To think daughter should wear face mask at job in takeaway restaurant.

[Immy76]

My daughter (17) has just returned to her part-time job today (4th July) in a pizza takeaway restaurant. She’s asthmatic so stopped working there during lockdown. When I picked her up tonight I asked if she had worn her face mask and she said no! She is serving customers at an open hatch and in the same inside space as the chefs and delivery drivers - none of them are wearing masks. I am worried but my daughter thinks I’m making a big deal over nothing. I know it’s not legal requirement to wear a mask but seems sensible thing to do? AIBU?

@Porcupineinwaiting

masks not recommended for asthmatic people

Whereas COVID is really good for them?

This whole "asthmatics can't wear masks" thing is such a pile of shit. Most of us manage just fine.

Good for you. You're not everyone

Of course some asthmatics can wear masks. Just like some people with autism can cope with them. That doesn't mean everyone can and it certainly shouldn't be something to attack other people over.

You can wear a mask. Great, so wear one. But it doesn't make you morally superior to those who cannot wear one for various reasons. But keep on believing otherwise if it makes you feel better.

@Jean74

I myself am asthmatic and so are my kids and we have been ok with wearing masks. As I said - of course anyone who has breathing difficulties should opt out of wearing one. Never said we were heroic or anyone was a murderer. Not judging anyone either, unlike many on here. Every individual is different and will have different circumstances and choices to make.

You absolutely did judge.

You said "I do think the whole mask issue is quite revealing about how people care for others - our family has chosen to wear masks in crowded places as we want to reduce chains of transmission. Other people wearing masks are helping protect us in return."

Which 100% implies that those who don't wear masks don't care about other people. You've chosen to wear masks which is 100% your choice. But don't go around saying bollocks like "it shows much people care" and then try and say you're not being judgemental.

Not judging anyone either, unlike many on here.

Nice try. If that were true, then there was no need for the passive aggressive "we care".

Working in hospital operating theatres we have been wearing masks for long before covid. We have visiting staff and students come to theatres from other departments I have never heard of anyone unable to wear a mask. Several of my colleagues have asthma - no issues. We wear them for long periods of time, often doing complex or physically hard tasks. It wasn’t until covid that I heard of people who couldn’t tolerate them.

When I tried scuba diving I first hated the mask. Felt like I couldn’t breath. But if course I could - just took a bit of time to calm down and get used to it. I suspect face masks are the same.

My son has autism. He loves masks. Even as a young child, he used to fashion face coverings from bandanas and use clothes pegs to secure them over his face. But he is one person with autism. Plenty of others cannot endure masks. Pretty stupid to say, 'Well, if I can wear a mask and have autism, then everyone who has it can!'

Working in hospital operating theatres we have been wearing masks for long before covid. We have visiting staff and students come to theatres from other departments I have never heard of anyone unable to wear a mask.

People who truly can't probably aren't going to be working in operating theatres.

I've got PTSD and can wear one. But I know people who also have it and they cannot.

But well, shocker, I haven't met everyone in the whole world so it's a non sequitur to believe they're all of the same ilk .

Gitothecooler, yes. Really we all think you don’t give a fuck. Because that’s what we said. We said “People who don’t wear masks don’t give a fuck”. It’s right there in black and white.

Except it isn’t. Don’t let that stop you being a victim though.

@Whichoneofyoudidthat

Did you miss the part where I was responding to ONE specific post/poster?

The poster who said...

I do think the whole mask issue is quite revealing about how people care for others - our family has chosen to wear masks in crowded places as we want to reduce chains of transmission.

So yes, it is there in black and white.

Please don't jump in and try to make out I am playing a victim game here, I was responding directly to someone who did say make the judgement about people not wearing masks.

One poster. One.

I didn't say a thing about any other posts or posters.

If you can wear a mask, I think you should. I can wear a mask and so can my husband and kids, so we do. Yes, it’s a way of showing we care about other people. There are plenty of people who can’t wear masks for medical and other reasons. There are also plenty of people who just don’t want to. I don’t assume what people’s reasons are because just don’t know - but protecting other people by wearing a mask - if you can - in enclosed spaces and on public transport is what govt. is telling us to do. As an asthmatic with asthmatic children, thank you very much to everyone who posted thoughtful and useful comments here, I found it really helpful reading it all and I appreciate all the insights and care. All the best in these very difficult times.

Working in hospital operating theatres we have been wearing masks for long before covid. We have visiting staff and students come to theatres from other departments I have never heard of anyone unable to wear a mask. Several of my colleagues have asthma - no issues. We wear them for long periods of time, often doing complex or physically hard tasks. It wasn’t until covid that I heard of people who couldn’t tolerate them.

But people who can't tolerate masks for whatever reason, aren't going to pick careers where they're compulsory, are they?

My mum has asthma and she can wear a mask. Her sister also has asthma and she can't. Same condition, but very different effects.

No I didn’t miss it. Please point out where that poster said you don’t give a fuck.

I’m just surprised by all the people who struggle with a mask. I’ve never met anyone where who couldn’t manage it. Lots of people come to theatres who don’t usually work for. And those who don’t work in theatres seem to have managed the last three weeks in hospital

I get that masks are unpleasant and people would rather not wear them. They do feel odd at first and breathing feels strange. I’m just surprised I’ve never cone across anyone who’s breathing suffered wearing one given there are so many out there

@StonedRoses

The majority of people who come to the theatres come as part of their employment or training though, don't they? I can't think of many other situations where someone would be in an operating theatre.

The people, like myself, on Mumsnet who are saying they struggle to breathe do not fall into that category of people. They are people with disabilities that affect them to the point t where they do not work or attend training courses.

My own father has COPD and won't be able to wear a mask. He is unlikely to be visiting the theatre though. I have mentioned my breathing problem. Also unlikely to be going to an operating theatre.

It's all good and well saying you haven't come across anyone who can't wear one, but the section of people who cannot wear them for medical reasons are not the people you are likely to come across.

@BogRollBOGOF - you have no way of knowing if what you're saying is correct. And even if you are correct she could still pass the disease on to someone much more vulnerable.

I understand why your daughter would feel uncomfortable but isnt this an employer issue. We've had to go through a 10 page action plan and complete ALL of it before we could be COVID secure. Part of the requirements are we have to wear face mask or visor if we cannot stay 2 mtrs apart from other staff, which we cant in some areas of the workplace. It sounds like all the employees are working in a smallish area and so surely the other staff should be wearing face coverings?

The OP would never accept her kids insisting she wore a face mask to work/the shops/wherever..

Sometimes posters make so many assumptions

@StonedRoses

I’m just surprised by all the people who struggle with a mask. I’ve never met anyone where who couldn’t manage it. Lots of people come to theatres who don’t usually work for. And those who don’t work in theatres seem to have managed the last three weeks in hospital

I get that masks are unpleasant and people would rather not wear them. They do feel odd at first and breathing feels strange. I’m just surprised I’ve never cone across anyone who’s breathing suffered wearing one given there are so many out there

But those people you refer to in theatres will be healthcare workers anyway, wouldn't they? I mean, they don't let random people wander into operating theatres, so you're still talking about a very small percentage of the population as a whole, and people like that will be well aware they may have to wear a mask at some point - it comes with the setting.

Not everyone who struggles does so because of the breathing aspect, either. PTSD after sexual assault or abuse, for example, could cause problems because the mask covers the mouth and nose. People with sensory issues like autism may struggle with feeling restricted in that way. Yes, masks may not directly impact their breathing, but if they get panicky and struggle with material on their face, they won't be able to tolerate a mask.

The government is clearly aware that some people cannot wear masks, else there wouldn't be a list of acceptable exceptions, would there?

Personally, I'm really fed up with people coming along and going "well, I can wear a mask and I don't know anyone who struggles, therefore nobody can struggle and you should all wear one". It's arrogant and all it does is upset the people who genuinely struggle with it.

Wear a mask if you can, but you're not morally superior to those who can't, and that's the kind of tone that always comes across on these threads.

Walked past a barbers in town yesterday and no masks or visors being worn.

No one seemed bothered. Just checked local fb groups and no one has said a word.
They had plenty to say when some people wernt wearing masks on buses even when it was pointed out that some will be exempt due to medical conditions. Nope Not good enough apparently.

But this barbers. Radio silence.

Amazing how a blind eye is turned when it involves something they want..............like a haircut.

No need for her to wear a mask.

Read this it might calm you down- www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/reopening-checklist-for-food-businesses-during-covid-19