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.

@PurpleDaisies

However individual shops should be free to mandate whether they allow non mask wearers to enter or not.

Surely people who cannot wear masks because of a valid exemption because of a disability would have grounds for a case against the shops for discrimination?

Yep, I'd say they would.

I can see this becoming the new "my neighbour has broken lockdown, shall I report them?"

So we've had:

1. would you not be more distressed potentially passing on the virus
2. stay home if you can't wear one
3. shops could stop you going in

It's laughable really.

I fully understand your predicament but if you are so unfit to medically benefit from wearing a face mask have you instead tried a face shield?

It may come as a big learning curve and shock to Brits but many overseas nations have been wearing face coverings (I am not referring to some females in traditional Muslim dominated counties) for even before this current ongoing deadly and invisible but high contagious pandemic. As far as I am aware I do not know of any major anti mask avoidance worldwide for medical or other reasons.

You may appreciate that you are possibly in the very small supposed to stay at home shielded away from potential Covid risk category? Pragmatically would it be possible for masked family, friends and neighbours to assist with daily/weekly necessities so that you can shield at home and stay safer?

And finally do note that PPE face coverings are best in combination with all other practicable Covid risk mitigation steps. It's a bit like trying to ask cyclists to not only wear a safety helmet but possibly stop at red traffic lights etc. You will not necessarily have a fatal accident without doing this but like a mask with regular hands scrubbing and physical distance from public tends to be helpful.

Good luck and try either a face shield or wait until there is lower R community transmission in your locality. I think there may some silly (home goal) reckless fraud regarding shop brought or online lanyards and self certified stuff as unfortunately some are not necessarily most reliable as for instance some people still hold on to disability parking freedoms even when they are fully recovered etc and game the system to the detriment of actual confirmed rightfully deserving individuals making a mockery and abuse of otherwise a kind and helpful system.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia I don’t meet the shielding criteria, as I’ve already said my asthma is usually mild when not pregnant. I am otherwise healthy. I’ve tried wearing masks, they make my symptoms worse. I generally feel fine going around without one on, most days (days I don’t I don’t go out) I have no concerns about going out without a mask, only having to wear one - based on the several times I have now tried to do so.

I fully understand your predicament but if you are so unfit to medically benefit from wearing a face mask have you instead tried a face shield?

The rest of your post totally contradicts what you say about you "fully understanding".

Not everyone who can't wear a face mask is in that position because they have breathing difficulties that make them vulnerable to COVID. Autism, PTSD and other medical conditions can all cause problems with mask-wearing.

Good luck and try either a face shield or wait until there is lower R community transmission in your locality.

This isn't helpful either. People who don't fall into any kind of shielding category are generally expected to be back at work now. Some of them will be reliant on public transport and will need to get food from shops, or medication from the chemist.

There is such a massive lack of understanding around people with hidden disabilities or trauma that means they're unable to wear a mask and sadly it no longer shocks me to read things like this. The reason you don't hear of the problem in other countries is because those people are just resigned to staying in their homes 24/7 instead.

@laudete

The sunflower lanyard is for hidden disabilities ie conditions you cannot see. Although, it's true that most people I know (including us) seem to use them for ASD/ADHD. I reckon most people understand what an inhaler looks like and that it's to do with breathing. If you decide to try wearing a face mask, I manage to breathe wearing one and I too have allergy-induced asthma. (Hayfever season sucks!) If you can't wear a mask, I guess you'll have to trust that the people around you will sufficiently socially-distance themselves. Don't hesitate to move away if they get too close; it's not impolite - it's just reasonable caution for everyone's safety. x

I’ve tried multiple times, I’ve had to wear them for hospital appointments and I’ve felt unwell all day after wearing them even for a short time. Not being able to breath normally makes me dizzy and nauseous. I’m actually more worried about being made to wear a mask than I am of covid

@ BuffaloCauliflower

For your own safety and peace of mind as if you inadvertently catch this, it will cause you potential further vulnerabilities. You may instead have to stay safer out of potential harm unfortunately. Really sorry to hear about your medical issue. I understand the elderly who naturally may have a number of medical issues are still requested to self isolate for a bit longer for their own safety.

I have already seen many shops that have signs outside, along with security people dispensing alcohol hand sanitiser and controlling in shop visitor numbers, staying “no entry without face covering, no exceptions.”

I would love anyone who has a reason not to wear a mask to have a way of showing it. I saw a couple on a bus today, both perfectly healthy looking and youngish,not wearing a mask. It seems ridiculous to have either people like yourself who can legitimately not wear face covering worrying about it whilst others who should've wearing one just ignore the rule. Would a simple cotton scarf pulled up over your nose and mouth be comfortable for you?

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

@ BuffaloCauliflower

For your own safety and peace of mind as if you inadvertently catch this, it will cause you potential further vulnerabilities. You may instead have to stay safer out of potential harm unfortunately. Really sorry to hear about your medical issue. I understand the elderly who naturally may have a number of medical issues are still requested to self isolate for a bit longer for their own safety.

I have already seen many shops that have signs outside, along with security people dispensing alcohol hand sanitiser and controlling in shop visitor numbers, staying “no entry without face covering, no exceptions.”

I refuse to be a prisoner of fear in my home. It’s not necessary, especially for an otherwise healthy person in my thirties. Even as an asthmatic and pregnant the risk is low if I catch it. What is not low is the likelihood of my symptoms getting worse wearing a mask, I know because I’ve done it. I’m certain most people would rather stand near me without a mask in a shop, than wearing a mask and coughing constantly and repeatedly touching and moving my mask as a result.

I have already seen many shops that have signs outside, along with security people dispensing alcohol hand sanitiser and controlling in shop visitor numbers, staying “no entry without face covering, no exceptions.”

A lot of shops will find themselves on the end of a disability discrimination lawsuit if they carry on like that, then. You can't ban customers from your shop on the basis that they have a disability.

@Jayfee unfortunately not, anything where I’m breathing through something else or have anything restricting my face seems to be a problem. I also deal with anxiety so not sure if that plays into it, I know objectively my oxygen levels are not restricted but the way in which I breathe does seem to be.

@vanillandhoney

I have already seen many shops that have signs outside, along with security people dispensing alcohol hand sanitiser and controlling in shop visitor numbers, staying “no entry without face covering, no exceptions.”

A lot of shops will find themselves on the end of a disability discrimination lawsuit if they carry on like that, then. You can't ban customers from your shop on the basis that they have a disability.

Yep - that’s exactly it. I don’t know if I’d have the energy to fight though

@ vanillandhoney

Ok I get it as points taken but my care and concern was from a lay person perspective as I am not expert in all these invisible medical illness and disabilities. I am thankful for your insight on this. So perhaps the answer may be to request some sort of new government policy or rule changes to permit this minority of specific medical cases to allow you to best cope in the current circumstances. The UK government has so far seemingly made it up as you go along so perhaps you need to get some sort of medical workaround to prevent pubic like me from innocently not understanding your predicament as you would expect someone facing this scenario. Good luck and stay safe especially as you are possibly more medically vulnerable.

I have already seen many shops that have signs outside, along with security people dispensing alcohol hand sanitiser and controlling in shop visitor numbers, staying “no entry without face covering, no exceptions.”

In the UK? They are going to be in the cart if they try that one and somebody takes them to task.

If I get refused, I could be bloody minded enough to take them on, I'd be reasonable in my expected compensation.

I saw a couple on a bus today, both perfectly healthy looking and youngish,not wearing a mask

You have absolutely no idea what medical conditions someone has. I am healthy looking and youngish too.

Many people with asthma can wear masks, it’s not a blanket exemption. For those that can’t though others need to except that and not make people feel uncomfortable.

There does need to be a way to distinguish between the selfish and the people medically unable to.
Maybe the doctors give a lanyard.
Then employ security to enforce it.

It may come as a big learning curve and shock to Brits but many overseas nations have been wearing face coverings (I am not referring to some females in traditional Muslim dominated counties) for even before this current ongoing deadly and invisible but high contagious pandemic. As far as I am aware I do not know of any major anti mask avoidance worldwide for medical or other reasons

Absolutely no ‘learning curve’ or shock to me at all, I know full well that other people wear face coverings in other countries.
Doesn’t change the fact that if I put something over my nose and mouth, whatever it is, I have a panic attack. I’d rather not have that reaction, it would make life much easier for me. So your sanctimonious ‘learning curve’ bullshit isn’t really needed, thanks.

*I saw a couple on a bus today, both perfectly healthy looking and youngish,not wearing a mask.

You have absolutely no idea what medical conditions someone has. I am healthy looking and youngish too.*

This ^^ This is the whole issue with invisible illnesses, people look well on the outside!

15:01PhilCornwall1 how would you take them to task exactly? My family member owns a business that is open to the public and they have decided masks must be worn on their premises without exception. If people refuse to wear a mask they won't be served. Customers have kicked off and been so rude but they're just turned away.

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

@ vanillandhoney

Ok I get it as points taken but my care and concern was from a lay person perspective as I am not expert in all these invisible medical illness and disabilities. I am thankful for your insight on this. So perhaps the answer may be to request some sort of new government policy or rule changes to permit this minority of specific medical cases to allow you to best cope in the current circumstances. The UK government has so far seemingly made it up as you go along so perhaps you need to get some sort of medical workaround to prevent pubic like me from innocently not understanding your predicament as you would expect someone facing this scenario. Good luck and stay safe especially as you are possibly more medically vulnerable.

The government have already said people are exempt if they have certain conditions - including asthma, COPD, autism, anxiety and PTSD, amongst others. The government aren't the problem here (for once!).

The problem is people assuming that anyone who isn't wearing a mask is a piss-taking, selfish git who doesn't care about anyone except themselves. Shop policies excluding those people only further shows the huge lack of understanding around disability, autism etc. in this country.

I've read posts telling me to get over my autism. To suck it up wear a mask anyway (even though it would make me sick to do so), to just stay indoors (are they going to pay my mortgage and bills?). Posts that tell me I'm selfish, disgusting and more.

People shouldn't have to give proof of their disabilities to random people in the street. What should happen, is that people should assume people who aren't wearing a mask have a valid reason for that. But sadly we're a long, long way off that ever being the case.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

15:01PhilCornwall1 how would you take them to task exactly? My family member owns a business that is open to the public and they have decided masks must be worn on their premises without exception. If people refuse to wear a mask they won't be served. Customers have kicked off and been so rude but they're just turned away.

Your family member needs to stop being discriminatory against people with asthma, COPD, autism and other illnesses and disabilities, then. Disgusting.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

15:01PhilCornwall1 how would you take them to task exactly? My family member owns a business that is open to the public and they have decided masks must be worn on their premises without exception. If people refuse to wear a mask they won't be served. Customers have kicked off and been so rude but they're just turned away.

That’s fine, but it’s disability discrimination so there’s a chance someone will take them to court. As long as they’re aware of that risk and it’s one they’re willing to take.

My daughter is a doctor with asthma. She wears masks.

I think it was Dr Hilary this morning that said wearing a mask doesn't affect asthma sufferers.

What an awful and insensitive thing to say.
Um...how is it insensitive? It's literally the reason for wearing them. To protect others. I would find it distressing to know I had passed on something if I could have avoided it. Others don't feel that way and they can make peace with that. Fine. We're all different.