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Original poster

Why the hatred of masks?

189 replies

Ohchristmastreelove · 14/12/2020 20:39

I don’t actually mind wearing one - I’ve bought several nice cotton ones from Etsy that wash and dry really well. Particularly in cold weather I would often go out with a scarf over my lower face anyway. I’ve kind of realised how grim strangers’ breath all over me in shops etc. is so I actually do feel more protected from ‘germs’ more generally wearing a mask in public.

Ok, wearing a mask when I had my hair done the other month was a bit annoying. And I wouldn’t like to have to wear one in my friend’s house when I go round (when it is allowed again! Not right now!)

But wearing a mask doesn’t make me annoyed or make me feel unwell. I honestly wouldn’t mind too much if they remained advisory for public transport etc.

I know this is an unpopular opinion!

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of restrictions I am really hating and struggling with but masks is not really one of them.

OP posts:
BruceAndMarley · 14/12/2020 20:41

The only reason i don’t ‘like’ wearing one is because it makes my glasses fog up. But I don’t hate it and it’s nice not having to smell strangers sweaty pits in the bus

Sparklingbrook · 14/12/2020 20:42

I think if I worked in retail and had to wear one my full shift I would have some hatred of a mask. Same as HCPs it can't be nice and not comparable to wearing one in a shop for 15 minutes though.

AhGoGo · 14/12/2020 20:45

I put on one before I get on my bus to work, I then have to wear it all day and all the way back to my front door again. All in that’s around 10 hours on average.

I am not a nurse. I work in a restaurant.
I bloody hate them. I miss smiles.

RefuseTheLies · 14/12/2020 20:45

I wasn't bothered too much about wearing a mask until I got pregnant. Now, if I wear them for too long, it makes my morning (all day) sickness worse.

Cattybumbum · 14/12/2020 20:48

I get too hot, then convince myself I can't breathe.
My glasses fog up so I can't see.
They make my face sweat which causes the acne I thought I'd got rid of 20 yrs ago to flare up.
They are bearable for about 5 minutes but not long enough to do a supermarket shop.
The list goes on.
I have tried paper ones, various fabric ones, snood type ones.
I shall wear one while they are mandatory and gladly bin them as soon as they aren't.

I don't mind social distancing, no hugging or seeing people outside for walks only. But I understand some people find these elements almost unbearable.

We can all cope with different things.

tootyfruitypickle · 14/12/2020 20:48

I’ve realised I communicate with smiles.

I cannot bear the world with masks. I avoid going to the shops because I can’t stand seeing everyone in them as much as I hate wearing them.

I support their use fully, but I absolutely hate them and I’m sure in future years I’ll find them quite traumatic to see in pics etc.

HermioneWeasley · 14/12/2020 20:49

Because they’re a massive inconvenience and there’s zero evidence they reduce transmission. There’s even a theory that they cause large droplets which would otherwise fall to the ground, to aerosolise and be much more infectious instead.

Because people think wearing them makes you a superior person

By the way OP, they don’t protect you at all - if they do anything, they marginally protect others from you.

Lemoncurd · 14/12/2020 20:49

I love wearing masks, we have a basket next to the front door and grab a fresh one as we leave the house. If I'm walking, I'll put it on straight away, feels cosy and I actually think it has helped my asthma as the air doesn't feel as cold as I breathe.

U8myufo · 14/12/2020 20:50

Ok, so what if you lipread? Would you like them then I wonder?

PurpleDaisies · 14/12/2020 20:50

It gives me acne.
My glasses steam up.
It feels horrible.

When other people wear them, I can’t lipread.

I hate them.

RaspberryCoulis · 14/12/2020 20:51

I don’t actually mind wearing one

Good for you. I mind very much. I hate them, they are hot, sweaty, intensely uncomfortable, a barrier to communication, unnatural and horrendous.

I will wear one for the very shortest time possible, in order to avoid a fine. I am not browsing in shops, in and out as quickly as possible. Wait until the last second to put it on, and whip it off the very second I can.

I certainly will not be wearing one from the very second they suspend the law making it illegal not to. They can "advise" whatever they like, not doing it.

ApplestheHare · 14/12/2020 20:52

Me and DH were both saying we're weirdly liking them atm. No glasses and don't have to wear them all day though. But for short periods outside they keep my face nice and warm and I feel quite cosy, especially with a hat on too.

RaininSummer · 14/12/2020 20:52

Fine for 30 mins around a shop but was quite nasty today for 3 hours whilst teaching. Hot, stuffy and steamed up glasses.

BananaPop2020 · 14/12/2020 20:53

They are just unpleasant full stop. They also really impede communication.

Jrobhatch29 · 14/12/2020 20:53

I don't mind them that much myself but it freaks me out seeing others in them for some reason. We went to a shopping centre and it was quite busy, I hated the masks

CaraDuneRedux · 14/12/2020 20:53

They fog my glasses.
I can't hear people properly.
They can't see me.
I hate not being able to see people's facial expressions.
I feel cut off from an important way of communicating with others - eg smiling at someone who lets you through a gap first, that sort of thing.

Don't get me wrong - I fully support wearing them. But I still hate them.

Changethetoner · 14/12/2020 20:54

You don't wear glasses do you OP.

Original poster
Ohchristmastreelove · 14/12/2020 20:55

@U8myufo

Ok, so what if you lipread? Would you like them then I wonder?
Clearly that’s a situation where a mask is a real challenge so I do sympathise there.
OP posts:
Original poster
Ohchristmastreelove · 14/12/2020 20:57

I also realise that wearing one for work for 10 hours a day in retail or in a hospital is not the same as my experience.

However, in healthcare settings people wore masks anyway even before the pandemic (theatres etc) but obviously not as continuously as now.

For those nitpicking I did mean for those of us who mostly have to wear masks for leisure reasons.

It seems to be ‘leisure wearers’ who seem to have the most irritation with them.

OP posts:
BusySittingDown · 14/12/2020 20:57

Because they're bloody annoying that's why.

I've only got a small head so they don't fit properly. When I'm shopping and I'm trying to look at stuff they slip up over my eyes. They make my ears ache.

I'm deaf and can't lip read/hear any fucker when they're wearing one.

I will wear one without question but that's the reason that people might hate them!

Cattybumbum · 14/12/2020 20:58

You don't think not being able to see because your glasses are dogged up isn't a real challenge then OP.

I tell you what try sitting in a car without demisting the windscreen, then imagine trying to navigate a busy shopping centre with that level of vision in all directions and only an inch away from your eyes.

Original poster
Ohchristmastreelove · 14/12/2020 20:58

@Changethetoner

You don't wear glasses do you OP.
Sometimes yes but I have mostly taken to wearing contacts for that reason. I know this isn’t an option for everyone. My DH wears glasses and somehow manages to not have his fog up - not sure how.
OP posts:
StopGo · 14/12/2020 20:58

I comply and wear my mask to cover my nose and mouth. I hate wearing either a bit of pointless poly cotton or 'proper' disposable mask.
My glasses steam up, my nose runs, I feel sick, no one can understand me and it means I can't lip read. It makes me feel very isolated but I do my bit.
I get annoyed at the masks and gloves littering car parks etc etc. Oh and don't get me started on the chin hammock brigade. Rant overWine

Sparklingbrook · 14/12/2020 20:59

The people that work in retail/HCPs and Retail staff have to wear them all day/night at work and for leisure reasons' so pretty much all the time.

PicsInRed · 14/12/2020 21:00

They're uncomfortable, antisocial and shite.

When they're made optional, you can crack on with them though.