Mask Shamed

Lockdown is lifting, but new freedoms come (quite rightly) with new rules, and as of my birthday, here in the UK it will be mandatory to wear masks in shops. 

To date, wearing masks here has been down to personal choice. I haven’t worn one yet, mainly because I haven’t gone anywhere that requires me to. As I spend my time at home working, walking the dog – on my own – or punishing myself with online gym glasses, my view has been that I don’t need to wear a mask.

 

Last night I was talking to a couple of friends on WhatsApp and the subject of masks came up. If I’m honest, I knew I was likely to get a rise if I mentioned I didn’t even own one. I was right. For the remainder of the conversation I was told I should be wearing a mask, wouldn’t want to end up on a ventilator and should get out to the shops (newly acquired mask on) for my own mental health. Eventually, the offer was made to send me a box of masks to which my reply was along the lines of ‘thanks but no thanks.’

 

For the record, I am not irresponsible, nor am I unaware of the risks that Covid-19 brings with it. When I next go to a shop, supermarket, beauty salon or hairdressers, I will of course wear a mask. What makes me angry, is that people seem to think that I’m blissfully ignorant of the pandemic and that I'm putting myself, my family and my community at risk. 

The conversation ended with the comment ‘The British [insert union jack flag emoji] need to change their attitude towards masks.’ Do I seriously now represent an entire nation which refuses to wear masks? Come on. In the end, heart pounding, I put the phone away, and on silent.