06/2020 13:48

@Snagscardies

It seems to be middle aged overweight men that have the most problem, or the rudeness to say something /point and laugh. Is that because they know they are more at risk so seeing me masked up makes them uncomfortable? I wear it in any enclosed space including cars as I have to drive other peoples cars for work. I know the studies are limited but there does seem consensus that it will at least stop me spreading it if I'm asymptomatic. Just going to a car and a man said 'why a you fucking wearing that' and laughed at me. Why?
I'd be saying same thing tbh
Ihatecoldsgrrrr · 05/06/2020 13:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JingsMahBucket · 05/06/2020 13:49

@Scotinengland76

Why did you feel the need to say they are overweight? Are you insulting them by saying that? You must be otherwise you wouldn’t say it
She probably mentioned it because overweight/obese men above a certain age are a high risk group. So essentially, the rude yelling was coming from someone even more likely than her to catch it even though he was giving her undue flack.
MrsGrindah · 05/06/2020 13:52

I think you might be being over sensitive. It’s not like you are the only person wearing one.

Unless you are one of those idiots who wear one but have it dangling down around their chin all the time. Those people are bonkers!

TimelyManor · 05/06/2020 13:54

@Ihatecoldsgrrrr

I doubt this was said to you... but anyway.
Why?
DippyAvocado · 05/06/2020 13:56

@VeganVeal

And because masks dont really offer protection
All the recent research shows that masks and face coverings are important for preventing transmission.

Yet another incorrect message that the government put out early on to prevent the public buying masks they needed for hospitals because they didn't have enough of their own which people have latched onto and are still repeating despite all evidence to the contrary.

TimelyManor · 05/06/2020 13:57

I think you might be being over sensitive. It’s not like you are the only person wearing one.

Is it oversensitive to object to people commenting on anything we wear? Really?

CatteStreet · 05/06/2020 13:57

An overweight man is not 'more likely than her to catch it', but statistically more likely to have a severe course of disease if he does.

Some men have trouble with perceived rule-following and/or anything that makes reference to susceptibility/vulnerability. Then there's the subset that enjoy trying to intimidate or humiliate women.

Then it's taken a very long time for the UK to (institutionally) accept the use of masks - where I am they've been compulsory in shops and on public transport for over a month.

DippyAvocado · 05/06/2020 13:58

I hope none of the people who are averse to mask-wearing plan on travelling on public transport any time soon, as mask-wearing will be compulsory from 15th June.

TheFlis12345 · 05/06/2020 13:59

Tell them you are wearing it for their benefit as fat, old men are much more likely to die of Corona!

HaudMaDug · 05/06/2020 14:00

I had this last week in the supermarket and not some ignorant stranger but a friend who works in a care home!
Her: Why are YOU wearing a mask?
Me: Because you are not.
Agree with others about it being pointless to wear when you are alone in the car.

dreamingbohemian · 05/06/2020 14:00

I've seen a number of interesting studies recently about why men in particular are resistant to wearing masks, finding them 'emasculating'. They are seen as a sign of weakness so something that 'real men' avoid. I guess the corollary is that they see people who do wear them as weak, and feel free to take the piss or intimidate them.

(Not saying that everyone who opposes masks is a man, not saying there aren't genuine reasons for not wearing them)

MrsGrindah · 05/06/2020 14:03

Yes I do think it’s over sensitive.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 05/06/2020 14:04

There are more people not wearing masks than wearing them when I am out and about.
I do see the odd person in a car wearing one and do think why?

MarshaBradyo · 05/06/2020 14:05

Because some men cannot help themselves and comment on women. Same old

Did you cough at him for good measure

Loads wearing them here don’t worry about it. Soon he will too if he doesn’t drive his own van