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.

www.standard.co.uk/news/health/face-masks-ruling-must-start-now-ministers-told-a4497641.html

Shoppers should be wearing face masks and coverings NOW, ministers are told

Please explain Helena?

@titsmcgee they're not suitable for everyone, and in some cases are worse than masks/scarves.

@PhilCornwall1

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8519177/Police-hand-spot-fines-not-wearing-face-covering-shops-July-24.html

The law will require people to wear simple cloth face coverings, rather than the medical grade masks used by front-line NHS workers. Only young children or those with certain disabilities will be exempt from the new regulations.

Ken Marsh, Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Shopkeepers need to step up to the plate and take some responsibility.

'They can quite easily put signs up on their doors 'No mask on, no entry, this is private property

'That's the first point we need to get across because this cannot all be laid on the shoulders of the police yet again.

'The second point is it will be nigh-on impossible for enforcement because you won't have a police officer on every shop door because there isn't enough of us.

As a reminder, those working in these shops are exempt as well and not all those jobs are performed behind screens.
They will continue as they have many without masks as they stack the shelves etc. Security guards can also get rid of their visor.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told BBC Breakfast the new mandatory rule for face coverings in shops does not apply to retail staff.

No mask on, no entry, this is private property

I wasn't alive in the 50/60's. but this still sent a shiver down my spine. That is shocking.

Plus makes a mockery of store workers are not required to wear a mask or face covering, just like your restaurant staff.

I'm sure you and unfortunately many others will get away with not wearing the face covering and not protecting others. I feel bad for the clinically high risk people

@PhilCornwall1 has an incredibly painful condition. How DARE you dismiss someones pain like that

How often are people going into shops that being asked for a letter from a GP or to show a card would be a big issue? It's a minor inconvenience whether it's wearing a mask if you're able or showing an exemption card if you're not.

@HeIenaDove

I'm sure you and unfortunately many others will get away with not wearing the face covering and not protecting others. I feel bad for the clinically high risk people

@PhilCornwall1 has an incredibly painful condition. How DARE you dismiss someones pain like that

It was a lovely comment wasn't it?

But it doesn't surprise me after reading some of the comments on here.

If that poster spent a week with TN, they may reconsider posting that comment.

Thank you for your comment though.

Those living in the Far East wearing masks in 45 degrees

I take it you mean with no air conditioning in buildings,

I agree. I think a lot of people on here have got it in their heads that the minute they step out of their house without a face covering that they will be hounded with abuse. I highly doubt that will happen and I've certainly not seen or heard of it in my area

What area is that then.

Did you not see the article about the young woman with fibromyalgia and a blue badge and how she was abused and filmed in a blue badge parking space and thats WITH proof.

As I said, random people shouldn't ask. They should have proof for police, transport workers or shop workers though.

But random people do and will ask. It's been shown on this thread. People refusing to believe that certain people are exempt from mask-wearing, saying shops should ban them. I even read a thread recently where someone was going around photographing people on buses because they weren't wearing masks.

Why should people with disabilities be subject to that kind of behaviour?It's awful and it's discriminatory yet for some reason it's seen to be perfectly acceptable.

I don't see much caring or tolerance from those who can't wear one on here either. The problem is people will abuse the exemption excuse and not wear one just because they don't fancy it. So yes, we need some formal way of showing to make such the cheeky fuckers who take the piss aren't able to

The people explaining to you on here ARE the ones who cant wear one. The abuser is you with your gaslighting.

What area is that then.

Why would I give you the town I live in? I'm not outting myself to strangers on the Internet and one example isn't proof that it's constantly happening.

How DARE you not care about the health and safety of others?

@HeIenaDove

I don't see much caring or tolerance from those who can't wear one on here either. The problem is people will abuse the exemption excuse and not wear one just because they don't fancy it. So yes, we need some formal way of showing to make such the cheeky fuckers who take the piss aren't able to

The people explaining to you on here ARE the ones who cant wear one. The abuser is you with your gaslighting.

Hahaha I'm an abuser now? You are being so dramatic. Calm down, dear.

Did you not see the article about the young woman with fibromyalgia and a blue badge and how she was abused and filmed in a blue badge parking space and thats WITH proof.

My mum has a BB and I’ve had to defend her right to use it to randoms but I don’t think masks is comparable. For one, most people will be trying to stay away from anyone not wearing a mask.

But random people do and will ask. It's been shown on this thread.
People posting on the internet isn't synonymous with people in RL asking other people for proof.
And don't confuse what is happening on this thread. There are posters with genuine health needs who can't wear masks and there are others pushing the line that masks aren't manageable at all because there will be exemptions. That last argument doesn't stack up and you have to wonder why certain posters are pushing it contrary to all the evidence available.

Surely it’s within the interest of people who are exempted form wearing a mask for this to be regulated properly? In fact, even more of a case for doing so as you yourself are unmasked.

If you are exempted from mask wearing because of a disability then surely you want store owners to just not allow any ultra-libertarian in who just “feels like not wearing one“ because you are yourself in a more vulnerable position of catching something because you cannot wear a mask because of your disability. Wouldn’t you want it to be regulated properly for your own benefit also?

Surely the aim is to minimise the ratio of people who genuinely cannot wear the mask to people who are just taking the piss? Other customers still have a protective face barrier, you don’t so it’s in your interest surely for people who have non-genuine reasons for not wearing a mask to be as low a number as possible.

How DARE you not care about the health and safety of others?

Perhaps because a number of those 'others' have shown themselves to be utterly lacking in empathy and consideration and as a consequence, they do not deserve to be cared for and considered.

@AnneOfQueenSables

How often are people going into shops that being asked for a letter from a GP or to show a card would be a big issue? It's a minor inconvenience whether it's wearing a mask if you're able or showing an exemption card if you're not.

GPs don't provide letters and there's no card/pass that proves legal exemption. Hence the concern that those of us who can't wear a mask will have to explain ourselves to strangers.

But random people do and will ask. It's been shown on this thread. People refusing to believe that certain people are exempt from mask-wearing, saying shops should ban them. I even read a thread recently where someone was going around photographing people on buses because they weren't wearing masks.

They might do and we need a public information campaign to prevent or at least reduce this. However, it's not a good reason to not have a rule regarding masks. The needs of one group shouldn't override those of another. There needs to be a compromise.

But random people do and will ask. It's been shown on this thread

Of course they will. The self appointed Covid Police. And nobody should have to explain their reasons for not wearing a mask to a randomer on a power trip.

How DARE you not care about the health and safety of others?

And erm. what about those parents that send their children into school with just a tummy bug.
Where was societies care in general for the pupils with various illnesses?

But not it's an everyday thing it now counts? Well as long as it meets your agenda. People still want those with health issues to adapt again with some mythical ID card.

So National ID card then? Yes? No?

'They can quite easily put signs up on their doors 'No mask on, no entry, this is private property

THIS comment came from the chairman of the Met Police Federation. So tell me again how disabled people definately wont be discriminated against.

How DARE you not care about the health and safety of others?

@GreytExpectations being unable to wear a mask does not mean we don't care about the health and safety of others. It means we're unable to wear a mask.

People like you will judge us in public and believe it's just a choice we're making because we're selfish. I urge you to do a bit of reading about TN and perhaps show a little empathy to those of us who suffer with it (and to others with health issues preventing us from wearing one).