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.

@BankofNook

So why are those disabled people OK using a blue badge to park? Based on your "I shouldn't have to answer to anyone" attitude, surly you should be able to park in a disabled space without proof and everyone should just assume you have a disability?

Not every disabled person has a blue badge and not every person with a blue badge is disabled as they're also available hewlth conditions that the badge holder may not consider a disability but do (either temporarily or permanently) increase their need to use disabled parking.

The proof of eligibility for a blue badge is given to the local authority, they assess whether someone qualifies. No personal information beyond "this person can park here" is given to anyone other than the LA employee processing the form. There is a world of difference between a blue badge on a dashboard showing non-verbal eligibility for a parking space with no medical information on display and a disabled person having to explain to "Debbie at Asda Customer Services" exactly what their disability is and how it affects them in order to prove why they're exempt from wearing a mask while the rest of the queue listens in and Debbie potentially decides "well that's not good enough".

One is a necessity and totally innocuous. The other is publically shaming disabled people into justifying their disability.

Exactly this.

Even policemen arent going to be able to do anything about it really, as you dont have to show proof you are exempt. So unless you say you just dont want to wear one, they cant fine you.

That's what I'm wondering. All I've read is that there will be exemptions, but unless there's a proper system in place, how is a police officer ever going to know? If you had asthma that stopped you wearing one you could show an inhaler but there's plenty of reasons people have given here where there's nothing you could show.

Looking at the TfL guidance for masks on transport, it says one reason you're exempt is if it would cause severe distress. That's subjective, wearing a mask distresses me due to a medical condition but I can (and will) wear one to the shop. However if I didn't want to wear one, it would be easy enough to claim the distress is severe. What's a police officer going to do then?

You currently need to prove disability to get a bus or rail card that is free for over 65's or disabled, so some people could show those cards, however they dont cover all disabilities that are exempt from wearing a mask, and some people have a card, but still be able to use a mask. The process of getting one of those cards is onerous and lengthy and I'm sure to get a system up and running like that would take up to 6 months by the time the wearing if masks would no longer be necessary.

Ive not seen anyone on here tell disabled people they should try harder.

On this thread alone we have had:

• posters stating that those unable to wear a mask should build up their tolerance levels so that they can

• assurances that people will be fine once they've actually got the mask on

• they should get therapy so that they can wear a mask

• they should stay at home

• specific professions can manage masks so no one else has an excuse for not doing it

• members of specific professions also have health conditions and can wear masks so no one else has an excuse for not doing it

• other countries manage without moaning, why do people in the UK think they're so special/different?

• that a person they know with a specific disability or condition manages a mask so of course everyone with that disability/condition can wear one

By insisting someone wear a badge, lanyard, carry a card etc, you are making them proof their innocence. It's crap like this is why the legally protected Discrimination Act is in place. Corona or not, this doesn't and should never go away. If anything, more needs added to it to give more protection to that Act

The situation is unusual though in that the needs of one disabled group are in direct conflict with another. My friend has a MS for example and is vulnerable to coronavirus so probably won't be able to visit shops if many people are not wearing masks.

Because he could face a legal challenge if he does.

If anyone doesn't comply (and he isn't satisfied with their explanation that they are exempt), call the police and let them deal with it. If the police are happy with the customer's explanation that they are exempt, then it's sorted surely.

I appreciate getting the police over is not easy, but the threat alone will deter people from taking the piss. Surely better than closing the only shop in a community, which will have vulnerable people.

Well I hope any legal challenges are thrown out as vexatious.

Private premises can refuse entry for any reason and the right of someone to refuse to wear any type of face covering due to discomfort or ‘disability’ when they are mandatory by government order should not trump the right of anyone else to be protected from that person infecting them with a potentially life threatening or changing virus!

People really are pathetic.

"They are Free!? I'm sure someone said yesterday they had bought them.

They get talked about more on here than they do in rl. And if they were free, schools would be handing them out to parents/carers."

They are free. Tescos often has a bowl of them near the door, for people to take. You can also order one from various websites, some will just charge postage, some will charge a couple quid more to make a profit. But yes, anyone can get one. You dont need proof. And yes, if schools ordered some, they could hand them out.

@NotShiny

You currently need to prove disability to get a bus or rail card that is free for over 65's or disabled, so some people could show those cards, however they dont cover all disabilities that are exempt from wearing a mask, and some people have a card, but still be able to use a mask. The process of getting one of those cards is onerous and lengthy and I'm sure to get a system up and running like that would take up to 6 months by the time the wearing if masks would no longer be necessary.

I have a disabled buss pass and yes, it's very difficult and a lengthy process to get one. Mine is for my rheumatoid arthritis - incredibly TN is not regarded as a disability so that's one condition which prohibits mask wearing which wouldn't be covered by a pass anyway. Asthma wouldn't automatically be covered either.

It's not really the bus drivers/inspectors etc that are the issue anyway. It's the side-eye and judgement from some members of general public who immediately assume anyone not wearing a face covering is taking the piss. It would be lovely if everyone just assumed that if you're not wearing a mask there's good reason, rather than thinking you're a selfish disease spreading mickey taker.

Private premises can refuse entry for any reason and the right of someone to refuse to wear any type of face covering due to discomfort or ‘disability’ when they are mandatory by government order should not trump the right of anyone else to be protected from that person infecting them with a potentially life threatening or changing virus!

Some people genuinely can't wear one and shouldn't be discriminated against.

@GreytExpectations

So yes, people do get bother if they don't wear one.

Well of course they do, people deserve to know if their health is being put at risk for a legitimate reason or just for a "don't fancy wearing it" one. It's about everyone as a population, not just you

Your next post on from this (in reply to mine( said it was fine for me to carry a card while refusing to wear a badge/lanyard. How will that tell you/the general public if I'm risking your health 'legitimately'. Simple answer -it won't, so please don't pretend you'd be satisfied with it.

When the mass hysteria first kicked off - 'non-essential shopping, exercising more than once a day, etc - I made allowances on the basis that people were over-reacting due to fear, for either themselves or family members. There may still be a tiny minority that that applies to. For the majority clamouring for masks, it isn't about fear - it's about power, intimidation, spite and bullying.

I you can't wear a mask because of breathing difficulties then try a visor. I don't understand what is so complicated about this other than people simply not wanting to wear one. 100% support persons with sensory issues/ autism/ leaning disability/ other neurological conditions not being able to wear a mask but breathing difficulties not so much - surely more necessary for them to wear protection.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia I've reported your post for being disableist.

"It would be lovely if everyone just assumed that if you're not wearing a mask there's good reason, rather than thinking you're a selfish disease spreading mickey taker."
To be honest a lot of people would presume non wearers were exempt, I know I would. But unfortunately there are people who jump to conclusions and like to cause trouble. I dont think exempt people should have to wear any sort of badge to prove disability, but if they wanted to print off a tfl sheet or something similar saying they were, to show to the driver, that would help. It's all about education though, there will always be those people who just dont know there are exemptions, and who dont know you dont need proof.

@Cadent

Private premises can refuse entry for any reason and the right of someone to refuse to wear any type of face covering due to discomfort or ‘disability’ when they are mandatory by government order should not trump the right of anyone else to be protected from that person infecting them with a potentially life threatening or changing virus!

Some people genuinely can't wear one and shouldn't be discriminated against.

And I'd say that Access to Goods, Facilities and Services would cover this as well.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia what a nasty, ableist and ignorant post.

People who can't wear masks don't necessarily need to shield, and should not have to stay at home until the pandemic is over, as you suggest.

And yes, my father did have the same condition as me, and quite possibly so did previous generations given the evidence that it's hereditary.

Surprisingly my ASD teenage DS who also has a learning disability (and was on the 3 month shielding list) wore a mask in the hairdressers last week absolutely fine. He had a meltdown about wearing one to get used to it before at home, mind you, but we knew it was important for him and for others so persisted and he was quite happy to wear one out yesterday as well.

Shame others can’t take a leaf out of his book.

@CoronaIsShit not everyone is able to.

Live in korea. In normal pre Covid life people would wear masks here on and off all year for a variety of reasons: individual cold symptoms, bad air quality days, not wanting to breathe in other people’s germs on the subway... Not EVERYONE all the time, but a very common sight.

Since Covid, basically everyone wears one outdoors and definitely indoors in shops etc. can be removed in cafes and hairdressers but the staff all wear them.

There aren’t exemptions but because it is so culturally normal and encouraged to wear a mask, if you saw someone not wearing one you probably wouldn’t care too much because it wouldn’t feel unfair or even that worrying, as everyone else is masked up. And THAT is the difference.

Surprisingly my ASD teenage DS who also has a learning disability (and was on the 3 month shielding list) wore a mask in the hairdressers last week absolutely fine. He had a meltdown about wearing one to get used to it before at home, mind you, but we knew it was important for him and for others so persisted and he was quite happy to wear one out yesterday as well. Shame others can’t take a leaf out of his book

My autistic son had to wear a mask for a hospital appointment which caused him to become severely distressed, attempted to run away from me, was hurting himself, retching, and ended up underneath a table in paediatrics inarticulately shrieking while myself and the nurses tried to coax him out.

My other autistic son wears a mask no problem and isn't the least bit bothered by it.

Every disabled person is an individual, just because one can doesn't mean all can.

Shove every last leaf of your book up your arse.

Not everyone with ASD will feel the same way about mask wearing!!! Just like not everyone with ASD hates loud noises/scratchy labels/flashy lights/or whatever, or has a jumping-up-and-down stim.... individuals tend to be different from each other!

I agree that people should give mask-wearing a shot before deciding they can’t manage. But just because one asthmatic is unaffected doesn’t mean none are, just coz one person with ASD can cope with a mask it doesn’t mean all can.

For the majority clamouring for masks, it isn't about fear - it's about power, intimidation, spite and bullying.

Please do share how you know what the majority are thinking? Have you done a survey or have some statistics you can show? For your information, loads of other countries have put mandatory masks in place, UK is one of the last. And it's not because people want to be bullies, try looking at the science.

Every disabled person is an individual, just because one can doesn't mean all can

I wish people would understand this. Disability isn't one size fits all.

When the mass hysteria first kicked off - 'non-essential shopping, exercising more than once a day, etc - I made allowances on the basis that people were over-reacting due to fear, for either themselves or family members. There may still be a tiny minority that that applies to. For the majority clamouring for masks, it isn't about fear - it's about power, intimidation, spite and bullying.

Don't be ridiculous. The majority of those who want masks to be worn just want to get on with their lives in a way that doesn't increase deaths and cause the economy to tank even further. Masks may not solve the whole problem but at least they help.