Is anyone finding it hard to wear a mask?

[Thewheelsonthebus23]

I haven’t been wearing a mask to go to the supermarket or shops because I find it so hard to breathe in. I do have a cloth mask I bought online. I practised wearing it around house and I felt like I wasn’t getting enough oxygen and almost passed out. I suffer with panic attacks anyway.
Fortunately I have my own car and don’t need to use public transport, but I’m thinking they’re going to made it compulsory in shops and supermarkets next.

I hate wearing one, I keep touching it!! But I will keep trying was maybe i will eventually get use to it.

I hate them and Used to get really claustrophobic and upset. But unfortunately as a health worker I have no choice at all and you do get used to it very quickly and it will start to feel normal.

If they had locked down back in February we would have been wearing them when the weather was still cool. Instead of having to wear them in the heat.

That cunt Matt Hancock has just made it compulsory for me, and my colleagues to wear them at work - at all times.

Obviously we do when near patients but now he says we have to all the time Im deaf and lip read!

I was at a meeting today and someone had one on, I had no idea what they were saying.

I managed to wear one last week for a 15 min click and collect activity and a 45 mins shop in Lidl. After a while it becomes easier to forget you are wearing one.

Its not the most natural thing, but its a hell of a lot more comfortable than getting the virus. I managed to find a way to think differently about it, that it is helping (in a small way) to protect me and possibly others (if I've had it, which we will never know).

What kind of masks are people wearing that make your glasses steam up????

Its not the most natural thing, but its a hell of a lot more comfortable than getting the virus

Not if it causes you to have a panic attack every time.

I had to wear one last week whilst having a procedure following an abnormal smear test, it made what was already an uncomfortable procedure so much worse, not helped by being quite anxious already.

It's not nice, but if DB and DBIL - both working in care - can do it on their shifts I can do it on the bus and in shops.

I am glad I do not wear make up though.

So if we are copying other countries when it comes to masks and people are saying we should be doing the same as other countries and cant understand why we havent been so far................then why arent we disinfecting the streets............you know, like other countries?

Try a buff / neck gaiter, sea salt sell them called handy band. Tricky to explain but like a narrow snood, bikers wear them under helmets they are a multi style jersey tube. You can wait round your neck and pull up if needed to cover mouth and nose.

@SauvignonBlanche gosh that must be so hard

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross I agree entirely ... I find the situation that our country is in absolutely incredulous.

Have family in Spain, Canada and Australia and every week they call to basically say WTF ?
The press our government is getting overseas is shocking but they deserve it .

I might try that Lizzie, thanks. I could try my running buff.

Nursery are making all parents wear them at pick up and drop offs.

Their staff are not wearing them and when I have it on I can only stand 10 seconds with it on but if I remove it they sternly ask me to put it back on.

It makes me dread going there

Tip to stop glasses steaming up: I use micropore tape to tape it over my nose and this stops the steaming up.

I have no problems with a decent mask.

I bought some decent (medical grade) masks on amazon which are completely flush against my nose, I could even wear glasses without them steaming up. They also don’t rise up into my eyes.

I then bought some from M&S which look identical but aren’t flush against my nose (so not as effective) and they constantly need adjusting as they almost touch my eyes at times. These are pretty shit but I’ll continue to wear them

Maybe it's just the brand I have then. Thanks!

I’m in Scotland and have been wearing one in shops for a few weeks. I hate it, but realise it’s for the greater good. I bought fabric masks from Baukjen - they are cute prints, at least.

@Thewheelsonthebus23 do you live in a particularly isolated/rural area? Could you try using NHS responders? They will do food shopping for people with underlying health conditions, anyone newly socially vulnerable, anyone with symptoms, mental health conditions. If you have panic attacks I think that would qualify? The scheme has loads of volunteers so you could see if there are any volunteers in your area?

You can call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm) - volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/nhs-volunteer-responders-portal/isolating

They've just made them compulsory to wear for medical appointments too haven't they.

For people struggling with glasses steaming up if you put a small bit of surgical tape on the top of the mask, under where your glasses sit it will help to stop that.

I can't even stand wearing a polo neck. I'm going to practice with masks at home until I can tolerate them.

If you can get any disposable ones then do so. I have a very "good" fabric one with magical germ killing properties. It's very comfortable on my skin but I don't get enough oxygen if talking/walking and actually feel breathless - I do not have any medical conditions. The disposable ones are less comfortable on my skin but I can breathe. They all make my glasses steam up to some extent.

I can assure you that a mask that fits properly won’t make your glasses steam up. A mask is supposed to be completely flush against your nose/cheeks (& under your chin) to be effective in preventing the spread of your germs, otherwise your germs are just seeping out through the gaps between your mask & your face as you breathe. This is why your breath steams your glasses up.

I'm planning on wearing a visor instead.

I hate them.
Reducing amount of time I have to wear one (US), by making more shopping trips. Counterproductive, perhaps, but it keeps me from passing out in the grocery store.
Loudspeaker at supermarket: "Clean up on aisle nine!"