Didn't realise how much the mask annoyed me until now!

[november90]

Before I get shouted at, I've followed all the guidance and played ball with everything. So just making that clear first and foremost.
But over the past month or so I have stopped wearing my mask in shops. For my own personal reasons I've stopped wearing it and I've felt a lot better not wearing it.
After yesterday's news I went to the garden Center today with my sons and our my mask back on and I just completely forgot how much I enjoyed being able to smile properly and talk to people without shouting. I didn't realise before how hard it was to engage with my 1 year old when he can't see my mouth and he doesn't talk! Also was really enjoying wearing lipstick again 😬
I'll wear my mask, don't get me wrong, but I just forgot for a short period of time what a pain in the arse they are!!!!

I completely agree with you. Played ball all the way through but was very happy to ditch the masks but now they're back I really hate them and don't want to wear one at all.

I loved them as I have a grumpy looking face

Yes. It's not that it's uncomfortable particularly, but is somehow cuts you off from everything around you. Makes all the daily easy interaction that are pleasurable if not notable, such hard work that you don't bother.

I wear it when it's necessary but I do avoid spending long in those places.

You will be shot down by the mask lovers on MN seems we can only pretend that we enjoy wearing them or you get shot down.

@TurnUpTurnip

You will be shot down by the mask lovers on MN seems we can only pretend that we enjoy wearing them or you get shot down.

No one enjoys wearing masks, we do it because we don't enjoy people getting ill and/or dying.

Oh I’m with you OP. Hate them for reasons other than the minor personal inconvenience. Although I too love wearing lipstick, smiling at strangers and making small talk with supermarket cashiers. I struggle to believe totally in there efficacy too. Unless we are all trotting around Aldi with N95s just screams of government lip service to me.

I’ve read a few posts on here recently where anyone who dares to mention they don’t want to wear a mask again is jumped on and told to basically shut up and not complain.

@TurnUpTurnip

You will be shot down by the mask lovers on MN seems we can only pretend that we enjoy wearing them or you get shot down.

There's no such things as 'mask lovers' and there's no shooting down being done. I don't know anyone who actively enjoys wearing one either. I have to wear one all day for work, and prefer to wear one in the shops or crowded places, enjoyment doesn't enter into it.

I am very 50/50 on my mask. I hate it because they’re uncomfortable and I get terrible spots after wearing it. I love it because it covers my terrible skin without having to put makeup on.

I'v had some lipstick in my online basket at John Lewis for a while, I don't think I'll be buying it just yet.

@HariboMaroon

Oh I’m with you OP. Hate them for reasons other than the minor personal inconvenience. Although I too love wearing lipstick, smiling at strangers and making small talk with supermarket cashiers. I struggle to believe totally in there efficacy too. Unless we are all trotting around Aldi with N95s just screams of government lip service to me.

Interestingly, inwas just talking friend who has a trip to France planned. They need masks in public places and they need to be certified to meet certain standards. No homemade "face coverings" there.

There may not be people who enjoy wearing masks, but plenty believe wearing one makes them morally superior.

Same here. I'm in a country where masks have been obligatory from the start, I even had to give birth on one and they're awful. On the other hand, they hide a multitude of sins, and you can cry behind them and a pair of sunglasses. Ideal for the visit to the nursery where I had to sign my DD up before she was even born!

I don’t enjoy them either, always feel a sense of relief when it comes off. But I still wear them in shops, church, theatres etc.

Because each transmission of Covid could potentially lead to another, then another, then another. And that means that one transmission prevented could cut off a whole chain of transmissions which could potentially result in numerous deaths.

*In one, obviously.

Nipped in my local M&S this afternoon, barely any staff wearing a mask and I’d estimate around 25% of customers had one on, that’s literally the day after BJs press conference. Madness.Especially when you see older folk without them who are most at risk if this variant takes hold.

I suppose we’ll just need to learn the hard way, which is frustrating but what can you do.

And before someone pops along to remind me it’s not until Tuesday, I was hoping people would have been more proactive given the possible gravity of the situation.

I totally agree, I don’t think I’ll bother doing any in person Christmas shopping as I won’t be able to relax and browse with a mask on. It’s just so depressing after being told freedom day would be the end to mask wearing. I think if they’d never taken away the requirement to wear one, we wouldn’t have remembered how free we used to feel.

This weekend has been so cold I will confess to keeping my mask on between shops !!!

@LaMadrilena you had to give birth wearing a face mask?! That’s brutal

@Thewiseoneincognito

Nipped in my local M&S this afternoon, barely any staff wearing a mask and I’d estimate around 25% of customers had one on, that’s literally the day after BJs press conference. Madness.Especially when you see older folk without them who are most at risk if this variant takes hold.

I suppose we’ll just need to learn the hard way, which is frustrating but what can you do.

I would imagine there'll be a notification from Head Office down to M&S stores in the next day explaining that as of Tuesday then it's compulsory masks (unless exempt), but until then it's not and there's nothing anyone can do.

No idea why he couldn't say with immediate effect but he never does.

I don't want to either, the easiest way really is to stay out of shops and shop online. I have been doing that mainly really so no hardship. It just feels like its a slippery slope to more restrictions and lockdowns and I just feel like we are never going to get away from this now. Nearly two years of covid now.

I was really enjoying talking with my toddler pushing him round the supermarket in the trolley. Making him giggle etc. Fucking things. Virus still escapes out the sides / up through the top and seeing as most people don't wear glasses or goggles, the eyes are a great infection point!! They are purely a 'seen to be doing something / calm down the hysterical' tool.

I hate them, but will wear one when asked or obligated to.

I feel the same OP. I have a 8 month old son and don't like wearing a mask as he cannot see my face or my facial expressions! I'll be avoiding the shops again now. Which is a shame but good for my bank balance.