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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:
ZoBo123 · 07/09/2021 20:04

@knittingaddict. I didn't say it wasn't masks but it has been suggested by some on here that is the reason why they are getting less colds. I don't think they work alone as a mitigating factor and it is worth considering the other things played a part too. If we didn't need all the other measures and masks worked in their own right then surely they would have been a cheaper solution to previous flu pandemics than mass immunisation or closing hospitals as well as the human cost of death.

catsjammies · 07/09/2021 20:05

Not many people wearing one in my local area. I still do. Don't feel stupid, they're just doing their thing and I'm doing mine. (It's taken me a lot to get to this point tbh, I was so angry when the restrictions relaxed but it's such a pointless thing to be angry over!).

Lulu1919 · 07/09/2021 20:08

I wear in all shops and when walking into cafes etc
Nope don't feel silly

WombatChocolate · 07/09/2021 20:23

It seems that in affluent areas, mask wearing continues to be much higher. It is the norm here in the shops etc.

I don’t feel silly wearing it. Even if I don’t think it’s helping me much, I’m happy to wear it as it makes others feel more comfortable. I think it’s important to be considerate of how others might feel and not just personal preference. And being considerate of others never makes me feel silly.

FfrothiCoffi · 07/09/2021 20:31

@WombatChocolate

It seems that in affluent areas, mask wearing continues to be much higher. It is the norm here in the shops etc.

I don’t feel silly wearing it. Even if I don’t think it’s helping me much, I’m happy to wear it as it makes others feel more comfortable. I think it’s important to be considerate of how others might feel and not just personal preference. And being considerate of others never makes me feel silly.

I don’t live in an affluent area and most people are still in masks.
UsedUpUsername · 07/09/2021 20:33

@WiseUpJanetWeiss

You see, pollen is actually large enough to be trapped by mask fibers (unlike viruses that are magnitudes smaller).

Oh for goodness sake. Viruses do not travel alone. They hitch a ride on aerosols which are (relatively) huge and are trapped by FFP2 and 3 respirators. They are also trapped to a lesser extent by other face coverings.

The FFP2/3 masks protect the wearer and other people (if valveless) and ordinary face coverings give protection to other people.

Most people are not wearing respirators like that and I don’t think they would be tolerated by the general public.

The kind of masks that the public wear cannot filter aerosols, which easily pass through the inevitable gaps at the side, and are still smaller than the weave (whether the fibers have a charge to trap them is really debatable, but kind of irrelevant when they aren’t even tightly fitted).

That’s why N95s and such are a better bet if you MUST wear a mask. A surgical mask does hardly anything and a cloth mask even less …. to tell people that they do only gives them a false sense of security.

Againstmachine · 07/09/2021 20:35

I don't wear one apart from at work.

As in general life they are a sop and a pretense and don't achieve much.

But weaelr one or not I don't care although I judge someone walking through park at 6.30 this morning with noone about as being a bit stupid.

Katya213 · 07/09/2021 20:36

No, don't feel silly at all.

Againstmachine · 07/09/2021 20:39

It seems that in affluent areas, mask wearing continues to be much higher. It is the norm here in the shops etc.

This is is bad we are better than you post, when they don't realise us in lesser affluent areas have been making sure you are fed and watered and worked at sites all during this whilst you have 'worked from home'

qualitygirl · 07/09/2021 20:41

No I don't feel daft at all. We HAVE to wear one whilst in work. We have no choice in the matter. I don't mind though I'm used to it now.

agedmother · 07/09/2021 21:00

Had been wearing as a precaution and courtesy to others, as it is a community thing and has felt sensible, given prevalence. But having read about the research which suggest vaccine protection wanes over a period of months, I now wear FFP2 compliant masks.

beentoldcomputersaysno · 07/09/2021 21:04

No, I don't feel daft. I don't judge others except a bit on public transport - not doing anything wrong as it's not mandated, but I think people often don't have a choice whether to use public transport or not and it doesn't seem a big deal to wear one.

yourestandingonmyneck · 07/09/2021 21:29

I don't think people will ever look "daft" wearing a mask going forwards.

Some Asian countries have done it for quite a while, either to stop spreading germs if ill or due to pollution.

It'll be nice to get to a point where they are not needed as standard, but I don't think they will be seen as daft.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 07/09/2021 21:32

That’s why N95s and such are a better bet if you MUST wear a mask.

N95 is the US standard. The equivalent U.K. standard is FFP2. Lots of people are wearing both FFP2 and FFP3 masks. We can’t face fit them properly, but we can ensure they conform as well as possible.

BoredZelda · 07/09/2021 22:02

I was wearing masks before they were compulsory and will continue to do so after they are compulsory. I don’t really care what others do, or think about it.

doadeer · 07/09/2021 22:06

Most wearing where I am.

lawofdistraction · 07/09/2021 22:14

I'm still wearing one. It's the people who aren't I think are daft.

herecomesthsun · 07/09/2021 22:16

@yourestandingonmyneck

I don't think people will ever look "daft" wearing a mask going forwards.

Some Asian countries have done it for quite a while, either to stop spreading germs if ill or due to pollution.

It'll be nice to get to a point where they are not needed as standard, but I don't think they will be seen as daft.

this
celandiney · 07/09/2021 22:18

Nope,don't feel daft at all,and will continue wearing one.I have to at work anyway.

knittingaddict · 07/09/2021 22:20

Most people are not wearing respirators like that and I don’t think they would be tolerated by the general public.

The kind of masks that the public wear cannot filter aerosols, which easily pass through the inevitable gaps at the side, and are still smaller than the weave (whether the fibers have a charge to trap them is really debatable, but kind of irrelevant when they aren’t even tightly fitted).

That’s why N95s and such are a better bet if you MUST wear a mask. A surgical mask does hardly anything and a cloth mask even less …. to tell people that they do only gives them a false sense of security.

What are your qualifications and where are you getting your information from? Care to share a link to this?

herecomesthsun · 07/09/2021 22:25

DS has a Cambridge mask (to try and stop him getting infected before the vaccine takes effect), it's a FFP2. They really aren't very different to other masks. Perfectly "acceptable".

Cecillie · 07/09/2021 22:28

I must be living in some strange parallel universe because in our area pretty much everyone who wore a mask before, still is.
I only wear one because it would seem rude and almost confrontational not to.
Have popped in to pay for petrol and an unexpected milk purchase in a village shop maskless and felt guilty!
Only difference was in village pub where no one put mask on to walk around anymore.
Honestly think if you had a tally counter to count mask usage around here ( south east ) you would see no difference pre and post legislative changes.

Lupinhere37 · 07/09/2021 22:34

I live in Wales. Indoors, everyone around here still wearing them, as am I and all of my immediate/ extended family.
Went on a day trip to England today, to a tourist attraction. The staff were all wearing masks, with signs up asking people to wear masks in toilets and indoor areas. I’d say 95% of the guests there didn’t wear them.
It was a weird day; like the staff were operating in a COVID secure manner and everyone else was in a parallel universe where COVID isn’t a thing!

NotMyCat · 07/09/2021 22:39

@herecomesthsun

DS has a Cambridge mask (to try and stop him getting infected before the vaccine takes effect), it's a FFP2. They really aren't very different to other masks. Perfectly "acceptable".
Yep that's the one I wear. I figure seeing as so many people class the vulnerable as disposable and won't wear a mask or distance then I'll protect myself more
Florelei · 07/09/2021 22:43

I literally do not GAF what other people think of me. If I want to wear a mask I will wear a mask.

I don’t really have people making comments. I’m 6 ft and have angry looking eyes so people tend to leave me alone.