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.

@BuffaloCauliflower - pregnant woman here who is struggling to breathe thanks to all the extra hormones who has mild asthma and am snotty due to this pregnancy and I have to say - I’m with you. After a Few minutes of swearing a mask I feel like I can’t breathe, it’s awful. I don’t want Covid either and scientists are still maintaining that social distancing and hand washing are much more useful in protecting against the virus AND they said a few months ago masks were pointless so I don’t understand. But I do wear a mask when I’m asked to.

I find the asthma exemption a little odd. Mainly because I have asthma and have always been advised by the asthma nurse to wear a face covering in cold weather and high allergen environments.

@JohnLewisfan

I saw a comment in twitter along the lines of...

If you find a mask intrusive, you'll really hate being on a ventilator.

I think everyone should have to wear a mask, and those with doctor-approved medical exceptions should wear a visor.

I support no mask-no entry into shops.

Yeah, that's really dumb quote that's making the rounds. If I end up on a ventilator I'll be unconscious so won't really give a shit about much. Plenty of people on this thread have commented and provided valid reasons why they can wear neither mask nor visor, but you're alright Jack....

But no, I will not understand why someone with lung issues would want to risk a virus like this one.

You really think a fabric face covering is going to make a huge difference? There’s a reason the WHO only recommends them in situations where you can’t socially distance. This is a political move by the government to try and get people going out shopping again to fix the economy.

I support no mask-no entry into shops.

Then you support disability discrimination.

that's really dumb quote that's making the rounds. If I end up on a ventilator I'll be unconscious so won't really give a shit about much

It annoys me too. I made it very clear to dh when I was very ill with covid 19 symptoms in March that at no point did I consent to ventilation and that if it came to it, I'd rather be allowed to die.

@JohnLewisfan

I saw a comment in twitter along the lines of...

If you find a mask intrusive, you'll really hate being on a ventilator.

I think everyone should have to wear a mask, and those with doctor-approved medical exceptions should wear a visor.

I support no mask-no entry into shops.

Well done for being massively discriminatory!

NOT EVERYONE CAN WEAR A VISOR. How many times does it need to be said?

@gamerchick

Not sure how I'm meant to learn how to get by on less oxygen, any tips?

But you're not getting less oxygen. Panic just makes you think you are.

Few people can just lut a mask on and not want to yank it off within a few minutes. It takes time and practice to build up tolorance slowly. Concentrating on breathing so it doesnt go fast into panic mode.

But no, I will not understand why someone with lung issues would want to risk a virus like this one. But it's your life, crack on.

@gamerchick, I don't have any panic issues around wearing a mask. I'm quite happy to wear one or have something on my face like that. I have social anxiety so perhaps I enjoy hiding behind it, who knows?

I obvs don't expect you to have taken notes on the thread but I mentioned above that in my country we have to wear masks (on public transport only) and there are no exceptions for any reason. So I did it last week when I had to travel for the first time in three or four months. I've been coughing ever since.

I have asthma that means that my peak flow is considerably lower than it should be. The mask reduces the amount of oxygen that I get and it's noticeable for me as my breathing is already less than optimal. It's got nothing to do with panic.

If you find a mask intrusive, you'll really hate being on a ventilator

I’d be sedated/unconscious. I doubt I’d give much of a shit.

OP you could wear a face shield.

@WhoWants2Know

I find the asthma exemption a little odd. Mainly because I have asthma and have always been advised by the asthma nurse to wear a face covering in cold weather and high allergen environments.

But you're only one person with asthma. And you're right - lots of people with asthma will be okay with masks, but there are also a large number that won't.

Comments like "I'm asthmatic and wear a mask just fine" or "I'm autistic and can manage" really, really don't help the situation, though I appreciate they're well-intentioned.

@gamerchick I know my actual oxygen levels aren’t reduced in a mask, but my ability to breathe in a normal way without coughing is. I’ve tried several times. I am distancing and hand washing and all the things clearly shown to work. I’m avoiding public transport and anywhere too enclosed where I can’t distance. But if I allow fear to take over that will have another set of problems for me, I’ve only coped this far by trying to have some perspective, for my own sanity.
And yes I agree with the above that the mask wearing is to give a false sense of security so people get out more. People don’t wear them correctly, they touch their face and get closer to others. I feel much safer keeping some physical distance than having someone in a mask right up close.

...and countries like China and Japan have always worn masks...

And in China in particular, always wearing a facemask proved to be a very effecitve tool in the fight against Covid

I don't find the asthma exemption odd because I personally am ok with a mask.

As I said in my post, I find it odd because the asthma nurse, who presumably is an expert on asthma, has always advised wearing a face covering in triggering conditions, to reduce the risk of attack.

I'm sure asthma UK wouldn't be advising asthmatics that they don't need to wear a mask if doing so affects their asthma if everyone with asthma could wear a mask without issue.

Trust me, I'd really rather be able to wear one for more than 5 mins than face the anxiety of getting challenged by a member of the public, or possibly being refused to board a bus/train/the tube.

Fortunately I have been able to stay at home bar the occasional walk since 16 March and haven't needed to go to a shop etc. All I've had to do is one drive through blood test. However not everyone who can't wear a mask will be in that situation and will have to attend medical appointments in person, go shopping or go to work.

Thank fuck my boss has said I can work from home until masks aren't required on public transport anymore.

Well done for being massively discriminatory! NOT EVERYONE CAN WEAR A VISOR. How many times does it need to be said?

Not everyone can anything, though, right?

There's nothing in the world that's universally applicable, so bellowing about this particular example is a bit redundant.

OP, your original question was whether or not there should be an official way you can prove exemption – yes, there should. Sounds like a massive pain having to try and explain it without any backup.

Could you ask for a letter from your doctor, if there's no more official system?

Trust me, I'd really rather be able to wear one for more than 5 mins than face the anxiety of getting challenged by a member of the public, or possibly being refused to board a bus/train/the tube

100% this.

As I said in my post, I find it odd because the asthma nurse, who presumably is an expert on asthma, has always advised wearing a face covering in triggering conditions, to reduce the risk of attack.

Yes, but presumably she's tailoring her advice to your situation. She's speaking to you personally, not referring to asthmatics a whole.

Asthma UK don't recommend people wear masks if it causes them problems. From their website:

"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."

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

Not everyone can anything, though, right? There's nothing in the world that's universally applicable, so bellowing about this particular example is a bit redundant.

Of course it's not redundant - businesses are not allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities. That's the law. That law hasn't changed just because we're in the middle of a pandemic.

You can't ban people with asthma, COPD, PTSD, autism or any other illness or disability from your premises on the basis that they cannot wear a face covering. It's discrimination and it's illegal. I hope businesses with ridiculous signs like "no mask, no entry" get sued.

So you can go for a few drinks at the pub or out for a meal (activities that you obvioulsy can't wear a mask to do) but we potentially won't be allowed into a shop without wearing one - a shop that you will spend considerably less time in than you would when out enjoying a meal.

Madatory mask wearing given the other activities we are allowed to participate in is a ridiculous and purely political move.

Are we going to be expected to wear facemasks to work out in as well once the gyms open in a few weeks time given how heavily they are emphasising the fact that exercise means we expell more droplets and is therefore far more dangerous....

@pennylane83 yes it doesn’t seem to be very sensibly thought out does it?

No, you shouldn't have to prove it. People should just not harass others about it.

Disabled people shouldn't have to label themselves. It'll be yellow stars next.

@pennylane83

...and countries like China and Japan have always worn masks...

And in China in particular, always wearing a facemask proved to be a very effecitve tool in the fight against Covid

Well, yes it clearly has. The death rate per million in China is 3.33, compared with 674 in the UK. So about 200 times less.

I’m not a great fan of China generally, but please don’t kid yourself, they have done immeasurably better than the UK in this pandemic 🤨

Driving down the101 - a mask is a bit cheaper than a ventilator

@Macncheeseballs

Driving down the101 - a mask is a bit cheaper than a ventilator

What’s that got to do with the quote I was responding to, which is...

‘If you find a mask intrusive, you’ll really hate being on a ventilator’.