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.

Masks protect others, rather than you.
“Others” being people who are elderly, immunosuppressed or otherwise at increased risk.
I have no patience with the many on this thread who think their claustrophobia or mental health issues entitle them to put other people at risk.
Wear a mask in a crowded environment, if the people who have to work there have asked you to do so. Or don’t go there at all.

They chose to do the job. They weren't compelled to do it by law. (Unless the NHS has adopted a new recruitment process that I'm not aware of hmm)

What a ridiculous comment. I don't think many joined thinking they would be doing 12 hour shifts in full PPE during a pandemic. Not sure when you last visited a medical setting, but only in very limited circumstances do they wear face coverings. Surgery is the only one routinely which springs to mind, but that's not full PPE as is being worn now for hours on end.

I'm not sure of the point of your post. Are you trying to say that one in six people will be exempt from wearing a mask? I doubt it.I also doubt that a store will be acting illegally if the do let you from enter if you don't show evidence.

The point was that over 13 Million in the UK are exempt because of disability.
1 in 6 are exempt because of MH

For a place to ask for evidence they have to do for all their customers. Attractions sites etc have a blanket policy in terms of their entry policy.

With the age analogy - everyone can walk into the business regardless of their age or well anything. Requiring proof of age only comes if the person thinks they are too old/young. Same with selling tobacco etc. They are required to do this because they get whacked with massive fines.

Because of the exemptions anyone in the store, including their own staff should be free to go about their business.

The government are looking at exemptions, it will not be all disabled people, just those who can't wear a mask. There's ads currently for masks ok with asthma

[quote Yellownotblue]@canigooutyet

In the UK over 13 million people have a disability.
Mental health before covid 1 in 6 people experience MH.

Total population of the UK circa 66 million. That's a lot of 1 in 6. I'm sure someone will come and do the math!! All these people are automatically exempt.

So you’re saying anyone suffering from depression, addiction of any kind, such as gambling or sex addiction, ADHD, anorexia, schizophrenia, and any other MH condition is exempt?

I call bullshit.[/quote]
Call bullshit all you want. Before that however read the exemptions

not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

No mention of unless you have gambling or sex addiction, ADHD, anorexia, schizophrenia, and any other MH condition.

The point was that over 13 Million in the UK are exempt because of disability.

Why do you think everyone who is registered disabled will have an issue with mask wearing? How ignorant.

@Coronawireless

Masks protect others, rather than you. “Others” being people who are elderly, immunosuppressed or otherwise at increased risk. I have no patience with the many on this thread who think their claustrophobia or mental health issues entitle them to put other people at risk. Wear a mask in a crowded environment, if the people who have to work there have asked you to do so. Or don’t go there at all.

not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

That is a part of the exempted group.
You might want to take up your issues with patience with the government, not those who are following the guidelines to meet their own health needs.

@Standardy

The point was that over 13 Million in the UK are exempt because of disability.

Why do you think everyone who is registered disabled will have an issue with mask wearing? How ignorant.

I'm just pointing out that despite there being this idea that everyone should be wearing them, that a large proportion are automatically exempt.

If I was telling everyone regardless of their health conditions to wear one, I agree I would be ignorant. That was in reply to another poster about another post of mine.

@okiedokieme

The government are looking at exemptions, it will not be all disabled people, just those who can't wear a mask. There's ads currently for masks ok with asthma

Are they, have you got a link to this?

@canigooutyet
I'm just pointing out that despite there being this idea that everyone should be wearing them, that a large proportion are automatically exempt.
That’s incorrect , I am disabled and can wear a mask, my dc with autism can wear a mask, my shielding mum with copd can wear a mask. It’s don’t dependent on the disability/illness at all it’s how it affects you.

*its not.

[quote AldiAisleofCrap]@canigooutyet
I'm just pointing out that despite there being this idea that everyone should be wearing them, that a large proportion are automatically exempt.
That’s incorrect , I am disabled and can wear a mask, my dc with autism can wear a mask, my shielding mum with copd can wear a mask. It’s don’t dependent on the disability/illness at all it’s how it affects you.[/quote]
The original text said All these people are automatically exempt. It is down to them if they wear one of not depending in their own circumstances.

Another posted asked me what was the point in mentioning those numbers I did and well you read the rest. I should have remembered that even though I was addressing that posters question, to mention depending on their circumstances.

@Standardy

They chose to do the job. They weren't compelled to do it by law. (Unless the NHS has adopted a new recruitment process that I'm not aware of hmm)

What a ridiculous comment. I don't think many joined thinking they would be doing 12 hour shifts in full PPE during a pandemic. Not sure when you last visited a medical setting, but only in very limited circumstances do they wear face coverings. Surgery is the only one routinely which springs to mind, but that's not full PPE as is being worn now for hours on end.

Nothing ridiculous about it. Many people have joined the armed forces not thinking they would go to war and this is is a similar situation. I'm fairly sure the majority of fire fighters who attended Grenfell never thought they'd attend anything like it. You can't really have a limit on what you should expect to go through when joining the emergency services or the forces, it's more like signing a blank cheque. Anyone who doesn't realise or accept that when they choose their career is possibly in the wrong job.

@canigooutyet, you are including ALL people with disabilities or mental health issues in your list of exempt people.

That is not what the guidelines say. You are only exempt if you are unable to wear a mask ... BECAUSE of a disability or impairment.

You might be in a wheelchair, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a mask. If you’re blind, you can still wear a mask. Ditto for the vast majority of MH issues.

Being disabled is not a free pass.

Nothing ridiculous about it. Many people have joined the armed forces not thinking they would go to war and this is is a similar situation. I'm fairly sure the majority of fire fighters who attended Grenfell never thought they'd attend anything like it. You can't really have a limit on what you should expect to go through when joining the emergency services or the forces, it's more like signing a blank cheque. Anyone who doesn't realise or accept that when they choose their career is possibly in the wrong job.

Haha are you serious. There have been several wars since the last pandemic, and the armed forces routines do several exercises a year to prepare them, even in peacetime. If you can find people who didn't think they would have to perhaps go to war, then they shouldn't have been sighted through the selection process. Firefighters weren't prepared for the death trap cladding on Grenfell, but they do prepare for high rise fires, the outcome was unforseen due to the nature of the materials. The government here has done pandemic drills, and don't nothing to prepare, but for the average nurse it's not addressed in training, and not really flouted as a possibility. I don't think many were around for the last one.

NHS training includes infection control and PPE.

Even before CV, staff who could not wear masks weren't assigned patients that required PPE.
Many hospital before this would have sections for this, others whole wards etc.

NHS aren't required to wear PPE 12 hours it depends on the ward/patient/a&e.

It's been normal throughout this to see staff walking along corridors without masks. Consultants etc only wear them when the patient is in the room.

When breaks etc are taken masks are off.

At times because of infection control it is possible to see cleaners and other auxiliary staff wear masks in addition to their usual ppe.

During home visits, prior to CV if it was deemed essential a mask is worn by community nurses, carers etc.

They are also risk assessed just like everyone in their workplace.

When I see the look at me posts on SM I think yea whatever, how about showing us the real situation. Funny didn't see you posting this a year ago when you were doing this as part of your routine job. All you are doing is to help create more confusion.

Also hope that's the work phone their using or on a break. Sure they are supposed to leave personal phones in lockers!! If I was a patient seeing this I would be ringing my buzzer wondering what the holdup is with my meds and show them the pic

(Although I am also wondering if they have time to stand around and pose for pictures then why are we still waiting for other departments to open) But pain makes me a grumpy bitch (that's not my exemption either)

[quote Yellownotblue]@canigooutyet, you are including ALL people with disabilities or mental health issues in your list of exempt people.

That is not what the guidelines say. You are only exempt if you are unable to wear a mask ... BECAUSE of a disability or impairment.

You might be in a wheelchair, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a mask. If you’re blind, you can still wear a mask. Ditto for the vast majority of MH issues.

Being disabled is not a free pass.[/quote]
Like I have said, please read the official government guidelines. It's not my list.

not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

The first exemption is children under 11

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions-to-wearing-a-face-covering-where-they-are-mandated

Adam Bienkov
@AdamBienkov
After Michael Gove was pictured without a face covering in a Pret A Manger, Boris Johnson’s spokesman says masks will not be required when buying takeaway food.

(Although I am also wondering if they have time to stand around and pose for pictures then why are we still waiting for other departments to open) But pain makes me a grumpy bitch (that's not my exemption either)

I wonder things like that but we mustn't criticise our NHS Angels and Heroes. There'll probably be a law to say so soon

The point was that over 13 Million in the UK are exempt because of disability.

Not correct. As others have stated only people with "certain" disabilities or medical conditions are excempt i.e. only those who have a disabilities or medical conditions that means that they can't wear a mask.

For a place to ask for evidence they have to do for all their customers. Attractions sites etc have a blanket policy in terms of their entry policy.

They can have a blanket policy that if someone is not wearing a mask they will need to provide evidence. Why would you think that is illegal?!

@HeIenaDove

Adam Bienkov *@AdamBienkov* After Michael Gove was pictured without a face covering in a Pret A Manger, Boris Johnson’s spokesman says masks will not be required when buying takeaway food.

So the virus won't attack while you're buying fish and chips but it will be waiting to pounce if you buy fish fingers in Tesco. I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry! Going to have a glass of and think about it.

@HeIenaDove

Adam Bienkov *@AdamBienkov* After Michael Gove was pictured without a face covering in a Pret A Manger, Boris Johnson’s spokesman says masks will not be required when buying takeaway food.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

So hypothetically I leave my house, just before boarding public transport I put my mask on. I arrive at my retail job, leaving personal items and mask behind.
Been a long day listening to customers through muffled masks who are as confused as fuck as me.
As I make my way home wearing a mask, I'm thinking about food.
I'm walking home another mask to clean joins the other one, and the takeaway is open. Awesome, at least I don't have to put another clean mask on.

I know some will read this as I'm just trying to look at a way of avoiding one. When in reality it's just the average persons day within the guidelines.

And no they aren't protected because the customers are wearing them. They cannot socially distance themselves from each other at all time.

Doesn't matter how much staggering you do, staff rooms aren't that big we all know this. Damn your little independent places are lucky to get anything more than the bog standard for their stuff/breaks.

yes its well known that takeaways are a lot bigger than supermarkets so social distancing is so much easier

now the pissheads wont have to worry about going to get their kebabs from the takeaway after leaving the pub or donning a mask to do it because they arent required in either.

@mrpumblechook

The point was that over 13 Million in the UK are exempt because of disability.

Not correct. As others have stated only people with "certain" disabilities or medical conditions are excempt i.e. only those who have a disabilities or medical conditions that means that they can't wear a mask.

For a place to ask for evidence they have to do for all their customers. Attractions sites etc have a blanket policy in terms of their entry policy.

They can have a blanket policy that if someone is not wearing a mask they will need to provide evidence. Why would you think that is illegal?!

Please read the official guidelines and the exemptions. There is no mention of "certain" anything. This is why I encourage people to go and read these as well as various acts rather than assumptions and hearsay.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions-to-wearing-a-face-covering-where-they-are-mandated

The guidance states "not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability" How on earth have you translated that to mean that everyone with a disability/medical condition is exempt? Clearly the exemption only applies in certain cases so if you have a disability that does not reasonably prevent you from wearing a mask you have to wear one.