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Original poster

If you forget your mask...

251 replies

AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 10:22

And are going somewhere indoors, like the shops or a play centre, are you still running back to the house to get it or not?

Just curious what people tend to be doing.

It feels like a whole new mask etiquette is happening now!

OP posts:
HarrisMcCoo · 03/09/2021 17:00

@Bellagonna

We generally wear them but forgot in Sainsbury's today and it wasn't until half way round I realised. I didnt rush to the car to put one on, we just carried on. I'm not convinced the dirty masks we have in the car and haven't washed since may 2020 are that effective at stopping the spread of anything anyway.
They don't take long to wash with the rest of a load as they are small. It's not too inconvenient, really.
megletthesecond · 03/09/2021 17:08

Masks should be washed as often as pants.

herecomesthsun · 03/09/2021 17:11

@Peteycat

Herecomesthesun

Are you following me round threads again? Honestly. As I've said before, I'm entirely entitled to my opinion.

Follow you round threads? You compliment yourself Grin

Yes you are entitled to your opinion which you so lavishly bestow.

Lovemusic33 · 03/09/2021 17:24

I don’t wear them in all indoor spaces, I make the decision based on if I’m going to be in close contact with people (how busy it is), so if I’m shopping in tesco on a Saturday I wear one but if I’m popping into a shop on Wednesday afternoon for a bottle of milk I probably wouldn’t bother (quick in and out, self service check out type thing). So if I forgot my mask it wouldn’t send me into a panic.

LemonandGingerTeafor2 · 03/09/2021 17:31

We generally wear them but forgot in Sainsbury's today and it wasn't until half way round I realised. I didnt rush to the car to put one on, we just carried on. I'm not convinced the dirty masks we have in the car and haven't washed since may 2020 are that effective at stopping the spread of anything anyway.

I'm hoping that was a tongue in cheek joke about the state of some peoples masks that you see out and about

Stuffin · 03/09/2021 17:33

No stopped using them and don't even in places that are still 'encouraging but not enforcing'. I did it because it was law not because I thought it was useful.

ilovesooty · 03/09/2021 17:48

I'm still wearing them as I was before but the numbers of people wearing them properly is declining.

WombatChocolate · 03/09/2021 17:55

How much do you all consider if it makes others feel uncomfortable?

That's the issue for me. I don't feel particularly under threat myself, but know others are vulnerable still or at least don't feel comfortable. So I feel I need to wear a mask to show consideration for them or the possibility they will be where I am.

I'm not sure that many people really think about how others feel and more if they want to wear it themselves.

User875906 · 03/09/2021 18:23

I don't wear them so wouldn't bother me

Stuffin · 03/09/2021 18:27

@WombatChocolate

How much do you all consider if it makes others feel uncomfortable?

That's the issue for me. I don't feel particularly under threat myself, but know others are vulnerable still or at least don't feel comfortable. So I feel I need to wear a mask to show consideration for them or the possibility they will be where I am.

I'm not sure that many people really think about how others feel and more if they want to wear it themselves.

I don't expect people to change their behaviour for me so no I am not going to wear a mask to make others feel better.

I am not going to invade their personal space so if I see a mask wearer I automatically think they are anxious about covid and give them space but equally if they want to walk round inside spaces with others like a restaurant, pub, museum then I honestly think they need to accept that they may catch a virus and a cloth mask is not going to stop that.

Original poster
AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 18:57

The main reason I wear one is for other people's comfort. I am not convinced it makes a big difference if I wear one or not, but even 5% difference is a difference, especially if everyone does it. However, I also agree that there is a similar level of risk for other people in somewhere like a cinema or pub, whether or not I wear a cotton or disposable mask. So it's a bit of a grey area really. I find masks uncomfortable. I'm not English
, N
not even European originally, but I have a mixed accent including Irish, so I don't really find it easy to make myself understood at the best of times. Add a mask and I really feel as if I'm speaking an entirely different language! Not a huge deal, but if it's purely about comfort levels, and not spread, then I'm uncomfortable too!

I do think someone's fear and discomfort over covid does, for me, clearly trump my discomfort in some public spaces, like supermarkets, however, in others, like theatres and cinemas, or at a gathering in a friend's house, it is less clear whether I should have to be unable to communicate properly and also not breathe comfortably because someone else is uncomfortable if I am not wearing a mask. If the difference in risk isn't that much and it's purely about the comfort of someone else at a completely optional and recreational activity, then I don't think it is necessarily the case that I would have to wear a mask. If someone asked me to, I would do it, but I don't think it's a given that I should preempt this and wear a mask in all cases, just in case someone feels I should but can't or won't say so

OP posts:
Bellagonna · 03/09/2021 19:04

We just haven't washed them. I see that as no different to having a snood for winter. Do people wash those every time they wear them?

AliceAyres · 03/09/2021 19:08

Don't wear one anymore.

mathanxiety · 03/09/2021 19:18

Mask wearing is mandatory where I am and vigorously enforced.

I keep a box of disposable masks in The car and several reusable ones in the two bags I'm currently using.

Frazzled2207 · 03/09/2021 19:19

I’d run back to the car but not to the house

I have just queued up for my second vaccine and literally nobody was wearing one apart from me.
Including the HCPs!

Original poster
AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 19:20

@mathanxiety

Mask wearing is mandatory where I am and vigorously enforced.

I keep a box of disposable masks in The car and several reusable ones in the two bags I'm currently using.

Sorry, should have clarified, this is in England
OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 03/09/2021 19:23

i have once before held by cloth bag over my mouth/nose when i realised I had forgotten mask. Felt very bad forgetting.

So now have reserve ones in my bag too!

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 03/09/2021 19:24

Please remember to wear one if you go abroad on holiday. I don't want to have to glare at you in the supermarket for not wearing one. Grin

Remmy123 · 03/09/2021 19:24

I don't wear a mask unless at doctors etc or confined spaces on train etc

Not in shops / soft play

Original poster
AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 19:25

@MrsScrubbithatescleaning

Please remember to wear one if you go abroad on holiday. I don't want to have to glare at you in the supermarket for not wearing one. Grin
I won't be going abroad until this is all over, despite not even being British by birth! So you're perfect save from me Wink
OP posts:
knittingaddict · 03/09/2021 19:43

Jeez, so everyone wearing cotton / disposable masks isn't actually helping?? Yikes. That's all I've had throughout!

OP, just because someone says something on the imternet doesn't make it true. Fabric masks worn properly do help protect those around you to some extent. Surgical masks are better and some surgical masks are better again. We do what we can with what we have.

OliveTree75 · 03/09/2021 19:44

@burnoutbabe

i have once before held by cloth bag over my mouth/nose when i realised I had forgotten mask. Felt very bad forgetting.

So now have reserve ones in my bag too!

....Confused

Why are people putting cardigans and bags over their face?

Original poster
AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 19:50

@knittingaddict

Jeez, so everyone wearing cotton / disposable masks isn't actually helping?? Yikes. That's all I've had throughout!

OP, just because someone says something on the imternet doesn't make it true. Fabric masks worn properly do help protect those around you to some extent. Surgical masks are better and some surgical masks are better again. We do what we can with what we have.

Ah thanks - that's so patronising kind of you Grin. I'll be sure to take your post with a big pinch of salt as I do everything I read on MN #jaded.

I'll keep wearing mine in supermarkets etc as I've already said Smile. Feel better now?

OP posts:
knittingaddict · 03/09/2021 19:58

I'm sorry op. I didn't mean to offend, but you did seem to take their word for it and I wanted to put the other view across. There is evidence that masks do help, but cloth ones are less effective.

Original poster
AlrightThereSkippy · 03/09/2021 19:59

You didn't offend at all, really Smile. I did find your post patronising, but it was clearly from a good place. I was more amused than offended by it though.

OP posts: