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.

If you can't cope with being around someone who is not wearing a face covering, and who hasn't explained themself to your satisfaction, then perhaps it would be better for you to stay at home for the time being. You can ask your neighbours to get your shopping for you. Also there are lots more supermarket slots available now

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

So if we met in the supermarket you'd want all the details of how my rapist suffocated and choked me into submission? To see my scars, both from then and those I've recently given myself attempting to force my brain into coping with a mask. What if my kids are with me? What if yours are?

Because I'll tell you this now, if anyone puts me in that position they aren't getting the sanitised pg version.

@Drivingdownthe101

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

Of course not. Using a disabled toilet doesn't put other people at risk.

I stand by my point that because not wearing a mask puts others health at risk, they should at least explain they have a medical condition. Clearly my point has been proven by the responses I've got.

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

Fucking stupid inane comment And the people saying it and sharing it are showing how thick they are.

People are put into an induced coma before being put on a ventilator.

Do YOU remember what was going on around you when you were asleep last night?

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

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

So if we met in the supermarket you'd want all the details of how my rapist suffocated and choked me into submission? To see my scars, both from then and those I've recently given myself attempting to force my brain into coping with a mask. What if my kids are with me? What if yours are?

Because I'll tell you this now, if anyone puts me in that position they aren't getting the sanitised pg version.

Nope. That's just you twisting my words. I and nobody else should need details. I'm sure you could either print that sign that was mentioned earlier or just sya "I've got a medical condition" and nothing more. Why should I have my health put at risk with no explanation?

@RETIREDandHAPPY

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

At last! I was wondering when this would come up. There are quite a few asthmatic surgeons , nurses , GPs, paramedics and so forth. Not to mention fire fighters and other rescue service folk who have to mandatorily wear a mask. I’m pretty sure that a fair number of these professionals might well be autistic too and some , due to the nature of their professions , might have needed counselling due to PTSD.

Should they be exempt from using a mask?

I stand by my point that because not wearing a mask puts others health at risk, they should at least explain they have a medical condition. Clearly my point has been proven by the responses I've got

Do they have to explain what that condition is? If so, would you be happy to hear responses like ‘my ex boyfriend once gagged and raped me and now I can’t have things over my nose and mouth’? Or do they just have to say ‘I have a medical condition’? Would that satisfy your curiously sufficiently for them to go about their day?

Should they be exempt from using a mask?

I would assume that they chose their profession knowing that makes were a requirement, and that they were able to wear one.

@1Morewineplease

That point has already been addressed.

I stand by my point that because not wearing a mask puts others health at risk, they should at least explain they have a medical condition. Clearly my point has been proven by the responses I've got

Why should someone have to explain any part of their medical history to you? It's none of your damn business.

"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"

Not shoving older patients into care homes without testing might have had something to do with it.

just sya "I've got a medical condition" and nothing more. Why should I have my health put at risk with no explanation?

Because that is no explanation surely? Anyone could say they have a medical condition or print something from the internet so you're no further forward. How would "I've got a medical condition" with no proof make you feel safe? I genuinely don't get it?

I do have a letter from my consultant psychiatrist explaining why but I feel that should I be out and about (unlikely, haven't been shopping since mid march) and someone asks, I get to choose the answer I give.

@Mrsfrumble

I support no mask-no entry into shops.

Then you support disability discrimination.

I have a legal background and I think (but could be wrong) that this is very unlikely to fall under the disability discrimination act. I think people are forgetting that wearing a mask is not solely for the wearers benefit but for the collective benefit of society during a pandemic. The mask isn’t just to protect you from getting Covid but to protect other people if it is indeed the case that you yourself have it.

The absence of a mask by a customer entering a shop increases the transmission danger for other customers in the shop. A person in a wheelchair or a person with a guide dog entering a shop has no adverse impact on the health of the other customers in the shop. The concession of these disabilities is has no impact on contagiousness. A customer not wearing a mask does increase transmission to other customers in the store (in other words, allowing an unmasked person in a store increases the likelihood of other customers being negatively impacted). They are breathing over/expelling airborne droplets from their nose/mouth onto other people/shop stock etc.

The wearing of a face mask is not just about transmission of the virus to you but also about transmission of anything you may have to other people A shop is more likely to lose business from people not wanting to patron somewhere were masks are exempted than losing custom from a small minority of people who can’t wear them.

You’ll be no safer by me not wearing a mask if I tell you my reasons than if I don’t. In fact you’ll be less safe if I tell you my reasons, surely, as we’ll be in close contact while I talk to you rather than us just walking past each other for mere seconds.

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

So you support something like a yellow star then. I was going to say you are in the wrong decade but hell you are in the wrong century. You are out by about 85 years.

You are vile!!

[quote EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire]@1Morewineplease

That point has already been addressed.[/quote]
Apologies... i thought that I was near the end of the thread.

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

No one owes anyone access to their private medical information in exchange for the right to not to be judged or verbally abused. Maybe people should just, y'know, not judge or verbally abuse others.

There are quite a few asthmatic surgeons , nurses , GPs, paramedics and so forth. Not to mention fire fighters and other rescue service folk who have to mandatorily wear a mask. I’m pretty sure that a fair number of these professionals might well be autistic too and some , due to the nature of their professions , might have needed counselling due to PTSD. Should they be exempt from using a mask?

What you're seeing are the professionals who can wear a mask. Those who cannot wear it either aren't working in those professions or are working in non-frontline roles with other safety protocols in place instead (e.g., WFH).

This debate is getting a touch heated. How about we the statistically majority 99% (or whatever percentage) of the British population who don’t have these invisible illnesses/disabilities that prevent from being masked face the small possibility of not being protected from other unmasked but unknowingly asymptomatic super spreaders. That is the worst case scenario as unlike you with legitimate medical illnesses diagnosed with exempt unasked reasons - some Covidiots will make a mockery by jumping on to this bandwagon and fraudulently claim to be medically exempt because they simply could not be bothered to cover their mouth and nose. Any one recall Covidiots breaking lockdown rules or wearing fake NHS IDs to jump supermarket queues and claim extra discounts/freebies etc! There are known cases of fraudulent minded people to play the medical card such as continued disability parking when disability is rectified. This has happened and that is a potential issue here. Reasonable rule following people will do the common sense and right thing but there are those who as you have seen recklessly and selfishly rushed to crowded beaches, protests, riots etc etc and don’t give a crap about public decency or community cohesion let alone the very small number that can’t wear a mask. Sadly if you did catch this deadly disease and do require emergency life saving ventilation you may then have to make a life or possibly death choice about using a mask to receive treatment. Wishing you safe and yes not sure about suing the shops with mask only signs as on the flip side what about the shop workers who died because of contracting Covid from unmasked shoppers - who are they doing to sue? The shop keeper? Or the unmasked super spreader with no visible Covid symptoms? Shops that insist on masks should ideally make specific arrangements for legitimately unmasked patrons and yes you may have to explain but it is not meant as an undignified assault but merely following guidelines if masks are mandatory. You should perhaps feel somewhat relieved that people can’t see your disability (and that is meant respectfully in good innocent faith as someone with no experience in this!).

Good luck unmasked invisible illness people. I only wish people will not mistakenly misjudge you on face value given these ongoing surreal anxious pandemic times!

The whole face mask issue has shown me that the hard left are just as dangerous to disabled people as the hard right!!

You should perhaps feel somewhat relieved that people can’t see your disability (and that is meant respectfully in good innocent faith as someone with no experience in this!)

Respectfully and in good innocent faith, I really think you should shut up now. A disability is a disability whether someone can see it or not.

I didnt see reams and reams of threads admonishing people for going on ski trips/cruises/Cheltenham after the virus was already well known about.

THEN the concern wasnt for others. The concern THEN was "i will lose money/my deposit if i dont go"

*pretty sure that a fair number of these professionals might well be autistic too and some , due to the nature of their professions , might have needed counselling due to PTSD.

Should they be exempt from using a mask?*

If I still worked in my old field, I'd have been expected to wear one. I imagine my choices would have been refusing to see clients in person, we did have rooms in the office with screens, sick leave or quitting.

unlike you with legitimate medical illnesses diagnosed with exempt unasked reasons - some Covidiots will make a mockery by jumping on to this bandwagon and fraudulently claim to be medically exempt because they simply could not be bothered to cover their mouth and nose

This was pretty much the only bit of your stream of consciousness post I could understand, but yes, I believe it's the reason why masks are compulsory on public transport where I am. Which is also why I dutifully wore one.

Must admit I was seriously fucked off when panting my way down the platform past a few smokers who were able to take their masks off to have a fag, but that's life I suppose.

I’ve been advised not to wear a mask due to a medical condition (not a disability).

I understand though that there’s a clash of rights here: my right to go out without a mask as a minor adjustment (legally a “reasonable adjustment” in the case of eg autism), and the rights of others (eg shop workers) to be as safe as possible at work.

There is no good answer.

You should perhaps feel somewhat relieved that people can’t see your disability (and that is meant respectfully in good innocent faith as someone with no experience in this!)

Oh my God. This comment is absolutely vile.