Why the hatred of masks?

[Ohchristmastreelove]

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.

@HermioneWeasley

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.

There’s lots of evidence now that they protect the wearer too.

I'm used to them now but initially I hated them. They just felt claustrophobic. I was suffering from morning sickness (before the severity kicked in when I just didn't leave the house!) and every time I went to the supermarket I'd just feel like I was going to vom. Yes slight sickness but also that huge piece of cloth that felt like breathing was being restricted.

Despite being more used to them, hope they're not here for the long term!

Glasses fogging up is my main bugbear.
Face mask breath
I can’t hear what people are saying and vice versa
Cant read faces or see smiles.
Dehumanising

I have to wear one at work and cope alright there where I’m busy. I don’t feel inclined to go to places where I have to wear one, except for a short time, unless I really have to. We’re tier 3 so the going somewhere options are limited anyway!

I wear mine without too much complaint but it makes my glasses fog up and take ages to clear, can't wear make up (even mascara as my warm breath makes my mascara tacky and then smudges) and gives me spots on my chin if worn a lot.

We are getting into dangerous territory if people's thoughts are being policed.

I quite like wearing mine and colleagues in the shop I work in have fun, festive ones. I have glasses but with correctly used nose wire in the mask and wipes used occasionally on the glasses it's fine.

Unfortunately people have already started to refuse wearing them in shops now. I work in a supermarket and the responses we get when challenging people is horrible. I've stopped challenging when working but will follow people cleaning everything they touch!

Wearing one for a full day is hard... but on the other hand it keeps my nose warm and I even got asked for ID to buy booze last week... I’m mid 40s!

I can wear one without major issue but no one with any sense would attempt to put one on ds. I guess it looks like we are all different.

Not sure if people are aware, but if you are challenged for ID staff are not allowed to ask you to remove your mask. If you personally want to, you can.

I hate them. They fog my glasses. I dont like the feel of them on my nose. It is tricky to get the positioning so they cover my nose but dont come too close to my eyes, i think that might be something to do with my face shape as others dont seem to struggle with that. I hate seeing disposable ones discarded in the gutter.
I'm fine for half an hour in Sainsbury, but dont like wearing them all day at work. Ill be glad when we've all been vaccinated and i can ditch them.

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.

Quite apart from the contradiction within this post, and its unpleasant tone, the WHO is clear that mask wearing reduces transmission.

www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-masks

Surely it’s odd not to hate masks?

I hate wearing masks and very much look forward to when we don't have to. I don't want my face covered.

It's a constant reminder of what we are alll going through.

I'm a bit hard of hearing and it makes it communication difficult

It's uncomfortable

It restricts my breathing.

These are my reasons for hating masks.

@AlecTrevelyan006

Surely it’s odd not to hate masks?

After years of wearing contact lenses I now have to wear glasses and nothing but. I could hate them, and make myself miserable every day - the rubbing behind the ears, the lack of peripheral vision, the dents on my nose, the crappy photos... So miserable.

Or I can focus on finding lighter weight lenses, cute frames... You know, make the best of it.

And glasses are till I die - masks are just for now, while there's a raging pandemic on.

I also hate masks as so many people think it means you don’t have to socially distance anymore.

@HermioneWeasley

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.

Umm, what's wrong with protecting others? Isn't that actually the point??

Masks are a nuisance - no doubt- but I think one of the problems is some people’s beliefs that they are ineffective. True some are not much use- and those horrible stretchy ones that suck into your face as you breath and have widely spaced threads must be amongst the worst. I think if you have to wear the things- it is important to choose a mask you know is likely to be at least partially effective in reducing spread of infection. There is research ( evidence) that show surgical masks and certain designs of reusable ( eg 3 layer tightly woven) cloth masks reduce spread of infection into the air around the infected people. Knowing that ( and finding a few that suit my face and spectacles) helps me put up with the things!

I don't mind them too much but I work in a hospital so I'm used to wearing one for hours at a time so the short time in a shop etc isn't an issue. I do feel a bit hot and bothered sometimes and won't wear one anymore once it's not mandatory but I'm okay with it for now

No, knowing precise effectiveness or ineffectiveness would make little difference to me. It is fact that I find the experience of wearing a mask whilst having responsibility for two small children difficult. Knowing that I’m “protecting others” or whatever is neither here nor there, it’s not a mind over matter thing and it feels patronising to have that implied.

They're sweaty, I miss seeing peoples expressions, the world feels more oppressive, I like my lips and teeth. But I support it fully and will wear one.

Unfortunately people have already started to refuse wearing them in shops now. I work in a supermarket and the responses we get when challenging people is horrible. I've stopped challenging when working but will follow people cleaning everything they touch*

Why?
Do you follow people who are constantly fiddling with their masks, so that you can clean everything they touch?

There are a few reasons for me. I don’t like the feel of anything over my face, I feel suffocated and I can’t stop itching no matter what kind of mask I wear. It also makes me anxious and I want to get out of whenever I am, eg the supermarket asap. No matter how I wear one, it always rises up on my face and ends up under my eye lids meaning I constantly have to readjust it, which defeats the point of wearing it. Despite the fact my dh assures me my breath does not smell I’m paranoid. I can’t stand the feel of warm breath and effectively breathing it back in isn’t good. Then there’s the fact I have to remember to take one with me literally everywhere I bloody go but my main reason for hating them is that I’m effectively wearing one against my will. I do not believe they help what so ever (I’m allowed my opinion) so why would I be happy to wear one?

Hate it , I feel anxious/dizzy and sick when wearing one and I am not even thinking about it ... to be honest I don't think they do much good for the pure fact people are using the same ones over and over and putting them in pockets etc

I know it's a silly thing to do, but honestly, if you worked in a supermarket and got the abuse and responses from customers we get, you'd be snarky back to people. Following someone round a store should make them as uncomfortable as we are for dealing with petty people. It's just a mask, wear it. I can't believe that people are being so irritating about this.