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?

I am asthmatic, and I have no problem with breathing wearing one. I think they take getting used to, but I find it easier every time.

I work in operating theatres where mask wearing has always been compulsory. I have never come across anyone who can't wear one at all. Admittedly we are all relatively fit and well, but there are a fair few asthmatics and pregnant women among us. Never been an issue except very occasionally when it's hot and then it's usually just discomfort rather than being actually injurious to health.

I think the more you wear them you get used to them. There are asthmatic doctors and nurses wearing them as not all are at risk. I don't like wearing one. They smell funny and my glasses steam up too but I have to wear one at work. You do get used to it though. And think of it as protecting others.

Asthmatics are advised not to wear a mask if doing so affects their breathing as it could trigger a potentially fatal asthma attack.

My Mum is handy with a sewing machine and has made cloth masks for everyone in the family. I can't wear mine for more than a few mins, so I don't. Fortunately I work from home and am getting all my shopping online, so I haven't needed to get public transport.

Some people with asthma will be able to use masks, and some won't. Asthma UK has advice:
www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/what-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/#Facemask

@Nartl0ngNow I breath through my mouth, what's the difference do you know?

@Reallybadidea I wonder whether the masks you have are just much better than things the general population can buy? Do you know why the government is telling people not to wear surgical masks btw? Seems odd.

Try disposable ones, not good for the environment but I find them much thinner and easier to breathe through.

inews.co.uk/news/uk/face-mask-exemptions-who-exempt-wearing-covering-uk-public-transport-england-travel-rules-coronavirus-446355

It'll be for 2 reasons -

1. medical grade equipment needs to be available to medical staff. If the general population was to wear them too then it would overstretch suppliers who might not then be able to supply it to medical staff.

2. the general public are not close to a variety of different strangers on a daily basis. So the risk of catching coronavirus whilst in a supermarket is fairly small in comparison to a medical professional caring up close to lots of different people. A standard mask will help to reduce the small risk further for most of us.

Get one with a filter - makes a massive difference. Or use a scarf, I can’t tie one alone so can’t but using a filtered one with asthma and panic disorder has been fine even in the heat. I saw someone with mutism briefly pull it down before boarding to sign and lip talk, then pull it back up. Better than the selfish bastard wearing one on his chin the whole ride then stumble off pissed out of his mind at his stop 🙃

There are loads of videos on twitter currently where Trumpsters have filmed themselves going in to stores with signs saying mask wearing is obligatory. They go in with the sole intention of trying to break the rules because they believe mask wearing goes against the freedom of Americans. They all claim to have a condition which prevents them from wearing a mask. They all seem to have a script they probably got from a strange website, which involves quoting HIPPA, some American regulation. When they don’t get their way they ‘ask for the manager’ or start ranting about ‘all lives matter’ and their rights.

None of them seem to be embarrassed filming themselves looking like complete twits.

@Tellmetruth4 they sound like typical attention seeking numpties. I'm not sure of the relevance here though

@havingnumber2 no relevance at all really! Just remembered I’d seen a couple of those videos when I saw this thread.

Thanks @AnnaBanana333 I saw that, there isn't much detail is there. They are leaving it open to quite a lot of interpretation.

I think it has to be vague because there are so many individual scenarios it would be impossible to list them all. I think any illness that affects breathing or relates to panic/anxiety would qualify.

I'm suing my employers because they're trying to force me to wear a mask even though it makes my glasses fog up.

I think I might be entitled to condensation.

Not a medical exemption, but I second how much easier the "paper" disposable-type masks are. I'm medical admin and now required to wear a medical grade mask around my place of work, so they have to provide them, and I find it quite bearable, whereas I felt as if I really couldn't breathe in a cloth mask and contemplated simply never going out if it became compulsory!

I realise the NHS need the medical grade masks but since all you need to do is be seen to comply in places where it's obligatory, I imagine you can get a similar type online that doesn't meet NHS standards. While I'd rather things didn't have to be disposable, needs must.

I didn’t think it had to be a mask.

Try using one of those tube/buff things (usually sold for sport and outdoorsy stuff) and pulling it up over your face. They’re stretchy and comfy

Some of the issue might be going from no covering to the expectation of frequent use in quite a short time.

People do get used to wearing them, and may be pleasantly surprised that they acclimatise more easily than they expected.

I’m surprised at how easily I acclimated too. They’re comfortable enough. In fact I feel “safer” with a mask on, even though this may be a placebo effect. As in I do feel glad I’m wearing one when someone nearby starts coughing or sneezing etc, (which has happened at a decent frequency) even though I know my mask is to protect others. Also when it was extremely windy a month ago, I actually just wore one to stop debris from blowing onto my face.

My husband is severely asthmatic and he wears one to and from work every day. He has a respirator type one where you change out the filters every now and again. He looks like a nutter but claims that strangers have asked him where he got it from. He works in the nuclear sector so knows his masks.

WorraLiberty

OP I'd recommend the flexible hat face shields, if you're really struggling with masks. Might need a hat pin or two in window weather and it can be a little awkward when it rains, but they've helped my daughter who found wearing masks painful due to her stubborn, angry eczema patches. I haven't yet gotten confirmation they pass the rules for buses (where I am it specifically says cloth) and they're possibly not quite as protective - there is some debate there - but they're a good alternative to nowt.

*windy weather, obviously.

inews.co.uk/news/uk/face-mask-exemptions-people-public-transport-rules-coverings-government-450550

welfareweekly.com/coronavirus-disabled-people-fear-becoming-victims-of-hate-crime-as-40-say-they-cannot-wear-face-masks/?fbclid=IwAR3yGqGvi_-GsDwOwf3eaSB85x9NY4X0A6bOEJAbwu7BkFBZx2pEJnxBd9c

Feeling too hot?

Well the Japanese take the threat of heat stroke seriously unlike the dystopian shithole that is the UK.

english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/9126f89133e2-focus-japan-companies-developing-cool-face-masks-as-summer-approaches.html

To those saying you don’t know of any reasons as to why someone wouldn’t wear one....has anyone actually thought about those who need to lipread?

@Reallybadidea

I feel like lip reading is insignificant in the grand scheme of the pandemic. If someone can’t understand me with a mask on, I’ve just repeated myself slowly and clearly.