Face Masks in shops

I wore a mask for the first time this morning for an appointment with the nurse at my doctor's practice. I didn't like it and kept fiddling with it which is exactly what you are NOT supposed to do. I mentioned to the nurse about my glasses steaming up and she advised pinching the top over my nose (the mask had a thin wire inside) this did seem to work.

I don't much like wearing a mask - nose wire doesn't stop my glasses steaming up but will try the soap next time. My DD who lives in Glasgow has been nagging me to wear one so I've now complied. However my sister in law posted this on facebook today and I agree!

I agree. I've always thought face masks would have slowed the spread if the virus right from the beginning if we'd been to,d to wear them.
Back then I bought four N95 washable masks with the valve and also a box of disposable ones. I've only been out to go to the eye clinic three times in the last four months and at first used the thick washable ones. I have asthma and found I was gasping for breath in them. Today, I used a disposable one and it was a lot easier. Once I start going out to do my own shopping I shall wear a disposable one.
I'm glad it's being made mandatory, just wish it had been a lot earlier.

My help informed me today that she is giving up going into shops altogether. She finds it too stressful. She is not averse to wearing masks. In fact she makes and sells them.

I am now sorting fabric out to make one or six.. Been looking through how to online.

I am so pleased that face coverings are now going to be enforced. I have worn one whenever I am likely to come into contact with other people. I have been questioned by people saying 'It won't protect you' but when I point out that it could protect them, their attitude changes.
A presenter on our local radio station today said she doesn't like the idea of wearing a mask because it would frighten her children - her eldest is 7 years old. Surely the way to prevent the children being frightened is to wear it at home for a while to show them that other people will also be wearing them.

Not sure how Bank staff feel!

HLL posts- "I've always thought face masks would have slowed the spread if the virus right from the beginning if we'd been told to wear them."

In the countries which have suceeded in controlling the spread of the virus, and kept the number of deaths low (or in some cases zero) their governments DID tell the population to wear masks from the beginning.

I suffer from hot flushes as am at ‘that time in my life‘ and struggle wearing face masks but obviously comply. Any hints to overcome the fear of fainting in a shop?

GagaJo

*dancingjay*, they were lying about masks not being effective because we didn't have PPE available even for hospital staff.

You really can't follow what the government says. Even when we were in lockdown, they excused Cummings journey, saying he was within the guidelines. They make it up as they go along. You have to work it out for yourself and if you research it, the evidence says masks help.

It's pathetic that we can't trust our government ministers, but they've proved time and time again they haven't got a clue what they're doing.

Absolutely GagaJo. Not just that the "government" are liars who haven't got a clue though: they are totally inept, starting with the bonkers buffoon who couldn't wait to "be in charge". We really do have to defer to our own wisdom.

My husband and myself have worn masks when shopping right from the start. I hear people constantly say its to save 'others' from catching the virus but honestly it's because I keep fiddling with my face (which I hadn't realised 'till the pandemic...!!! So wearing a mask for me is about reminding me to keep my hands away from my face...I also wear disposable gloves which are discarded as soon as I exit a shop....

I'm not against wearing masks in principle but dread the thought of it for myself. I suffer from high blood pressure and often find myself short of breath so merely putting a mask on makes me panic.

I think compulsion would help people who are self conscious about choosing to wear one...I remember when putting on a ...voluntary...seatbelt was taken as an insult to the driver!
I can't see enforcement would be hard on transport and in shops...no facemask: no entry.
Is this one too rude for gransnet?

I can understand how some people find it difficult to wear a mask. I do as I suffer from recurring sinusitis and hay fever. For me the solution is to make shopping trips brief. I can’t understand why so many people on here are unhappy about masks. Anything we can do to reduce the spread of the virus surely must be worthwhile. For me the greatest hardship has been having to stay at home and not being able to see family and friends or choose my own food. Anything which moves us forward from here is a step in the right direction.

I wore mine for the first time in my tiny Post Office and I think the owner was a bit taken back but I’m trying to get used to always putting on a mask. I think all shops need to put signs up this week reminding everyone they need to get masks ready to wear.
I do know people who won’t wear a mask and find it quite a puzzle as they only seem to be thinking about getting COVID themselves. We know a homemade mask will not be 100% effective BUT we also know a large % of people have COVID with no symptoms so to wear a mask is an act of altruism. This certainly is showing up some very selfish behaviour.

As to people who are rudely going to go into shops or on buses not wearing masks I’d like to see shop assistants being able to use a pepper spray on them! I can see some very antisocial behaviour in shops which staff must be dreading.Personally if I see anyone being rude to staff I may accidentally let a blast of my surgical spirit off in the vicinity of their faces!

Has anybody please got a pattern for a mask that is easy to breath in, if so, could you pm me with it or post it on this site? I find it difficult to breathe in my homemade mask (a folded one)

For anyone who wants to increase their stock of facemasks try this website for good designs

www.fxg-masks.co.uk

I went into town today, Newcastle upon Tyne, for the first time in months. I wore my face mask continuously however, after about 50 minutes I felt highly nauseous, even though at this point I was outside in the fresh air. I really thought I was going to be sick so had to take it off. Within a couple of mins I was fine but went home as I couldn’t face putting it on again.

The main shopping Street was busy but very very few wearing masks...I’d guess 1 in 100....

Xrgran: I think it said on the news that the police would be policing this. So a shop owner can just phone the police if someone refuses to wear a mask. I can see lots of people carrying exemption cards though, even if they aren’t exempt.

I see the unions are moaning that shop workers shouldn't have to enforce the rules. They don't seem to mind enforcing the rules about only one person from a household entering a shop. I was turned away from Tesco last week as I was going in with DH. I thought the easing of restrictions would have taken away that rule but we were asked at the door if we were from the same household and I was sent away. We have just seen the news about California where the shops had signs in the windows saying 'No mask no service'. Easy enough. I think the press and TV are trying to create a problem setting the unions against the government.

ladytina: I think it’s down to finding different masks for different situations. If and when I pluck up the courage to go into a shop I will wear my medical grade mask. Other situations and I have one described as ring antibacterial and made of a breathable soft fabric. That has replaceable filters that I’ve bought to use with other masks as well. When out walking I wear a neckerchief that’s I can pull up over my face: not really necessary outdoors but I hope it reminds people to keep their distance. What does concern me is that I’ve spent a lot of money on face coverings thus far and a lot of people will struggle financially. I do think the government should pay shops to provide suitable masks for people.

Shop worker on T.V. this morning working in a smaller shop outlet said this "I am not letting anyone in my shop that wears the bigger type mask that covers most of the face and basically only eyes are visible. Those type of people will probably be the one to rob the shop" It seems you can't win no mask you cannot go in the shop, too big a mask you also cannot go in the shop.

I have sleep apnea and have to wear a mask at night so I don't stop breathing. When I first got it I hated it but I got used to it, and now it's second nature. So wearing a mask in shops doesn't bother me at all. If it helps a tiny little bit to protect others, what's the problem?

Found a solution to the glasses steaming up problem: wearing my glasses further down my nose so that they help seal the gap ??

3nsnny6: news reports on tv seem to go out of their way to interview members of the flat earth society.

Macgran43

For anyone who wants to increase their stock of facemasks try this website for good designs

www.fxg-masks.co.uk

Thanks for that link, Macgran43

My daughter will love them!