Medical exemptions from mask wearing

[havingnumber2]

Does anyone know where I can find a list of medical exemptions from wearing a face mask? Are the exemptions the same throughout the UK?

Strange thing to need to know. Why do you need to know?

Why is it a strange thing to need to know? it's pretty topical I think.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators#exemptions-from-mandatory-face-coverings

I don’t think there is a list as such but have a look on the gov.uk website.
It refers to physical/ mental health disabilities.

There’s a list here on the huff post. You can get a card or lanyard.

Thanks @AnnaBanana333 I saw that, there isn't much detail is there. They are leaving it open to quite a lot of interpretation.
I've read mixed reviews about whether masks are safe for people with asthma, whether they're safe for pregnant women etc.
And what is a 'good reason' - not being able to see if your glasses fog? Feeling too hot?

@NooneElseIsSingingMySong the link doesn't work for me.

You might get more guidance from Asthma UK.

Try this?

Interested to know, it all sounds a bit vague. I have hospital appointment in fortnight and am asthmatic. Don't want confrontation or funny looks but it may well effect breathing.

@NooneElseIsSingingMySong still not working. Weird

not being able to see if your glasses fog

That's a mask issue surely? Dh wears glasses and has found some that don't cause fog.

My psychiatrist has written me a letter stating I can't wear one due to previous trauma involving suffocation. My intention is just to avoid anywhere that needs one for the foreseeable future and hope they don't stay a "thing" though.

Why not try one? I am exempt due to asthma but can breathe fine wearing one,so I do. Everyone should wear one if possible

I'm asthmatic as well. I wear one, find it a bit difficult sometimes but I can cope and feel like the PP that people should wear them if they can

@jellybaby1 I have tried one, they make me feel very breathless. I plan to try a few different ones.
Just now I'm not going anywhere where one is required.

What’s your thought process behind why masks wouldn’t be safe for pregnant women?

And what is a 'good reason' - not being able to see if your glasses fog? Feeling too hot?

If your glasses “fog”, you’re not wearing the mask properly unfortunately. The top of the mask needs to be completely flush against your nose & cheeks so your breath (and germs) can’t escape through the top of the mask. Therefore when it’s on properly, your breath can’t fog your glasses. And if it’s not flush against your face, you’re placing everyone at risk from your germs, making the mask redundant.

If you’re sweating profusely, the effectiveness of your mask is reduced if it gets damp. If you’re very hot I would say don’t wear the mask until you cool down, but avoid public transport if you’re not wearing the mask.

Does this help? Scroll down for the exempt list :-
hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/hidden-disabilities-face-covering.html

What’s your thought process behind why masks wouldn’t be safe for pregnant women?

It's not my thought process at all. It was an article I saw. That's why I was looking for an actual government list rather than random articles tha

That may be nonsense*

I have been shielding and just attended my doctors to get some blood tests done. I was advised to wear a face covering (but I didn’t have anything as I have been working from so haven’t been out anywhere to need one). I found a silk scarf thinking that would be the best option but as it is a fairly warm stuffy day, I am asthmatic, menopausal and a glasses wearer it was hard work. I was over heating (felt overly hot and bothered), my glasses steamed up and what freaked me out was feeling my breath coming back at me which made me panicky and a bit scared it was affecting my breathing which made me hotter and more panicky. Has anyone got any solutions.

My psychiatrist has written me a letter stating I can't wear one due to previous trauma involving suffocation. My intention is just to avoid anywhere that needs one for the foreseeable future and hope they don't stay a "thing" though.

That's one of the problems with making things compulsory that a lot of people may be exempt to. People can't see that you're exempt so may give you abuse in public. Similarly to people using disabled parking bays that have a hidden disability.

[quote havingnumber2]@jellybaby1 I have tried one, they make me feel very breathless. I plan to try a few different ones.
Just now I'm not going anywhere where one is required. [/quote]
Some are thicker than others. Theres some on ebay for £17 for a hundred and they're a bit thinner and easier to breathe when using them.

They're not worth the material they're made out of.
Otherwise, staff would have been wearing them in hospital for years to reduce spread of infections before covid.
Mouth breathers should not be wearing them.

How about - had very likely had it and still can't breathe properly.

Thanks jelly. I feel like I need to have one that I can use in the house in case I do need to use public transport even though that's unlikely just now.
I'd really like to know if wearing one could be harmful to me though and there doesn't seem to be any consensus from the government.