about wearing face masks/coverings

I live in Berlin and it's mandatory to wear masks when going into shops, travelling on public transport, doctors surgerys etc. People who don't are stared at. I think the cotton ones are too warm but the disposable paper ones are fine. It's something everyone should do to protect others and others protect us. Will be here for a long time yet I fear.

I know how you felt, I went to collect prescription from Health Centre yesterday and I was the only one wearing a face mask. None of the staff were wearing one although I believe from next week it will be compulsory in our health centre for everyone to wear one.

Protect yourself and your family, as well as others. You can make one quite easily. You are being thoughtful and considerate for wearing one.

I've been doing so since March and I don't care what people think. Some of my friends have had COVID and one is still not well from her bout with it in February. No ICU or ventilator was needed, she suffered at home. She says you really don't want to have it. It's horrible. And it seems it will be around for some time.

You were right to wear your mask. I wear mine whenever I go into a shop.

I have a few neck tubes in different colours (colour coordinating with my loathes!), and realise these dont protect me but others round me. I certainly use one when in our small corner shop with the post office counter but really am in a minority using a face covering elsewhere. I must admit I feel like I'm about to conduct a holdup. However I feel pretty hacked off at the staff in Tesco who were sniggering about it - after all its them I am trying not to pose a risk to.

You are right to wear a mask, both of us wear one as well as gloves. Where I live about half of people around wear a mask and I have found most shop workers including garden centres, now wear them too. If only people would stop wandering around in groups and not attempting to move across in order to socially distance! Are they not aware of what is going on?

I wear one when I am out of the house at the shops etc.
I think that people are becoming a little lax, if there is a second wave I think people will have wished they had worn their masks.

I rarely go out as I’m vulnerable but when I do I wear a mask and my husband who shops for us puts one on before entering the shops. Wear one with pride you are caring for others by not passing germs.

If you are old enough to be on gransnet, try to have enough confidence to stop worrying about what other people think of you.

I also read that, if you can, have 3 layers of fabric to your mask, with the outer layers of close woven fabric and the middle layer of non-woven.
As soon as we get home I put the masks and gloves in hot soapy water and also wash my specs.

The only shops I go to are chemist and local garage I always put my mask on for those occasions and both the Chemist and the garage chap also wear them. Don't be put off by other people, keep yourself safe.

We have been doing a supermarket shop every 3 weeks and have worn masks and gloves every time. Until this week most other people were doing the same thing. However when we went on Monday we were the only ones wearing them. I felt a bit silly at first but persevered, despite my specs steaming up so I can't see!
There weren't so many restrictions in place either, no queueing outside until an assistant allowed you in, and everyone seemed to be milling about and getting too close. I didn't feel happy at all!

I'm getting a plastic visor - less claustrophobic - your whole face is visible - easy to clean - easier to breathe.

I think you have to do what feels right for you. I work in a supermarket and the majority of customers do not wear masks and the only staff that do are those on checkouts in close and regular contact with the customers. Whilst at work and out and about I socially distance and don't wear a mask but if I needed to go in a small enclosed area like a small shop I would definitely put one on.

well done never be afraid to do what is right for your health i wear one every time i go out as an oldie its essential for my well being..no one is going to look after u if u get ill from them.i have always taught my sons to dare to be different all 3 have good careers and and adored by their kids.so keep safe and wear those masks..

ExD I think you did absolutely the correct thing in wearing a mask. I haven’t been into a shop since before lockdown due to asthma, and don’t intend to for quite a while but would certainly wear my mask if I had to attend an Urgent appointment. Who cares if people are eye rolling, you are protecting your health.

I wear a mask anytime I am outside, including gardening at the front of my house. I work in a GP surgery and the idiots who knock on our door to collect something then step right up to me without a face covering are amazing, I'm standing inside wearing a mask. We insist everyone who comes in has a face covering and uses the hand sanitizer as the enter and leave and then we clean down anything they've touched.

ExD. I think you will find its the Niqab that covers the face. The Hijab covers the hair. The Abaya covers the body. Just a little cultural education. Ok.

I tend to wear mine in the shops, and feel silly when not many others are wearing one but, better safe than sorry.

Gloves are not meant to be worn outside of clinical settings as they are changed after every intervention. They do not provide protection when out and about as you are more likely to touch your face, surfaces etc and not wash your hands which is one of the most effective defence against the spread of covid-19. It doesn't enter the body through skin.

Enough people are wearing masks these days that you wouldn't have looked silly, even if it just so happened no one else was at that particular time

I don't wear a mask when out shopping & certainly not gloves. I have disposable gloves in my car for using when filling up with petrol. I also have wipes for use at cash machines & if I have to touch handles. Masks that are worn incorrectly provide no protection.

I do however always carry hand sanitiser something I've done for years as I cannot use most soaps, I have Dermatitis.

My last two visits to my local Hospital for Podiatry Appointments I have had my temperature checked & been handed a surgical mask to wear, I suspect you would not be allowed to wear your own, also before entering the Out Patients Clinic Area there is a sink & a requirement to wash your hands, this has been mandatory for many years (I've lived here over 5 years)

The scientific view is that it doesn’t protect you but may protect others. Not quite sure how they’ve come to that conclusion in a scientific manner. If you want to wear one, why not. Personally, I don’t but would wear a face covering if I was in a small enclosed space as on public transport, otherwise, I meticulously social distance. You shouldn’t wear a mask if exercising though, in fact, two young children died recently in China whilst doing this.

ExD......you did exactly the right thing. My mother in law is 82....I'm sending her a reusable mask with filter.....she lives 200 miles away. She has said she will wear it everywhere....she has just completed the isolation period and understandably is feeling quite anxious about her trips out in future. She's very independent....as you also sound.....it will give her a certain amount of reassurance and also us as a family, worrying about her. I say wear your mask wherever you go, irrespective of what everyone else is doing. You need to look after yourself first and foremost ???

You carry on doing what you feel is right @ExD. Let them stare ... I think they are ridiculous in thinking that they are more superior by not protecting themselves and, in so doing, are subjecting others to their invasion. Hold your head high.