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.

@laidbacklife

Yes, it’s odd and we don’t like it because it blocks communication. They are also most likely completely useless if the virus is airborne as it will pass straight through them (unless they are the N95 medical masks or industrial ones that are not readily available to the public). I’d rather order everything online than wear a totally pointless mask.

Face coverings aren't pointless, but they don't offer 100% protection.

Both people covering their faces where one has covid and one doesn't, will significantly reduce the risk of transmission.

@Kb12

Laidback life... the virus is droplet spread. Droplets are stopped by any type of mask

Yes. Any type of face covering, cloth mask or scarf or what have you, will help. It won't stop 100% of transmission but it seems to stop some of it.

I can see why people like the OP find them weird and not nice to see out in public. It is a reminder that things are weird and not normal yet. But, we are where we are, I prefer this to lockdown. I don't get why people end up so worked up about 'the mask wearers' like people are wearing masks AT them, or like wearing a mask means you have any particular set of political beliefs or thoughts about the virus. Do we really want to end up like America where all public health gets sucked into a culture war? Look how they're doing...

I don't like wearing them but tbh, they're easier to wear and to breathe and talk in than I was expecting them to be, they're not that much trouble.

The masks must be medical grade to prevent you catching it but people are wearing normal ones to protect others in case the wearer is asymptomatic. Any face covering is somewhat effective for this. This has always been clear. Obviously not clear else I wouldn’t have asked!! Why couldn’t you just politely answer the question to help a non-mask wearer understand it a bit more?

I think the reluctance to wear masks mostly comes down to people feeling self conscious.

Most people want to do what other people are doing - they worry about being the only one wearing a mask.

As it becomes mandatory or more commonplace, more people will feel comfortable about using them.

I find it very reassuring seeing so many people wearing masks.
It shows that people can work together to reduce the risk of further spreading a serious disease.

I'm not terrified at all - I'm not even particularly concerned - I just see it as a sensible precaution.

This spread to kill over 40 thousand people in the UK from just a couple of cases. It spreads easily.

@Parker231

I wear one to protect others and the quicker we all do the same, the quicker we can return to a more normal life.

^This

I feel uncomfortable when I see people without masks, who may have covid asymptomically, shedding the virus into the air and surfaces.

I wear a mask because I haven't isolated myself inside my home for 14 days because I go out for exercise daily so I may have contacted covid and not know. It protects everyone I encounter, even though I try to maintain strict social distancing of 2m.

Washing hands frequently helps of course, but if washing hands stopped us getting all illnesses then I'm sure it'd be a lot easier to avoid the common cold!

Yes I bloody hate them. I just plan to carry on doing as much shopping online as possible as going to the shops in person is already miserable at the moment and this just makes it even worse.

I think that people need to stop being offended by those who choose to wear masks and at the same time others need to stop being offended by those who choose not to wear a mask, especially if you don't know the reason why.
I have no issue with people who want to wear a mask, but I get very annoyed and upset at being called selfish for not wearing one.

I discovered that other people use words differently from me.

They say "masks everywhere!" but I don't want to be forced to wear one on a cycle ride, then it turns out they meant "everywhere but..."

They say "masks should be worn outside!" but I don't want to be forced to wear one on a 5 mile run (well, actually, I won't be able to do the 5 mile run) and they say "Oh I meant places like in shops or restaurants and sitting in the park, those kinds of outside."

So I probably don't understand what anyone is saying they want when they say "everyone should wear masks when they go out". I just know that I want to be able to still go on cycle rides & runs & kayaking, etc.

That's where my resistance comes from.

Not sure what it's got to do with ASD really
Everyone hates how they look. I liked her Heard's big scarf/buff that pulls up from the neck, so I got one in go outdoors today. Feels nice and you can double it over.

*So I probably don't understand what anyone is saying they want when they say "everyone should wear masks when they go out". I just know that I want to be able to still go on cycle rides & runs & kayaking, etc.

That's where my resistance comes from.*

I think people should wear masks in indoor public spaces, unless they have a medical or mental health reason not to, or it's not practical for the activity (e.g. eating a meal).

I'd rather it be voluntary and more people be educated about the reasons. But in a choice between various ways of keeping the r number below 1, I'd prefer mandatory mask wearing (with medical exceptions) over a stricter lockdown.

Not really. I work in a hospital so see it all the time and I have to wear one too and hate it.
I just think to myself how a year ago I'd have done a double take at someone wearing a mask while shopping whereas now it's almost normal. Weird!
The amount of people I see wearing masks out and about but not over their noses surprises me though.

@lljkk

I discovered that other people use words differently from me.

They say "masks everywhere!" but I don't want to be forced to wear one on a cycle ride, then it turns out they meant "everywhere but..."

They say "masks should be worn outside!" but I don't want to be forced to wear one on a 5 mile run (well, actually, I won't be able to do the 5 mile run) and they say "Oh I meant places like in shops or restaurants and sitting in the park, those kinds of outside."

So I probably don't understand what anyone is saying they want when they say "everyone should wear masks when they go out". I just know that I want to be able to still go on cycle rides & runs & kayaking, etc.

That's where my resistance comes from.

Masks should be worn in enclosed inside spaces like public transport and shops or when you're going to be near other people or in a crowd. I doubt anyone is suggesting you need to wear a mask to exercise alone.

We were travelling in Asia (not China) when this all kicked off at the beginning of the year. I was weirded out by wearing them while away, felt so alien. Now we have to wear them more in the UK I feel like I had a head start on getting used to them and I just view them as something that enables me to get out and about a bit more (combined with excellent hygiene and social distancing). Really don't want the UK govt to insist on them for daily exercise but fully support wearing them in crowded places when social distancing isn't possible.

So the health anxious. Are all wearing masks. To protect the non health anxious. Ok...

The reason I wear a mask is not “because I’m terrified”. I’m happy to wear a mask as it means we get out of this mess faster by slowing the spread; it’s not like we’re going to be stuck in this pandemic forever. I actually find them comfortable.

Some people’s attitudes to masks are hysterical frankly, acting like people are in full balaclavas or Halloween clown masks

On a personal note, I’m actually happy to cover part of my face as I’m not looking/feeling my best! Have a tiny lockdown double chin but if anyone wants to see my full face there’s plenty of pics on Instagram! I don’t care about random strangers seeing my face or not. I think my general aesthetic shows enough about my persona whereby I don’t feel like I’ve lost my identity.

@openplankitchen

So the health anxious. Are all wearing masks. To protect the non health anxious. Ok...

You must be in a lot of denial to think that anyone with a mask has health anxiety. It's just the sensible thing to do right now.

Being in denial about our own mortality is part of being human. I've always been happy with that!

At no other time can I imagine strangers trying to stop me from catching something from them!!

I find them difficult for multiple reasons related to trauma. Really dont feel comfortable interacting with anyone wearing one because I dont feel I can read enough of their emotions (especially strange men) to feel safe. Dh facetimed me from the supermarket this afternoon to check he had the right size tights for me and even seeing him in one was panic inducing.

We're in Scotland and I won't be shopping or attending medical appointments whilst masks are mandatory.

There's a small chance I might have a contagious disease.... an even smaller chance you could catch it.... and if you did you might DIE. So I'll wear a face covering. Just. In. Case

I hate seeing people in blue surgical masks, I have a phobia of hospitals/doctors. I wear a pretty patterned one myself, I'm hoping if they become mandatory that more people will choose "fashion" masks rather than surgical I will find that easier.
In reality though I will suck it up and really hope that it doesn't last forever.

There's two things going on in this thread I think. Firstly OP, it very much sounds as though you are struggling with the anxiety and sadness that is entirely reasonable because of Covid, some of us are better at shutting it out, or dealing with the fear and living alongside it, than others, but when you get as distressed as you sound, it is definitely time to seek help. Hopefully if your mental health can be improved you can then start to look at masks from a more calm and rational point of view.

A surgeon wears a mask. A dentist wears a mask. A lot of people in the streets all around the world wear masks. Personally I am pleased when I see people wearing them, to me they are a sign that the wearer is taking their own health and that of others seriously, and wants to lay their part in slowing the spread and hopefully reducing the overall risk of illness and death for everyone.

I have a nice cloth mask that I have adjusted to fit well without being especially tight. I wear it when I go out - all the time in the street and shops, and out in the woods for a walk, I lift it to my face (my hands will never have touched anything since home) when I am passing someone, or if I have met up with a friend and we are chatting.

It honestly has soon begun to feel perfectly normal to me. My young adult children wear them too, without a fuss. We all consider it a courtesy to others, especially older people.

I do accept that some people cannot easily wear them, but that is all the more reason why the rest of us, who are only mildly inconvenienced at most, should be taking up the slack.

I am surprised at Mumsnet today, usually a fairly rational place - where has all this rage come from? What is so terrible about being asked to take a small step, much less onerous and challenging than lockdown, to help others and thus themselves.

@openplankitchen

At no other time can I imagine strangers trying to stop me from catching something from them!!

Like the people who keep a 2m distance from you in shops or wash their hands regularly? Or who catch a cough or sneeze in a tissue?

People want to stop the spread of the virus in general, not just the spread to them or to you. Nobody's going out thinking "ooh, openplankitchen might be at B&Q today, must put on a mask to keep her safe!" But a lot of people are thinking that it would be a very good thing if we could slow the spread of the virus and reduce the chances of future rises in cases or local lockdowns and so on, and if putting on a cloth mask will help with that, then okay.

@candycane222

Full ppe that health professionals wear. Is very different to a face covering