Does anyone feel really uncomfortable seeing people in masks?

[Lissy23]

I do.
It feels to be like their ‘faceless’ beings.
I know this sounds really far fetched, but it’s how I feel.

I also find it very unpleasant being unable to see somebody’s facial expression and to know whether they are smiling at me.
I think I’m on the spectrum, possibly aspergers, I’ve been told by various therapists that it’s a possibility.

How will anyone meet a romantic partner if they can’t see their face? Only their eyes? I know eyes are supposed to be the ‘window the soul’ but I can’t bear not seeing somebody’s entire face.

I went to the pharmacy the other day and the pharmacist was wearing a mask, he was talking to me and I didn’t understand him at all. I didn’t think I relied on lip reading, but I obviously do. He said it twice and I didn’t get it, so I just pretended I had

I know this is all for the greater good. But I feel so depressed and anxious by it all, I already suffer with mental health issues.

I am finding it difficult reading books and watching tv programme or films because they make me tearful and remind me of life before all of this ‘new normal’. I’m wondering if I should speak to a doctor. But I have no idea how to word it.
I’ve already had people calling me selfish and childish (friends and family) for being anxious about wearing a face covering.
It isn’t just other people wearing them, I can’t breathe when I have anything covering my nose and mouth and it often induces a panic attack.

@TaxTheRatFarms

Can you not get over how a mask looks enough to be aware of the health benefits? I mean “Hannibal Lecter”? “Hostile”? (I put a grin because it’s honestly laughable.)

Would you seriously risk someone else’s health because a mask makes people look a bit weird?
You would risk another lockdown because they make people look like a fictional character?

I’m sorry, but that is bonkers. I honestly despair.

I really feel for people who can’t wear them for medical or psychological reasons but people like these two posters? I’m glad I don’t know anyone this selfish.

Very selfish and immature behaviour on their part. Some people still need to grow up.

@UmbrellaHat - I don’t understand your comments. Why would you hate seeing someone in a mask? You should be thankful - by wearing it they are protecting you.

I can’t wait until masks are mandatory. Most people won’t do the right thing until they are forced to do so.

This is where the government are so irresponsible and trying to avoid making decisions by relying on the common sense of the public (Which they know doesn't exist).

Ultimately the public, collectively, are like children. Ask them to do something and most won't do it. Tell them they've got to do it and most will.

I'm not terrified, but I wear a mask while food shopping. This is to protect other people as I am surrounded by small people who lick things at work. Yes, I've been careful at work, and yes it's the summer and we're out doors a lot, it wouldn't be fair to spread my usual winter germs around, let alone Covid-19. I actually like wearing a mask because people interact with me less. Maybe they think they won't be able to understand me so don't bother to speak.

I always put my best mascara on of I'm going to be wearing a mask.

Yes I hate it

Hannibal Lecter’s mask wouldn’t be any good, because there is a hole for him to breathe. The aim of his mask is to stop him biting.
The aim of cloth masks is to cut down on the possibility of the virus being spread, particularly if someone is asymptomatic.

Bane’s mask, on the other hand, being of the respirator type, would be more beneficial for the wearer.

Deadpool’s mask would be a good compromise, maybe?

I like it. It’s comforting and shows they care somewhat about the situation and other people. I wear a mask to help protect others but also to protect the child I’m shielding. I don’t go out much only for emergency appointment type of things. I plan on wearing a mask most of the time now, even if they say COVID is gone and it will never be back (won’t happen I know) I plan to still wear a mask. I’m done catching people’s germs and being unwell all the time and bringing that to my kid so I wouldn’t mind it becoming a common thing to see. It’s a bit childish I think to see people wearing masks and being scared etc. You should be more scared of a virus that can mess up your lung function for life.

I deal with the public face to face (not able to have screens between us) so seeing the people that come into my workplace wearing masks is reassuring for me.

Yes I really hate it. I’m avoiding situations where I’d have to wear one (shopping online instead of shops, walking instead of taking public transport) because wearing one myself makes me feel very claustrophobic. But still just seeing buses go past with people wearing masks on makes me feel so uncomfortable, like a little ball of anxiety in my stomach.

I'm not really bothered by the masks themselves, but I do dread people speaking to me with a mask on as I need to lip read to fully understand them. I can get the gist from gestures and context in many cases, but it's still quite stressful!

Where i live they are mandatory. No drama/ arguing/ failure to cope. We just wear them and crack on.

The handwringing that goes on on here makes me a bit embarrassed. Like the whole population turned in bolshy teenagers who just know better.

@sofato5miles

Where i live they are mandatory. No drama/ arguing/ failure to cope. We just wear them and crack on.

The handwringing that goes on on here makes me a bit embarrassed. Like the whole population turned in bolshy teenagers who just know better.

Totally agree, it is embarrassing.

“It’s a bit childish I think to see people wearing masks and being scared etc.”

Interesting. I gave birth during lockdown. When I was in labour I struggled to understand all the HCPs wearing masks. It was quite frightening.

“ Where i live they are mandatory. No drama/ arguing/ failure to cope. We just wear them and crack on”

You have no choice. They are mandatory. I have lived in a number of places outside the U.K. and all my friends from those places who live where masks are mandatory complain about it. They wear them, but complain. I am sure people in the U.K. will be the same. Hopefully those who cannot wear them will not be abused

I never understand these comments from people who live in places where masks are mandatory. If they weren’t mandatory, many people wouldn’t be wearing them in eg Portugal, Spain etc.

I did find it odd initially but quite used to it now and find it reassuring that people are helping to slow the spread.

I'm not sure being autistic is relevant - personally I struggle to use facial expression to tell an emotion and find it hard to look at people's faces particularly eye contact. So not sure masks make any difference. However, may be different for you. If your anxiety is really taking over - maybe speak to your GP?

The type of people complaining the most about masks being an infringement of their civil liberties/government muzzles etc are the ones most likely to abuse people, as we can see on here, so I don’t think that will be a major problem. Although they probably wouldn’t say boo to a goose when they’re not online

I do understand about the psychological effect. I don’t really like the medical masks due to an experience having surgery. Years ago, in fact, DH was going to a fancy dress party and wore one as part of that and I went to pieces - absolutely could not cope with the flashback!
So sympathies to anyone who feels similar.
We just have to remind ourselves why people are wearing them. To keep us all as safe as possible with the materials widely available. No, we’re not in full hazmat with respirator, but a buff pulled up over your mouth and nose in a shop etc is perfectly doable for most people.
And if you Can’t, rather than Won’t.....well, just give everyone as much space as possible. I don’t want a prolonged face to face convo with you, but I’ll just assume you have a genuine reason not to wear one.

A genuine reason isn’t WeLl ThE gOvErNmEnT [insert Kevin Turvey level non-reason here]

Not at all. I used to think that tourists wearing them were utterly ridiculous bit it's become our new norm.
I have a very thick one myself, that with my accent and habit to mumble doesn't help people to understand me. Which is quite funny, I keep apologising.

I do judge people in masks and fear we will raise a generation of ninnies if the compulsory mask demandrs get their way.

If ‘ninnies’ means ‘people who give a shit about others’ then I embrace our future ninny overlords. Better than the rugged-individualist-fuck-everyone-else-I’m-ok crowd.

I wear a mask when out and about and when shopping etc because I feel it is the socially responsible thing to do to help others, not because I am terrified of getting the virus myself.

I've never stopped working (primary school TA) throughout the entirety of lock down so I've kind of just got on with it. I mean, I'm 29, I eat healthy, exercise, don't drink or smoke and don't have any conditions.

Others are not so lucky though and while it can be inconvenient to wear a mask when it is hot, I honestly don't mind doing it. Honestly, unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a face covering, I really don't see what the big hang up is.... you could literally save someone's life.

gosh, there's some seriously selfish sillybitches on this thread. How many more times - you wear a mask to protect others.

some people have real problems wearing them. They make life difficult for lip readers. They aren't terribly comfortable.

better than death or a life of impairment, both of which are small but real risks if you come across an infected person who isn't wearing a mask. The mask reduces the risk. Sorry, life is not cute and fluffy and especially not at the moment.

probably too difficult for the sillybitch contingent, sadly. All mask refusers without a good reason (and those reasons are in the guidance) need to wear a badge saying 'mask refuser, do not treat for covid-19'. And that badge should be acted on.

I never understand these comments from people who live in places where masks are mandatory. If they weren’t mandatory, many people wouldn’t be wearing them in eg Portugal, Spain etc.

What don’t you understand?

It’s quite simple. Here, we have to wear masks, so we wear them without moaning and bitching. I’ve not heard one complaint or teenage whinge from anyone. It’s quite refreshing, and then I come on here and I’m embarrassed for so many on these mask threads

@UmbrellaHat

I hate seeng people in masks. There is something hostile about them. Grim faced oversight middle/aged or older couples that supermarket shop together. Was in a south coast town yesterday - very good atmosphere, lots of families out eating chips, playing on the beach, wandering about. Only one mask to be seen on a man in a pub and it was around his neck as he was drinking. I do judge people in masks and fear we will raise a generation of ninnies if the compulsory mask demandrs get their way.

We have a country of snowflakes unfortunately. Quivering fearful obsessed fear ridden snowflakes

I’ve not heard one complaint or teenage whinge from anyone. It’s quite refreshing, and then I come on here and I’m embarrassed for so many on these mask threads

Generally people will moan on here about masks it’s true.

Not sure how skewed it is but people go on

@Userzzz

It makes me uncomfortable also. I don't wear a mask. The "studies" that state reduce the tramission rates are based on complete shit. People wear masks and touch their face all the time, the fact that they state it helps you from infecting other people is crap too because if your touching your face you're transmitting it elsewhere through touch. I don't believe for a second this is as airborne as they state, you have to be an Idiot to believe that. But hey, we're not allowed to use our brains anymore to assess the situation, do as you're told OP, put on that muzzle for the "greater good".

And your scientific qualifications are?