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 think we'll we wearing them at least until next spring. Interesting that almost everyone is, in the shops, in spite of the social media chat just before they became compulsory.

I'm happy wearing one in the supermarket and the town shops

I would like to see masks become more common in normal times, like in Japan. No need to wear one if you're healthy, but if you insist on getting on a packed commuter train with a cold it would be polite to help stop things spreading.

Masks would help stop so many regular coughs and colds spreading, I don't know why we don't wear them more tbh.

@Drivingdownthe101

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.

Completely agree! Unfortunately our online delivery slots are manic! Good for the delivery drivers wages as they are sooo busy! They are having to build a depo just to deal with online orders! I'm now on first name basis with our amazon guys! 😂 Have my exemption cards but I'll stick to online until the compulsory bits removed as can't wear one but can't stand the judgy people! Shame as where I am footfall in shops has dropped 24% since the new guidelines! Shops (only speaking for my area) are now having to choose between enforcing or making money! I'm so sad this division has happened! 😔 X

Christ, I hope not. I’m just avoiding anywhere they’re mandatory except pint of milk type shopping.

We're just moving this to the coronavirus topic.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

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 really feel for you! Apart from work, friends and family we are still pretty much living in lockdown as we can't go anywhere without masks that myself and 2 of my kids can't wear so to avoid confrontation we are keeping to our bubble and online, I don't feel excited either I feel purposeless, hope things improve for you soon.xx

I hate wearing a mask i hope its not something that lasts long term. I'm not normally claustrophobic but there's something about wearing a mask that makes me panic and uncomfortable. I wore one to a Dr's appointment a few days ago it had an effect on my blood pressure it was elevated.
If it came to the point I had to wear one just walking the street i honestly wouldn't go out unless absolutely necessary.

i can't stand the so called new normal ....

I seriously hope not. I absolutely hate wearing one and have restricted my shopping to the bare minimum.

No it's making me very depressed. The thought of it carrying on for years, like some people keep stating as fact, is making me not really see the point in life. I don't want to live like this.

we forgot mask today so couldn't buy something for DH to eat. He'd only cycled 140 miles so was feeling a bit wiped. Managed to rally after a cold river swim, at least.

Masks don’t bother me that much, but once every few weeks in the supermarket is no big deal.

If they have any effect whatsoever I’ll take that so schools can open properly.

In central London most people seem to be wearing them on their chin now

I hope not. I’m also a bit bored about posts on here about how “caring” and “considerate” some other countries are in wearing them all the time. Fuck that. I wear it now and just get on with it but the second I don’t have to I won’t be. Hopefully by next spring we can bin them.

@Bananabread8

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

yes

Im wearing one but am only shopping in Tesco.

I cant stand the idea of standing in an overheated Card Factory choosing titled Christmas cards so will arrange something else.

Not doing presents this year for adults or kids. Kids (one a new baby due in December) will get money in a card.

They chose Cheltenham and football matches etc before locking down earlier. They made their choice so thems the breaks.

@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.

I can’t imagine anything worse than having a cold which means either a runny nose or being blocked up or a combination of both and having to wear a mask, breathing is harder with a cold let alone having to wear a mask and if you have a runny nose what are you supposed to do?

I hope not, it’s awful. I work in a restaurant and i have to wear one 9 hours straight. It’s hot and awkward and 2 weeks in and I’m still not getting used to it. Then I get 5 minutes of air before it’s back on for the 30 minute bus ride home. I’ve given up even thinking about nipping to the shops for a browse, 10 hours a day in a mask is quite enough.

I think we will all get used to it eventually. I made my own masks too and if the fit is good it's easier to breath. Everyone is complying here where I am so that's good. I do see some people without and that's good too as no one is being shouted or shamed so presume exempt people can also live a life still without wearing g a mask.

I'm still not convinced they work unless you cough or sneeze of course. I dont get excited about it possibly being covered in covid any more than my top or handbag but if it makes others feel safer, I'm happy to comply. I'm still more concerned about touching my face more tbh.

so presume exempt people can also live a life still without wearing g a mask.

There are 3 people (me included) on this thread saying that despite being exempt, they don't feel they can go anywhere where masks are mandatory. I imagine there are many more. This has completely undone all the therapy I've had and I'm trying to tell myself it's not permanent but if it is, I don't think I can stand it. Even seeing people in masks (via facetime to dh when he's shopping) has me in constant fight or flight mode now.

Having travelled in China in particular, the mask wearing is all about appalling pollution. You can taste it sometimes. It’s not universal either. No one wears masks in rural areas. Ditto Japan. Mask wearing is not universal by any means. We just say it is to make us do what we are told.

Sorry! Should make it clear that Japan is not as polluted as China but wearing masks there is more about traffic fumes.

I do see some people without and that's good too as no one is being shouted or shamed so presume exempt people can also live a life still without wearing g a mask

I did get shamed (before they were mandatory, I will add), so won’t be going anywhere again that requires masks. Might sound extreme but as I can get all essentials online I would only be going shopping for non essentials/browsing/spending on discretionary things I’m not putting myself through the risk of being shamed again. Not worth it for me. I’d rather save my money!

And with Cressida Dick positively encouraging people to shame non wearers, despite being aware (you’d assume) of the legitimate exemptions, shaming will only get more common.

I hope not. It's not the discomfort that bothers me. I don't like not being able to see people's faces, or hearing their voices properly.