A little more understanding to those not wearing masks THREAD TWO

[Fuckinellitsme]

Following on from the first thread here

Thank you to all the lovely posters who have shared their experiences on the first thread. It's been incredibly useful in understanding why some people are exempt from wearing a mask on transport, in shops and so on. Particularly in terms of learning about health conditions that aren't widely known, and also the psychological reasons for exemption. Some incredibly brave posters on that thread for whom I am full of admiration.

For those who need them exemption lanyards are available here

Sunflower lanyards can also be picked up for free at several large supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Asda.

If anyone feels they want/are able to share their reasons for exemption, please do - it may help others to understand why many people can't wear masks, and also (if the last thread is anything to go by) is useful for educating the rest of us on conditions we're not familiar with.

Stay safe all 💐

She's deleted it now

The legislation has been published today - the day before the rules come in for shops in England.

As expected as well as disabilities and as on trains if you suffer extreme distress or have another good reason (and some others listed) you do not have to wear one.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/made/data.pdf

My mum is 84 and if she ends up in that state it will cost someone very dear.

What worries me is that once a fine is issued there is no appeals process, so submitting proof after the event (for example, a doctor's letter) won't work. If the police stop you, will they just take your word for it?

The police shouldn't fine you if you say you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask. The government has said proof is not required and this will be being drummed into police officers. They'll be after the 'you can't make me wear a muzzle' types.

Also, even though there's no appeals process, prosecution is not automatic. The police have to decide to press charges. If you contacted the police with medical evidence after the event they would be very foolish not to cancel the penalty and drop any charges, especially after they made such tits of themselves with the lockdown prosecutions.

Get legal advice if you get a fine though, because this is a criminal matter.

Cressida Dick has said the Met are not going to bother doing anything unless they have to. She's just invited all the vigilante types to 'sort it out' instead, which IMO is a far greater threat than the possibility of getting an unfair penalty.

Dick's only in charge of the Met though and I do wonder if the police might be more of a problem in rural areas -

• less day-to-day oversight
• less busy, potentially bored
• no public transport so they've had no practice

Thanks @Xenia

Thanks Xenia

Channel 4 news now covering this.

Thank you @Xenia.

And thanks @LangClegsInSpace - what you say makes perfect sense (as usual!). And v reassuring. I think I'm just feeling extremely nervous now it's imminent and thinking of worst case scenarios. To be fair, all the public transport staff I've encountered have been lovely. As I've said time and again I really think the main issue will be ignorant, judgy arses as opposed to officialdom.

I'll watch C4 news on +1 @HeIenaDove - what were they saying?

@BamboozledandBefuddled ah so she has! Still plenty of maskless-bashing on her account though. She seems like a delight 🙄

They usually put the clip up on their site Cant see it yet but will be on Channel 4+1 Someone was saying they were getting reports that disabled people are scared to leave their homes.

Here it is. Its only touched upon though.

www.channel4.com/news/government-releases-new-guidance-on-wearing-face-masks-in-england

What a peach. Sadly one of very, very many.

Had a look on the gov site to see if they have improved their mask advice.They haven't btw.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

Clicked on one of the links and found a Government endorsed exemption card. It can be printed or an app on the phone. They do emphasis that the card is optional and you have no legal requirement to produce this or any written evidence.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

@canigooutyet thank you for these links. DD has a professional badge making machine so I've asked her to make me a couple of badges for days when I don't want to wear a bright red lanyard all the time!

I am exempt from wearing a mask. I spoke to my local police station regarding their enforcement and they said they’ll only enforce it of aggression breaks out. They’re unable to police it and they don’t want to cause stress to those who are genuinely exempt.

I’ve spoken to shops and they’ve said they’re unable to enforce anything and I’ll be welcome without a mask. It sounds extreme but I have found out what my legal rights are. If anyone genuinely exempt is subjected to abuse, aggression or discrimination in the store both that person and store can be legally held accountable. If a store persists to see medical information or denies entry after explaining exemption they’re also legally at risk.

For those who may feel they require to address those who aren’t wearing a mask do so with caution because there can be ramifications for deciding to do Cressida Dicks dirty work.

@canigooutyet
@BF888
Thank you for the links and the information

@BF888 thanks for posting this. It's very reassuring, particularly the word 'welcome' there. I think many of us are concerned we'll be just the opposite so this is definitely good news!

I think we've talking about this official ID card for about a week, and today was the first time I saw this.

From when the idea of this started I was bollocks am I showing anyone anything. After spending time on here and elsewhere, that Id is now on my phone.

@BF888
I have done the same as you, made sure I know my rights and have these on my phone so if needed I can quickly re-check.

Locally the stores are the same with regards to not enforcing it. But living local not all residents are as tolerant, and as much as we would love to believe that the negative stuff is just online, realistically we all have these fools living amongst us.

I'm unexpectedly impressed with those government exemption cards

One side says either 'I am exempt from wearing a face covering' or 'Please remove your face covering so I can understand you better'

The other side says, 'Be kind. Keep your distance. Thank you for understanding.'

How sad it is that a rape crisis centre is having to offer mask wearing coping strategies to survivors of sexual violence. The idea of someone attempting to desensitize themselves into wearing a mask and all the distress that entails is heartbreaking.

www.osarcc.org.uk/coping-with-a-face-covering-as-a-survivor-of-sexual-violence/

From the Independent on domestic abuse survivors

I've just read the comments on that last link I posted. Unbelievable.

I don't know if any of you have already posted this, but Stagecoach has a card you can show to bus drivers if you're exempt from wearing a mask.

@Fuckinellitsme That misogynist ableist is one of many on the #ShowMeYourMask hashtag.

[quote Fuckinellitsme]How sad it is that a rape crisis centre is having to offer mask wearing coping strategies to survivors of sexual violence. The idea of someone attempting to desensitize themselves into wearing a mask and all the distress that entails is heartbreaking.

www.osarcc.org.uk/coping-with-a-face-covering-as-a-survivor-of-sexual-violence/[/quote]
It's not sad or heartbreaking, it's fucking disgusting

They don't have to offer coping strategies and I have no idea why they are doing that instead of accurately informing survivors of their rights and supporting them to stand up for their rights.

What the fuck are they for?

They say survivors of sexual violence should only use the 'severe distress' exemption 'as a last resort'.

Utter fucking bullshit. This is nowhere in the regs or government guidance. They made that up.

If you cannot wear a face covering because of a health condition or disability, or because it would cause you severe distress, then you do not have to wear one and you are still allowed out and you are still allowed in shops and on public transport.

Nobody has to work their way through a list of ludicrous ineffective things that look a bit like a face covering before they are allowed to say 'I cannot wear a face covering'.

Nobody has to work their way through a traumatic 'desensitisation' programme before they are allowed to say 'I cannot wear a face covering'.

How dare they claim 'We are a feminist organisation'? How dare they use this picture to illustrate their nasty, coercive 'advice'?

What a pile of coercive gaslighting shit!

Fucking hell.

Complaint going in as soon as I can stop swearing.