Should we assume we will all be in masks for the forseeable future?

[randomer]

It occurs to me that the " its safe to remove masks" message won't be coming any time soon.

I would imagine it's best to keep them on at least until after the new year. Might help keep flu cases down too

I'm just not doing shopping, just getting deliveries so can avoid it. Till next summer I understand..

I would consider it a positive step if our culture changed to make it normal to wear a mask when we get colds, as it is in some Asian countries.

I had my hair highlighted today so had a mask on for 2 ½ hours in the hairdressers. Wasn't too bad. Feel sorry for the staff who have to wear them all day

Kokapetl

I would consider it a positive step if our culture changed to make it normal to wear a mask when we get colds, as it is in some Asian countries.“

Agree

Hope not

Mind you, it doesn't affect me much so far. Online all the way now.

Personally, I just avoid shopping. But it's not just about me.

Yes, absolutely.

Face masks are the new normal and we will be wearing them for the foreseeable future.

I would like the Old World back.

@randomer

I would like the Old World back.

Agreed. All the more reason for everyone to do whatever we need to do to get there.

I wear a mask from eBay, homemade with 100% cotton and I can feel that I can breathe through the cotton. I don't mind wearing a mask out and about at all. I can imagine for people wearing it all day every day it could get annoying.

Yes, I think so, unfortunately. I have been using home-made ones up til now, but it looks like covid will be around for a while. I was just thinking earlier today that I must buy some sturdier ones, as my home-sewn ones are starting to disintegrate from frequent washing.

Yes we will all have to just learn to adapt. This time next year it probably will seem more normal.

I feel sorry for kids.

I think that masks are the only way forward for the foreseeable future .

It's very important to pick the right mask. I have homemade ones which are 100% cotton, the folded ones, and are bit bigger so I get space infront of my mouth and nose unlike with some of the shaped ones or the surgical ones. It makes a world of difference.

No one enjoys masks, but finding the right one makes it better.

I really hope not. Haven't been in a shop since mid March, can't go any time soon. It's the impact on my kids that's hurting me the worse. Ds desperately wants to his favourite museum when it reopens but we can't because of masks. Really hate myself right now. Every else is excited about things opening up and we might as well still be in lockdown.

I wear a mask & shield all day, then again if I need to go out. I'm starting to feel undressed without one 😂

I think it will depend on whether high street sales go up or down following the policy change.

I'm actually optimistic about next spring / summer. Work on vaccines seems encouraging & we're making good progress on better treatments. If we could get an instant results swab test that would be very helpful too. In ten years' time we'll be finding old masks in the back of drawers when we're packing up to move house & thinking "Oh ya I remember that..."

Yes

I’m just hoping that in 2-3 years we get to take them off instead of it just being forever because people decide they are worthwhile for preventing the spread of all diseases, not just this extreme situation.

I can’t wear one and don’t feel comfortable going without despite my medical exemption due to people being encourage to ‘shame’ others if they’re not wearing one, so I won’t be going in a shop until they’re no longer compulsory. Doesn’t really matter to me when that is though, there’s nothing I can’t get online.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils please don't hate yourself. I read your reasons elsewhere for being unable to wear a mask. I think you should download the exemption card from the government website, but if you can't face the possibility of ignorant people challenging you then I do understand.

A friend who works for a big pharma company says we will be doing this until 2022.... he feels it will take that long for a vaccine to be developed, released, and then assessed to see whether it has been effective. Personally, I don’t mind wearing a mask, and would rather do that than have another lockdown.