Face Masks in shops

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)

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!

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 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'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.

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....

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.

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?

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 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!

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

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 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.

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 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.

Hurrah - it's great to see more of you speaking up with opposing views.
Interesting to hear a comment about people in some countries wearing masks most of the time and still getting a resurgencies?
Also there are those of the muslim faith who naturally cover their faces, yet they are among some of those who have been infected to a much higher degree.

I was reading something this morning about someone who had a death in the family which was heartbreaking.

"We had a death in the family yesterday morning. My husband’s grandfather. He was 92 but of completely sound mind and health. Never got sick. He has been deeply emotionally affected by Project Fear since the start of the hysteria and lockdown, and despite restrictions being lifted – because of his age group – they remained social isolating. He was not even seeing their daughter (my mother-in-law), because she devised a system of getting them groceries without communicating in person at all by leaving it in a car in the car park! Four months locked away.

We weren’t told this on the phone when we got the news of his death, but we just learned… it was suicide. He was muttering all week that he had “had enough” and he couldn’t take it anymore."
How tragic!

Ilovecheese yes that could be a problem but let's start by getting most of the people wearing them. They could always have marshals if deemed necessary.

It made my day to read so many positive answers on here as opposed to so many on FB groups who are adamant that ‘THEY can’t make me wear one’.
We’ve worn masks for so long it feels odd without them -a bit like sitting in a car without a seatbelt. My DH, DD and DGC all have asthma in varying degrees of seriousness but still manage wear masks.
If that’s what it takes to help get rid of the virus then it’s a small price to pay.
I asked a friend who has COPD how he’d cope. He said he’s not opposed to masks but struggles when wearing one, but then added that he can’t go out shopping because he’s afraid of what others might pass on to him. He thinks this ban won’t make life better for him because he still won’t be able to socialise or shop.
Aggie I shared your post with him and he said it was “wicked” an indication of his age group rather than a criticism I hasten to add.

I don't mind wearing a mask but I resent the price some places are charging. How can it be £29.99 for eight scraps of cotton? (Gap, Baukjen, etc.) I'm not handy with a needle, before someone suggests that. I have ten at the moment for DH and me, and as they have to be washed after every use I'm thinking that won't be enough. I'd like to wear latex gloves as sanitizer irritates the rash on my hand, but they seem to be in short supply. My pharmacist says the rash is a fungal infection and that it needs steroid cream only from doctor, who has very lengthy waiting list for appts. Any suggestions, anyone?

The problem is how is this going to be enforced? The police can't be outside every shop and the shop assistants should not be responsible for enforcing a Government instruction, particularly after a bus driver in France was killed because he tried to insist that his passengers were wearing masks.

We should have been wearing masks for months really, but I also have the glasses steaming up problem and after about half an hour feel quite sick from the smothering feeling. Guess I will have to get used to it. Have tried 5 different masks and don't feel comfortable in any of them but we have to do it.

Dancingjay got to agree with what you say, what about not agreeing with others opinions but agreeing with their right to say it. Doesn’t seem to apply here all the time does it.

I’m very relieved frankly. I have been a wearer in shops and am aware I’m not protecting myself as such but protecting others. If we all do that then good job done. A small ask and how can anyone argue ? Appreciating some cannot wart

I have some sympathy with both points of view. But, I do wonder why were initially told face masks were a waste of time and did not work - was that because there was not enough PPE to go round so anyone other than health care workers must be discouraged from using it? Secondly, are we now being made to wear face coverings in the hope it will increase confidence to go out and spend money in order to support the economy? Cynical, moi?

B9 pretty patterned or pastel masks might be OK for women but men? Hard enough to get them to wear regulation black!