To think this isn’t a Mental Health Issue

[Topttumps]

I was reading an article in a free supplement about getting back out and attending events etc following COVID. It was of course about people being anxious and offered advice on small steps etc. All fine.
However a line annoyed me. It was something like Mental Health is important so please give people space if wearing a mask. Thus implying that those still wearing masks have a Mental Health Issue. Err no they could just as easily have a physical health issue or care about those who have a physical issue making them vulnerable to COVID.
Wondered what other people’s opinions are.

It’s certainly a weird thing to say. I still wear a mask because I think it’s a responsible thing to do considering what the world is going through.

I thought so too.

Think it means if they are still wearing a mask then getting up close to them may make them uncomfortable (not will make them uncomfortable, but those who are uncomfortable at losing social distancing are likely to still be wearing a mask).

Yeah that is possible @noblegiraffe but I still don't see wanting space as a Mental Health Issue.

No, it would be invading their space may have a negative effect on their mental health as they are clearly concerned about covid.

It’s not saying they have a mental health issue. It’s about allowing people to feel comfortable.

A good way to to look are it..

I get what you are saying @Topttumps, to me it implies that the people who still think we need any covid mitigations are potentially suffering from mental health problems.

I do think anyone wearing a mask will get head tilts soon and 'are you worried?' - er, not especially, but as far as I am aware Covid is a) infectious and b) undesirable

I don't like the way ongoing caution is being framed either.
People immediately leap to 'are you anxious?' etc

Wearing a mask, keeping to outdoor socializing and other measures aren't necessarily a sign that someone is overly anxious and I'm getting quite pissed off with it being portrayed that way.

@dressupinyou I am also sick of this already.

Pathologising normal human behaviour. Feeling concerned/uncomfortable/worried is part of ordinary life. People make their own risk assessments and if some prefer to wear a mask it’s not a MH problem it’s their own outlook.

I don't like the way it's framed either. A lot of it is lazy journalism taken from government media releases etc. I saw something from PHE the other day about how to address anxiety over covid re getting back to normal. It was as if the current strategy of infecting as many kids as possible (no ventilation measures etc in schools, allowing kids into classes with siblings with covid etc, cases high, unvaxed population, more kids in hospital with covid now than at jan peak, long covid etc etc) should just be ignored. Put some of the money from these stupid gaslighting 'ignore covid/schools are safe' campaigns into ventilation or something and I'll feel less anxious over the current recklessly sinister strategy!

Gaslighting is exactly what it is. Especially odd because looking around the world, many countries continue to take a much more cautious approach. The WHO continues to recommend masks, social distancing, etc in coordination with vaccines as a multifaceted approach. It is not looking at all like the British approach of relying entirely on jabs to mitigate the consequences of this is going to go well for us, especially now with the data out of Israel.

@Whatshouldicallme agree. Vaccines are amazing and have massively reduced hospitalisations and deaths, they are clearly not enough on their own. At least not at this stage.

Much of the rest of Europe (and further afield) where masks are still mandatory in many situations must all be suffering with MH issues then.
It's just a way to "other" people who realize what a fucked up policy the British govt has.
Interesting, though. For over a year we've had people not wearing masks being generally considered (also by the people themselves in a high proportion) to be not doing so because of MH issues (anxiety, panic, sense of suffocation etc).
Now suddenly it's the people wearing masks considered to have issues.

Especially weird since a lot of shops and public transport, are still asking you to wear masks. In medical settings I have been in recently they are making you swap to their mask, only bring a helper if absolutely necessary, spacing out chairs and cleaning everything.

It is strange phrasing. I find it incredibly odd how either maskers or non maskers on either side are viewed as odd or different by the other side.

Masks are not legally required but often required by policy so surely its not as simple to say mask wearing indicates anxiety ?

I wear a mask in shops, enclosed spaces when asked but in all honesty I only do it because I don't want to make anyone else feel anxious. I have no idea in a shop whether the staff would feel uncomfortable if I am not masked and I kind of think it doesn't hurt me to show a bit of consideration.

I really am not worried for myself. I am double vaccinated as is DP and none of the household have underlying conditions. I am fortunate enough not have any health anxiety so I really don't need a wide berth from others, it seems an odd assumption to male from them.

I wear a mask on public transport etc entirely out of courtesy to those who might be worried and anxious.
I’m also cheerfully doing any and all activities allowed - theatre, football, parties etc.

I was also hoping a side affect of last year would be people wearing masks when they have a cough or cold and are going about their business, which I believe is common in Japan and other places. I didn’t have a cold at all despite working with thr public throughout. Surly masks are common place and not noteworthy now.

It is odd isn’t it? I am not worried personally about COVID - I’m double jabbed, low risk group. But I mix with a lot of people for my job and I live with unvaccinated teens who aren’t cautious at all, so I wear a mask in enclosed spaces out of consideration for others.

@Nietzschethehiker

It is strange phrasing. I find it incredibly odd how either maskers or non maskers on either side are viewed as odd or different by the other side.

Masks are not legally required but often required by policy so surely its not as simple to say mask wearing indicates anxiety ?

I wear a mask in shops, enclosed spaces when asked but in all honesty I only do it because I don't want to make anyone else feel anxious. I have no idea in a shop whether the staff would feel uncomfortable if I am not masked and I kind of think it doesn't hurt me to show a bit of consideration.

I really am not worried for myself. I am double vaccinated as is DP and none of the household have underlying conditions. I am fortunate enough not have any health anxiety so I really don't need a wide berth from others, it seems an odd assumption to male from them.

Exactly this

Vast majority are wearing masks and keeping distance where we are (NW). Can’t think they’re all suffering from mental health issues. Maybe they’re just trying not to contract or spread sickness.

People like me are wearing a face covering indoors and on public transport out of consideration for others. Unlike Mr Johnson I care about other people.

It's possibly just badly written and they meant "even if wearing a mask", because a bit of distance will do more than the mask anyway and most people don't much like others creeping about in their personal space.

I’ve said all along that masks are visual indicator to remind people to distance, if it keeps people away from me I’m all for it.

Why can’t it say give everyone space - mask or not? Surely that’s the polite thing to do in a pandemic?