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.

Cadent

I have a disability myself so it’s one disability attacking another! Cool. I am try to save lives so report that too!

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.

This! The posters going on about how people who want masks just want to bully and control others are ridiculous, it's very obviously about health and safety which is why so many countries have them in place. They are just as bad as the Americans moaning about the loss of the "human rights"

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia I reported your post, too.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

Cadent

I have a disability myself so it’s one disability attacking another! Cool. I am try to save lives so report that too!

Yup, there is definitely a "I'm vulnerable so your vulnerability doesn't matter" attitude on here. Guess high risk people should just never leave their house so those with disabilities don't have to comply with providing evidence.

GreytExpectations

Masks may save your life it is not bullying to keep safe!

[quote Fuckinellitsme]@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia I reported your post, too.[/quote]
Here have a gold star for you good work

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

GreytExpectations

Masks may save your life it is not bullying to keep safe!

I agree with this too! People are just shouting that it's bullying so they can do whatever they want.

Fuckinellitsme

See previous reply!

I will not stop trying to save lives! All lives matter why is it so hard to understand!!!

It would have been super helpful if the trailing of the announcement actually came with the guidance - part of the reason many are worrying is because we don't know how the exemptions will work in practice.

I have a disability myself so it’s one disability attacking another! Cool. I am try to save lives so report that too!

And that emphasises the conflict here. Some disabled people are vulnerable to the virus and considering that they may die if they get it arguments that enforcing masks discriminates against disabled people seems a bit short sighted.

Yup, there is definitely a "I'm vulnerable so your vulnerability doesn't matter" attitude on here. Guess high risk people should just never leave their house so those with disabilities don't have to comply with providing evidence

It was the nasty ableism in the post that was the issue, nothing to do with vulnerabilities.

I'm high risk, too. But I'm still able to recognise that lots of people are unable to wear masks.

No one here has advocated not wearing masks. What is being said is that people who are exempt should not have to justify that exemption when going out and that is discriminatory to expect them to do so. Everyone who is able to should wear a mask and those who cannot should not be questioned, judged, or abused for it.

There have been abhorrent, ableist comments made on this thread that show what is thought of disabled people.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia it's not hard to understand. I agree with mask wearing for those who are able. I also understand that not everyone can (myself included). I think you need to show some understanding of those who are unable to.

Guess high risk people should just never leave their house so those with disabilities don't have to comply with providing evidence

I haven't seen a single exempt person saying they will refuse to 'comply with providing evidence'. What they are not prepared to do is subject themselves to an inquisition by the self-appointed Corona Stasi, wear a badge or become prisoners in their own homes.

It was the nasty ableism in the post that was the issue, nothing to do with vulnerabilities.

Exactly this. In one post the PP managed to imply certain disabilitie are made up, imply disabled people are lazy, make judgemental remarks about those on benefits, and imply that one class of disabled people is higher than another. I can only conclude the PP is being deliberately goady and also reported their post.

I understand that therapy/counselling is a long term thing, and people may not be ready to wear face masks in 10 days. But what if masks are required to be worn long term? I don’t think this is a far fetched scenario - I think it is quite possible that the mandates will stay in place for months or even years.

I've had 2 years therapy for trauma related issues on the NHS already. As far as I'm aware I'm very lucky in getting that much. It helped with various elements but but breathing into something and Adam's apples, no joy whatsoever. I have tried to desensitise myself and have the scars to prove it. All I'd say is that attempting by yourself is not a good idea.

Psychiatrist wants me to have more therapy due to the breakdown I had during lockdown, the fear of masks becoming mandatory was a factor as was attempting to desensitise myself without support. Very nearly ended up being sectioned and was strongly advised to voluntarily take an inpatient bed. Apparently it will be at least a year to wait on the NHS. I am covered by dh's work policy for six sessions and we could afford to pay for more but I'd need to have childcare which I can't currently get.

Short term I'll avoid anywhere masks are mandatory. Haven't been in a shop since mid march. Won't be going to the doctor's etc. Am secretly grateful that the hospital have just discharged ds without having seen him since August. If they become long term/permanent, I imagine I'll have a hopefully better attempt at what led me to be almost sectioned earlier this year.

I haven't seen a single exempt person saying they will refuse to 'comply with providing evidence'.

Plenty of posters on here have said they do not want to have to advertise they have a disability or explain themselves to anyone. To me that is not complying.

My “shock” hard hitting rant was a touch insensitive and not fully MumsNet judgemental approved BUT it was designed to wake people up to SAVE LIVES. Call it a nasty reserve psychology shock treatment!

I have good heart I want you to live and I want us to all get back on our feet and the economy back to some sort of new normal so I can contribute and help my little bit in paying for those less able to do so!

I mean you no harm I want you to understand that you need to be as protected and use all common sense means to stay safe! Yes if you cannot physically or psychologically cover your mouth and nose then you need to stay safe and perhaps wait until it is safer to be out and about as you may inadvertently catch this disease and that is not good for you nor anyone else! There is a global pandemic 50k already dead and no medical cure so what can we all do? We can’t stay at home as otherwise England will be even more economically devastated!

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

No, it's about people not being selfish. Of course for those who can't that doesnt apply, but it's the many who proclaim that they just don't want to therefore they aren't. I'm not sure what about being a responsible member of society equates to power, what a sad outlook you have.

Also some us believe in science, crazy I know.

In one post the PP managed to imply certain disabilitie are made up, imply disabled people are lazy, make judgemental remarks about those on benefits, and imply that one class of disabled people is higher than another. I can only conclude the PP is being deliberately goady and also reported their post

I wondered why benefits claimants were in for a dig, too. Care to explain, @ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia?

@mrpumblechook

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.

It doesn't matter. Those Acts are protected, just in the same as your sex, religion and other things are protected.

Rather than just do away with some rights, a separate Corona Act has been created. There are a few amendments in there but nothing that really intervenes the act too much. Although of course not fool proof.

At the moment the mask stuff isn't in the Act. (I don't think so anyway) hence it's guidance. However, even if it's in the Act, exemptions have to be made because of those protected rights.

It's far more complex than wanting basic rights, these aren't as much as what people really think. It's all these Acts that gives people rights, these have been fought for and still the fight continues this day.

Imagine if tomorrow women were told they could no longer vote. There. would be anarchy.

So why do others want to freely erode the rights of others by wanting to resort to one rule for all?

How it will be handled legally will be down to the Police officers attending who will make the initial call. THey can hand out a fine if they have reason to suspect they should wear one. If they should they will either pay or not, if they shouldn't then the person will send off supporting evidence and no fine paid.

No one here has advocated not wearing masks. What is being said is that people who are exempt should not have to justify that exemption when going out and that is discriminatory to expect them to do so. Everyone who is able to should wear a mask and those who cannot should not be questioned, judged, or abused for it.

They may be advocating not wearing a mask but if people don't have to show evidence that they can't wear one it will amount to same thing and that could be discriminatory against disabled people who are vulnerable to virus such as those who take immunosuppressants disabling autoimmune conditions. Obviously they shouldn't have to justify not wearing one to any random who asks but they should have to show exemption to the police, transport staff etc.

Look people I get it and to all those that can’t wear some sort of face protection I am truly sorry for you not able to do so and fully respect this. But do you understand that the general public may not take this on board and hence some shop signs displaying Covid policies etc.

No disrespect to the genuine unable to wear masks people but please understand that some who died from Covid are excess deaths and only if they wore a simple mask may they still be here today (possibly). Everyone’s safety matters! Covid only discriminate against those who take higher risks.

At the moment the mask stuff isn't in the Act. (I don't think so anyway) hence it's guidance. However, even if it's in the Act, exemptions have to be made because of those protected rights

The rights of one protected group don't override those of another though. For example you can't discriminate against someone who is gay on the basis of your religion . Anyway, I'm not suggesting that there shouldn't be exemptions. I'm suggesting that people should carry proof that they are exempt in order to stop piss takers not wearing masks just because they don't feel like it.