Pandemic Diaries | Mandatory Outdoor Mask Wearing Restriction Finally Lifted
The most horrible rule: outdoor mask wearing
Last year, when it was the summer after the first wave of the pandemic, I read that people in Spain needed to wear a mask outdoors. I was appalled by the idea of living in a country where temperatures during summer can rise to maybe 35 degrees, and people were mandated to wear a mask during the pandemic! I was so happy that we didn't have to do so and that our restrictions were already lifted mostly (except the mask wearing inside supermarket and stores). I also said: "I will not let them take my oxygen away, are they crazy?"
After summer and fall, the winter arrived
It almost seemed as if the government had learned a bit from the previous round of restrictions, because some rules weren't introduced again this wave, while other new ones were. I was horrified when I read that we needed to wear a mask outdoors (except in green areas) and honestly, I could cry.
You may find me a spoiled brat while reading this, but I have to tell you that I'm one of these people that almost ripped off the mask whenever setting one foot outside any store where I needed to wear the mask. Not because I wanted to be rebellious and go against the rules, not at all, I've been complying to all the rules from the moment the pandemic arrived, but I have serious issues wearing the mask.
Most of the times, when entering a supermarket, I felt bloody hot after 5 minutes, especially during the winter when I wore a warm coat due to the weather conditions outside. But inside, this was way too hot, so adding another layer of fabric covering half of my face, felt horrible. I started to get sweaty, and often as soon as that happened I started to feel very uncomfortable and even panicking a bit whenever I was stuck in the store too long.
A very uncomfortable and scary feeling
People that experience the same things, know that this can feel quite scary and very uncomfortable, knowing you can't take off the mask, as every store here now has a security guard on the lookout if people are complying with the rules. I can't blame them as they get huge fines or even have to close their store when they check the store and see someone is not obeying the rules. So taking it off, isn't really an option. On the other hand, you can also not just leave your stuff in the middle of the store and run out for air. It's quite the unpleasant situation and it made me avoid the supermarkets that had their heat up too much during winter.
For a long period, my boyfriend probably thought I was complaining too much about the mask wearing and he didn't even fell uncomfortable wearing the medical masks (I can't even wear these myself), didn't complain when I sent him to a store, with a travel time of one hour in public transport, he didn't mind (bless him, haha). Now it's summer, and something changed a few weeks ago, he also noticed that most supermarkets have a serious lack of oxygen, and now both of us get dizzy and feel nausea due to wearing the mask. It's as if they don't let any fresh air inside the supermarkets at all. I feel for those working there all day wearing that thing!
A week ago, a rumor was spread
Some source mentioned that the mask wearing outdoors restriction would be lifted soon. There was no official publication about it yet, so even though I was hoping for it, I could not get my hopes up too much, otherwise I'd be super disappointed if it wasn't true. But besides some other restrictions, like the lifting of the curfew, I really hoped this rumor was true. I could just not see myself enjoy the summer at all wearing that mask almost everywhere.
There it was, an official publication where it was mentioned that masks outdoor and curfew would be lifted soon. The threshold of 5 million vaccinated people was the go-ahead for them to be lifted. Funny thing is that they knew this was going to be this weekend (upfront) and that this date of the rumor also mentioned the 23rd of May. Makes you wonder, right?
Today the 5 million was reached, and even though curfew won't be lifted until tomorrow, the mask wearing outside restriction has been lifted effective immediately, oh yeah! I'm so happy that I would almost go outside to have a walk in the pouring rain, lol.
Amazing how trapped I felt, and how free I feel now
It's quite insane when you think about it, that the government can write a few laws and restrictions, where you aren't free to breathe fresh air anymore. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any restrictions, but I'm saying that some of them aren't making any sense. I have my own thoughts about the pandemic itself, but hoping it will blow over after this wave. I'm defo not going to get vaccinated unless I have no other choice, for now it seems that they won't be forcing people to do so, and I'm hoping it stays that way. I'm more afraid of the vaccine than getting Covid again, as I can't trust these vaccines that still seem to be causing a lot of (severe) side effects.
Just my 2 cents about it, I feel everyone should be free to make the best decision for their personal situation. I can totally understand that some people need to get it due to their personal situation, I respect that as well. So please let's also respect those that have their own thoughts about the vaccines and don't want to get it. I respect all the rules, and have never left the house whenever I even felt a tiny cold pop up, to avoid spreading something in case I had caught covid. I've kept my distance and we quarantined when needed.
I keep mentioning the Vitamins, as I feel it's important
I personally recovered from covid by taking 2 to 3 grams of Vitamin C a day and extra Vitamin D & Zinc And yes, it was horrible to have it, so I'm not denying the seriousness of it. Just questioning the way it's all been handled. My tip to everyone is, make sure you take enough Vitamin C,D & Zinc. It's been mentioned in quite a few publications before we started taking them, and since the first wave, I've recovered from several upcoming colds withing a day max after taking a few extra doses of Vitamin C only.
You may discover that vitamins are a lot more important than taking some meds to relief yourself from pain or illness as your body just needed a boost in vitamins. Not medical advise, Do Your Own Research :)
Thank you for reading, and I wish everyone a great summer without the need for restrictions!