reply to bookysue about face masks and drive-up: Our bank has closed the ATM, which I was used to, and requires everyone to use the drive up. Fortunately (!) there are absolutely no masks for sale here, so not many people wear them, but, even so, it's a real challenge to hear at a drive-up window and understand. Face masks just up the ante!
Can any of us use the self-checkout places at supermarkets? I've tried a few times and just get totally frustrated because I can hear that a voice is telling me what to do, but can't decode the words. To this day, I don't know which side you're supposed to put your bag on to put things in after scanning them, so the whole thing breaks down and won't let me finish. I've gotten the same way when the phone rings: paralyzed because I fear I won't be able to hear well enough to avoid mega stupidity.