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Original poster

Is mask wearing limiting your economic participation?

542 replies

byvirtue · 08/08/2020 12:33

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?

OP posts:
TrindleGin · 08/08/2020 15:16

Hate them and I won't go shopping if have to wear one I suffer terrible anxiety and they make me panic

Pantsupyourbum · 08/08/2020 15:19

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 feel exactly the same

Snailsetssail · 08/08/2020 15:23

Yes significant. I am only making essential shopping purchases from local shops rather than a leisurely amble round the shops like I usually would. Also now not taking the children to aquariums etc as I don’t want to wear a mask for any longer than absolutely necessary.

Smileyoriley · 08/08/2020 15:26

On the contrary, I’d be spending much less without compulsory mask wearing in appropriate settings where SD is difficult to maintain.

Redlocks28 · 08/08/2020 15:27

I am pleased they are being worn-hopefully they will be in schools as well, for all except the exempt.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 08/08/2020 15:32

I can't wear one (ptsd from trauma involving suffocation) so we're very limited. Average monthly spending on "treats" etc is down around 700/800 per month as dh has to do all the shopping and only buys what is on the list. Given that my participation in public life isn't wanted, I presume our money isn't wanted either.

FinnyStory · 08/08/2020 15:39

Yes. It's 35 degrees and humid here today and forecast much the aame for the week. I'm not going anywhere I have to wear a mask, unless I absolutely need to. I don't object to wearing a mask, if I need to go somewhere one is required, I will of course wear one but I'm not going to voluntarily go where one is required.

Plus, if you do it properly and change your mask each time, you need to think about having a clean one, so it has to be worth "using up" a fresh mask for me to bother going.

I honestly don't think the extra people who are comfortable going to places now masks are required will come close to outweighing those who don't bother because of them.

PuzzledObserver · 08/08/2020 15:40

No. The continued existence of the virus and people not respecting 2m is, to some extent. However, I am spending money with local businesses, have donated some of the ticket costs of cancelled concerts and festivals, and am spending freely online.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 08/08/2020 15:44

@Smileyoriley

On the contrary, I’d be spending much less without compulsory mask wearing in appropriate settings where SD is difficult to maintain.
Except people seem to throw SD out the window as soon as they put a mask on - especially those who don't wear their mask correctly.

It's the inconsistency that irritates me. For T&T purposes, contact is defined as being 15 minutes, face to face, for a risk of infection to exist. Yet many people now want us to believe that one unmasked person in a supermarket will be personally responsible for The Second Wave and the complete obliteration of the NHS.

epythymy · 08/08/2020 15:47

@MarmiteCrumpet25

If face coverings reduce transmission I will wear them. I don’t like them of course but would prefer to wear one and hopefully keep further lockdowns at bay. It’s not impacting on my spending really.
They don't
epythymy · 08/08/2020 15:51

@mosquitofeast

your choice, wear a mask or don't go, simple.

Mask wearing is going to encourage other people to go, who would not have gone otherwise, so they won't be losing out on custom because of you deciding to stay home.

And we all benefit because there will be less transmission.

I'm glad you are staying home. I don't want to have to mix with you. I am less likely to go out if there are people like you wondering around

This is assuming that over 50% of the population both want to and will only go out if they and everyone else is wearing a mask.

Why is it ok to say that everyone should wear a mask to make the minority feels safe (or stay at home if you don't want to wear one) but not ok to say that if you're so worried about a pandemic which is basically over and which has a survival rate of over 99% then you should stay at home rather than forcing everyone else to take part in something which is not fundamentally based on any scientific evidence?

ThatDamnScientist · 08/08/2020 15:55

@LongAndWhiningRoad

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.

Sadly I see this on local groups on fb. People encouraging others who are moaning about their rights etc to print out the exemption cards so they can avoid wearing them.

I really do think the exemption cards needed to be monitored, not just doled out like jelly babies. Makes a mockery of the cards and people with genuine reasons to not wear them.

I have also seen a number of people going "oh well I have this (illness, disability etc) so I don't need to wear one'. They seem to completely miss the point that even if you fall into the exemption category you should still wear a mask if you can (autistic daughter and I'm asthmatic, we could both choose not to wear one but we tried, we can, we do).

FinnyStory · 08/08/2020 15:56

I don't understand people ranting about "selfish" people who have said they will stay at home rather than wear a mask. Who are they harming?

I find them quite disorienting. I wear one without question in the supermarket but I don't go more frequently than I need to. It's not so awful that it's going to do me any harm but I feel cut off from what's going on around me and less able to interact. I also find I have to concentrate much harder to get things done and I move more slowly. There's no fun in a day out if you can't engage with the people around you so I wouldn't go to a theme park or a museum.

ThatDamnScientist · 08/08/2020 15:58

@epythymy

...a pandemic which is basically over...

What fucking planet are you living on?! The current pandemic is far from over!!

PinkFondantFancy · 08/08/2020 16:00

Nope, I'm in and out of the shop as quickly as possible. Can't face browsing while steaming my face which I'm 100% sure is reducing my spending.

Bessica1970 · 08/08/2020 16:00

We’re going out (and spending) more now that masks are compulsory. I was shielding so didn’t go out at all previously. Now we go out and have eaten out several times because I feel safer.

RhubarbTea · 08/08/2020 16:02

Yes, massively. I no longer browse and only buy online when I need something, or in person for food shops but I am so desperate to get it done I am in and out and fast as possible. I hate wearing a mask so much and it destroys the pleasure in anything if I have to wear a mask. So, no spa, cinema etc etc for me. There is zero point.

Userzzz · 08/08/2020 16:02

Yes. I don't go out unless absolutely necessary. Masks have ruined every experience for me.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 08/08/2020 16:04

I don't understand people ranting about "selfish" people who have said they will stay at home rather than wear a mask. Who are they harming

I dont get either

Some people seem to be getting quite vitriolic at posters who say they are not going to places where they have to wear a mask for a prolonged period

Userzzz · 08/08/2020 16:04

@epythymy THIS. The logic is fucked.

karala · 08/08/2020 16:06

I am much more confident wearing a mask (although I do still socially distance) and have been shopping much more since maskwearing was introduced and I'm going to the cinema next week too. I wouldn't do that without a mask (and social distancing measures)

EleanorOalike · 08/08/2020 16:09

Mask wearing makes me feel safer. If the majority of people aren’t complying I’ll walk out and go home.

Coronavirus itself and those who don’t respect social distancing/hygiene/mask wearing are the issues stopping me from participating as normal.

vanillandhoney · 08/08/2020 16:10

Yes, definitely.

I only go places that require a mask if it's absolutely necessary. Otherwise, definitely not.

missfliss · 08/08/2020 16:11

I certainly comply - I have just come back from legoland and mask wearing was of course mandatory in all indoor spaces and on some rides.
It significantly hampered my enjoyment and so whilst I agree that it's needed I am less likely to join activities that require masks be worn

RiverFlowers · 08/08/2020 16:15

We definitely aren't going out as much, unless it's somewhere we can be outside or to eat in a restaurant.

Masks are awful, I have tried pretty much all types including a visor and they are all crap. The masks are sweaty and have caused spots on my chin! Especially in this heat, they are just awful to wear and we are avoiding going places that require them at the moment.

It's a shame as we wanted to take DD to the aquarium but no way are we wearing masks in there so we just won't go until they get rid of the stupid masks