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Original poster

Would you comment on a non-mask wearer when in public?

511 replies

92miles · 27/12/2021 15:48

If you passed a fit young person coming into a busy venue as you were exiting, and that person wasn't wearing a mask, would you say anything to them?

I wouldn't because you've got no way of knowing if that person is exempt. It is also possible the person does have a mask and had simply forgotten to slip it on. I think they will pretty soon notice others wearing masks and it will remind them if that's the case.

I've witnessed other people making comments to non mask wearers when in public though.

OP posts:
Alwayswonderedwhy · 27/12/2021 18:27

No. I couldn't care less if someone is wearing a mask or not.

Rno3gfr · 27/12/2021 18:28

I’m a relatively healthy young person who has stopped wearing a mask. I want to wear a mask though. My personal reason is that I suffer from some kind of anxiety when I’m about about relating to sensory inputs. E.g. in shopping centres the lights feel bright, noises loud, I feel dizzy when on the top floor and I can see the super high ceiling (made worse if I’m near the balcony and can see the floor below), I get panic attacks when in the lifts with my ds in the pram, the escalators make me feel dizzy and sick- especially if they’re tall ones. For some reason wearing a mask exacerbates all of the negative anxiety experiences I have. I wore a mask where required everywhere for 6 months and found that I stopped wanting to go places, I made less plans and even found food shopping incredibly stressful. I don’t drive and so use the train often- the train is a trigger for panic attacks for me, I get heart palpitations, the room spins and I feel extremely lightheaded (I’m also normally out and about with my toddler, which makes it all worse as I worry about what would happen should I faint/collapse). In the end, I decided to see what it would be like without the mask. Within a week or so my panic attacks became far less frequent.

I’ve had people in shops confront me before. It’s hard to explain why I don’t wear a mask when I technically can wear one. I don’t want to say ‘anxiety’ as I know the attitudes people have towards young people complaining about anxiety.

Iamthewombat · 27/12/2021 18:28

Regardless, you're still completely unqualified to comment on the genuineness of this woman's exemption and things you have made up are meaningless.

(From a poster upthread, who thinks that I was in no position to judge the woman who stood right next to my 90 year old mother, leaning across her and coughing whilst not wearing a mask!.

Nonsense. Did you read that I later saw her outside the TK Maxx store, smoking? Not for one second do I believe that somebody sucking enthusiastically on a B&H has breathing problems that they can’t help and that explain their need to cough all over a vulnerable old lady and disregard both social distancing and the law requiring them to wear a mask in a shop.

schnubbins · 27/12/2021 18:28

I would but i don't live in England.where I am it isn't an issue.Everybody does it.No discussion and no hassle.

Mumoblue · 27/12/2021 18:31

I haven’t seen anyone be confronted about not wearing a mask.
And I wouldn’t do it myself. I hate talking to strangers and there’s no point. If someone at this point isn’t wearing a mask then they’re likely either exempt, pretending to be exempt, or committed to not wearing a mask so it would be a waste of time.

I did give the side eye to an old man who sneezed on his hand before using that hand to open the pharmacy door, which was pretty minging.

Underhisi · 27/12/2021 18:31

I find it hard to believe that some people have such a narrow experience of life that they believe everyone can wear a mask.

ginghamstarfish · 27/12/2021 18:32

No, I wouldn't as I don't want to risk abuse from that person, but I'd certainly be thinking what an selfish idiot they are, and go out of my way to avoid them, same for those who can't be arsed to wear one properly. Just don't bother. Yes I know there are some who are genuinely exempt for medical reasons but the number of those must be very low indeed.

LumosSolem · 27/12/2021 18:33

I find it hard to believe that some people have such a narrow experience of life that they believe everyone can wear a mask.

This.

slashlover · 27/12/2021 18:33

Of course I don't say anything as I don't know their reasons. I do judge those who wear it under their chin or the ones who pull it down to speak to me.

UnsuitableHat · 27/12/2021 18:34

No, I choose not to make other people’s mask or non-mask wearing my business.

Kanaloa · 27/12/2021 18:35

Of course not.

Outside of them possibly being exempt, it’s none of my business. When I was at work during the first lockdown we were asked to remind people so I did then. Outside of that it’s not my job, I’m not in charge of other people. Also it’s very unlikely that me telling a stranger who I don’t know to wear their mask will have any type of good result.

lesenfantsdelesperance · 27/12/2021 18:35

@VikingOnTheFridge This isn't my experience, so I haven't made anything up. Nobody has to stand next to an old lady in TK Maxx though. It's totally possible to socially distance in there. Why so keen to defend inconsiderate people?

littlepeas · 27/12/2021 18:36

Has anyone ever done the Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies quiz? Think it would explain a lot about the difference in attitudes towards masks and restrictions. And no, it doesn’t say people who comply are good and people who don’t are all dicks Hmm.

VikingOnTheFridge · 27/12/2021 18:37

@Iamthewombat

Regardless, you're still completely unqualified to comment on the genuineness of this woman's exemption and things you have made up are meaningless.

(From a poster upthread, who thinks that I was in no position to judge the woman who stood right next to my 90 year old mother, leaning across her and coughing whilst not wearing a mask!.

Nonsense. Did you read that I later saw her outside the TK Maxx store, smoking? Not for one second do I believe that somebody sucking enthusiastically on a B&H has breathing problems that they can’t help and that explain their need to cough all over a vulnerable old lady and disregard both social distancing and the law requiring them to wear a mask in a shop.

I did indeed. As it is certainly possible to both have a lung/breathing condition and smoke, it makes no difference to the point that you do not know, and you are making assumptions from a position of ignorance. There is no getting round this.
WhiteXmas99 · 27/12/2021 18:38

I'm very, very glad to live in a country which doesn't try to exert control on its population like other countries do

I am genuinely conflicted over this. I see the strength of your argument re freedom etc. But when I look at excess death rates from Covid in UK (+/-150000) and compare them with countries where mask wearing is observed by all ( eg Germany, excess deaths +/- 100000) Iwonder what value we attach to the lives of thme extra 50000 people.

I realise there are other issues re health care funding etc but extra rules, longer lockdowns, vaccine passports and strict rules over masks do seem to have saved a lot of people.

MajesticWhine · 27/12/2021 18:38

I wouldn't say anything. I do get annoyed at the huge swathes of people not wearing masks though. I refuse to believe they are all exempt.
I have been verbally abused for wearing a mask. The non mask wearing man was affronted by me wearing one around the time when it was no longer mandatory in shops. Wanker.

VikingOnTheFridge · 27/12/2021 18:41

[quote lesenfantsdelesperance]@VikingOnTheFridge This isn't my experience, so I haven't made anything up. Nobody has to stand next to an old lady in TK Maxx though. It's totally possible to socially distance in there. Why so keen to defend inconsiderate people?[/quote]
It's not defence, it's pointing out that you have invented for yourself a story that she wasn't actually exempt, based on nothing. As for being up close, you are not owed distancing in public places from people who are exempt. She had the same right to be in that space as you or your mother, unless we're now about to get a drip feed.

VikingOnTheFridge · 27/12/2021 18:42

Actually lesenfant are you a different poster to iamthewombat or was that a name change? I can't tell.

humdingle · 27/12/2021 18:42

Sanctimonious twats, people who aspire to be more like China, and people who like to judge or police others are all more harmful than Covid.

LumosSolem · 27/12/2021 18:43

I realise there are other issues re health care funding etc but extra rules, longer lockdowns, vaccine passports and strict rules over masks do seem to have saved a lot of people.

From Covid. Never mind the people that have suffered greatly due to longer lockdowns/damaged livelihoods due to stricter rules. The longer restrictions/lockdowns are used, the greater the toll in these areas will be.

It's about balance and think we went too far in the UK as well- it never, ever should have been illegal to go to a friend of relatives house. But we have struck a balance better than in other countries IMO.

Youneverknowwhatyourgonnaget · 27/12/2021 18:44

Absolutely not! In fact I love nothing more than seeing a smiling face on display the whole thing is ridiculous it’s been 2 years we have a vaccine and anti virals and knowledge and I think for a person who displays no symptoms a mask is utterly pointless. Near the start I was walking into a shop and dropped my mask on the dirty floor and felt that daft I had to put this wet dirty mask on my face honestly just ridiculous!!

BunsyGirl · 27/12/2021 18:47

I was shouted at by a security guard in a shopping centre even though I was wearing a badge. He let two young men walk past with no masks and no exemption badge/lanyard without saying anything to them. A bully picking on an easy target.

OneOfTheGrundys · 27/12/2021 18:47

Not if they weren’t wearing one at all. But if they were wearing it under their nose or chin I would (and have, and will).
Took DS to a kilo sale just before Christmas and I did then. Got some shitty looks but I dgaf to be honest.

ToastofLandon · 27/12/2021 18:49

@Underhisi

I find it hard to believe that some people have such a narrow experience of life that they believe everyone can wear a mask.
This 100%. I don’t understand why it’s anyone else’s business. Also the evidence on masks being effective is very mixed but that’s another conversation…
DaimDillyDoo · 27/12/2021 18:57

I'm 27 and currently pregnant with hyperemesis. If I wear a mask it makes me heave (in fact pretty much smelling fresh air makes me heave) but I have things to do and with medication I'm able to do some day to day tasks. I can be sick up to 9 times a day still and I'm 18 weeks pregnant.

If someone called me out for not wearing a mask I would rip them a new one and also those who threaten to give "cold hard stares" to non-mask wearers would also get both barrels from me.

I have my vaccines, I protect the vulnerable, I sanitise my hands and keep my distance.

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