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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:

GCAcademic · 14/12/2020 22:26

@nomorespaghetti - they can fog up, yes, but if you smear the transparent bit with a bit of soap, that seems to stop it.

firstimemamma · 14/12/2020 22:26

It's not just the masks themselves, it's the strict over the top rules that go with them e.g having to wear one on a bloody empty bus in case the driver, who is a spec in the distance at the opposite end of the bus, tells you off. Ffs!

TempsPerdu · 14/12/2020 22:27

For those talking about impeding communication - apart from lip reading where obviously asking any question in a shop etc would be a problem, how much do you communicate when you go to the shops or go on a train etc. really? The places where you are wearing a mask, how much do you communicate usually?

Quite a lot, actually. I smile, exchange pleasantries with shop and station staff, the odd bit of chat about the weather - it’s not exactly a profound and meaningful emotional connection but these are the sorts of small interactions that help to hold our society together, and if most people’s response to your question is ‘not at all’ then society is pretty much doomed.

randomsabreuse · 14/12/2020 22:27

Glasses.

Either they fog up or they fall down my nose on the fabric as they're designed to fit and stay on skin. I don't like regular all day contact lens wear.

Also rain. Horrible to breathe through when wet and the school run is often wet.

Also toddlers. Toddler likes grabbing glasses, grabbing mask is also a fun game apparently...

butterycooler · 14/12/2020 22:27

They don't really bother me but I went into town earlier and in the shopping centre I noticed that most people either hadn't got one on or had it under their chin (or under their now) so I think a lot of people have just given up with them now.

DameFanny · 14/12/2020 22:28

@Nousernamesleftatall

There is zero evidence they prevent the spread of this or any other Corona virus. Cotton masks the majority are wearing do absolutely nothing. Babies and young kids need to see our smiles. Making school kids wear them all day is so wrong.

Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks

Springersrock · 14/12/2020 22:30

Plus, I hate what they’ve turned us into

My daughter has Tourette’s and they set her tics off. She’ll wear one for as long as she can tolerate it, but once she starts punching herself in the head, she’ll take it off.

Honestly, the amount of grief she gets is unbelievable - she shouldn’t be allowed out, she’s selfish, she should just suffer the tics, she’s killing people, etc, etc.

grandmasterstitch · 14/12/2020 22:34

I don't mind them for the supermarket shop and for shops in general. I don't like wearing one for DS's toddler class or for my midwife appointments. I'm fortunate that I don't use public transport but I wouldn't like to wear one for hours on a train/plane/bus. Basically short amount of time is fine but anything else I don't like them

Sewsosew · 14/12/2020 22:35

@butterycooler

Snap. Wearing one really spoiled the rare shopping experience I had today, especially when so many others didn’t bother. I don’t see them having any effect on the numbers.

userxx · 14/12/2020 22:36

Good for you op, I fucking hate them and can't wait for the day that I can burn the fuckers. Roll on normality.

Bimbleboo · 14/12/2020 22:36

For me, I will wear one and I ‘get’ some of the reasons for them. I’m dubious about how effective they actually are but since I’m not a scientist or expert I’m not going to take that doubt and imply that it’s valid. However I feel like they might even just serve as a reminder that something is ‘wrong’ at the moment and make people more aware of staying apart? I’m not sure.

I was told I could be exempt on medical grounds (severe PTSD issues with anything covering my mouth) but since I didn’t personally feel comfortable with being entitled to not wear one if they DO keep others safe, I just didn’t go out anywhere public. I hadn’t been in a shop or anywhere indoors from March until last week. (No judgment for anyone in a similar predicament who thinks differently. It’s just my own feelings that wouldn’t allow me to go in places without one. I decided if I wouldn’t wear it, then I shouldn’t be going in. Maybe sound like a sanctimonious prick but I just felt it wasn’t right. And am lucky enough that it’s possible for me to not go anywhere public so that’s the choice I made to avoid wearing it.

I had a hospital appointment that I could not actually dodge as it was urgent and again, was told I didn’t have to wear the mask.
I felt like it wasn’t fair on others who might feel anxious or upset seeing me not wear one etc etc and since the staff in the hospital have probably had to wear one for a ten hour shift, I decided I would just have to get on with it for the twenty minutes I went in. Admittedly I was also quite scared I would be angering people or be challenged if I didn’t have one on.

Definitely wasn’t traumatic quite to the extent I had expected. Was upsetting, made me very anxious going at all and so having something over my mouth was almost unbearable but JUST manageable. I also noticed how much harder it is to feel reassured by kind HCP’s when I can’t see their face. Instead of having someone able to be kind and make me feel safe, I could just see their mask which distressed me further. My own distress was probably less visible due to my mask being on so I felt really unable to communicate non verbally I guess?

Also I found it panicked me but I did expect that. It’s not that I couldn’t breathe, because they do or stop you breathing. They do however give the sensation of not breathing for me. I was breathing very quickly and anxiously and the sensation of that with something covering my mouth was quite upsetting. I did use lots of techniques I had practiced first to just mentally prepare and physically cope with the sensation of it on my face.

I find them really distressing to look at and I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m just not as used to them as others because I haven’t been going out and seeing them everywhere. I still find they look really dystopian and frightening. They make me feel like something terrible is happening (which it is I guess so...).

ANYWAY that is why I don’t like them. But I am trying to power through and wear one in any situation where it’s expected of us. But I don’t think I could ever get used to them or not mind them. And that level of distress would feel worth it if I was sure they made a difference. If they DONT make a difference I would be gutted to put myself through it. And i imagine so would many others who hate them for similar reasons.

Fleshlumpeater · 14/12/2020 22:36

I don’t mind wearing one myself at all. They don’t bother me physically one bit however when I see other people with them on I don’t really like it, think it’s the visual reminder of the shit we are in.

vodkaredbullgirl · 14/12/2020 22:37

I wear a mask for 12 1/2 work in care, 3-4 nights a week.

ElephantWhaleRabbit · 14/12/2020 22:39

I don’t find them uncomfortable but they aren’t particularly pleasant to wear. I wouldn’t do so by choice.

I’d personally rather not live in a society where people walk around with their faces covered.

I don’t think they’re as effective as people make them out to be - in fact, I think they have sweet FA impact on overall numbers.

Instinctively I’d rather not be told what to wear by the government.

I should add, I do wear a mask in the settings where it’s mandatory and will continue to do so for as long as it’s the law.

lurker101 · 14/12/2020 22:43

If your glasses are steaming up it’s because your mask doesn’t fit and is too loose... I say that as a constant glasses wearer - get a mask with the metal nose bridge - I got one cheaply in WH Smith which doesn’t cause my glasses to steam up. Vision Express have some more information on why they’re steaming up...
www.visionexpress.com/eye-health/glasses-mask-tips

Viviennemary · 14/12/2020 22:46

I hate them with a vengeance. I could probably claim exemption but feel it's my duty to wear one.

BeesAnkles · 14/12/2020 22:47

Zero evidence that they work

Err, there are numerous studies that prove that they are effective against transmission.
I do wish people would stop spreading misinformation.