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 💐

@Fuckinellitsme

I no longer experience mask distress; when exposure therapy works, it works!

I think the thing to remember here is that everyone's different. Two people with exactly the same disability may experience it differently, for example. It's brilliant that you've made such progress - but for others this may not be possible.

Yes. As I explicitly stated.

I am so astonished to learn that in the U.S., we are three times as conscientious as you guys are at mask wearing! And all that despite being a nation with the bean-displaying moron and the maga-hat idiots! If we can put up with that nonsense and not want to throw ourselves in a freaking TUB of covid-19 on a daily basis, what is your excuse, guys???

Taken from the WHO: "I cannot say this clearly enough," said the Director-General. "Masks alone will not protect you from COVID-19."

The Government in the UK has yet to clarify how often masks should be changed. And if re-usable how often and at what temperature they should be washed at and for how long. Social distancing and regular hand sanitising I can understand; they are also less intrusive forms of disease prevention that can be the most readily undertaken by the vast majority of the population.

Although I doubt (that in reality) the Police will enforce fines for non compliance of mask wearing, they should never have been given that power in the first place.

It's sickening to think how many individuals that have been victim to assault and never previously sought medical help may be left in severe distress as a result of this measure. Similarly, if a medical condition prevents the use of a mask, why should doctors have to spend time providing exemption certificates when they could be treating the urgently ill?

@Durgasarrow What is your excuse for not having an NHS?

I am so astonished to learn that in the U.S. there are no disability rights!

(Not really. Of course people with disabilities in the US are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and of course there are exceptions to the rules around face coverings in order to provide reasonable modifications for disabled people, and of course businesses in the US can expect to get sued if they decide not to bother with these exceptions.)

'This lawsuit marks a growing trend of disability access lawsuits challenging face mask policies.'

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

@LangClegsInSpace Sadly the discrimination seems to be the same. Ive seen tweets accusing disabled Americans of "weaponizing" the ADA when they assert their rights.

A rather unfortunate turn of phrase considering their love of guns.

As an individual, I can't make an NHS. But I can wear a mask.

@Durgasarrow

I am so astonished to learn that in the U.S., we are three times as conscientious as you guys are at mask wearing! And all that despite being a nation with the bean-displaying moron and the maga-hat idiots! If we can put up with that nonsense and not want to throw ourselves in a freaking TUB of covid-19 on a daily basis, what is your excuse, guys???

Our 'excuses' are genuine exemptions which have been detailed pretty thoroughly over two threads.

To be clear - nobody on either thread (apart from on poster who got pretty short shrift) is an 'anti masker' who could wear one but just doesn't fancy it.

Morning all. I might not be around much today as - yay! - I've got a dental abscess! And am in much pain. I had a phone consultation yesterday and need to pick up antibiotics today and go into the surgery first thing Monday. Lowered immunity means I get abscesses quite a lot. Right now I have active TN on one side and an infection on the other, lovely 😂 Hoping the bus journey to pick up the pills goes off without incident. Currently off my nob on tramadol - I've not felt this 'drunk' before 8am on Saturday since my clubbing days!

Hope everyone is feeling well today 💐

Thanks OP for starting this thread. I didn't see the last one, but am angry on your behalf that the other thread was derailed, and that posters are still talking about 'excuses' even after reading all these first hand accounts, which include your serious condition so many other illnesses and disabilities and victims of sexual abuse.

It's an insightful thread and is making me think about all the people out there suffering in silence.

Sorry to hear about the tooth, especially as I read your post and know that this will cause additional pain. Hope you're ok.

@Fuckinellitsme

I put this on the other thread twice

There is a mask that comes from the lower neck shoulders

I read that you'd loved to wear a mask. So this is helpful. Seeing as shoulders are ok with TN. I have this condition and use this. As I have to go I to hospital many times.

There are even masks that come from around the chest if the above can't be used!

I started reading the last thread but had to come away because it was so hideous. I am working my way through this one now, so hoping that the people posting on here are kinder and more understanding.

I am one of those asthmatics who cannot wear any face coverings because they bring on an attack. I know that it does this because I am a doctor and was hoping to have been a surgeon when I started having a problem - had been asthmatic all my life, but living in London, the stress of medical school and being a junior doctor exacerbated it and, well, we are where we are. I had to change my career completely in order to cope with that disability.

I recently tried again to wear a mask, but managed 20 seconds or so before I had to take it off and could already feel an attack coming on. It then took a good few days before i felt normal again.

I also have a type of migraine syndrome which means I can't wear a visor.

I have downloaded an exemption card from asthma UK onto my phone and also have a sunflower card to carry in my wallet. However, I'm worried about the comments and the looks I'll get, even more worried about being confronted so I'm not gojng to go near a shop unless I can help it until things are back to normal.

@HeIenaDove and @HandsOffMyRights thank you 💐 Feeling a bit better today, the antibiotics have kicked in I think (and the tramadol is making everything feel very soft and blurry around the edges!). I'm a bit nervous about the dentist tomorrow, wondering how a pandemic-time procedure will work! And also because I know I'll have a rough TN day or more as dental stuff always aggravates it. I'm also going to phone my GP this week and see about getting new meds. TN people here - what do you take? Tegretol is so awful for me but it does help. I suppose I want the best of both worlds - less pain and no side effects and the ability to drink more than two beers without falling asleep

@Hoggleludo where did you get your Z Shield from? I've not seen them for retail sale in the UK at all. They're designed for catering/healthcare use (and would usually be worn with a mask underneath) rather than to be popped on and off between shops/buses and aren't transportable the way masks are (walking sticks and shopping bags tend to limit what you can carry). They would be useless in the rain, too (given they would have to be worn all the time while outdoors). Most importantly, though, they do not satisfy government guidelines re face coverings, which can be found on the gov.uk website but I've screenshot here.

I'm sorry you are a fellow TN sufferer, it's the absolute pits.

@SecretSpAD

I started reading the last thread but had to come away because it was so hideous. I am working my way through this one now, so hoping that the people posting on here are kinder and more understanding.

I am one of those asthmatics who cannot wear any face coverings because they bring on an attack. I know that it does this because I am a doctor and was hoping to have been a surgeon when I started having a problem - had been asthmatic all my life, but living in London, the stress of medical school and being a junior doctor exacerbated it and, well, we are where we are. I had to change my career completely in order to cope with that disability.

I recently tried again to wear a mask, but managed 20 seconds or so before I had to take it off and could already feel an attack coming on. It then took a good few days before i felt normal again.

I also have a type of migraine syndrome which means I can't wear a visor.

I have downloaded an exemption card from asthma UK onto my phone and also have a sunflower card to carry in my wallet. However, I'm worried about the comments and the looks I'll get, even more worried about being confronted so I'm not gojng to go near a shop unless I can help it until things are back to normal.

The last thread became so nasty, didn't it, but so far this one is lovely and supportive (give or take the odd VISOR!!! posts).

I'm so sorry that your asthma necessitated a change in your career path. Your experience goes to show that many of the posts you see in Twitter where doctors proclaim that there's absolutely no excuse for not wearing a mask are not only unhelpful, they're wrong. As people on this thread have said numerous times, disabilities and health conditions affect people differently.

I keep hearing people say that they won't go near shops until the rules change and that's just awful. Isolating people when there is no need (it's not the same as shielding, many people who cannot wear coverings are not highly vulnerable and were not in the shielding group) is nothing short of scandalous. Particularly as government advice - The Rules that those who stand in judgement hold so dear - demand nothing of the sort.

fuck thank you. It's ok, I have ended up in a career that has been amazing and if I had gone with my original choice of colorectal surgeon then I wouldn't have had all the experiences I have had, or met my husband.

It just annoys me when Doctors and nurses come onto these threads with comments about how they are asthmatic but can wear one for 15 h a day.....without understanding that everyone is different, you know, the basics of dealing with people which is what we doctors do.

to everyone on here

But you said you WANTED to wear one

Regardless of how they are transported. You CAN wear this one.

But you said you WANTED to wear one

Regardless of how they are transported. You CAN wear this one.

It's just you stated quite a few times before that you wanted to wear one. So I found one you could wear

I didn't realise that you needed it to be transported easily and worn in the rain also

That's a list that's never going to work.

Oops

Not sure why that posted twice but not the same message. Sorry peeps!

Oops

Not sure why that posted twice but not the same message. Sorry peeps

However. I don't really give a shit who wears one or who doesn't. I've been shielding for the last 3 months and even with young children. I can continue to do so. The last shopping trip for food I took. No one did social distancing. Then when we took a recent walk. Same thing. So we're not going out much. Sadly

I only commented because you've said you wanted to wear one. Thought I'd comment the one I use.

But hey! Whatever you wanna do. I do what I do. You do what you guys wanna.

I got given mine from my neighbour who is a dr. I could ask. But I won't be back on Mumsnet for a few days now. So if I remember. I'll come comment

Take it easy all!

Regardless of whether they fit the government guidelines. Surely it's about keeping YOU safe?!? No?

Wait. Why are people wearing them?!? Face masks I mean?

@Hoggleludo

Regardless of whether they fit the government guidelines. Surely it's about keeping YOU safe?!? No?

Wait. Why are people wearing them?!? Face masks I mean?

The government requires you to wear a cloth face covering. I said I would like to wear a cloth face covering in line with government rules. I cannot wear a cloth face covering and I cannot carry a huge headpiece because I often use walking sticks. Using walking sticks and carrying shopping means it's impossible to use an umbrella. I can't wear a hood or hat because I have trigeminal neuralgia.

I'm glad you've found a solution that works for you. But as so many people have said so often on both of these threads - just because something works for you doesn't mean it'll work for someone else with a similar condition.

Thanks for starting this. The last one was illuminating - it never occurred to me that people might be triggered by wearing masks. I'd also add that as an autistic person, I'm very sensitive to certain fabrics and textures and hate having them next to my skin. Luckily I'm OK covering my face as I have a cloth mask and I've used things like football scarves or bandanas, but other autistic people really struggle. I know a few posters in the last thread mentioned they had autistic kids who can't wear masks.

I've also got a deaf friend who pointed out recently that people wearing masks makes things harder for her as she lipreads, which she can't do if she can't see someone's mouth. I guess those transparent visor thingies are a way round that?

@PhilSwagielka here are some ideas as to where your friend might be able to get some lip-reading friendly masks from - which isn't much help for her unless everyone wears them I guess, but perhaps if she tells people she works with etc they could use them?