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 been wearing a mask since March when I have been going to shops etc. It doesn't stop me going out, what does stop me is how much of a faff doing everything is. You never know if you are going to have to queue, when you get inside some shops seem to have low stock and/or not what you want, and people seem to be doing everything very very slowly and I like to do everything fast to get it over and done with.

Having to wear a mask does not stop me going to the hairdresser or physio (essential things) but I won't be going and having treatments (not essential/can do home versions) until it changes.

I walked into town today and went into three shops. I have a cotton mask, but it was still hot and sweaty every time. I want to support my local high street, but not sure it is worth it.

To be honest, it has definitely put me off non-essential or leisure activities - I won't be going to a cinema or museum if I can help it, and certainly not on public transport (which I used to use regularly).

I'll still eat out though.

I’m happy to wear a mask if it helps protect myself and others. And although I understand that there are people who legitimately can’t wear them, I’m tired of the so-called grown ups who just can’t bear to be inconvenienced by wearing one.

I have stopped lots of things because they simply aren't enjoyable in a mask and I refuse to spend money on shit experiences.

I have even cancelled part of my holiday which involved museums and indoors attractions. Staying at home and will probably save almost £1000.

All my shopping is now online.

The only things I still do in a mask are those that don't have an alternative like going to the post office or pharmacy.

[quote Thisdressneedspockets]@BlusteryShowers, you make a good point.
People in masks have started to feature in my nightmares.[/quote]
Turns out I'm much more uncomfortable around masked people than I'd expected. It's why we'd stop going to pubs, etc if they're introduced there. The pubs we've been to so far don't make the staff wear them either - if they did, we wouldn't be going back.

Yep. I will only go out to the supermarket now. Mask wearing and redundancy has put paid to any thing else.

I have no problem wearing a face covering, I feel safer going about my daily business wearing one and it hasn't stopped me carrying on with my normal life one bit.

I live in Ireland where mask compliance is very high and the people who stand out are those not wearing them.

No, it gives me more confidence

I’m happy to wear a mask if it helps protect myself and others. And although I understand that there are people who legitimately can’t wear them, I’m tired of the so-called grown ups who just can’t bear to be inconvenienced by wearing one

I can't tell if it's just mumsnet, and the fact that moaners are more likely to post on threads like this one, or if it's a genuine British cultural phenomenon. This thread has a high number of people who seem quite angry about masks and determined to let everyone know it. Is that reflected across society?

I live in a country with a tropical climate, and it's mandatory to wear them EVERYWHERE in public at the moment. Anywhere out of your house. Compliance is high. I rarely see people without them. Young old, fat thin, almost everyone is just wearing them with no issue and no complaining.

I won’t be going to the cinema or any other indoor places unless I really have to now mask wearing is mandatory. I’m not spending money to feel hot and uncomfortable.

If everyone used them correctly (which, I think, is almost impossible) then I could see the argument for helping reduce transmission at least. But the idea that everyone is washing them between uses, not taking them on and off (and therefore getting any virus they might have onto their hands, to then touch goods/doors etc) is totally unrealistic.

I’m sure that in an ideal world masks have some beneficial effect, but in the real world I imagine they cause complacency and aren’t being used properly.

Nope, I'm out and spending more than I was previously.

No, not substantially changing my behaviour due to masks. However, the current low level of cases has led to me being far less fearful and enjoying sport and shopping again.

The one thing that is a guarantee to stop economic participation is a substantial second wave, so I am happy to wear a mask when required.

Yes , I don't mind so much the mask , but a lot of the pleasure seems to have gone for me

Having to wear masks won’t affect what I’m doing.

I agree they’re not as comfortable as having a bare face, but they’re not so intolerable that I’m going to stop doing things I’m already doing on account of masks being made compulsory. And if they help slow transmission even a tiny bit, I’m happy to put up with the inconvenience.

What is limiting my economic participation is coronavirus itself.
The amount of non-essential inside places I’ve been to since March has plummeted compared to a normal year, as we want to minimise our chances of catching it, so we’ve been doing outdoor activities / online shopping as alternatives where possible, and I can’t see that really changing in the near future.

I am only going to the supermarket now as i hate masks. I am avoiding public transport too and i refuse to be uncomfortable for the sake of going to the cinema etc. Luckily i have sky so if there is a film i would have watched in the cinema i can just wait for it to become available on the sky store so that i can watch it in comfort without a mask. As an aside i felt far more comfortable been out before masks became compulsory.

No.
It's increased it. I won't go places without a mask though (restaurants etc). But popping to the supermarket or shops is fine now.

I’m sure that in an ideal world masks have some beneficial effect, but in the real world I imagine they cause complacency and aren’t being used properly

But the actual evidence is quite overwhelming that mask wearing slows the spread of the virus.

I don't go places other than for essentials because I don't like wearing a mask. The constant virtue signalling of people and face masks is getting boring.
I wear one because I'm told to, I won't enjoy it and I don't like it. So yes it definitely is affecting my contribution to the economy.

I’m ok to go in shops briefly with them on or have my nails done (takes 15 mins) but it would stop me booking spa treatments etc. We have vouchers from last Xmas which hopefully we can extend as they were a present and after an exhausting couple of years with my youngest non sleeper, a treat. It’s not a relaxing treat to get a treatment with a mask on! I’ve also put off going to the hairdresser as I don’t want to sit for 2 hours (highlights) in a mask. One hour is about my max. I’m not going to disobey any rules about wearing them, however I think it is entirely reasonable that my behaviour then changes based on this, ie avoiding certain places.

I’m trying to still go. It’s easy for me to stay home too much and I’m painfully aware that masks are here to stay for a while so I’m trying to just get used to it in small doses. I could use exemption (autistic) but I am also far too paranoid about people staring/judging/confronting me 😳

For example the cinema, having now read that it’ll be mandatory everywhere except in my actual seat during the film, I’m determined to go a few times, I don’t even care what film it is really I just want to grab a bit of normal life and it’s so much cheaper now too.

I’m definitely doing a lot less (shopping especially) but I don’t want to do nothing, it’s more for my own MH than the economy though.

@LongAndWhiningRoad it’s not just the spa I was planning on going to, it’s all spas that have to comply, so take your pick!

Yes I'm spending much less and going to as few indoor places as possible

I didn't like shopping anyway, so I didn't really go.
I wear a face covering when I have to pop into the food shop etc but I honestly can't see the point. I touch it more than I would touch my face so it's clearly pointless.

Whole thing is pretty stupid in my opinion. I don't see anyone wearing them properly, and eveyeone including myself touches them. Token gestures because we have to

. If someone is scared enough that they wont leave a house without a mask,

Then they have misunderstood the purpose of the mask, which is to prevent or reduce any spread of germs from the mask wearer.

I'm not going to hotels and restaurants, not because I would have to wear a mask but because there is a virus out there that I don't want to catch.

I have very little confidence in the uk governments ability to track and trace (and so close down any outbreaks). I have always hated 'going shopping '. Anything I need I can have delivered.

Going out daily for exercise. If I never visit another shop , I would be delighted.