Omg masks under noses ...

[HMSSophie]

Just been out for cat food. I don't go out much!

Omg the number of people with their masks hanging under their nose. What the fuck is that about? It made me feel so angry, given we are about to hit lockdown 2.

I think I might start saying something. It's utterly mind boggling

OMG maybe they are finding it hard to breathe.

It's not worth getting angry about. If you wear your mask correctly then you're doing the right thing, and you're protecting them too.

I agree with you op. I work in retail and so many people don't wear the mask correctly even though the staff have to wear them all day long. Its epically annoying when someone is wearing a mask then pulls it down to talk to staff 🙄

Drives me insane. There is a bloke at church who does this and it really annoys me.

I always wonder if they are doing it on purpose (e.g. find it difficult to breathe as a PP said) or if they genuinely don't realise that's not how you're meant to wear them.

Drives me mad too...if somebody wasn't wearing one I would assume there is a good reason...people that have them under their nose just don't give a shit about anybody else and it really annoys me.

I have stopped arguing with people about things after the great parent and child argument of 2019!!

They don't work anyway, clearly. Lockdown 2 anyone?

Would you prefer they didnt wear one at all? Maybe some people find it difficult to breathe but want to make an effort by covering their mouths.

There is no hope for some people.

It makes me wonder if they’re really that stupid or just being awkward?

@TigerBrite

It makes me wonder if they’re really that stupid or just being awkward?

A little from column a...

Nope I don't buy the "finding it hard to breathe" line. If they have legit lung conditions then don't wear a mask at all. I think it's that they are too stupid to realise that the mask is designed to cover nose and mouth.

@FTMF30 They may as well not bother wearing a mask at all.

finding it hard to breathe? through a purpose made mask for 45 mins tops?

try working an 8 hour shift in one

I wear my mask properly, over nose and mouth. Hate the fucker though and only wear it where I am really required to.

I don't give a shit how or even if other people wear theirs. Plenty of people find it very hard to breathe through the masks, so I assume that to be the case for a number of them. I do struggle a bit with them myself, and although I wear it correctly I certainly can't claim that I have never had to lift it occasionally when having to wear it for any length of time, just to get some good, comfortable deep breaths in.

I wouldn't say anything, and would have told you to bugger off if you challenged me at a moment when I was stressed and struggling.

I just don’t see the point of wearing a mask over a closed mouth while breathing through your nose. You’re basically not wearing a mask at all.

@Gingernaut Serious question, has any person of authority in the health professional field actually said wearing a mask beneath the nose is as useless as not wearing one at all? Because, unless someone sneezes, germs aren't transmitted through the nose by just breathing - particles wouldn't travel far enough and have little velocity. Wheras, germs can be transmitted via the mouth just by talking (amongst other ways), which we often do.

I much prefer people to wear a mask beneath their nose than not at all.

OP it's really annoying and yes germs are transmitted by breathing. Do you not breathe through your nose?

@HMSSophie

Nope I don't buy the "finding it hard to breathe" line. If they have legit lung conditions then don't wear a mask at all. I think it's that they are too stupid to realise that the mask is designed to cover nose and mouth.

No. I know a local lady who has severe COPD. She comes into the mini supermarket where my DD works. She really struggles to breathe with her mask on and the shop staff had to help her on one occasion because she nearly collapsed.

They asked her why she was wearing a mask because she was medically exempt. She said that she knew about the exemption but when she had gone to the shops not wearing one before she was badly bullied by people who kept challenging her and refused to believe she was exempt because of her medical condition. In fact, even refused to believe that she had a medical condition at all.

So now she wears one, has to stop every few minutes gasping, and is really scared when having to go out.

She isn't stupid at all. The people who bullied her with their ignorant challenges are though.

Honestly ? Find something else to get angry about. As long as you wear your own mask correctly you will be fine.. and breathe...

My mum does this at times as she is claustrophobic.

I see retail staff doing this all the time, far more than any other group of people. I feel sorry for them having to wear them all the time, I assume they’re just doing the best they can

Only WHO, the CDC and any number of medical centres worldwide

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-07-08-oxford-covid-19-study-face-masks-and-coverings-work-act-now#

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8

I was in a small local shop last week. It was empty apart from the owner.
She came over to help me and was wearing her mask under her nose. I kept backing away but after a few minutes I said "sorry I'm backing away from you but you are not wearing your mask properly."
She was very apologetic and put it on properly.

A shop assistant wore one on her lower lip last week. DH wanted an item off the shelf (notice asking customers not to touch before buying), she came over lifting her mask from over her lip to under her nose. I was tempted to walk away but item was a one off DH really wanted.

I know it's not pleasant as I have to wear one all day, but if you're going to wear them do it properly for everyone's sake.