Published on 12, July, 2020
Well, no more shopping for me. Not sure what I'll do about food.
I've only been leaving the house for the past month to go food shopping anyway. Now I get to lose that. Or add £100 to my shopping bill.
I'd understand if I felt it would make any difference but most of the people wearing masks are doing so in a way that increases their infection risk, not reduces it. Meanwhile you don't have to wear a mask to go to work, or to go to the pub, or to go to the barbers.
So it all feels very pointless, which adds to the stress of not wanting my face covered, not wanting my glasses to steam up, not wanting the skin damage behind my ears that a mask will cause. So no more shopping. No more food. I guess I need to lose some weight..
Some differing experience. I've been wearing a mask in shops since March. I was following WHO advice generally, but reading between the lines on what they said on masks and supplies to the public, thinking and seeing the experience Czechia wanted to share and SARS aerosol transmission, it seemed to me to cut risk of transmission enough to be worthwhile in shops. So when you get used to it, you realise mask-wearers are being considerate. I don't wear glasses, but would like to think a good seal with the clip around the nose might minimise misting. I don't really have sensory sensitivities, but do have sensitive skin and not had a problem from straps.
But that was my experience. Since there was an exemption for autistic people from wearing masks on public transport, and they're saying 'certain disabilities' will be exempt in the case of shops, it does seem likely you won't absolutely have to wear one. I generally carry a communication card, but you don't have to have one (like those from NAS or AARGH) to be exempt. I suppose you could carry a diagnosis letter...