With face masks looking like they’ll be with us for the foreseeable future thanks to coronavirus, we asked Chicagoans: What’s been the hardest thing about wearing a mask for you? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“I absolutely freaking hate it! It causes my glasses to fog. Sometimes, I feel I can’t breathe when I’m in a store or the library places like that.” — Jackie Waldhier
“It bothers me because people can’t see my facial expressions, and I can’t see theirs either. Also I lipread sometimes, and now I can’t tell what people are saying as easily.” — Barbara Meyer
“Nothing. It’s super easy to do and fun to make them myself. When it’s hot, it may be a little uncomfortable, which honestly just encourages me to get back inside much faster.” — Lia Crawford
“My skin conditions flaring up. But I still wear it.” — Andrea Gorman
“The breakouts on my cheeks and the severe congestion I get from wearing them for 12 hours straight at work. But those are minor things just glad to be healthy and safe.” — Tanay Watson
“I haven’t found wearing a mask that difficult. At the beginning, just remembering the mask was the problem, but now it has become routine. I like choosing fun masks and hoping they make someone smile when they see me.” — Melissa Marion Ives
“Realizing how much a person relies on facial cues for communication and conversation. Hadn’t really thought about it much before. That being said, wearing a mask to keep others safe is a tradeoff I’m willing to live with.” — Cheryl Wisniewski
“Nothing. Well maybe listening to the constant complaining from some. I’m glad I can do something this easy to take care of my health.” — Andi Edington
“No issues at all other than keeping up with them and making sure we always have enough in the car for everyone! Small annoyance to protect and love our neighbors.” — Rachel Hoyt
“We’re wearing masks at the worst time of the year for it, during the summer. Masks in winter would be less uncomfortable.” — Brett Youstra
“Trying to keep my 9-month-old from ripping my mask off!” — Caitlin Kowaleski
“How sweaty I get while wearing it. Plus, I am getting horrible ‘maskne.’ But this is such a small price to pay. I want to help prevent the spread of COVID. If I have prevented even one person from getting sick, it was all worth it.” — Jenny Eldridge
“Being pregnant creates a difficulty to breathe. The mask makes it worse. I stopped grocery shopping because of it. I just use food-delivery services like Instacart.” — Grace Lavigne
“Wearing it at work in 80-degree humid weather being a mechanic and electrician. My masks get filled with sweat, dirt and grease. If you get caught without one, it’s a termination.” — AJ Vee
“My PTSD. Reminds me of the airbag over my face from a motor vehicle accident.” — Sandy Szczygiel Zahorik
“The reason why we have to wear it.” — Cindy Sak Nowak
“Forgetting my mask and having to go back!” — Yanet Romanis
“Trying not to feel panicked that I can’t breathe.” — Terri Sangtrash
“No lipstick or lip gloss.” — Sylvia Bennett-Brooks
“Having enough and keeping them clean. They aren’t exactly cheap when you have to buy for a whole family.” — Rom Kisicek
“Smiling, I miss seeing people smile.” — Linda Shaw
