Your stance on wearing masks?

[Princess Mipha]

Well, besides it being forced to be wearing one as soon as leaving the house, I like wearing it!
It's quite annoying for someone like me, who wears glasses, but I actually feel so much more "hidden" with it,
which makes my social anxiety better. At first I was really embarassed of having to wear a mask, but by now
it's making me feel more confident somehow. Also, I absolutely hate people who aren't respecting to wear
a mask / wear it properly. I don't want to get your possible bacterias, so wear a mask properly like everybody else, thanks -.-"

 

[Croconaw]

I’m personally choosing not to get vaccinated but I’m not telling other people not to. They’re welcome to get vaccinated if they want.

 

[sushicatlikesart]

I'm a little skeptical about getting the vaccine. I've watched enough apocalypse movies...

 

[Kirbyz]

i don’t know if the first option correlates to being at home with family and having to wear a mask, so i decided to choose option number two. i do indeed wear a mask whenever i go out, and wherever i go, whether it be a store, another house, etc. though personally at home i don’t, since i know my family hasn’t caught anything due to their precautionary measures and carefulness. on top of that, i already have trouble breathing as it is, and so if i were to go out and wear a mask i’d only be able to go so long before having to go back home so i can take it off (which is better considering the pandemic, i try to stay home as much as possible) if i were to wear a mask at home, i swear id suffocate in it, so id rather not. though i do wish people wouldn’t come to my house every so often, even if it’s not that often, id rather not risk the chance of catching covid (for a second time) or for them to catch covid. especially when they bring very small babies or children over, or my grandparents, im especially weary of them. it may be hard having to limit family visitations, but until this whole pandemic is over and done with it has to be done for our own protection. ive already had a few relatives pass due to covid, and i don’t want to see that happen to anyone else. therefore i most definitely agree to the policy of wearing masks, as it’s a precautionary measure for not only our own safety, but the safety of others that some people fail to understand. if you’re not wearing a mask (unless you have health problems and you’re unable to wear them which i completely understand as my great aunt had the same issue) you’re putting your own life and the lives of others at risk, especially those who are prone to illnesses. id say if you’d rather not wear a mask it’s better to stay home as much as possible, but in the end that’s just my opinion.

 

[SublimeDonut]

there is no stance to be had here. not wearing one outside at all times is purposely promoting the spread of a deadly disease. don't "like" wearing the mask? would you rather waste away in a hospital or watching a loved one die? if everyone cared about the welfare of others from the start everything would've gone back to normal a long ass time ago.

 

[Rabirin]

Personally, I don't mind wearing a mask when i'm out and about on public transport or in generally crowded places, like supermarkets. I don't really see it as an issue, the only time I don't wear one is of course when i'm in my own space at home.

 

[Sheep Villager]

I'm a little skeptical about getting the vaccine. I've watched enough apocalypse movies...

Please don't base your opinions regarding things going on with the pandemic on fictional apocalypse movies. Real life has no script writers. It's much better to base your opinion on the vaccine on scientific studies and the words of actual healthcare experts.

I obviously can't deter you from being skeptical about the vaccine but I highly encourage you to not let fiction dictate your thoughts on this.​

 

[-Lumi-]

I am just going to put this in one reply, since these are connected to each other.

But first, I would like to address something to tiffanistarr personally. What did you mean by "How selfish could you be to not want to keep others safe"? Was this addressed to me personally, or where you referring to anyone in general who chooses to not wear a face mask? Because I did say that I DO wear them in public, as much as it can be a pain. Doing something that makes a yourself uncomfortable is selfless, whether you agree with the mandates or not. And I am almost 100% sure people have their reasons other than just "Oh, I don't want to keep people safe!" -- if people like that really exist, then I am concerned for humanity. Of course, we want to try our hardest to keep others safe and end this pandemic as soon as possible.

This actually takes me to the mention of vaccines by -Lumi-. Yes, my household will be getting ours in a month or so (they not quite yet available at our CVS store yet, and my dad plans on waiting a bit before taking us, so we don't have to deal with jampacked).

While I don't have a problem with anti-maskers, I will admit anti-vaxxers do made me angry. Vaccines are the main key to stopping this virus, and I hate it when I see/read a complaint from someone saying that vaccines will causes certain health conditions. Not only does it make everyone worry and spread falsely harmful information, but these people are driving others away from getting vaccinated. The faster people get vaccinated, the sooner all of this will end.

I know you two guys who I quoted haven't done anything to discourage people from getting vaccines, so I apologize if it comes of as so. I just wanted to clarify that I am pro-vaccination, and I didn't want you guys to think that I am anti-vaccination, just because I don't agree with mask mandates.

Please also understand that just because I and certain people don't agree with the mandates, this does not mean that we don't follow them -- a lot of us DO follow them.

As for the religious comparison, I apologize for not being clear enough on that. If someone is pushing their beliefs on you, saying your lifestyle is a sin, etc., then yes, that is 100% a valid reason to unfriend someone. I just meant unfriending someone MERELY for having a different religion. Like if a person minds there own business about their religion, and let's a person live their life and accepts and loves them for they you are -- yet they still unfriends them, THAT is what I meant.

I know religion is a very touchy subject, and I will admit, it probably wasn't the best thing to compare mask mandate stances to, but it was the first one (and only) thing that popped into my head, as the thing they have in common is you are unfriending someone for a certain belief. Please note that I am not talking about hateful beliefs (e.g. LGBT is a sin) -- I just mean simple ones that don't discriminate against against a group.

I completely understand these passionate pro-maskers want people do what they can to slow/stop the virus, I do. We all want this to be over ASAP, weather we agree with the mask mandates or not. I just wish they understand the inconvenience of wearing a mask for an extended period of time can be like for some of us.

I have highlighted the specific parts that I want to make sure I reply to. I would also like to thank you for replying to me and being civil in your replies! I find that a lot of people who are anti-mask don't want to hear any other opinion and it feels like I'm not able to talk with them.

I personally feel like people who are actively speaking out against mask mandates share a similar amount of blame as those who simply aren't wearing masks. Are they as problematic as those who choose not to wear masks? No. But the fact that we have groups of people actively rallying against masks, saying that they're dangerous to wear, that they're ineffective, etc. etc. is part of the reason that we have so many people not wearing masks. You might be somebody who disagrees with masks but wears them anyways but if somebody else saw your reasoning and truly thinks, "oh, well if masks are useless then I'm just not going to wear one!" that does fall partially on you and the groups that are promoting this way of thinking.

"Not only does it make everyone worry and spread falsely harmful information, but these people are driving others away from getting vaccinated. The faster people get vaccinated, the sooner all of this will end." This is the same logic that can be applied to mask wearers vs anti-mask wearers. Anti-mask wearers who are spreading falsely harmful information that are driving people away from wearing masks and making people worry that wearing a mask isn't safe are contributing to the pandemic lasting so long. Are they the sole contributors? No. But if people would follow the rules of wear a mask, wash your hands, and only go out when necessary, this wouldn't last so long. The fact that we're allowed to have sit-in movie theatres and eat-in restaurants be open in some places right now where the virus isn't under control is ridiculous. Those are two establishments that are relaxed on the mask wearing rules because you can't wear a mask while eating. And guess what? Now that restaurants have re-opened we've seen cases go up that can be directly traced back to people dining in.

"Please also understand that just because I and certain people don't agree with the mandates, this does not mean that we don't follow them -- a lot of us DO follow them." This still poses a problem, though. Partially from what I said above but also because if we were to remove mask mandates, would you continue to wear a mask? Would many of the people who don't agree with the mask mandates continue to wear a mask? Because it feels like there are people who don't care at all and they're the ones who aren't wearing a mask regardless but there are also those who, if there was no mask mandate, would go without a mask. That is why mask mandates are necessary. People only follow them because they're mandated. If wearing a mask was just recommended we would see tons of people without them which won't help make the virus go away.

As for your religion comparison again, it depends. I can and I am friends with religious people! We both respect each others beliefs and it works. However, even if there was somebody who was religious and mostly kept to themselves about it I still have every right to break off the friendship. Let's say Sally is Catholic and we're friends. She learns I'm a lesbian and while she never directly says anything to me about my sexuality if I find out she believes that I'm going to hell and that I'm a sinner for being a lesbian it's totally okay for me to break off that friendship. Even if she isn't explicitly telling me that I'm a bad person and she's generally a really sweet and kind person - I couldn't be friends with somebody who believes those things about me, even if they're keeping it to themselves.

"I just wish they understand the inconvenience of wearing a mask for an extended period of time can be like for some of us." I am pro-mask and pro-mask mandates but that doesn't mean it is easy for me to wear a mask. I commend people who work their 8+ hour jobs wearing masks because I agree that that must be hard. Maybe it's something I would get used to, maybe not. As it stands wearing a mask is something that is hard for me. I am already a nervous person in general and the way my nerves like to come out is in making me feel like I can't breath right, which makes me feel light headed, shaky, and nauseous. Those feelings are amplified and more quick to come out when I am wearing a mask. It is hard for me to wear a mask. But that doesn't mean I don't think I should have to wear a mask or that I think we should lift the mask mandates because while it is hard and it is uncomfortable it is necessary in order to keep people safe. I only go to the grocery store and to the pharmacy when I need to. I make sure that I go when it isn't busy so that I can be in and out as quick as possible because I know that I'll have a harder time if I go when it's busy and I'm made to be in the store for longer.

 

[Romaki]

Literal medical necessity but ok. It's pretty comfortable to wear a mask, like a front facing cap or something. And I liked not getting the flu or any other virus, so I'm not sure if I'll stop wearing them publically once the public's safety is ensured again. I have nothing but contempt for people who use a pandemic for their politcal goals or personal gains, can't even be mad at people for trusting their leader.

 

[Croconaw]

I’ve had a job before that we actually weren’t allowed to wear masks. It was at a call center and it muffled our voices so it was easier to speak clearly without any mask on. I don’t work there anymore, but it had nothing to do with their rules on masks. I just didn’t like the angry callers 24/7.

 

[Imbri]

Literal medical necessity but ok. It's pretty comfortable to wear a mask, like a front facing cap or something. And I liked not getting the flu or any other virus, so I'm not sure if I'll stop wearing them publically once the public's safety is ensured again.

I'm seriously considering keeping my masks (or picking up new ones) for next winter and flu season.

 

[cIementine]

i put that i wear one when required, but i still wear it if i'm walking around in a built up area with lots of people. however if i'm walking to and from somewhere and i'm wearing glasses sometimes it'll steam up, so in those situations i tend to wear it just when required. i live in student accommodation and they advise us to wear a mask while moving around our kitchen/bathroom, but i share those facilities with members of my household so i only do so when i'm taking the lifts/am in the lobby around people who aren't in my 'household' or floor. thankfully i haven't encountered many anti-maskers while i've been out buying groceries.

 

[tiffanistarr]

I am just going to put this in one reply, since these are connected to each other.

But first, I would like to address something to tiffanistarr personally. What did you mean by "How selfish could you be to not want to keep others safe"? Was this addressed to me personally, or where you referring to anyone in general who chooses to not wear a face mask? Because I did say that I DO wear them in public, as much as it can be a pain. Doing something that makes a yourself uncomfortable is selfless, whether you agree with the mandates or not. And I am almost 100% sure people have their reasons other than just "Oh, I don't want to keep people safe!" -- if people like that really exist, then I am concerned for humanity. Of course, we want to try our hardest to keep others safe and end this pandemic as soon as possible.

I am speaking about a specific group that i mentioned in that reply. If i needed to direct something to you, i would have absolutely mentioned you. What i was saying was, if you aren’t going to wear a mask because your “freedoms” or “don’t like them” or “the virus is a hoax” then you are selfish.

I wear one all day at work for 9 hours and yep it sucks, makes me uncomfortable, and sometimes anxious but it is what needs to be done.

It wasn’t directly referring to you as you said you wear a mask. I think your stance on the mandate is problematic because if there were no mandates we’d never get out of this cycle.

I’m glad you wear a mask though it’s keeping others safe.

You have your opinions and I have my opinions and i have to deal with a lot of anti mask/anti mask mandate folks and I choose not to associate or vibe with those people because it is harmful but you do you.

 

[Lavamaize]

@Fruit & more
Do you have a clue about rights? I think not.
You put yourself in danger when you...

Cross the street (lookout, there's a bus coming)
Climb into a motor vehicle (is that a drunk driver)
Go to the bank (is today the day it will be robbed)
Go swimming at the beach (ahh Shark)

So should we ban crossing the street to save a life?
Should we ban alcohol?
Should we ban masks so a bank robber can be identified easier?
Should we kill all the sharks so I can swim in safety?

Please, be real....

To say my right to be comfortable is less than your right to live (without fear) is placing your right above mine. Sorry, it doesn't work that way Sir

You forget that rights often envelope morals and ethics. No one had the "right" to be able to put others in harms way and claim that their comfort is more important than that persons life. Everyone is equal as stated by most rights, and there are no rights that say you are entitled to be comfortable at others expense. In addition, for all the examples you have listed of dangers, there are precuations that have been put into place to minimize/eliminate these dangers. For example, jaywalking is illeagal to prevent accidents (as well as there are crosswalks), drunk driving is illegal to prevent accidents, robbing a bank is illegal, and often warning signs are posted or areas are prohibited to prevent accidents with sharks. All these examples have rules/laws that apply to them to minimize/eliminate the danger/risk, and while these risks still exist today, that is mostly because people ignore or disobey these rules/laws. Covid-19 is a risk/danger and can be minimized by wearing a mask. All dangers/risks can usually be minimized or dealt with and Covid-19 is no exeption.

 

[Tao]

I wear one when I have to, which is basically going shopping or getting my dinner at work. I don't wear one in work because there's little need to being a small non customer facing environment with a small team, plus having to wear masks all the time would make the job dangerous either from breathing restrictions (physically demanding) or glasses steaming up when we really, really need to see what we're doing (I'll happily take the small chance of dying from covid over being crushed under 15 tons because the operator couldn't see properly).

There's not exactly many other times I'm somewhere I HAVE to wear one, it's not like there's anywhere open to actually go in the UK...And if there is, they're absolutely crammed with people, which is partially why masks don't really seem worthwhile to me.

I do question why I bother though...

As a minor point, they steam up my glasses constantly regardless of how I wear them and they can be a bit hard to breath in if I've been doing something 'physical'...But being realistic, I don't do physical much.

I have two major points of "why bother?" though:

Spoiler: Point one

People are basically going out of their way to not distance themselves. Masks don't seem that worthwhile if you're absolutely surrounded by strangers.

I went out a hell of a lot pre-Covid and guaranteed everywhere would be basically empty in regard to outdoor areas such as parks. I would be at a "popular" outdoor area at peak times for a few hours at a time and at best see maybe 10 other people/groups of people. People clearly prefered watching TV than seeing nature.

These days, the few times I've been out with all the restrictions (can probably count on one hand...) parks are absolutely packed with people. Car parks absolutely full with people waiting to park up, which is obviously not accounting for people who went on foot or public transport. Gathering in groups in specific areas of these parks...One of the times I went out like 30 groups of people were gathered around a fountain in a park that takes a good 60 minutes to cross...

That's when the weather is the usual British crap, lets not start on the good weather days where people flock in such numbers those days become newsworthy, maybe even memeworthy.

It's a big contributing factor to why I've not really gone out myself, because I hate being in crowded places, and these places people ignored for years beforehand are now being invaded en masse seemingly because they've been told they shouldn't. Wearing a mask at that point feels like putting a plaster on an amputated limb.

Let's not even get into the brief periods in the UK we've been allowed to do something as a group or indoors...The moment pubs are open, houses and streets will be evacuated. We'll be able to find the entire population of each estate in their local pub, or waiting outside of it claiming "it's an outrage! Restrictions are lifted, why can't we squeeze ourselves in!?"

Or shopping. F'sake, this is the worst. No supermarket is limiting the amount of people in store anymore, the closest being Sainsbury's is still promoting 1 per household. The idiots among us are basically using this as an excuse to take their whole extended family on a 'big day out' to ASDA. Even at around 8PM when I used to go because the store is pretty empty, it's a crowded cluster F-.

Spoiler: Point two

The sheer amount of people who aren't wearing masks themselves.

Maybe I'll be shocked to be told that in reality, 50%+ of the UK suffer from illnesses that make breathing with a mask on nigh impossible and a risk to their health! The country is really that unhealthy or unwell! Nah, people are just crotch sausages and in turn, it makes those who genuinely can't wear a mask look like a nob...Such as my 76 year old grandmother who has a myriad of breathing difficulties due to her age, asthma and the fact she only has one lung but, wait, *reads notes*, no, sorry, even she wears a mask.

I get some people genuinely can't and I don't mean to make using my grandma seem like I'm dismissing that, but c'mon, the vast majority of those claiming they can't absolutely can.

Masks are supposed to stop me spreading the illness, so with that in mind, why am I bothering to stop spreading the illness when those who actually wear a mask are seemingly a minority? To protect that minority I guess, though it seems fruitless when Gary, 56 who really likes football and wants to go to the pub won't wear a mask because he's found out that if he does get questioned he can just lie and say he's asthmatic. The entire Jones family consisting of 5 adults and 12 kids are here, there and everywhere with the only member wearing a mask being their 6 year old who there's still hope for...Or 'are Debs', 46, weighing, 12,000lbs who wears the mask incorrectly only over her mouth, presumably either as some sort of new age diet trend to stop food going in or in order to stop feces falling out. Oh, hang on, Margret and Audrie are having a good 'ol chit chat directly in front of the exit, those old dears! They certainly are full of wisdom at their ripe old age because they've discovered that conversations with friends in inconvenient places are much easier if you take your mask off, totally vetoing the point of wearing one in the first place!

Yea, wear it for the sake of those who are trying but...Well, to put it bluntly, if I had Covid and I could specifically pass it on to these people, I totally would, with fingers crossed they become a statistic. The world IS fairly overpopulated, so why not whittle those numbers down by offing those who don't care about others or can't even put in the effort to do it properly (such as the 'mouth/chin mask' people)?

Ultimately though, I'll wear one. They're annoying and seemingly at least half the country are erasing any good I've done wearing it, I also don't really feel on their own they do all that much to stop the spread anyway...BUT, if it keeps the people close to me safer even just a little bit, I can put up with trivial slight discomfort and incredibly minor inconvenience.

I mean, what if I did have Covid? Could I live with myself if I passed it on to a loved one and killed them when wearing a little bit of cloth when I get my dindins would have avoided it?

there is no stance to be had here. not wearing one outside at all times is purposely promoting the spread of a deadly disease. don't "like" wearing the mask? would you rather waste away in a hospital or watching a loved one die? if everyone cared about the welfare of others from the start everything would've gone back to normal a long ass time ago.

...But, what's the need to wear one at all times?

You won't infect somebody if there's nobody around. Leaving your front door without a mask doesn't instantly kill 12 people. Sitting in my back yard with a naked face hasn't condemned the neighbourhood.

It should just be down to that rare thing the majority of people lack, 'common sense'. Wear one when others are around, probably don't bother if the closest person is a 10 minute walk away. If I went somewhere where there wouldn't be another person for 5 miles, I wouldn't get back to ""civilisation"" to find half the country is dead and it's all my fault for not wearing a mask in the middle of nowhere.

And don't wear one in a vehicle. Wearing one 'at all times' links to that since some people seem to wear them LITERALLY every minute they're out of their house...The amount of people I've seen driving dangerously trying to sort their mask and/or glasses out is ridiculous.

PSA: Just don't do it. Unless you're letting numerous strangers into your car (which unless you're a taxi driver or car share is against the rules), your vehicle is as 'safe' as your house. It's literally against the law to do things that will knowingly obscure your vision whilst driving.

 

[Envy]

I always wear two when I'm out in public and I don't go places where people aren't required to wear masks. I am immunocompromised, so everyone wearing a mask during these times is essential for my safety. Unfortunately, I live in a dumb red state and even worse town, so over the last year I have avoided going anywhere except for necessary doctor's visits.

 

[Saylor]

I wear one whenever I'm out and around other people. I'll be able to get my vaccine soon but I don't plan to stop wearing mine anytime I'm in public until they're widely available. I'll be glad when it's safe to go without one because it makes me fog up my glasses and it can be a little harder for me to breathe when I'm anxious, but having to wear a mask isn't a big deal to me.

I don't wear one in the game, though, except for the privacy mask sometimes when I wanna look like a cowboy.

 

[tiffanistarr]

I always wear two when I'm out in public and I don't go places where people aren't required to wear masks. I am immunocompromised, so everyone wearing a mask during these times is essential for my safety. Unfortunately, I live in a dumb red state and even worse town, so over the last year I have avoided going anywhere except for necessary doctor's visits.

I just want to say that i am very sorry you are in that situation. I live with my grandmother who is not immunocompromised but is elderly(late 70s) and she recently got her two covid vaccines and in a couple weeks she’ll be all set to go and and it was such a relief that i cried so much the night she got her second shot. I didn’t know how much i was stressing and how nervous i was until i saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I couldn’t imagine letting a careless choice like not wearing a mask hurt someone like you or my grandmother or a coworkers family. We are really so close the finish line. Are you able to be vaccinated? I know some immunocompromised people can’t get vaccines and rely solely on herd immunity.

 

[Firesquids]

 

[Soot Sprite]

I feel like a lot of the people against masks don’t realize it’s not to protect you... it’s to protect the people around you so you can’t spread anything.

At this point, it’s been a year. Either wear it or don’t complain when you can’t go into stores and people give you grief because you should expect it. I work from home but I have a mask on whenever I leave the house.