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.

Do you think people who struggle with wearing a mask wouldn’t rather just be able to put one on and getting on with their day?
I don’t enjoy having claustrophobia, which causes panic attacks when my nose and mouth are covered.
I don’t enjoy worrying about being harassed/judged by people for not wearing one.
I won’t enjoy staying out of shops for another however long to avoid that scenario.
I’d obviously just rather be able to wear one without issues.

I would hate being on a ventilator. So I’m keeping physical distance, washing my hands, not touching my face and hoping that those who don’t have issues with mask wearing will wear them. My wish to not be on a ventilator (still very unlikely statistically even if I did catch Covid as an otherwise healthy person in their early thirties) doesn’t suddenly make wearing a mask easy or suffering free for me.

*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 🤨*

According to the figures they have given but, that aside, the flip side of the argument is that the whole of Europe weren't wearing facemasks at the time of Covid ripping through their countries either yet Covid didn't skyrocket everywhere so, do masks really make much of a difference or are there other things at play like the health predispositions different ethnicities have, diet, exercise etc etc.

My daughter is a doctor with asthma. She wears masks

I'm a doctor too. I had to change the course Of my career because my asthma was aggravated by wearing a mask.

@ pennylane 83

This is slightly off topic but still Covid related and in connection with Covid government management including all mitigation measures on relative nations pandemic performance such as lockdown proactively and timing and personal Covid mitigation measures etc:

From New Zealand to Iceland, the femocracies that aced their coronavirus response

www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/femocracies-aced-virus-response-jacinda-ardern-a4496716.html

My wish to not be on a ventilator (still very unlikely statistically even if I did catch Covid as an otherwise healthy person in their early thirties) doesn’t suddenly make wearing a mask easy or suffering free for me

Well yeah exactly. My panic attacks don’t just stop because being on a ventilator would be worse. If only.

@pennylane83, what European country has a death rate comparable to China?

None.

If you don’t trust China (and I’m not saying that you should), the death rate is 7.7 in Japan and 5.6 in South Korea. All mask wearing countries.

@Drivingdownthe101 how great would it be though?! Just visualise yourself on a ventilator and all your other issues would disappear! Would save the NHS a fortune.

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

Would you like to think about that statement for a second?

I have autism and struggle with things around my face/head.

I will just send DP to the shop.

@Pregnantandstressed24

You refuse to be a prisoner in your own home? You should wear a mask then. I’m also pregnant and have asthma and I as an adult can weigh up if it’s worth it to me to still go into shops. I can also breathe through a mask. Yes it’s harder, but I’d rather be safe. You can’t attend hospital appts without them so clearly you have been managing for those. Posters have given you ways around going into shops and you’ve made it clear you will carry on doing what you want regardless. Just be aware that people will of course be wondering why you should be allowed to carry on doing as you please whilst the rest of us wear a mask to protect you. Especially as if you get ill you will be bringing it on to an antenatal ward.

OP, I was going to vote YANBU but comments like this one make me think that even having something official to show wouldn't stop some people.

'Just be aware that people will of course be wondering why you should be allowed to park so close to the shops whilst the rest of us have to park further away.'

'Just be aware that people will of course be wondering why you should be allowed to use the disabled toilet whilst the rest of us have to queue.'

'Just be aware that people will of course be wondering why you should be allowed to take your dog in the shop while the rest of us can't.'

'You don't look disabled!'

Same old shit.

Everyone who can wear a face covering should do so where appropriate.

Everyone who cannot wear one should nevertheless be allowed to go about their daily business without challenge or abuse from nosey members of the public.

OH is epileptic so can't wear a mask or a visor. Wearing either whilst having a seizure won't end well.

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

If someone was unwell enough to be on a ventilator they would be sedated and therefore unconscious so really wouldn't give a shit about it being "intrusive". The comparison doesn't hold water.

I wear a mask indoors but DS doesn't, he is autistic and it pushes him into sensory overload.

I agree that hidden disabilities should be factored in. I also think it's selfish that those who have a disability don't think they should have to explain. I think the public, who are at risk of catching covid from those who can't wear masks, deserve to at least know that the people wearing them have a legitimate reason. As a lot of people just don't have a reason. That's my issue, this thread is very "me, me, me" well what about those you are putting at risk? Masks are designed to protect others. If you can't wear one then you should be making the effort to find alternatives or at least be willing to explain yourself.

Has anyone seen the shit in America about the masks? People are refusing to wear them "because of their freedom" not long before we are like that.

Sorry typo, meant the person not* wearing them.

@GreytExpectations

I agree that hidden disabilities should be factored in. I also think it's selfish that those who have a disability don't think they should have to explain. I think the public, who are at risk of catching covid from those who can't wear masks, deserve to at least know that the people wearing them have a legitimate reason. As a lot of people just don't have a reason. That's my issue, this thread is very "me, me, me" well what about those you are putting at risk? Masks are designed to protect others. If you can't wear one then you should be making the effort to find alternatives or at least be willing to explain yourself.

Has anyone seen the shit in America about the masks? People are refusing to wear them "because of their freedom" not long before we are like that.

What do you want me to do then, walk around with a sign on my chest explaining why I can’t wear one?

I hope businesses with ridiculous signs like "no mask, no entry" get sued.

This is already happening in the US.

www.natlawreview.com/article/no-mask-no-service-supermarket-sued-disability-discrimination-over-strict-face

My medical history is no one else’s business. Do you think people should have to explain why they use a disabled toilet?

@GreytExpectations

I agree that hidden disabilities should be factored in. I also think it's selfish that those who have a disability don't think they should have to explain. I think the public, who are at risk of catching covid from those who can't wear masks, deserve to at least know that the people wearing them have a legitimate reason. As a lot of people just don't have a reason. That's my issue, this thread is very "me, me, me" well what about those you are putting at risk? Masks are designed to protect others. If you can't wear one then you should be making the effort to find alternatives or at least be willing to explain yourself.

Has anyone seen the shit in America about the masks? People are refusing to wear them "because of their freedom" not long before we are like that.

Disabled people absolutely should not have to explain themselves to 'the public'

"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"

Im afraid the Government cant wash their hands of this completely. This "people who arent wearing a mask are taking the piss" narrative comes from the same place as "those on disability benefits are all scroungers" narrative. They both come from the same place...............that anyone who says they have a medical condition is faking it. The Gov, arent innocent here because they did their utmost to reframe the narrative about disabled people.

I also think it's selfish that those who have a disability don't think they should have to explain.

Yes because autistic people are just so good at communication.

I think the public, who are at risk of catching covid from those who can't wear masks, deserve to at least know that the people wearing them have a legitimate reason.

Who gets to judge whether the reason is legitimate?

Tbh I’m ok with having to explain myself if it means I can avoid wearing a mask and being yelled at. Arrive at shop, show person there my exemption card, carry on.

Larger issue is random people in the street who will take exception but I don’t think I can do much about that.

But I should add - that’s just me. Most people will not feel able to stand up for themselves the same

I agree that hidden disabilities should be factored in. I also think it's selfish that those who have a disability don't think they should have to explain

I imagine you'd feel very differently if you had a hidden disability that you were suddenly forced to explain to every Tom, Dick and Harry. All comments like this do is marginalise disabled people and further and push them indoors and out of sight.

Not everyone is comfortable talking about their disabilities. Why should someone with PTSD, for example, have to explain it to some random person in a shop just so they can go and buy food? It's such a shitty attitude to have.

How about able bodied people who are fortunate enough not to live their lives struggling with disabilities just suck it up and accept that some people can't wear masks. How about they have the decency to assume that those without masks have totally valid reasons for not wearing them and just move on with their lives?