Gransnet forums

AIBU

about wearing face masks/coverings

(188 Posts)
ExD Tue 09-Jun-20 14:14:23

I went to our local post office to return a parcel and was the only one there wearing a mask.
Its a tiny shop and can only accommodate 3 people at a time and everyone was standing 6ft apart, but I felt a bit foolish in my mask. In fact I stood there feeling a real plonker.
Was I right in continuing to wear it, or should I have followed the others and defied the virus? What would you have done?
(I am 81 but in good health)

Charleygirl5 Tue 09-Jun-20 14:16:36

I do not normally wear a face mask but I do socially distance. I think it is what you feel comfortable doing.

HAZBEEN Tue 09-Jun-20 14:22:18

I haven't been out since lockdown, but when I do I have every intention of wearing a mask particularly in shops etc for quite some time to come. Outdoors socially distancing seems enough but in an enclosed place , no.

dontmindstayinghome Tue 09-Jun-20 14:30:46

I have been wearing a mask and gloves since the beginning of the lockdown.
I have had some funny looks and seen some people rolling their eyes - but so what?
If it keeps me healthy then they can roll their eyes until they are dizzy as far as I'm concerned!
ANY precaution is better than no precaution in my book.

Don't feel like a plonker - you're not.

Rosalyn69 Tue 09-Jun-20 14:37:14

You’re fine. My husband and I don’t go out often but when we go we wear a mask. My son wears a mask too when he goes to the supermarket.
It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.

Aldom Tue 09-Jun-20 14:39:10

I understand that wearing a face mask is meant to keep others healthy, Don'tmind not to keep one's self healthy. Mind you don't touch your face when wearing your gloves, the virus could be on the gloves.

Callistemon Tue 09-Jun-20 14:47:17

We went out on Sunday for a short drive and a walk for the first time and only saw one person with a mask. It was in fact just a scarf which she pulled up over her face.
We weren't anywhere near shops.
I was going to make some today and am wondering if I should bother.

SueDonim Tue 09-Jun-20 14:47:34

Why would you feel like a plonker? You’re doing the right thing. Think of yourself as a trail-blazer and setting a good example!

On my infrequent forays out, I don’t think I’ve seen more than half of people with masks, often much fewer, but I’m confident in my own actions and don’t care what others think.

Teetime Tue 09-Jun-20 14:57:26

There will be some areas where you may be asked to wear a mask e.g. small shops so I keep one in my bag just in case but once its on dont fiddle with it and wash/sanitise your hands when you take it off and please keep your nose in- lots of noses on the outside at the moment!

Puzzler61 Tue 09-Jun-20 15:07:12

I’m wearing a mask and gloves in any enclosed spaces e.g. shops, chemists and will continue to.
Don’t imagine I’ll be travelling on buses, trains or in lifts anytime soon but would definitely wear a mask in those places in particular.
It makes me feel as if I’m containing any germs i may have, and if other people are wearing them, they are doing the same. ? ✔️

CleoPanda Tue 09-Jun-20 15:08:16

A bit different here. More than half of shoppers were wearing masks and disposable gloves last time I ventured into a supermarket. It was the ones with naked faces that were getting the funny looks! Personally, I would not venture into any indoor venue without. The virus is still around. Many carriers are symptom free and have no idea they have it. Many people are not themselves socially distancing or being scrupulously hygienic. Droplets can travel 2 metres with talking; much further with coughing. A mask helps you stop spreading the virus and may restrict face touching for yourself. People will still be catching this virus for some time to come. It’s up to individuals to try and protect themselves and others but not everyone will.

Barmeyoldbat Tue 09-Jun-20 15:15:04

I don't care what others think I always wear a face mask when going out, even cycling. It protects others and if everyone wore one it would probably save a lot of lives. Feel proud of yourself.

PamelaJ1 Tue 09-Jun-20 15:35:17

Barney old bat, keeps the flies out of your mouth?

Thanks to all who are wearing a mask. It keeps me safer. I’ve just made half a dozen but can’t find any elastic?

Marmight Tue 09-Jun-20 15:50:50

Wear it!
I wore a mask when delivering my car for its service. I waited outside while the work was done. All the mechanics wore masks & ‘sanitized’ the car when finished. On the way home I went into Aldi, first shop visit for 11 weeks. I was the only person there wearing a mask which rather surprised me. Wearing one doesn't bother me - in fact I think they’ll soon become the the latest fashion must-wear. Hiding behind one has that strange allure and as a bonus hides some of the wrinkles grin.
Seriously, it’s been recommended that we should wear a mask. I shall continue to do so when in busy public areas for the foreseeable future. Don’t worry about feeling a plonker.

grandMattie Tue 09-Jun-20 16:06:18

I’m going to get a hijab. Easier to wear and airier than a mask... ?

ExD Tue 09-Jun-20 16:29:22

Never tried a hijab - are they really airy? I must say I found the mask uncomfortable.

bikergran Tue 09-Jun-20 16:40:01

The supermarket where I work ,less and less people seem to be wearing masks.

Went in local superstore Tesco and again very few wearing masks,one of the staff who was directing people to the checkouts had a face visor on.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Tue 09-Jun-20 16:46:02

I wear a mask, there seem to be a few of us doing so. Don't feel silly, if you feel it's the right thing to do that's all there is to it. Perhaps next week when people are supposed to wear them on public transport you won't feel like the odd one out.

annodomini Tue 09-Jun-20 16:54:32

I usually wear it for shopping though last week there wasn't anyone else wearing one. Today I didn't have it with me but popped into the nearby Co-op which has a very good won-way system and 6ft gaps measured out at the checkouts. The checkouts have perspex shields. It's efficient and convenient.

annodomini Tue 09-Jun-20 16:55:19

won-way ? one-way, of course.

Kalu Tue 09-Jun-20 17:02:38

The few times I have been in a shop I have always worn a mask and disposable gloves. Anything that stops the spread of the virus must be a no brainer surely?

grandMattie Tue 09-Jun-20 17:35:37

I’ve no idea, but it appeals to me. Might be naked under it for all one knows... ?

Alexa Tue 09-Jun-20 17:43:44

Long live the "real plonkers" who do the right thing especially when nobody else is doing the right thing!

ExD Tue 09-Jun-20 18:22:40

grandMattie I just discovered a hijab only covers the face-not even the mouth - the all in one things are called something else - so I rather think you'd better reconsider ...... shock

rubysong Tue 09-Jun-20 18:31:08

I wouldn't wear one in the open but I do in shops, even though I am usually the only one.