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.

@mrpumblechook

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.

Yes hence there are exemptions to include those with physical and mental reason. It's just for some this isn't good enough and requires further evidence to be provided.

Somethin like a national id card.

I'm not outting myself to strangers on the Internet and one example isn't proof that it's constantly happening

Please go and start a thread titled "Tell me about all the times someone has challenged you, judged you, or excluded you due to your disability".

I can guarantee you that it will run to 1000 comments and that it will show you how rife ableist attitudes are in this country.

Fine for being drunk and disorderly...............£40
Fine for not wearing/being unable to wear a mask £100

Can TOTALLY see how this very intelligent virus chooses not to be passed between the pissheads who fight outside our Wetherspoons on a Friday night.

Offences where a penalty notice can be issued
You can get a penalty notice for certain offences.

Offence penalty notice
indecent behaviour (only for urination in the street) £40.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
drunk in a public place £40.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
disorderly behaviour £80.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace £80.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
obstructing police £80.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
criminal damage (up to a value of £200) £80.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)
theft (shoplifting up to a value of £100) £80.00 (plus a £5.00 offender levy)

Yes hence there are exemptions to include those with physical and mental reason.
It's just for some this isn't good enough and requires further evidence to be provided.

The compromise should be that that people with some physical and mental conditions won't need to wear a mask even though that could potentially increase the risk to those vulnerable to COVID. Those people should be given some sort of evidence to show police, transport staff so that the risk isn't increased even further due to the fact that some people will take the piss if they don't need to show evidence.

Giving specific mask related evidence to millions of people is a massive undertaking and it won’t happen.

So just use common sense. My elderly chronic asthmatic mum has her PIP letter and inhaler. But she has been shielding since the beginning anyway and won’t step into a shop so a bit irrelevant.

Most people have something like a letter or inhaler. The number of people with a medical condition / disability but no proof is going to be miniscule and really not worth all this navel gazing.

And yes, totally agree you should only have to show proof to the shop staff/police etc, not just any randomer. Tell randomers to fuck off.

@mrpumblechook

Yes hence there are exemptions to include those with physical and mental reason. It's just for some this isn't good enough and requires further evidence to be provided.

The compromise should be that that people with some physical and mental conditions won't need to wear a mask even though that could potentially increase the risk to those vulnerable to COVID. Those people should be given some sort of evidence to show police, transport staff so that the risk isn't increased even further due to the fact that some people will take the piss if they don't need to show evidence.

You do realise these people are also at risk of Covid hence physical health is an exemption? So how are they protecting themselves from wearing a mask they are exempt from?

Giving specific mask related evidence to millions of people is a massive undertaking and it won’t happen.

Absolutely this, there is no way the government could get this in place for the 24th or any time soon after that.

Track and Trace isn't even running properly and that's been weeks now.

Best comment on this thread. Thank you.

Most people have something like a letter or inhaler. The number of people with a medical condition / disability but no proof is going to be miniscule and really not worth all this navel gazing

I don't have a letter. I was diagnosed first by my GP and then had the diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist. This was almost two years ago - there is a possiblity I was sent a letter after my neurologist appointment but if I was, I had no reason to keep hold of it given I had no idea that a pandemic was imminent and I'd need proof I can't wear a mask. My GP isn't issuing letters to prove exemption, in line with most GPs - the NHS has enough on its plate right now without having to write millions of exemption letters.

The number isn't miniscule. There are millions of us. And even if we had this fabled proof, we might not want to show a shop assistant for example a letter with potentially very personal information.

Ha! I meant LangClegsInSpace comment on risk and proportionality but I failed to specify.

Sooo as this is all about enclosed spaces i take it we will see masks being worn by Loose Women presenters in the studio

This Morning. And Celebrity Gogglebox where they are all in each others houses on each others sofas.

Royal Family.

Prompted by this thread, I looked into getting a sunflower lanyard before I went out (I've just got home). My local Sainsbury's does them so I picked one up.

I got the bus home wearing the lanyard. The driver was absolutely lovely when I pointed at it as I boarded. However a man shook his head and tutted for pretty much the whole five minutes I was on the bus and a lady said to her companion loud enough for me to hear 'I wonder what her excuse is' (and before anyone says otherwise yes, this did happen and yes, I've seen it happen to others too).

Which just goes to show, people don't recognise the lanyard or what it means, and they absolutely do judge and not silently, either.

I wonder what proof posters here would suggest I offer in this situation, or should I just either get off the bus or put up with it?

Or maybe, perhaps, people could just be a little more tolerant and understanding.

Sorry if it’s been already said, but if you can’t wear a mask should you not wear a visor?

It would at least show you’ve made an effort and would protect others a bit if you sneeze or cough.

You could probably get a visor for free or very cheap if you ask on a local Facebook group, all our local schools were making them at the start of lockdown.

@OnTheFencePaint a few people have suggested it. For some it may be a solution but for those of us with TN it's not an option due to the pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

I agree, lots of people dont know what the lanyard is. I think all people have to do is say "I am exempt" and leave it at that. One thought I've had though, if the rules have changed saying in England masks must be worn, what about kids in school?

I may have missed it but has there been a demand for children to carry their birth certificates when they are in shops? Exemption applies to children under 11 - some children look young for their age, some look older. Presumably those who favour a rigorous burden of proof being placed on those with medical exemption feel just as strongly about age exemption and would want to apply the same conditions. If not, I wonder why.

You do realise these people are also at risk of Covid hence physical health is an exemption?

They are not necessarily at particularly high risk of Covid . Many of those who are exempt from wearing a mask will not be at high risk and vice versa.
Not sure what you mean by "So how are they protecting themselves from wearing a mask they are exempt from?* The masks mainly protect people from the person wearing it rather than the other way round.

Sorry if this has already been posted but I only read the first few pages.
Euan’s Guides (a disability organisation) have produced badges for people to wear if exempt.
They have had to pause the scheme due to demand but worth checking back.
There is also a handy list with lots of the different schemes for exemption cards
www.euansguide.com/news/face-mask-exempt-badges/

• the schemes don’t prove exemption but are just designed at avoiding conflict. As shown is this thread many people with both visible and invisible disability fear being challenged in public.

Thank you @fuckinellitsme.

Seems like there should be a simple mechanical solution. What about sunglasses or a hat with some fabric loosely hanging down from them?

Or walk around with one hand holding up a piece of A4 card over face (the card could even say ‘mask-exempt’ or something).

We are all going to look a bit ridiculous and scary for a while :)

I don't have a letter. I was diagnosed first by my GP and then had the diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist. This was almost two years ago - there is a possiblity I was sent a letter after my neurologist appointment but if I was

You can generally access your letters from hospitals nowadays. I have done that to apply for a blue badge etc.

urge you to do a bit of reading about TN and perhaps show a little empathy to those of us who suffer with it

Well I don't need to look up anything because i do have empathy for those who suffer. That's not the point I'm making, I'm merely stating that every other person will claim to be "exempt" so it'd be a good idea to have some official system in place for those legitimate ones. Other countries have managed to put exemptions in place that seem to work so no reason why we can't.

if the rules have changed saying in England masks must be worn, what about kids in school?

The rules are that masks will be made mandatory in shops from 24th July. Not all indoor places

@GreytExpectations

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

You, in response to those who cannot wear masks for health reasons.

Not seeing a great deal of empathy there, it has to be said.

@Fuckinellitsme but posters on this thread have mentioned having a letter from their GP; someone else had a letter from their consultant; others are using the card that can be downloaded.

Yy there isn't a centralised scheme but let's be honest, the government has proven completely incapable of organising any competent centralised scheme for anything Covid related.

As in so much of this pandemic, individuals will have to decide for themselves - whether they are going to stay home, ask their GP or consultant for a letter, print a card from the internet, answer people who ask them why they're not wearing a mask or ignore members of the public but only answer to security guards/police.

I don't think anyone is saying this is ideal but as you can see, from the posters trying to hijack this thread with their anti-mask agenda, if there was a centralised scheme, it would be inundated with numpties who can wear masks but don't want to. An ad hoc system where people contact healthcare professionals that know them ie GP surgery or consultants may circumvent that.

Totes agree @AnneOfQueenSables

All of this prompted by the woe is me OP who has left the thread after getting her attention fix.