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.

But if it's a member of the public in the street, you don't have to explain yourself.

Come on. We've all seen how desperate people were to snitch on their neighbours and start threads about how they have "flocked" places or "flouted the rules".

I'm asthmatic too, and carry the inhalers to prove it. Masks make it very hard for me to breathe - i'm therefore exempt. But that doesn't stop people tutting or hissing at you, or challenging you. Because they are the self-appointed Covid police and them pointing out how BAD you are highlights how GOOD they are.

My issue is "just" asthma and pulling my inhaler out of my bag should be proof enough. But why should a woman who has been raped or someone with hearing issues, or in fact any type of difficulty feel that she has to disclose that to a randomer?

It's appalling.

@RETIREDandHAPPY

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

Good for her. She must have known that even with her particular severity of asthma she was able to wear a mask before deciding to become a dr, where mask wearing is required. As I can’t wear a mask, I would never choose to enter a profession in which I was required to do so.

I'm in Scotland and my consultant psychiatrist wrote me a letter (PTSD involving suffocation amongst other things), I'm just too scared to use it. Luckily dh is wfh for the foreseeable future and doing all the essential shopping. Everything else I'll probably just order online. From everything I've heard about current shopping, I doubt I'd enjoy it even if I had no issues with masks.

@RETIREDandHAPPY

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

That’s great for her.

@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.

Disability Discrimination and yes, I'd take the risk and see them in court.

missbaskin ever heard of the disability discrimination act?

Everyone knows that people are legally allowed to bring guide dogs into taxis, cafes and shops. Yet many guide dog users are unlawfully turned away by businesses.

So I fully expect people who are exempt from wearing a mask will find themselves refused access to services on some occasions.

The government has set out that some people are exempt from mask wearing. Those people should not be refused services, or expected to stay at home. We have the same rights to travel to work, to the shops and to access healthcare as everyone else.

I expect to be working from home for the next 6 months, but if my employer calls me in I will need to commute into London. I can't wear a covering for more than 5 mins. I am exempt due to asthma and a fainting issue. I cannot commute into London without catching a train, and on days when I can't walk far due to my other disabilities I will also need to catch a tube and/or bus.

For anyone reading with asthma - if you can wear a covering - great. But please don't force yourself into wearing one if you struggle and it worsens your symptoms - it could trigger a life threatening asthma attack. On average 3 people die of an asthma attack every day in the UK.

What is the evidence you can't wear a mask if your asthmatic ? I'm genuine interested as I couldn't find any ? If anyone has a link I would be interested to read.

You're not your

@countrygirl99

missbaskin ever heard of the disability discrimination act?

Exactly, more than likely covered under Access to goods, facilities and services.

Ok but you do understand the whole issue is regarding health and safety and the fact remains 50k fellow Brits have already died and so many here are somewhat concerned as they don’t want to join that growing statistic. Lots of people are actually really worried as we are now told to get back to new normal and get the economy up and running but there are still fatalities daily and no medical cure. No one wants to disrespect this situation as any of us could possibly also have these invisible healthy looking medical conditions but you do have to unfortunately consider both sides of the thinking on this from a majority who have no idea about any of this stuff. No one is being arrogant or nasty about this (apart from idiots) but try to understand from all public angles and viewpoints. The shops with the Covid signs are not intentionally wishing to discriminate as perhaps they are just scared that they may be a transmission facility and cause death. I do not think they will forcefully block you from entry if you reason and explain to them your predicament. Any reasonable person would try to allow you an exception. If I was security I would try to get you in and allow you your own space and time to purchase what you require and ask someone to assist you. I may possibly ask masked shoppers to make more room to accommodate you too etc. That is me but not all think alike.

And this is why mandatory masks would never work. You'd just have everyone printing off fake exception cards because they don't fancy wearing a mask!

There are already groups advising people to do just that sort of stuff. 'just get a sunflower lanyard and you're exempt* makes a fucking mockery out of hidden disabilities.

OP just get a visor, there are options. Nobody can tell me asthma stops wearing those.

Unfortunately some people can't tolerate those either

Because they don't have a forehead to put it around?

I get it, the masks are unpleasant. It takes me 20 minutes to stop feeling like I'm suffocating but it passes. If I couldnt get used, I'd wear a visor.

philcornwall1 I suspect her relatives may become expensively acquainted with the provisions of the act.

gamerchick never heard of PTSD?

No one wants to disrespect this situation as any of us could possibly also have these invisible healthy looking medical conditions but you do have to unfortunately consider both sides of the thinking on this from a majority who have no idea about any of this stuff

You think that a ‘majority’ of people don’t know that other people may have hidden illnesses/disabilities?

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty it's great that your families shop are trying to do their bit, if everyone was a bit more selfless we would just know people with no masks were because of health reasons as everyone else would have one on.
Another reason for those who don't, to actually wear one.

@tigger001

What is the evidence you can't wear a mask if your asthmatic ? I'm genuine interested as I couldn't find any ? If anyone has a link I would be interested to read.

My physical experience of not being able to breathe properly causing severe coughing and shortness of breath is the evidence.

For fuck sake this is exactly the issue.

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

Dr Hilary is an arse.

Some asthmatics struggle to breathe using a mask. Others don't. Some coverings like visors might be better than cloth.

But to make a blanket statement like "masks don't affect asthmatics" - if that's what he said - is just wrong.

@countrygirl99 I think they may well be.

Asthma UK advice:
www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/what-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/#Facemask

"If you’ve got asthma, you may or may not be able to wear a face mask or covering. It’s a good idea to try one out at home, or on a short walk around the block first. If it feels fine, then you can wear it, and it won’t harm you.

But if it makes it feel harder to breathe, the UK Government has advised that you don’t have to wear one. You could try a few different types to see if there is one that suits you, but if you feel breathless or suffocated while wearing a face covering, then don’t wear one.

It’s important to be aware that some people may not be able to wear a face covering"

My physical experience of not being able to breathe properly causing severe coughing and shortness of breath is the evidence.

So that's not necessarily an "asthmatic" problem, it's just a reaction you have when wearing a mask.

Dr Hilary is an arse.

You've won the internet for me today. 👍👍

What sort have you tried?

Might there be chemicals that are exacerbating things?

Why can't people understand that for some people with difficulty breathing, having to suck in air through an additional two/three layers of cloth might make things a wee bit difficult?

FFS it's not rocket science. You don't need a medical degree - it's fucking common sense.

tigger001 with attitudes like yours around no wonder people with very real issues are anxious.
I'm not, it doesn't bother me to wear one if necessary, but I'm not ignorant so I realise that other people do have actual problems.