To say if they mandate mask wearing they need to ensure some way for the exempt from masks to prove it?

[BuffaloCauliflower]

I am not anti-masks at all, I can see they are often very useful tools in infection control when used correctly (though it doesn’t seem they are by many people) but as someone ‘officially exempt’ from wearing them - in my case due to asthma - I’m increasingly panicked at the thought they’ll be made mandatory in shops and other places.

I have been able to avoid public transport thankfully due to furlough/wfh but I’ve wanted to shop, help the economy etc. and I fear I’ll have to stay away completely if masks are mandatory because I don’t think my exemption would be believed, or that I wouldn’t have people having a go at me for being out without a mask. I’ve tried many times to wear them and they make my symptoms (already far worse than usual due to pregnancy) ramp up even more. It’s very distressing, especially as it causes coughing, and I’m then removing the mask (touching the mask and my face, definitely not mask best practice) repeatedly to try and regulate my breathing. I’m following all other guidance sensibly, lots of hand washing, keeping my distance from others when out, but all things considered I think I’m more risk to others in a mask than without one should I be carrying CV.

I am very worried that despite being exempt I have no way to prove it to shops or other businesses. I carry my inhalers but that relies on others understanding, the government have previously said there won’t be anything official to prove exemption, though public transport companies have come up with different options (I’ve printed the TfL card just in case, but technically anyone could do this as it’s not verified) I’ve already been told once that someone ‘didn’t agree’ with exemptions to mask wearing and I should basically suck it up. People who want to be mean won’t check for exemption before having a go I’m sure of it.

But at the very least shouldn’t they ensure there’s some official way I could prove my exemption, a letter or card I could apply for from my doctor perhaps, that’s recognisable to others so I’m not at risk of not being believed or being yelled at? There are many people who will be in the some position.

I find it really odd that so many countries have implemented mandatory masks and countries like China and Japan have always worn masks but yet you only hear about all these exemptions here. Doesn't seem to be a major issue in other places

Look up the sunflower lanyard, they've made cards that say expempt from wearing face mask on them. I have one as I'm autistic and it would cause me a lot of distress to wear one. It cost me just short of a fiver with the lanyard. I also believe there are exemption cards you can print off, have a look on Google. They're currently not asking for evidence of a disability or reason for needing an exemption card you can just get them. Hope this helps :)

Being pregnant, and with asthma so severe that you can’t wear a mask, should you really be going to the shops? This may sound harsh, but I’m saying this with the best of intentions. Never mind the economy, focus on your own safety and health. Most things can be ordered online anyway.

You can still go outdoors without a mask, and meet people when distancing.

How would there be time to put something official in place. How/who will assess? They couldn't get the letters on shielding right and track and trace is beyond a joke.

I guess it would give "Billions" Sunak an opportunity to throw more non-existent money away.

I also believe there are exemption cards you can print off, have a look on Google

And this is why mandatory masks would never work. You'd just have everyone printing off fake exception cards because they don't fancy wearing a mask!

I have severe claustrophobia and cannot wear a mask, every time I’ve tried I’ve had a panic attack. I cannot have anything over my nose.
I won’t be going into any shops until they are no longer required. Even with an exemption I don’t much fancy having to explain myself to those who see fit to publicly shame people who aren’t wearing one.

Could you wear a visor instead?

This advice maybe useful to you
www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/what-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/#Facemask

Being pregnant, and with asthma so severe that you can’t wear a mask, should you really be going to the shops? This may sound harsh, but I’m saying this with the best of intentions

It's a bit ignorant to think it's easy for everyone to just stay home and never go into a shop. A lot of high risk people don't have a choice.

@Drivingdownthe101

I have severe claustrophobia and cannot wear a mask, every time I’ve tried I’ve had a panic attack. I cannot have anything over my nose. I won’t be going into any shops until they are no longer required. Even with an exemption I don’t much fancy having to explain myself to those who see fit to publicly shame people who aren’t wearing one.

But if it's a member of the public in the street, you don't have to explain yourself.

I know I don’t have to explain myself, but I also don’t want to have people publicly shaming me for not wearing one (and it has already happened, before you say it won’t). So I just won’t go to shops. There’s nothing I can’t get online anyway.

I have asthma and am fine to wear one, I want to given how vulnerable I am, but I do think it would be a good idea to have some way to prove exemption. They have just been made mandatory on public transport in Wales from end of July so imagine more information will come out about exemptions.

I got used to it living in Korea really. Everyone there was wearing masks due to air quality and all the children wore them in class, including kindergarten. But the difference is that no one would yell at you for not wearing one.

@GreytExpectations

I find it really odd that so many countries have implemented mandatory masks and countries like China and Japan have always worn masks but yet you only hear about all these exemptions here. Doesn't seem to be a major issue in other places

Have you actually checked that there are no exemptions in those places or are you just assuming? Why would you necessarily hear about the smaller rules attached to things like that here? It’s a misconception that masks are always worn culturally in places like Japan, it’s usually only when someone has cold symptoms.

As soon as masks became a thing people have been trying to find a way to be exempt. How do they manage this in countries where they are mandatory?

i had a horriffic experience as a child [stately homes related] and suffer from ptsd as a result if anything covers my nose and mouth, can't use scarves, masks or visors. it's a worrying and difficult time, i avoid shops now because i hate being near people as it is.

@Drivingdownthe101

I know I don’t have to explain myself, but I also don’t want to have people publicly shaming me for not wearing one (and it has already happened, before you say it won’t). So I just won’t go to shops. There’s nothing I can’t get online anyway.

Don't assume I was going to say it won't happen, I wasn't going to.

It has actually happened to me, last Friday at the Doctors surgery, where some nosey old sod saw fit to stick their beak in.

Politely telling them to mind their own business is all that's needed.

@KitKat2020

Being pregnant, and with asthma so severe that you can’t wear a mask, should you really be going to the shops? This may sound harsh, but I’m saying this with the best of intentions. Never mind the economy, focus on your own safety and health. Most things can be ordered online anyway.

You can still go outdoors without a mask, and meet people when distancing.

Outwith pregnancy my asthma is mild and mostly pollution triggered, if this was last year I probably would have been fine in a mask. I wouldn’t be in the shielding group. It’s causing lots of coughing and the coughing is made much worse by a mask. Without one on I’m mainly fine going about my business, but I’m of course staying home on days when it’s bad. I don’t feel overly threatened by corona virus tbh, I’m otherwise healthy and fit.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

As soon as masks became a thing people have been trying to find a way to be exempt. How do they manage this in countries where they are mandatory?

As far as I’m aware, there are exemptions in countries where they are mandatory too. I’m not ‘trying to find a way to be exempt’, I just cannot wear one without a panic attack. Trust me I would much rather be able to wear one, it would make life much easier.

@GreytExpectations

The OP said I’ve wanted to shop, help the economy etc.

To me, this sounded more recreational than essential.

I appreciate that everyone needs to get essentials. There are things like click and collect, and most small shops are happy to take phone orders and bag the produce to be picked up.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

As soon as masks became a thing people have been trying to find a way to be exempt. How do they manage this in countries where they are mandatory?

How do you know those countries don’t also have medical exemptions? Have you checked?

Politely telling them to mind their own business is all that's needed

Great for you that you’re happy to deal with that. I must have a less thick skin I guess. I just can’t be arsed with it, so I won’t go in shops. Will save me a fortune anyway!

@Pr1mus

Look up the sunflower lanyard, they've made cards that say expempt from wearing face mask on them. I have one as I'm autistic and it would cause me a lot of distress to wear one. It cost me just short of a fiver with the lanyard. I also believe there are exemption cards you can print off, have a look on Google. They're currently not asking for evidence of a disability or reason for needing an exemption card you can just get them. Hope this helps :)

I’ve seen these and I have printed the Travel for London card just in case, but again, anyone can print them which I fear makes them less valid in the eyes of the public. I thought the sunflower lanyards were ASD specific?

@BuffaloCauliflower

It sounds like you are managing your asthma well, but even though you are not shielding, do look after yourself.

@PhilCornwall1

How would there be time to put something official in place. How/who will assess? They couldn't get the letters on shielding right and track and trace is beyond a joke.

I guess it would give "Billions" Sunak an opportunity to throw more non-existent money away.

Even if it was just something doctors could print that had an official stamp on it or something? Wouldn’t need to be a full blown ID card. Just something nationwide that was officially recognised.

[quote KitKat2020]@BuffaloCauliflower

It sounds like you are managing your asthma well, but even though you are not shielding, do look after yourself.[/quote]
Thanks. I’m pretty bloody sick of it tbh!

@Drivingdownthe101

I have severe claustrophobia and cannot wear a mask, every time I’ve tried I’ve had a panic attack. I cannot have anything over my nose. I won’t be going into any shops until they are no longer required. Even with an exemption I don’t much fancy having to explain myself to those who see fit to publicly shame people who aren’t wearing one.

And this is it. I’m not in the least shy and retiring, very able to stand up for myself, but I still fear having to do so. The culture of shaming people not in masks that seems to be growing really worries me