Masks - Why They Drive Me Nuts

[airboy]

I wear a plague mask when I'm inside in a public venue.  With my allergies, I sneeze and cough which freak people out.

But I hate the things.  Not because I'm wearing one and my glasses fog, but because it makes it hard to read people.

I spent much of my adult life learning body language and teaching sales students how to read other's body language.  Most folks are unable to hide their emotions including confusion, agreement, disagreement, etc.... from their face.  If you are good at it and pay attention, you can adjust your conversation in ways that are much more socially beneficial - if you can read body language.

And these masks make it much harder to read people.  Plus, my wife lost her hearing in one ear.  Both of us have hearing loss due to age and going to many, many concerts.  And when you cannot see people's lips is it harder to understand what they are saying.  Add in one of those plexiglass shields on top of the mask and it becomes even harder.

If you are paying attention, and if you have received even minimal training in nonverbal communication, all of your conversations become more productive and more pleasant when you can see people's faces.

Plus, when you smile the world smiles with you.  And now nobody can see you smile.

[Sir Slash]

Right there with you AB. I got a haircut today, no mask required since the Gov. went to Phase 3 of Re-Opening. It was great. I still carry one in case some places still ask you to wear one, and I do because I'm a good citizen. But I don't, and won't, miss the damned things. Mask-Burning Party at my house.  <:-)

[Gusington]

I hate them too. They make my face break out and fog up my work glasses or regular reading glasses. But they work. I carry one everywhere.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

We don't have mandatory mask requirements in my province (although the pearl clutches are clamouring for one).  However, a fair number of businesses (Usually large chains like Costco and Walmart) are Refusing entry if you don't wear one.  I just take my business elsewhere but on the rare occasion that I'm forced to put one on, I wear this.

[al_infierno]

@SDR - It's OK to not like wearing them, but they're definitely not useless.  They prevent you from unknowingly spreading contagions to others.  They're not meant to protect you from contagions.  In their intended purpose, they are very useful -- I guess the real question is whether or not you care about potentially infecting people who are at risk.

[Gusington]

^Yeah keep those Canadistani germs to yourself! Maple leaf flu and all that.

[Sir Slash]

I'd wear that mask SDR. Even if I didn't need to. If you feel like you need to protect people from your germs, then wear a mask. But like Gus and AB stated, they CAUSE symptoms that can be as bad as the germs themselves. They are also germ-magnets that you carry with you everywhere you go, unless you disinfect them before each stop. They're also impossible to look really cool in one.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

The disease is airborne.  The WHO just refuses to admit it because that'd be tantamount to admitting distancing measures of 2 metres and masks Less than N95 are of very limited use.  The masks can't filter an isolated virus particle, only viruses attached to a droplet.  The airborne virus can stay viable up to four hours.  Basically, if anyone in an enclosed space with poor air circulation is susceptible with or without a mask. 

[steve58]

foggy glasses.  yup, got that problem  ???

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Yeah, the foggy glasses thing sucks.  (So does burping after a spicy curry dinner and having the gas you straight into your eyeballs.  It burns!)

[Ubercat]

We don't have mandatory mask requirements in my province (although the pearl clutches are clamouring for one).  However, a fair number of businesses (Usually large chains like Costco and Walmart) are Refusing entry if you don't wear one.  I just take my business elsewhere but on the rare occasion that I'm forced to put one on, I wear this.

I don't think the masks are useless but I certainly agree about your Prime Minister. Hell, Trudeau is worse than useless.

[Gusington]

The chicks dig him.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

It's the socks.

[Gusington]

Hahaha!!

[Sir Slash]

I also hate when you go to take your mask off and it gets snagged on your glasses and you end up sailing them half way across the room. That's a cuss-worthy moment.  :pullhair: