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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:
fadingfast · 07/09/2021 15:17

Do I feel daft wearing one? Absolutely not, and the majority of people I see in the shops are continuing to do so. Just because we are not legally obliged to do so doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t, even if it only makes a marginal difference I think we should continue in confined spaces and public transport. Do I just those who have elected not to do so? Absolutely yes.

fadingfast · 07/09/2021 15:17

Judge (not just!)

zingally · 07/09/2021 15:18

I honestly don't know how I feel about masks at the moment...

As of Saturday just gone, I'm officially 3 weeks post second jab - so my protection isn't going to get any better than it is now.

I'd thought I'd do away with the mask after that, but for now, I'm keeping up with it in most situations. In the supermarket and other crowded shops - yes.

BUT, last week I went down to London on the train. My carriage was virtually empty, so I did do away with my mask. I did wear one on the underground, but honestly felt so ill in it - sweaty and out of breath, and like I couldn't catch my breath properly.

And I went to see 'Hamilton', and honestly? I took my mask off. No one around me was wearing one, we were crammed in together, and it was so hot. I should have worn it, I know. But I didn't.

I've got a mini-break in Clacton next Wednesday-Friday with a friend. She's still a bit panicky about the pandemic in general, and I know she'll be a militant mask-wearer, and I'm increasingly not... I feel like it's possibly going to create a bit of tension. I'll likely conform to what she wants, just for the sake of ease, though.

toomuchlaundry · 07/09/2021 15:18

The majority of people still wearing them in our local supermarket. Secondary pupils having to wear them in communal areas due to high rates in the area. So no I don't feel daft still wearing mine.

Gliblet · 07/09/2021 15:24

Confirmation bias is a wonderfully comforting thing. People who have 'never been completely convinced' about mask wearing notice the people who aren't bothering any more and take it as a sign that that's becoming the norm, so they don't feel daft for not wearing one. People who have found mask wearing reassuring throughout the pandemic notice the people who are still wearing them and assume that's becoming the norm, so they don't feel daft for wearing them.

ifonly4 · 07/09/2021 15:27

I don't feel daft. For me it feels like the right thing to do to protect others (even though some don't protect me) and hopefully a small amount of protection is someone coughs near me. At work, we're customer facing and work insist we wear masks (we can wear a vizor as well, and have sanitizer and have to wash hands for 60secs!) as they've said they don't want to be in a position where we sue them if we feel we've caught covid at work. Only time we're allowed to take them off is if we're eating and drinking (if we want to talk to a colleague on the premises in our break, we still have to have them on) - so whatever I think or feel, I haven't got a choice at work anyway.

SolitaryTree · 07/09/2021 15:29

I don’t wear them anymore.
I’m exempt under the legal exemption requirements and absolutely hated them but I still wore them, just chose not to go anywhere where I had to wear them for long periods of time. Even my shopping habits changed!
I’m very relieved to not have to wear them anymore!
I don’t judge anyone who wears them at all though.
I have 2 dc both who would also class as exempt and one chose to never wear masks as it caused allot of distress whilst the other still wears them now. Everywhere. Even walking along an empty street. It would cause allot of distress to him not to!
Each to their own.

CorianderBee · 07/09/2021 15:29

No, everyone where I live (C London) wears masks on the tube/bus and in shops. 99% of people I see.

brokenbiscuitsx · 07/09/2021 15:34

Yes, I find the rules in Wales really odd. Was visiting family last week and all the shops etc. where I was had mandatory mask signs but then you walk in and only 1 or 2 were wearing them. In one restaurant no one had one on even the waiting staff and one man sat at a table audibly tutted when we walked in. I found it really confusing!!

vaxmeup · 07/09/2021 15:45

I'm still wearing a mask indoors and now make sure it's a FFP2 in the hope it will also protect me. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm being daft. I'm double vaccinated but would still like to avoid getting Covid if at all possible.

FfrothiCoffi · 07/09/2021 15:55

Yeah we’ve recently been to Wales and there was less mask wearing there (where it’s mandated) than in my area of England, where it’s not!

AmelieLovesAutumn · 07/09/2021 16:06

@BroccoliFloret

Very much looking forward to my holiday in England in a few weeks where I can go wherever I like without a mask or the lanyard of shame.

Wear a mask, don't wear a mask. I really couldn't give a shit either way.

The problem is the judgy, superior attitudes of people who think they're just the best human beings ever because they're wearing TWO masks or a FULL HAZMAT SUIT around Tesco. And that conversely, people who are not wearing masks (even though there is no legal obligation to do so) are uncaring, selfish bastards who are wilfully trying to kill the vulnerable and the saintly NHS staff.

Just stop paying so much attention to what everyone else is or is not doing.

The problem is the judgy, superior attitudes of people who think they're just the best human beings ever because they're wearing TWO masks or a FULL HAZMAT SUIT around Tesco

Then you have the audacity to say

Just stop paying so much attention to what everyone else is or is not doing

Unreal.

I don't wear two masks for the fucking fun of it. I'm CEV & I think the surgical masks are better but they irritate me, so I wear a fabric mask next to my skin & a 'surgical' (that's not actually surgical, just disposable) over the top, too bad if that annoys people like you.

And yes, I know it doesn't offer ME an enormous amount of protection, but some and it helps other vulnerable people.

Oh & I don't go to supermarkets but I have to go to the hospital & occasionally have to take the bus if no one is available to take me.

@LegendaryReady. So yeah, I'm still wearing a mask (usually two 🤣) most people I have seen have been wearing a mask, but I've only really been to places where that's more likely. No shopping centres or supermarkets etc. I wouldn't stop just because someone made a rude comment. 💁🏻‍♀️

I will try again to get some FP3 masks, I didn't before so that others in greater need to could get them, but hopefully now there's a better supply.

MeanderingGently · 07/09/2021 16:08

Where I am everyone is still wearing masks, especially in supermarkets etc. I wear a mask AND gloves, no-one else seems to wear gloves now. Sometimes folk look twice but not often, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
I do what makes me feel most comfortable and safe, and it isn't hurting anyone else, why should I be bothered?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/09/2021 16:24

I wear one at work (face to face NHS) and a visor .
I feel a bit naked now without one !
I stil wear mine out in the shops etc

knittingaddict · 07/09/2021 16:26

The only time I felt daft was soft play the other day. I was doing childcare, had my grandchildren and thought it would be a nice thing to do.

It was much busier than the last time I had been and, apart from the staff, not a single person was wearing a mask. It serves food and drink, so I ditched my mask as soon as I had ordered my cup of tea. I felt the social pressure not to put my mask back on. Self inflicted obviously. At one point I looked around at all the kids and the parents and thought "what the hell an I doing here".

On grandchild got bored half way through the two hour time slot, so I've decided not to go again. It felt like a germ factory even without covid and I would be vulnerable if I caught covid.

Apart from that I wear a mask in shops and walking around restaurants, going to the loo etc. Masks are still very much worn here, so I don't feel too awkward.

HummingBeeBox · 07/09/2021 16:30

I went to the local town today and 80% of people in the shops were wearing masks.

itsgoodtobehome · 07/09/2021 16:31

I wear mine to feel morally superior to all the heathens that choose not to wear one :)

Spikeyball · 07/09/2021 16:31

I find people give me more space when walking through the town centre which suits me fine.

Spikeyball · 07/09/2021 16:33

You can also pull faces and mouth "fuck off" and no one knows.

knittingaddict · 07/09/2021 16:36

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

Isn't that just asking people to be judgey about people doing something that has zero impact (in a negative sense) on others around them?

I really don't understand why non mask wearers care so much.

knittingaddict · 07/09/2021 16:37

@Spikeyball

You can also pull faces and mouth "fuck off" and no one knows.
And what with my glasses and mask combined, I don't even have to wear makeup if I don't want to. Win win.
FfrothiCoffi · 07/09/2021 16:43

I really don't understand why non mask wearers care so much

I don’t think they do, do they? So far I haven’t seen any non mask wearers say they’re judging people for wearing them.

SirChenjins · 07/09/2021 16:46

Maybe not on here - but SM is rife with numpties denying they play any part in reducing the spread and calling people wearing them sheeple and other equally stupid names

SMBH · 07/09/2021 16:46

“I really don't understand why non mask wearers care so much.”

I don’t think they do, going by this thread. Most of the judgement is the other way, so you can stop worrying. There was a lot of concern on here about people being abused for wearing masks after 19th July and I certainly haven’t encountered any when I have worn one. Judging people who don’t wear masks has always been fine on here.

Spongeboob · 07/09/2021 16:48

@user1469971657

I would say around 80% of customers in my local supermarket are wearing them now.

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

Can't help wondering if you've tested that theory... if so, you're wearing it wrong GrinWhat an odd thing to say.