Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

If you're still wearing a mask are you feeling a bit daft?

315 replies

LegendaryReady · 07/09/2021 13:02

If I'm honest, I've never been completely convinced about the value of masks, especially the way most people use them, but I have always worn one in indoor public places since we were first asked to do, as I know it makes some of the people around me more comfortable.

I've continued since restrictions were relaxed, although admittedly I'm less concerned now if I find myself without one by mistake. However, I've noticed that I am most definitely in the minority now and I feel like people are judging me for being one of those paranoid over anxious types and I'm not, I'm just trying to do the right thing. I think people are huffing when I'm the only one in a queue wearing one and there's a delay because I can't be heard properly, for example.

So if you're still wearing one, do you feel comfortable doing so?

If you're not wearing one do you have an opinion on those who do?

OP posts:
Explosivefarts · 07/09/2021 22:50

Daft not at all it’s still a legal requirement in some parts of the UK

ZenNudist · 07/09/2021 22:51

I've been wearing one as a courtesy to others but I think I will give up. I do feel silly. I was doing it because I felt for shop workers. Tonight I see shop workers have in the main given them up too.

It's a precaution that was actually quite a good one. It stops you spreading germs with every cough and sneeze.

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 07/09/2021 22:56

I don’t feel stupid and I will continue to wear mine. School has had a lot of cases of Covid since our return.

Not fussed if others don’t. It does seem to be rather attention-seeking to make massive issues out if it either way.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 08/09/2021 06:57

I don't wear a mask anymore but it doesn't bother me one iota if others are that's their choice to make as is mine not to wear one. Anyone who criticises others for their choice, whether it's to wear a mask or not, is a dick tbh

sulee · 08/09/2021 06:57

I’m really not concerned about what others think about my wearing a mask. The majority of people I see seem to be wearing them in confined spaces anyway.

lannistunut · 08/09/2021 08:09

No, I don't feel silly at all, it seems a strange decision not to wear them indoors IMO unless for a good reason, but people do all sorts of things I wouldn't do.

Lilifer · 08/09/2021 09:00

@Shallwegoforawalk

Think they're pretty pointless myself, if a mask can't stop a fart it's not going to stop coronavirus.

Wow are people still thinking this shit? I thought that was a summer 2020 stupid meme only. Jeez. Read up and educate yourself. Hmm

I'm sure that op was being facetious but when you say "read up" on the science behind masks can you actually post a link to any studies or scientific articles pointing to the efficacy of mask wearing (the normal fabric masks not surgical grade) to protect against getting or transmitting covid because I genuinely would like to see those studies - I still wear a mask but I have yet to see or read any actual science behind their usefulness 🤔
knittingaddict · 08/09/2021 09:07

If it's so hunkydory out there and no masks are necessary then why has the government denied that there is going to be an October lockdown. We all know what happens when they say something isn't going to happen. It's all but guaranteed to go ahead. Wink

Before anyone accuses me of being pro lockdown, my heart sinks at the very idea. We've been planning a weekend away in October and we need that break. Not to mention all the other issues with lockdown for everyone. Sad

UsedUpUsername · 08/09/2021 09:17

If it's so hunkydory out there and no masks are necessary then why has the government denied that there is going to be an October lockdown

The problem is that even if everyone wore masks diligently it still wouldn’t make a difference. If it did, we’d know by now.

And even IF they worked (and they don’t) saying that if only people wore them right we’d be fine is kind of like saying, oh if teenagers just never had sex, we wouldn’t have teen pregnancy. You have to account for human behaviour.

Porridgealert · 08/09/2021 09:21

If you're still wearing a mask, are you feeling a bit daft?

Hmm...🤔 No.

bubblepond · 08/09/2021 09:21

I don't feel daft at all. I've worked on the front like throughout the pandemic and I feel that wearing a mask is a small price to pay to reduce the risk of serious illness.
We were on holiday in mainland Europe last week and it struck us that everyone over school age was wearing a mask, even primary age children. There didn't seem to be a fuss or a big deal made of wearing masks - people just did it.

knittingaddict · 08/09/2021 09:32

Lilifer

Not sure if this is what you are after.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/science-of-masking-full.pdf

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32512240/

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32512240/

Hope that helps.

knittingaddict · 08/09/2021 09:33

Sorry that last one should be:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7497125/

BackAgain5thAccount · 08/09/2021 09:34

I’m with you about not worrying, but thinking it’s in the interest of the common good. It’s still normal in shops, and I wear one when going into pubs or restaurants and most indoor spaces.
I let myself go at the village show because very few people were wearing them and I just felt I couldn’t be bothered any more, but I thought well of the few young people who wore them. I tend to assume the old may be nervous, so it doesn’t impress me so much! I suppose that’s not logical, but I hadn’t really thought it through before.

herecomesthsun · 08/09/2021 09:47

When we have been to something like a village show we don't wear masks as it's generally in the open air.

BackAgain5thAccount · 08/09/2021 09:52

The flowers and vegetables and cakes were in the village hall. Nobody wore a mask outside.

herecomesthsun · 08/09/2021 09:55

ooh it sounds lovely

We used to take the kids to something like that every weekend over the summer, touring the local villages effectively.

Here's hoping we'll be back to that soon. x

Londonnight · 08/09/2021 10:03

I still wear one whenever I go out, and will continue to do so. Was in Scotland last weekend for a funeral and found majority of people still wearing masks.

Marguerite2000 · 08/09/2021 10:04

No I don't feel daft at all.
I started wearing masks before they were mandated and I did feel a bit daft then, but it feels completely normal and natural now.

BackAgain5thAccount · 08/09/2021 10:04

I’m sure you will. I think most went ahead this year.
Perhaps some really large ones that take more organisation got cancelled through uncertainty.

UsedUpUsername · 08/09/2021 13:07

@knittingaddict

Lilifer

Not sure if this is what you are after.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/science-of-masking-full.pdf

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32512240/

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32512240/

Hope that helps.

None of those are very convincing tbh

And this:

Randomised controlled trials in health care workers showed that respirators, if worn continually during a shift, were effective but not if worn intermittently. Medical masks were not effective, and cloth masks even less effective

So if they are not effective in a healthcare setting, how are they even supposed to be effective in a community setting? Only respirators show an effect, but the general public probably won’t tolerate them

luckylavender · 08/09/2021 13:11

@LegendaryReady - do you know what? The more people like you bang on about masks, the more I'll wear one. I may never stop.

takemetocedarpoint · 08/09/2021 13:30

I still wear one. I don't feel weird wearing one but I am a bit disappointed that as soon as the government said it was "personal choice" a lot of people personally chose that it wasn't important to try to do their bit to reduce the spread anymore.

UsedUpUsername · 08/09/2021 13:32

[quote luckylavender]@LegendaryReady - do you know what? The more people like you bang on about masks, the more I'll wear one. I may never stop. [/quote]
What a self-own, that.

Wear it all you like. Just don’t mandate them.

milkyaqua · 08/09/2021 13:40

As "one of those paranoid over anxious types" I will continue to wear one rather happily for as long as I deem necessary.