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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:
Iverunoutofnames · 08/08/2020 22:31

I’m not going shopping if I can help it now. I don’t enjoy wearing one so I am not going to enjoy shopping in one!
DD and I had planned a big shopping trip but we’ve cancelled. She’s fairly tolerant about wearing one but frankly it would take much of the fun away, especially when it’s been so hot.
I run in and out of shops. I think they all seem a bit quieter again.

Cherrysherbet · 08/08/2020 22:32

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 homes.

How nasty. I know a very lovely person who had the most awful panic attack wearing one the other day. The reason she was wearing one, even though she knew the effect it may have, is because of judgemental people like YOU. You know nothing of peoples reasons for not wearing them.

Mind your own business. If you can wear one, then do so. Remember that your words and actions can cause severe distress to people suffering with mental health problems.

Chelsea567 · 08/08/2020 22:32

And mask wearing is crazy if anyone thinks it'll stop a virus. Bit like throwing marbles at a football net and expecting them not to go through the holes

SengaStrawberry · 08/08/2020 22:35

I’m not up for doing activities that are supposed to be fun if I have to wear a mask. I don’t see why that should bother anyone else, it’s my choice. I wear them without moaning if and where I have to, but I don’t have to like it and am also sceptical as to whether they actually work anyway.

Starlightstarbright1 · 08/08/2020 22:36

I did today, went to the gym, parker the other end of town..Thought I will just nip in a shop then was hot and bothered and couldn't be bothered to get mask out so didn't bother...

I am not against masks in any way but yes i stopped me spending a small amount of money..

Cherrysherbet · 08/08/2020 22:37

My local chippy has put up a screen, then cut a hole in it big enough for a jack Russell to climb through. Not sure how big they thing this virus is 🤣

SengaStrawberry · 08/08/2020 22:38

I’m actually surprised people feel safer when others are in masks. I don’t feel that at all. It has zero impact on how safe I think somewhere is.

burnoutbabe · 08/08/2020 22:38

I just will put off doing things until mask wearing is over, that are just pure fun things.
Like I'd go to a theme park or museum next year instead. Cinema I may try when re opens but if I don't enjoy the mask wearing in it I will watch the movies later.
Shopping I go with a list and shop quickly.
So most discretionary spending is put off. Can get Deliveroo over going out to eat etc.

uniglowooljumper · 08/08/2020 22:40

I miss the gym, but I'd not go to one if masks are required, way too hot and my acne would be dire.

MrsKeats · 08/08/2020 22:41

No. I can't get my head around all the mask moaning.
Nice stealth boast about money thoughHmm

hotdoggone · 08/08/2020 22:44

Excluding medical reasons which literally prevent you wearing one, I can't understand why people are making such a fuss over this.

I didn't love wearing one for 3 hours in the hair salon, it was a hot day and I felt a bit dizzy at one point but I had more sympathy for my hair dresser who was wearing a visor and sweating her arse off, on her feet for hours.

I really don't see how they limit enjoyment. Try a different covering if you're uncomfortable.

It's such a minor thing. And who goes on holiday for the experience in the hotel lobby anyway? Surely you check in and get on with your life? Hmm

Sunnyhopefulness · 08/08/2020 22:47

I’m happy enough to wear a mask for the hour or so it takes me to do a supermarket shop - but they make me cough and sneeze for some reason so I’m now less likely to do something like cinema or a museum as it’s going to be longer than that bearable hour or so

uniglowooljumper · 08/08/2020 22:48

@hotdoggone

Excluding medical reasons which literally prevent you wearing one, I can't understand why people are making such a fuss over this.

I didn't love wearing one for 3 hours in the hair salon, it was a hot day and I felt a bit dizzy at one point but I had more sympathy for my hair dresser who was wearing a visor and sweating her arse off, on her feet for hours.

I really don't see how they limit enjoyment. Try a different covering if you're uncomfortable.

It's such a minor thing. And who goes on holiday for the experience in the hotel lobby anyway? Surely you check in and get on with your life? Hmm

They aren't. A lot of people just don't bloody like them. Is it that hard to imagine? It's not a minor thing for everyone, just like how something that's not minor to you is to someone else Hmm.

I don't really mind them, but they do give me acne and I'd rather go without them so I act accordingly. It's hardly rocket science to puzzle that out.

RhiantheMunter · 08/08/2020 22:50

No. Wearing masks in places where others are too increased my confidence and encourages me to spend time there.
It's the selfish fuckers that refuse to wear a mask (with no medical exclusion) and the selfish arseholes thst don't respect my personal space let alone practice any social distancing that stop me from going out and about and spending.

Don't stand so close to me is my new ringtone but the selfish fuckers still don't move away.

I asked 3 people politely in a shop yesterday to respect my space as they came too close and remained close. All 3 rolled their eyes and one gutted too and said somethng about me being a paranoid bitch.

I'm.off to home bargains tomorrow and think I'll take the same selfish attitude and just tell people to fuck off out of my space. Apparently it works.much more successfully according to my neighbour and the bloke in my local chippy. I watched them in action and yes the unmasked selfish face lickers move away without disgust or sarcasm.

fascinated · 08/08/2020 23:01

We are loving doing our own hair. It’s saving so much money.

3 hours in a salon? That’s madness.

lljkk · 08/08/2020 23:02

I've found wearing the face cover easier than I expected. I don't notice that it stopped me spending what I wanted. But.... I definitely feel much more unsafe the more we are required to wear them, and the more I see them. Because there are more ways to wear them wrong, forget to wear them, get yelled at, feel 'oops'. The more I see them the more I think we will be made to wear them in more places; I'm afraid of when it's decided that we can't step outside without one on, and how that would interfere with me getting any exercise. Or what if we have to wear them in offices, or maybe even technically required to wear them at home. Plus it's a constant reminder that we are supposed to see everyone else as hazardous. The mask very much suggests the very opposite of 'safe'.

Sunshinegirl82 · 08/08/2020 23:08

I have complied with the requirement to wear one but I really don't like them and so minimise the time I spend in one by only doing essential shopping in store.

There does seem to be a mentality from some people (and I've only seen it on mumsnet and not in real life) that it is not enough to wear a mask you also have to be happy about it. I find it a bit odd.

AlwaysLatte · 08/08/2020 23:16

Wearing a mask hasn't stopped me doing anything - they're nice soft cotton ones that are totally breathable so no problem there, but I am mostly only going somewhere public if I really need to, not because of the mask but because of the virus.

BigChocFrenzy · 08/08/2020 23:16

"it is what it is and I'll wear it happily rather than not go anywhere."

Me too
it doesn't stop me going anywhere

I've already had my hair cut twice (I'm in Germany) with mask on the whole time.
No problem

I wouldn't go into shops if masks weren't compulsory; I'd return to online groceries

VashtaNerada · 08/08/2020 23:17

Agree with PP who are more likely to go places where masks are compulsory. I had a lovely holiday abroad where everyone was wearing masks and social distancing and it was so much nicer than the UK! I’ve come back slightly shocked at how crap we are with masks over here.

barbites · 08/08/2020 23:18

100% yes. The face nappy is ridiculous. In and out if I have to go in a shop.

bluetongue · 08/08/2020 23:40

I hate them but it’s not really acceptable to say this out loud. Thank god for Mumsnet Grin

Luckily we don’t have to wear them where I live as Virus numbers are very low. They are hot, claustrophobic and the sight of large numbers of people wearing them makes me uncomfortable. It’s how I feel an it’s not going to change.

soasd · 08/08/2020 23:45

The face nappy is ridiculous

It's definitely my least favourite nappy, just below foot nappies, and hand nappies when it's cold. Torso nappies are good though.

barbites · 08/08/2020 23:48

@fedupwiththeidots excellent post! You are so right.

cherrybakewells3 · 08/08/2020 23:49

@bluetounge which area are you from that you don't have to wear them? I'd love a weekend away but refuse to go anywhere you have to be muzzled.