To ask people to show a little more understanding to those not wearing masks

[Fuckinellitsme]

Apologies for another mask thread.

First of all, I'm not an 'anti masker', I absolutely see the need and the importance of wearing them. I'm unable to wear one myself - I have trigeminal neuralgia and when I've tried to wear one, the resulting attack has left me bedbound for days. I want to wear one, but I can't. I also have rheumatoid arthritis so I'm incredibly grateful to all the people who do wear masks, therefore protecting others and especially those in higher risk groups (though not vulnerable enough to be shielding) like me.

However. I've seen some truly awful comments on here in the last few days directed at those who don't wear masks. We should be treated like lepers if we enter a shop without one, for example, or should be banned from them outright. And we ought to stay at home if we are exempt, not use public transport or go shopping or go to work. We have 'made up' health issues and disabilities and are 'woe is me' 'snowflakes'. I've also encountered bus passengers passing comment and tutting about my lack of mask.

Those of us who can't wear a mask (and are acting within the law/guidelines, being exempt) still need to go about our business. It would be lovely if we could do so without fear of comment or judgement. I understand that there will be those who don't wear a mask because they just don't want to - however, please, if you see someone without a mask (particularly if they're wearing a sunflower/exempt lanyard) try to be understanding and give them the benefit of the doubt.

The nastiness and ableist comments on here (and elsewhere) in the past few days have been genuinely upsetting for those of us unable to wear masks. Please don't assume we're all stupid/selfish/conspiracy theorists/don't care about your health, or that it's a choice. For many, choice doesn't come into it.

A bit of empathy goes a long way, especially in these weird times.

[ravenmum]

Are people being told to wear masks when they walk, run or cycle in open spaces in the UK?

[Ponoka7]

I've read a post from someone who says they can't wear a mask and is going to get medically exempt from doing so. But she is a Nurse and wears one for work. Her situation is a holiday plane journey. To me it's really selfish. If you can't wear a mask, consider if your journey is necessary. If you can go upstairs on a bus, then do so etc etc.

If your journey is essential and you can't go upstairs, then fair enough. But then don't shut windows, dress for the weather etc.

I'm in the shielding category, I can manage a mask and I need to travel on public transport. I prop up three families via childcare and support to a disabled adult. If you do care about the NHS, the economy and other people, then think through your actions. That's all most people are saying.

[Fuckinellitsme]

@Zilla1 and @MarieIVanArkleStinks thank you

[Ponoka7]

ravenmum, no just shops and public transport. Ideally for medical appointments. It will extend so children centers etc can open again.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

Mask wearing is not compulsory in England yet. They may just not want to. And that's fine.

They are on public transport and yet many aren't doing it. We don't have police officers in every train carriage or on every bus so who is meant to make sure people are complying?

[ravenmum]

Ponoka7 Ok, sounded a bit unlikely, but you never know!

[SockYarn]

who is meant to make sure people are complying

Not the self-appointed Covid-Stasi, that's for sure. Keep your beak out.

[Fuckinellitsme]

@Cooper88 oh my gosh that's wonderful and yes, it does offer some hope. I'm so pleased your mum is so well. Thank you

[Lweji]

I've seen people wearing them just out and about and even sat in their own cars each to they're own

Don't judge those either.
I'll wear one from the supermarket to my mother's house because of all the faff and risk of taking it out and putting it back on. Sometimes, I'll take the rubbish out then head out to the local shop in one go. I'd probably look silly to you if you just saw me driving or walking outside.

[iVampire]

One person’s reasonable adjustment is my risk of death

There is no getting round that

[Meredithgrey1]

the problem with this is that I don't believe the 60% of people who were not wearing masks yesterday were all not doing so because they have hidden disabilities

If you were in England I imagine they were doing so because it's not compulsory yet. And that's an issue for the government to answer because again we seem to be behind other countries. If you're saying 40% were wearing a mask that sounds high compared to what I've seen, although I did notice an increase yesterday after the change was announced, even though it hasn't come into effect yet. I think once it actually comes in, there will be a high level of compliance with it. Hopefully that will make it easier for people like OP because there won't be loads of people claiming they can't wear one.

[Lweji]

I don’t believe a minority of disabled people not wearing masks (while taking other steps to reduce risk) are endangering you.

To be fair, it doesn't seem like it's the disabled minority who aren't wearing masks, but a significant number of people who don't want to.
(Indoors, I mean. Outside, not important)

[Lweji]

This is like vaccination. If everyone wears masks (and keeps enough distance, and hygiene practices) in public indoor spaces, then the few that are more vulnerable and the few that can't wear masks won't be at any significant risk or a risk.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

@iVampire

One person’s reasonable adjustment is my risk of death

There is no getting round that

Exactly this.

[ravenmum]

I've seen people wearing them just out and about and even sat in their own cars
On another thread, one lady was saying that she was afraid of contaminating the mask when taking it on or off. I would think some people are putting the mask on to go shopping and then not touching it until they are back.

[Jaxhog]

The problem is how do we know? If everyone else wore a mask it wouldn't be so much of a problem. But there are far too many people making feeble excuses about personal liberty or who just can't be bothered. Blame them, not the rest of us for asking.

[GiantPinesAhem]

@hearhoovesthinkzebras "Fuckinellitsme
@Hearhoovesthinkzebras* I know - which is why I would love to be able to wear a mask.
But the fact that you can't does mean that you put others at risk were you to have it.

You say that you need to attend hospital appointments, go on public transport, go to work - yes and so do I. I'm also shielding and would be extremely vulnerable were I to catch it. How are both of our needs met when they directly conflict?"

It sounds like you have the same condition as me *waves my zebra tattooed arm frantically". I have this problem normally at uni, I have a lot of allergies with my condition and one of them is a severe reaction to dogs. Half way through my course someone on it suddenly got a support dog, making me incredibly ill in lectures on a regular basis. However she is protected in her right to have the dog- I have no rights of protection for my allergies whatsoever, so just have to suffer/miss lectures- and can be sanctioned for it!

Unfortunately when there is a conflict like that as far as "rights" are concerned I'm used to losing out.

[Fuckinellitsme]

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras to be fair, you've told people like me that we should stay home indefinitely (possibly for years) and not go to work, meaning we'd have to claim benefits. Ones which don't exist, because if you leave a job voluntarily you're entitled to absolutely nothing.

[LillianBland]

OP, your condition sounds awful. I suffer from cold sores that causes horrendous trigeminal pain. My left eye feels as if I have something in it and the whole eye socket is horribly painful, then there’s the pain all the way through the side of my face, including cheek, roof of mouth, upper and lower teeth, and constant migraine type pain. It’s exhausting, when it kicks in. But I get relief between cold sore attacks and don’t have to worry about wearing a mask, between attacks, so can shop around that.

I’m considering getting one of these, if I need to go out, during an attack, as it wouldn’t be tight around the head as the usual visors. Would you be able to wear something like that? At least that way you would show that you’re trying to limit the risk to others. It’s awful that there’s nothing available, such as a pass, so you can show exemption. The only person you should have to show it to is the public transport staff.

[Fuckinellitsme]

@m0therofdragons I expect there were a sizeable minority who couldn't wear gas masks, either.

[LillianBland]

Sorry, forgot to post the photo.