Different strategies to get people to wear masks properly.

[no_hypocrisy]

I work as a cashier in a grocery emporium. At least one customer during my shift will present with his/her mask under his/her nose or chin. This is how I deal with it:

A) Directly and politely ask that they readjust their mask.

B) The first option coupled with a brief explanation why it's for their safety as well as others' safety.

C) When "A" and "B" don't persuade, I'll advise that I have a heart condition and I can't afford to get COVID.

So far, I haven't had any pushback. They thought they were getting away with tweaking their masks and they got called on it. Nobody has presented to my supervisors that I was rude and being mean.

[blueinredohio]

1. People say they can't breathe wit the mask on.

My grandsons friend (who has cystic fibrosis) said how would they like to feel like they're breathing through a coffee straw? That's how I feel every day.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I wear a cotton cloth mask for seven hours during my shift.

I don't feel woozy, dizzy, etc. The customers just don't like the impediment of breathing through the mask for the 20+ minutes that they're in our store.

[hlthe2b]

3. It can be an issue for those with chronic lung disease. For the rest of us, I might remind you that

HCWs (like myself, my colleagues, my sister, my friends) have worked for decades wearing masks EVERY day--whether simple surgical masks, N95 masks, or the full-body space suits required in some highly infectious settings and quite frequently for hour upon hour upon hour. Is it uncomfortable when air conditioning is suboptimal, one is running around under the stress of urgent "STAT" response or when you are just plain exhausted, haven't had a break or food/water for hours? Hell yes, but those who care for you do it all the time. Having to don one for a thirty-minute (or less) shopping trip doesn't seem such a trial from my perspective.

Still, please don't think I am unsympathetic. Some cloth face coverings are simply not very breathable--especially those with man-made fabrics. So, I do suggest a cotton two-layer type with a filter pocket. That filter can be a HEPA filter or even the high filtering capacity of a single layer of some of the available shop towels. There have been a number of studies/publications documenting the relative strengths of one type over another. If you haven't seen any of those articles/studies, let me know and I'll link to some.

We wear the masks/face coverings so your grandson's friend might not have to or those on oxygen who clearly can not can at least make their doctor's appointments. It really doesn't seem like a big sacrifice to me, though granted I have done it for decades.

[blueinredohio]

4. He was talking about other people complaining.

He's used to wearing a mask to protect himself. He also doesn't go out much.

[hlthe2b]

6. I thought I read in your post that that is how you feel every day...

[blueinredohio]

8. He said he feels like he's breathing through a coffee straw all the time

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Covering your nose is probably more important than covering your mouth ...

There is some medical evidence that infection through the nose is more likely than infection through the lungs or throat.

[hlthe2b]

7. ??????????? NOT FOR THOSE AROUND YOU!

Sorry, but that statement is damned irresponsible and ridiculous.

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Well, that's certainly true if you mostly breathe through your mouth, or cough a lot ...

but I'm pretty sure most people breathe through their noses most of the time, even in red states. Besides, appealing to peoples' self-interest (or fears) is usually more effective anyway.

[hlthe2b]

10. Please stop pushing very detrimental and WRONG information.

NO, the issue is secretions from the mouth through talking, coughing, and yes breathing. You should know better.

[Danascot]

11. I warn maskholes that I've tested positive for Covid

and I'm wearing a mask to protect them, and they should wear a mask since it would also help protect them from getting infected.

It's a lie but for a good cause.