To refuse to wear a face mask

[gindinner]

Outside my daughters primary school as I wait for her after school?
I was asked to wear one today as I stood outside the gate so my daughter in year 6 could see me and leave her teacher.
It's not an enclosed space, not even inside the school gate.
So who is being unreasonable? The school with this ridiculous request, or me?

My best mate has asthma .. still manages to wear a mask despite being quite 'severe' (steroids help control it but lower her immunity) ..

This is mask creep. The chances of contracting coronavirus outside in the fresh air are seriously low.

I’ve seen families outside with toddlers in pushchairs wearing face masks, seems bonkers to me but as I said mask creep. I’d happily keep 2 metres away than wear a mask outside but clearly I’m an outlier here.

Just wear it. Might be some very vulnerable parents who might stress less if people wear masks. Be kind.

All schools in our LA have made this mandatory, along with staff and students in communal areas in secondaries. It’s not a hardship-just do it.

This is mask creep

No it’s twat creep.

If you are struggling to breathe properly while wearing a mask, you need a better mask. I am fairly severely asthmatic & really struggled with the masks I bought at first, they fitted snugly across my mouth & nose & I felt like they affected how I breathed. It triggered my asthma & I hated wearing it for more than a couple of minutes. But I did, because it's the right thing to do.
I've since got (made) some masks that fit better - they don't sit as tight across my mouth or nose, but still quite flat around the edges of my face. I can breathe completely fine in these, for hours if necessary.

I used it's fairly quick if you have a sewing machine. I actually did mine by hand as I don't have access to my sewing machine at present, it's in storage as we moved recently. It's great for glasses wearers, it barely fogs them up at all.

I wouldn't do it. No need to wear them outside. Like a pp, I'd put one on out of courtesy if speaking to a teacher.

This is mission creep and it's utterly depressing.

Stand your ground OP.

Wear a mask. People walking past are, well, walking past. Not standing still waiting.
I put mine on as soon as I'm approaching the school. Its actually quiet nice this time of year, keeps your face warm

We've had to wear masks for drop off and pick up since they went back after the summer holidays. It's just something we need to do so I do it, I don't necessarily think I'm at risk of catching or transmitting cv on the school run as stay at least 2m from the other parents and teachers but they've asked and I can do it so I do.

Just wear the mask.

I hate them and struggle wearing them but if I go anywhere (including to take and pick Ds up from school) where I am asked to wear one (or expected to by law) then I do. Because I’m not selfish.

It may not make any difference. But it might. And if there is the tiniest chance that it might then I will do my bit

Why not? School requested, and unless you have a good reason not to, why make it a problem by refusing when it's way easier to just wear one?

yabu. Do you want the school to close down, and do you want to potentially infect (and kill) some vulnerable people? if the answer is no, wear a mask. If it is yes, call your GP and the mental health team.

@gindinner

But what if someone is just walking by the school, to get to their house near the school? That is where I am, outside the school

Well done. You've found a loophole, by which you can justify making things harder for everyone else. But has it made you happier?

Lockdown and the extent of the mask requirement is absoute nonsense.

However - there is zero social distancing at the school gate. Zero. So this is well overdue and a good decision.

You.

Wise up.

No need to wear a mask outside. Ridiculous

To be clear - I most strongly oppose masks outside, but people are tightly congregating outside schools so mask wearing makes good sense in this case only.

This thread has made me have one of those surreal moments as I compare these responses to the ones I got when I posted that I thought masks were maybe probably a good idea in Feb/March . It is like the whole world has has a personality transplant.

Anyway op, I agree it is an irritating request because despite being pro masks when indoors since March I also think wearing them outside is pretty pointless ( assuming you are not spending ages very close to someone).

I'd do as asked though for all the reasons given by other posters. I might roll my eyes a bit but I'd hold my tongue and get out my mask as schoolsi are having a hard enough time as it is .

You are bring unreasonable and making an absolute fuss about nothing. Support the school and do as they’ve asked, it’s not difficult.

No one is socially distancing at our School pick up so on the basis that it’s probably similar elsewhere I say wear the mask. Just do it. It’s easier than coming up with reasons why you don’t need to.

tbh they would be better getting the staff and kids to wear one inside the school x10,000 but virtue signalling outside the school is what you get.

I now remember the MN threads from lockdown 1. where people (not shielding) thought they must stay inside at all times and not even use their gardens or heaven forbid - sit down outside. There seems to be the thought that if 2 paracetamol are good for you then 8 must be better.

@gindinner
This is what happens to me. I wore one for two hours last weekend and it brought on an asthma attack, it took me two days to recover, not great when I have no one to to rely on, being a single parent to autistic sons.
I actually don't chat to parents and always socially distance. I definitely give a wide berth to this that like to huddle together.
Occasionally I have to take my youngest autistic son with me, and he needs to be able to see my mouth so I can clearly instruct him on where to stand and so he can hear me. He has no concept of danger.
Thank you to those who actually managed to answer me in a civil manner. The rest of you made no coherent arguement and I received no useful opinions from you. So settle down now
YABU not to have mentioned any if this at the outset. I think most people would be pŕetty understanding when there are good reasons not to be able to wear a mask.
The fact you didnt say any if this in your op, makes it seem like you wanted to stir it with a big old stick.