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.

It’s the look of people in them, I guess it makes me feel scared and on edge. I know it’s quite pathetic.

Yes I am sorry but they freak me out

People will have to get used to it as common practice I think. I'm fairly sure it will become mandatory in shops soon and in many workplaces ( exemptions excepted ).

I feel just the opposite, OP. Being in a place wear everyone is wearing a mask and socially distancing makes me feel safer. I can go to the shops or take the bus and know that my risk is significantly reduced. I'm in Italy, though, and masks indoors are pretty universal in my area.

@Lissy23

It’s the look of people in them, I guess it makes me feel scared and on edge. I know it’s quite pathetic.

But we’re the same people underneath that we always were.

Where everyone is wearing a mask. Oops.

No, I think they are thoughtful and kind people doing their bit to try and help stop the spread of the virus and protect our vulnerable .

@Lissy23

It’s the look of people in them, I guess it makes me feel scared and on edge. I know it’s quite pathetic.

I don't think it is pathetic, but I do think you're projecting something onto them that isn't really there.

Are you quite stressed about the virus itself? Or perhaps it is just another change and there have been too many?

I've worn a mask in supermarkets since easter. I work with children, I was out and about when others weren't, I feel I need to protect others from what I might have.

I don't like wearing them, but will continue to do so while i think that I could be a danger to others.

I don’t like it either. No anxiety issues or anything like that. I just feel uncomfortable talking to people in them. We have masks or visors at work so it is my colleagues and I know it is a good thing I just dislike it. Something to do with not being able to see expressions on people’s faces.

I don't like it either. I wore one today as I went on the bus and I didn't like it. I'll only wear them in places that are mandatory.

I must admit I paused before going into my local off licence thinking I look like I'm about to rob it.

But you get used to it (NHS). And yes the evidence is unclear but they are not worn through fear but through understanding that if we all do so we might prevent bigger outbreaks popping up.

I get why people are wearing masks and absolutely understand that people are wearing them to try and help others.

But there's been something a bit 'The Handmaids Tale' about the past few months as well that makes me a bit uncomfortable, and the masks just add to that feeling.

I think it depends a bit on the mask though. I've seen a couple of people wearing black masks that cover half their face and just look a bit creepy, much more so than someone just wearing a standard surgical mask.

@GoldenOmber the way people go on, it’s as though it will go on indefinitely, like in East Asia...’the new normal’

OP it isn’t pathetic, don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s completely out of our comfort zone. Lots of people are struggling with the adjustment. Just give yourself some time and do what you can to stay calm. If your fear gets out of hand then seek help where you can. I’ve always had a fear of people covering their faces (the most common time this is an issue is Halloween, but I also get scared at mascots and things like Mickey Mouse at Disneyland) but I’ve been surprised how quickly I am getting used to seeing people in masks. Just take it one trip out at a time.

@labyrinthloafer I’m not particularly anxious about the virus, but yes I think it’s the changes and all these things happening one after the other and I’m concerned the old normal will never return.

As they are mandatory in Scotland now I wore one in the chemist and post office yesterday and a quick trip to sainsburys today for a few things.

I struggle wearing them. I feel so hot and unable to breath. I think I subconsciously hold me breath!
I'll have a fortune not going into shops!

I also suffer anxiety so can empathise. however, i always wear a mask in shops and would if i was on public transport. i sometimes come home upset because people give me the evil eye, give me funny look., i've heard people sniggering etc. the thing is if i got COVID-19 it's very unlikely that i wouldn't come through i. I would recover. But i know that's not the case for everyone else i may come into contact with. That's why I wear a mask, not for myself but for others. There's a lot of research that suggests that if we had all worn masks earlier it could have stopped the spread more quickly and the lockdown may not have had to be so severe. That also convinces me to wear a mask. Also, our government (scottish government) are asking us to. I'm sorry that it makes you anxious, however, as someone else has mentioned, it is a temporary thing and is for the wider good and health and safety of everyone.

@EnlightenedOwl

To be honest when you see people doing the shopping and what not with their masks and visors on I feel sorry for them. Must be awful to be so terrified.

I wear a mask when I'm shopping anywhere indoors. I'm not terrified. I'm considerate. I wish more people were equally considerate. I've got used to it so if they become mandatory, I won't have any problem

It is a bit scary, but so is the threat of COVID-19. We just have to suck it up, I’m afraid. Try not to overthink it, OP.

Agree BruceAndNosh, I don't understand the need of putting people down who just trying to do the right thing.

I understand the reason but find it very uncomfortable. I’m in a country where it’s law to wear them. Went food shopping today (normally nip in very early on a weekday as hardly anyone there)
Being a Saturday the supermarket was packed with everyone obviously in masks, it was totally surreal and just made me realise this strange situation, I had to leave early. The quicker this all goes away, the better.
I noticed many people didn’t seem that bothered by it and look to have adapted easily, so maybe it’s just me.

Not many wear face coverings in my town. The ones that do stand out. I feel sorry for them. Especially when they are almost always wearing them incorrectly.

as a child I once ended up in a situation where my face was accidentally covered for some time, and as a result find masks claustrophobic as I cannot abide the feeling of warm air on my face. I am likely to hyperventilate if I wear one. I don't really want to have to walk around explaining myself to everyone giving me disapproving stares for not wearing one if they are made mandatory, I'm not doing it to be selfish. I am utterly sick of people wearing masks leaning over me to reach things in the supermarket, and glove wearers touching everything in sight and then their face; I just wish they would back off to 2m away and use hand sanitiser.

@userxx

Me and my kids wear masks not because we're terrified, but because we don't want to make anyone who is vulnerable ill.

Why, do you all have COVID?

Oh that made me laugh. Good answer