Is mask wearing limiting your economic participation?

[byvirtue]

I knew mask wearing was mandatory in shops but I hadn’t heard about the new restrictions that have come out today www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53702291

I had planned to head to a spa for a couple of days this month for my birthday and we were going to book a staycation in a hotel in September. We would have easily spent £2k on these trips.

Now it seems that masks are mandatory for spa treatments and in hotel public areas we won’t be going. I personally find face coverings unpleasant and they significantly reduce my enjoyment so I'd rather not bother.

We are fit and healthy with money to spend and were happy to get out and spend money prior to face coverings becoming mandatory. These new rules mean the opportunities for us to spend money have been notably reduced.

I’m curious are these extended face covering rules going to lead to you spending more or less now?

I have my own scissors so can continue to cut my own hair.
I'm avoiding anything superfluous that necessitates mask wearing. Unfortunately for the economy, much outdoors stuff is free (or in the case of a few attractions have a membership/ pass so no new spending)
I tried in the supermarket this evening, and ended up having a panic attack. I didn't even look in the middle aisle of that supermarket, and there are some items that I forgot to buy in my desperation to whizz round, pay up and go so I've spent less than usual.
There's online for other stuff. Fortunately I'd caught up on most of the DC's new clothing needs when the shops opened in June. I've kept an eye on local data and have felt very safe since May (and just cautious prior to that)

No point in buying myself clothes when there's nowhere to go and I can't try them on.
Next time we go to the zoo, we'll take the direct way out and not bother looking at the gift shop.

It's a risky time to bring in new offputting rules as having lived without entertainments such as the cinema for the best part of 5 months, I'm pretty well institutionalised at dossing around the house being bored and can manage without for many more months.

I survived the panic buying of March and weekly shops in April in an early Covid hotspot. I had no issue going out and spending money until it was made physically and mentally intolerable.

I am trying to wear a face covering, but I will stop the charade if panic attacks are a regular thing. I'm not protecting any grannies by hyperventilating, constantly rearranging it or actually probably not having the virus to not spread in the first place.

Yes, I had to go to the shops (other than supermarket) last week for something- it was soul destroying. Our shopping centre have introduced walking lanes with human roundabouts. I’m not going back.

Haven’t read the full thread but I guess my answer is yes.
I’m absolutely not ‘against’ the CONCEPT of masks, and if the science supports it then I’m all for the rules being introduced. But on a personal level, No, I don’t want to go anywhere il have to wear one. Which just means I can’t go anywhere. Which I’m accepting of and not moaning about. My choice, I’m not being forced not to visit shops etc so I’m not complaining about it. But am definitely even more inclined to my avoiding public places because of the mask requirement.

Not stopping me, it felt a bit weird having to wear one at first but soon got used to it!
Got myself a nice reusable one which is comfy.
Only found myself having to go back home twice as I'd left the bloody thing at home luckily I live near all the shops
I've never been a big shop browser anyway, I do go to the shops a lot but I tend to know exactly what I need and then I'm straight out again!

I'd love a weekend away but refuse to go anywhere you have to be muzzled

Muzzled? Dramatic, much?

Knowing that masks were enforced would increase my economic participation.

I wouldn't have gone in a shop before masks became mandatory. I certainly wouldn't have gone in a hotel without one because I don't want to be responsible for spreading a potentially life changing illness to another person because I wanted a weekend getaway! I will now do both these things.

EleanorOalike I’m not anti masks at all (and nor am I a university lecturer) but most of those studies just demonstrate that the way the U.K. govt has gone about face covering mandates is hopeless, so they shouldn’t reassure anyone who says they feel safe enough to go out now that face coverings are mandated. It is clear that someone in your situation needs more protection as the face covering mandate isn’t sufficient according to most the studies you have linked to

My economic participation is through the roof because of mask wearing. I just can't get enough. Wearing a mask, spending money, participating in the economy... It's amazing 😂😂😂

I was doing my but to support my local high street until mask wearing came in. I'm wearing one so I don't get fined but am now avoiding shops as much as possible as I find them uncomfortable. I 'be switched to online grocery shopping, having shipped in-store throughout the height of the pandemic. We were on holiday in the UK last week and I didn't visit any of the shops in the town's or villages we visited as mask wearing had sucked the joy out of browsing for me.

Since masks became mandatory I just can't stop participating in the economy.

I wear a mask when required but am entitled to not like it. I only do essential shops now. So am only going to Tesco. Though i did nip to Sainsburys on Friday to get some magazines. (i wasnt sure our Tesco would have) So this and food shopping. And i dont fancy walking in 30+ degree heat and then donning a mask. To enable me to do the latter i got an air conditioned cab into town. And will do this whenever there is a heatwave. Supporting our self employed taxi drivers.

I find masks claustrophobic and hot and have a history of facial impetigo which there is a higher risk of in humidity. The last time i was in a high street shop was 22nd July.

Still not been to hairdressers and it turns out my grey that i was so worried about is a black and white ombre.

Before i even knew they were going to make masks mandatory in shops here, i warned family i wont be shopping for Christmas presents this year. For adults or kids. Kids can have money in a card. The run up to Christmas can be stressful and this whole year has felt like that X a million. So im checking out!

I hope Cheltenham and those footie matches etc were worth it. They made their choices. Thems the breaks!

Someone not liking wearing a mask but wearing it is not the same as refusing yet the gaslighters on here keep on saying it is. The gaslighting and policing for wrongthink over the fact that people are perfectly entitled to not LIKE wearing masks yet DO so, , has shown me that many posters on here have got more in common with MRAs than they like to admit!!!

While I am required to wear a mask, I only do what’s absolutely necessary.
Food shop every 10 days, petrol twice, I’ve been to B&Q once and to order some cushion flooring. Since March 20th !

I’ve ordered a couple of birthday presents and some books online.

Otherwise, we cycle for exercise, stay at home or sit in gardens and chat to friends. It’s dull but better than wearing a mask.

I think Britain is the one of a very very few countries where such a dramatic fuss is being made about the wearing of masks. It's embarrassing. Several friends who live in totally different continents of the world have asked me whats going on in the UK. Why everyone isnt worried about Covid? Especially since our dreadful Death rate is world famous. Why arent people wearing masks? Why are people moaning about wearing masks? Do brits not care about their elders? Has our government done away with social distancing? Does Britain have any covid regulations? Why is no one in the UK concerned about Covid? Why has everyone gone to the beaches?

All been questions my overseas friends have asked me in the past few weeks.

We really should be ashamed of ourselves as a nation if selfish fuckers. I don't want to wear a mask so I shan't or no ones tell8ng me what I can or can't do seems to be the general attitude. Dont get me started on the "its against my human rights" fuckers!

And now the foreign holiday fuckers want benefits to pay for their 14 day quarantine, despite most aren't doing any self isolating upon return because.... why the fuck should they!!

We are a nation if absolute moany selfish fuckers.

Not many enjoy wearing a mask. Few would choose out of choice and I have nothing against people with genuine reasons not to wear them but it really feels like the minority are doing what's been asked and it's starting to feel futile for those trying thier best.

Everyone is fucked of with how Covid has corrupted our normal lifestyles but bloody hell, some people need a fucking good shake and need to stop being selfish when it comes to doing their bit. It's not just masks it's the whole attitude of I'm alright jack so fuck you .and the need for the government to bail them out for going on holiday..

Or put it another way, in July I spent less than £1,000, providing for two of us, that’s including my mortgage and bills.

So yes, my economic activity is a lot less.

@RhiantheMunter Agreed! What the hell happened to the stiff upper lip? Keep calm and carry on? Hardly. Such an enormous fuss over wearing a bit of paper that helps protect other people's lives.

@RhiantheMunter

I think Britain is the one of a very very few countries where such a dramatic fuss is being made about the wearing of masks. It's embarrassing. Several friends who live in totally different continents of the world have asked me whats going on in the UK. Why everyone isnt worried about Covid? Especially since our dreadful Death rate is world famous. Why arent people wearing masks? Why are people moaning about wearing masks? Do brits not care about their elders? Has our government done away with social distancing? Does Britain have any covid regulations? Why is no one in the UK concerned about Covid? Why has everyone gone to the beaches?

All been questions my overseas friends have asked me in the past few weeks.

We really should be ashamed of ourselves as a nation if selfish fuckers. I don't want to wear a mask so I shan't or no ones tell8ng me what I can or can't do seems to be the general attitude. Dont get me started on the "its against my human rights" fuckers!

And now the foreign holiday fuckers want benefits to pay for their 14 day quarantine, despite most aren't doing any self isolating upon return because.... why the fuck should they!!

We are a nation if absolute moany selfish fuckers.

Not many enjoy wearing a mask. Few would choose out of choice and I have nothing against people with genuine reasons not to wear them but it really feels like the minority are doing what's been asked and it's starting to feel futile for those trying thier best.

Everyone is fucked of with how Covid has corrupted our normal lifestyles but bloody hell, some people need a fucking good shake and need to stop being selfish when it comes to doing their bit. It's not just masks it's the whole attitude of I'm alright jack so fuck you .and the need for the government to bail them out for going on holiday..

This exactly.

We are coming across the single most emotionally immature country in the world

I am embarrassed that other people in other countries can see the OP's post

They must think we are such a bunch of spoilt tantrummy babies

And I absolutely love the fact it is mandatory as all the whiny gobshites who refuse to wear one are confined to their thrones of self-righteousness in their mask-free home

Exhibit A more gaslighting. THIS IS NOT REFUSING TO WEAR A MASK THIS IS JUST NOT GOING WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED Delly Lomas.

If you are concerned about the economy, you will be cheered to know that some people will only go to hotels and indoor places because mask-wearing is mandatory. You can see that some people will feel reassured by it.

Would you prefer to be on a plane with or without mandatory masks OP? People on public transport - may feel safer getting around because others are wearing them. Some people wouldn't travel if nobody wore masks.

Cherrybakewells I’m in Adelaide, Australia so sadly no chance of a weekend away here for you

I won’t lie, I’m so, so aware of how lucky I am to not need to wear a mask here. Of course I can’t even visit most of my own country right now but on balance it’s worth it.

@AgeLikeWine

No. Masks are a trivial inconvenience.

The pandemic which necessitates them, however, is definitely limiting my economic participation.

^ This is exactly what I wanted to write. I've been out wearing a mask, had to get a hair cut etc. The mask isn't great, but you get used to it.

Having to constantly think about keeping your distance, not touching things in the shops, watching out for people who have forgotten there's an issue.... Takes the enjoyment out of it much more.

I paid for DS to impulse buy some shades in a shop yesterday. I encouraged him to try them on and only remembered afterwards that we're not supposed to touch anything. Argh. I would have said "DON'T!" if I had thought about it, first. That's an economic disincentive. I hate buying clothes type things without trying on first, or at least holding them up to one's body or compare with other items.

Bought DS a belt... had to rifle thru the belts to find the right length. There was no organisation of belts by length or width. Don't think anyone put half the belts away after we touched them. Not practical.

Jesus some comments on here. Totally agree @HeIenaDove.

Saying that you don't enjoy wearing a mask and will avoid going to places where you must wear one is not the same thing as saying you won't wear one.

The virtue signaling here is bizarre. It's like it's a competition to love masks!