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.

i feel relieved when i see people in masks-i appreciate it offers more protection and just accept it for what it is-desperate times=desperate measures. Sorry to hear its somewhat disconcerting for you tho Op.

I'm very cynical and starting to think the government knows all this will happen and its all deflection to keep us occupied

I agree that the government would rather people blame each other, but that doesn't mean that masks aren't effective. There's evidence that they reduce transmission from presymptomatic people.

I find them very difficult to come to terms with. All the connotations are negative, whether it be Covid related or not. They all say “Theres a problem” .

It would be easier if there was enforceable laws on wearing them because we would be init together.As it is no one under 20 wears them, none of the people who worked during lockdown bother, whereas you get the older people wearing them looking nervous snd everyone else looking a bit smug and or disapproving.

It's the reality of the situation and people, frankly, need to get over it.

Wearing a mask in a shop to reduce the chance of going back into lockdown.... hmmm. Tough choice.

@Leflic

Yes, without if it is just “advice” and nothing stronger, those who will comply will be those who most likely to be compliant with other restrictions and be least likely to be infected.... and those who don’t comply will be the ones most likely to be infected!.... meaning the whole thing is pointless!

I expect the Government will sharply turn up the rhetoric over the coming week or so in terms of promoting mask usage, and seek to get buy in from most of the public, which in turn they hope will lead to more universal public acceptance (and resignation amongst those resisting) without having to legislate.

If the public play ball, job done... If not, it will depend on numbers... If they stay low, the Government won’t press it.... but if numbers rise, they’ll mandate it.

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".

I'm more concerned about people not wearing them. I have several patients at home with active covid-19 and I know for a fact they go out regularly to the shops. You wouldn't catch me out without one.

And absolute bollox the mask deniers, I've been seeing covid-19 patients on the frontline for months, have been practising mask wearing, hand washing etc etc and have never caught it.
"It's against my human rights, it's a muzzle" blah blah, just piss off you idiots. Stay at home and do everyone a favour.

"It's against my human rights, it's a muzzle" blah blah, just piss off you idiots. Stay at home and do everyone a favour

Well said!

I don't like it. It makes me sad. But I do it and I have a black one that makes me feel all sinister.

It used to be the Japanese and Chinese tourists that wore them. Now when I put it on I get an earworm of 'Turning Japanese'.

If it helps to slow down the spread I’m all for it. It won’t be forever.

^ this

I live in Spain, it's the law to wear them. It's no big deal. Honestly it really isn't a big deal . Would you prefer to be on a ventilator ? And I can't believe you can't breathe with one on, if Dr and nurses can wear them ALL day then you surely can wear one for a few minutes .

I wonder how much of this kind of moaning there was when everyone had to practice wearing a horrible rubbery gas mask in WW2. Fortunately they were never needed.

@bert3400 the MAJORITY of people won't end up on a ventilator though will they? This is exactly why we have so much fear. MOST people will survive this illness if they even catch it in the first place. Stop scaremongering.

Currently stood in the queue for the supermarket wearing a mask.

Wear one, don't wear one - up to you. I don't judge people either way, yet funnily people feel quite happy to judge me for wearing a mask, despite the fact my choice has no impact on them.

@onedayinthefuture I'm not scaremongering, over half a million people have died . I wear a mask, if it means I can go out for lunch/drinks, shop and see my family then I believe that's a small price to pay. How about don't be so bloody selfish and just wear a mask. This virus isn't going away , it's here and we all need to change our behaviour and attitudes and be a little bit less selfish .

@bert3400 by telling people if they don't wear a mask, they'll end up on an ventilator. That is nasty.

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

Are you still in March? Things have moved on.

Wear one, don't wear one - up to you. I don't judge people either way, yet funnily people feel quite happy to judge me for wearing a mask, despite the fact my choice has no impact on them. It does impact on them though, it protects them. I think it should be mandatory because the protective effect will only work if a majority wear them.

I’ve ordered a pretty one for the tube. I am so grateful they are compulsory on public transport now as though it is empty now, who knows what it will be like in the autumn. The masks have made me feel more confident about going back to work. Even though my new job is in a school (admin) and they are oddly, IMO, not compulsory there. Will cross that bridge when I get to it. It’ll be awful if anyone comes in with a cold and hasn’t stayed at home or gone to get a test. I guess they might have a policy in place for this, don’t know.

by telling people if they don't wear a mask, they'll end up on an ventilator

That’s sort of the point though. If less / no people wear masks, then on a population level it is likely that more people will end up in hospital. If most of the population wear masks inside public places, then the rate of new cases should be suppressed.

Most of Europe are now making masks mandatory. They aren’t doing it for shits and giggles are they.

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-73-contract-covid-19-after-outbreak-on-herefordshire-farm-12026954

Problem is it’s still spreading - largest outbreak in one location today. If everyone worn a mask in indoor places it’s something everyone can do to slow down the transmission.

@CaptainMyCaptain sorry I missed a word - that should have said no adverse impact on them.

@onedayinthefuture oh please do me a favour, it's not nasty to tell people to wear a mask otherwise someone they know may get infected and maybe end up on a ventilator. What is nasty is being totally selfish and thinking you are more special and not wear one, I'm glad I live in a country that has made it the law. No one thinks they can't breath and it 35c today

[quote Tappering]@CaptainMyCaptain sorry I missed a word - that should have said no adverse impact on them.[/quote]
Fair enough. I think you are doing the right thing though.

Masks are mandatory where I live, and I’m happy to comply, I don’t understand the hysteria from those who don’t have a medical/psychological problem tbh