Coronavirus Shaming

[Mumtobe193]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-ugliness-of-coronavirus-shaming/amp

Stumbled across this article & found it to be an interesting read. I feel this pandemic has brought out the worst in some people sadly. Thoughts?

Yes, I think there is / has been a lot of shaming going on, on MN as well, it seems to go up and down- I had a load of abuse for having a picnic, with my close family during lockdown for example (live in a city flat with no garden) it got really ridiculous at times

I think that is correct that it gives some people a feeling of worthiness and virtue looking down on others, definitely.

Now, I am finding locally to me, pressure to go out and support local businesses but also a sense of judgement as well!

Good article.

It became clear very early on that a feature of this event was going to be people thinking other people were doing coronavirus wrong - taking it too seriously or not seriously enough, staying in more than necessary, going out more than necessary, wearing a mask where you don’t need to or not wearing one when you do. It’s driven by anxiety in a stressful situation where the goalposts are moving all the time.

Absolutely agree.

I can’t wear a mask and I’m terrified to go out now. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I switch between fuck em who do they think they are to be challenging me and I’ll just stay at home and never see my eldest son or my partner ever again.

It’s awful.

I've seen horrible shaming both ways and it's just awful. But then I've also mentally judged people myself. It's been incredibly hard.

One thing I can't shake now is the sense that if we were to get corona now, it would somehow be our own fault (shouldn't have done this, that or the other) even though I'm normally a very rational person who is happy to look at the balance of risk.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/out-the-ooze/202006/why-face-masks-give-us-the-creeps

On here I have been shamed for sending for sending my vulnerable child to school ( don't love my child enough and taking keyworker places), taking him out more than once a day and driving to exercise ( what if everyone wanted to do that and it doesn't matter that he has autism because no one should get special treatment) and not putting a mask on him (severe autism is no excuse because elsewhere apparently everyone wears a mask, no exceptions).

I think some people are anxious and some are using the situation to air their prejudices and ignorance.

Yep mask shaming seems to be the big thing. I've struggled with them, ok for short times but took a panic attack wearing one when in the hairdressers for hours. I'm too scared not to wear one because of the behaviour I've seen from some people.
My 7 year old is really frightened of them and although we're slowly getting somewhere with that, the response when I posted here for advice was "tough", "she's 7, not a baby" and "just deal with it".

Thank you for sharing that Orangeblossom. Yesterday I was unable to wear the face covering long enough to make a purchase. Life looks bleak going forward. It is at least something to learn that there is a rationale behind the strong reactions.

for all those who have been shamed during these times. If only we could all do our best but leave other people alone...

I have got something called a Handy Band now which is a bit easier. Mind mentioned them, for anyone who finds masks hard. Like a buff I suppose

To me, the problem seems to be that some people want to criticise, shame, and even abuse other people who don't come up to their own "perfect" standards. Nobody seems to take the friendly, helpful, have a quiet word approach. How many of the "white feather" brigade are carrying a few spare disposable masks to offer to those without?

PS. The Spectator article is dated 22nd March.

Nobody should be having a quiet word either. If someone is concerned about something report it to the relevant authority. If I am out with my son I do not want randoms approaching offering masks. I don't want randoms that close.

Yes, I think even if everyone did it in a friendly way after the first three or four quiet words most people would start to feel harassed.

The mask situation would go to two ways. Either "I'm exempt" So pointless conversation which might leave the asker satisfied but has unnecessarily bothered and possibly put the person without the mask at risk.
Or "fuck off" or similar.