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Original poster

Annoyed that masks can be a way that people are judged

344 replies

Twattergy · 04/02/2022 22:06

I went to a hairdresser today. All staff wearing masks. I asked on entry ' do you require me to wear a mask?' and receptionist said 'no we can't force you to, it's up to you'. So I didn't put one on. I had one with me, but now it isn't mandatory, I made my choice based on fact that I have been tripled jabbed and recovered from covid 2 weeks ago. I kept having the urge to tell the staff 'I have been tripled jabbed and recently recovered from covid which is the main reason I'm not wearing a mask'..but I thought why should I have to justify this? Any of the masked people in there could be unvaccinated, or even knowingly have symptoms of Covid, but because they are wearing a mask it is assumed they are doing 'the right thing'. And me in no mask, I think many people would assume I'm being anti social, when in fact I have been highly responsible with vaccination. I'm annoyed at the huge potential for judgements around mask wearing now that it isn't mandatory. (I would wear a mask where is is mandatory eg London transport or health care settings BTW I'm not a radical anti masker). Ifnyou were sat next to me in the hairdresser would you judge me? Would you want me to tell you I was fully vaxxed and recently recovered?

OP posts:
palacegirl77 · 04/02/2022 22:10

Wouldnt judge you or care to be honest. Being as masks wont stop transmission the best line of defence is the vax (which also doesnt stop you catching it) and as I know Ive had 3, I wouldnt be concerned.

Scarby9 · 04/02/2022 22:12

I had the opposite experience today.
I was the only person in a mask in a (large) room with about 30 people for a couple of hours. I did wonder what they were thinking about me. But like you, OP, I didn't say anything.

toddymummy · 04/02/2022 22:13

No not at all ! I would just think, good for her, she's comfortable not to wear one.

I wear mine, because I'm still worried about catching it and I kind of wish I wasn't worried anymore.

I'm also tripple vaccinated. But I'm in the clinically vulnerable category and I'm also heavily pregnant. So I don't go anywhere without the FFP2 mask.

I would not judge you at all. Everyone's situation is different. I can wear my own mask and keep myself safe. It's completely my choice to go to the hairdresser or not. So don't worry. I wear my mask for me, not to show anyone what a great person I am. It's totally for me. I really don't care about anyone else.

Peakypolly · 04/02/2022 22:14

You are absolutely correct. Seeing as mask wearing has been said to protect others not the mask wearer, I notice that anyone wanting to be seen as altruistic will wear a mask.

TinaYouFatLard · 04/02/2022 22:15

I would be pleased to see your face!

Whatinthelord · 04/02/2022 22:16

I guess masks are visible where as vaccination status isn’t.
I imagine some people do assume no mask means not vaccinated etc.

I personally would find it odd if someone told me their vaccination status. It’s not something I’d ever ask or I want to have a conversation about (unless it was relevant to the environment I was in).

When in spaces where I’m not sure about a mask I’ve asked others and gone with what seems comfortable for most.

CarrieBlue · 04/02/2022 22:17

Isn’t it nice that the people in the hairdressers wanted to protect you despite you not wanting to protect them.

southeastdweller · 04/02/2022 22:20

I couldn't have cared less but then I've not bothered to wear them for ages. It's not like they do much anyway.

Original poster
Twattergy · 04/02/2022 22:20

Positive comments, nice to hear. Yes I didn't judge those wearing masks - it's fine if you want or need to keep using one. I did feel the odd one out despite being comfortable with my choice.

OP posts:
Theimpossiblegirl · 04/02/2022 22:21

Personally I would have worn one. It's a small thing to do for others and if the people working there are wearing one I think it's the right thing to follow their lead.

AnyFucker · 04/02/2022 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Original poster
Twattergy · 04/02/2022 22:24

@carrieblue you are missing the point completely. How do I know that someone wearing a mask has done the most important thing to protect me and others - namely to be fully vaccinated? I have done everything to protect them - I am fully vaccinated and also recently recovered from Covid. Putting a mask on now would make zero difference.

OP posts:
FourChimneys · 04/02/2022 22:27

If others are wearing one in their workplace then as a courtesy you could have worn one too.

Original poster
Twattergy · 04/02/2022 22:28

@Theimpossiblegirl yes my first instinct was to follow their lead. But that doesn't make sense and feels performative un my siutation . You say it's a small thing, but I've already done the BIG thing we can all do to make others safe, namely been fully vaccinated.

OP posts:
mirabellemadrigal · 04/02/2022 22:28

What did the hairdresser so?

If he/she were wearing one, i would too.

Out of respect for them (working closely to peoples faces all day/every day)

It's only a couple hours

Blossom64265 · 04/02/2022 22:31

Wearing a mask helps protect the people around you, not just you. Your choice to wear or not wear one is an obvious signal as to how much you value the safety of the possibly vulnerable people you may encounter. Expecting people not to use the visual information you are providing defies logic

Myalternate · 04/02/2022 22:33

..but I thought why should I have to justify this?

You don't. You've just made an assumption about what others may have been thinking.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 04/02/2022 23:03

I'm no longer wearing masks now they're not mandatory, couldn't care less what people think of me.

gogohm · 04/02/2022 23:07

masks protect others mostly. My policy is that if staff are wearing one I wear one out of respect for them. From what you initially wrote, it sounds like they would have preferred you to have worn one "we can't force you" is hardly a resounding don't wear one!

Skybubble · 04/02/2022 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn as it quotes a deleted post.

Tumbleweed101 · 04/02/2022 23:22

I wouldn’t have worn one, knowing I’m clear of Covid unless directly requested. If requested I would assume someone in the team feels vulnerable.

Seriouslymole · 04/02/2022 23:26

@CarrieBlue

Isn’t it nice that the people in the hairdressers wanted to protect you despite you not wanting to protect them.
Oh please….
Seriouslymole · 04/02/2022 23:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn as it quotes a deleted post.

wondersun · 04/02/2022 23:38

I’d judge you. Lots of new variants. The mask narrative in this country is crazy. It’s airborne, just wear a mask to protect others in indoor settings. It’s really not that hard.

wondersun · 04/02/2022 23:41

Exactly. And to give it enough thought to mumsnet post about its how’s they understand masks protecting others etc. They don’t know you were triple jabbed and recently recovered, you don’t know what variant you had and if they have vulnerable relatives at home.

Johnson removed masks to save his job. He doesn’t give a crap about us, we need to protect each other.