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 💐

Sorry if this has been asked (I haven’t RTFT) but if you work in a shop, have you been told to approach customers who are not wearing a mask and ask to see an exemption card?
Will you allow people in? DH has an email from his doctor and a disability card recommended by the doctor.

bamboo
Good info above. Thanks.
What are shop managers instructing staff to do though?

Just read more of the thread! Will carry on - I think others have answered my questions!

@WhattheHhashappened

Sorry if this has been asked (I haven’t RTFT) but if you work in a shop, have you been told to approach customers who are not wearing a mask and ask to see an exemption card? Will you allow people in? DH has an email from his doctor and a disability card recommended by the doctor.

There isn't such a thing as an exemption card per se - at least not one that's officially recognised or issued by the NHS/government. Lots of places have ones you can download (including transport companies) and there are lanyards you can purchase but all of them can be purchased/downloaded by anyone, regardless of medical history.

Shop staff are absolutely not permitted to ask for proof (which doesn't exist anyway, as the majority of GPs are not issuing exemption notes). The government has explicitly said they must not and unions have also said their members should not approach customers in this way.

Staff in Scotland are not permitted to ask customers to wear a mask. But the police can.

I've just phoned Intu (who own shopping centres such as the Metrocentre, Bluewater and my local one) after the report in my local paper yesterday saying you will be refused entry without a mask unless you are under 11 or disabled. I asked about hidden disabilities/MH issues and was told that if you were exempt for these reasons you would have to report to a security guard when you enter the shopping centre and tell them you have a hidden disability. Then you'll be taken to customer services, where you'll be issued with a badge. This seems like a massive rigmarole to me. What if you can't find a security guard? AIBU to think that 'reporting' to a security guard is a bit OTT? No shops are doing this.

On a more positive note - the other day I asked one of my local transport companies to caveat their posts on SM about compulsory mask wearing with a mention of those who are exempt, to raise awareness that some people genuinely are. I've noticed today that their posts now include a bit which asks for kindness and consideration to those not wearing masks, as many people are exempt. Very impressed and I wish other transport companies/retailers would follow suit!

@FUBARFlossie

Staff in Scotland are not permitted to ask customers to wear a mask. But the police can.

I wonder what the police here and in Scotland do when they're told someone they've approached is exempt? Do they leave it at that, ask for proof or just issue a fine? This is something else we need clarity on.

What's everyone's plan for tomorrow onwards, in terms of what you're carrying as 'proof' in case the police stop you? I have my Disability Horizons lanyard and I plan to carry my medication with me, there's not much more I can do. 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?

I may have missed it but has there been a demand for children to carry their birth certificates when they are in shops? Exemption applies to children under 11 - some children look young for their age, some look older. Presumably those who favour a rigorous burden of proof being placed on those with medical exemption feel just as strongly about age exemption and would want to apply the same conditions. If not, I wonder why

Id ask the shopping centre if they are going to ask for birth certificates as proof as some kids look older.

For those who find wearing a face covering traumatic, but do not have an underlying (physical) health reason I would be inclined to just tell anyone who asks/complains that you have a health problem that prevents it, and just have one in mind if they ask further questions. I know this won't work for employment purposes but definitely useful for the annoying busybodies who come out of the woodwork at times like this.

My heart goes out to those getting hassled or having problems because they can't wear a face covering.

Good point, Helena. I feel another tweet coming on

I cant take the credit for that one It was BamboozledandBefuddled who wrote it if i remember correctly.

@HeIenaDove

I cant take the credit for that one It was BamboozledandBefuddled who wrote it if i remember correctly.

It was

@Fuckinellitsme The Downing Street statement I posted earlier really gives the impression that police involvement will be a last resort. The government seem to be hoping that there won't be a need for enforcement and refer to mask wearing as 'voluntary'. I would say it's a certainty police will take your word for it (although there's always the random one whose uniform has gone to their head and gets the rest a bad name).

I carry a Medical Alert card for asthma and PTSD plus I always have an inhaler on me, so that will have to do. I won't be wearing a badge or lanyard. I don't have to shop again until Wednesday so hopefully will have some idea of how it's going.

Speaking of police and face masks.

twitter.com/andrewlawrence/status/1285171360139026432?s=20

So sorry all as you have probably answered this, but do we know officially if a perspex visor counts as a face covering. They are okay in Scotland it seems but I can't find anything for England. I would prefer to wear one if possible.

[quote HeIenaDove]Speaking of police and face masks.

twitter.com/andrewlawrence/status/1285171360139026432?s=20[/quote]

Seriously I do hope police have better things to do than go around harrassing people who are not wearing a mask! The non wearer would simply say they are exempt!

@janetmendoza A visor doesn't 100% fit the criteria in the guidelines but the view is widely taken that it's better than nothing and shows that you're doing what you can. I don't think there'd be a problem with it.

Thank you bamboozled- hope so!

Well isnt this pleasant

BonnieC
@BonMuss
·
39m
Guess what England? From tomorrow we have to wear face masks/coverings in all shops. Who will start whinging and whining about it? If anyone not wearing one comes near me in a shop I’ll probably ask them why. So get over it and start doing it you pathetic snowflakes.

twitter.com/Martytrudge/status/1286300872574676992?s=20

Elderly woman collapses in street.

@HeIenaDove Elderly people collapsing is going to be a frequent sight. Maybe the government are trying to finish the job they started in care homes. I'm pretty sure it was said originally that people over 70 or 75 would be exempt but that was thrown out. It shouldn't have been.

@HeIenaDove

Well isnt this pleasant

BonnieC
@BonMuss
·
39m
Guess what England? From tomorrow we have to wear face masks/coverings in all shops. Who will start whinging and whining about it? If anyone not wearing one comes near me in a shop I’ll probably ask them why. So get over it and start doing it you pathetic snowflakes.

I had to reply to her. I'm so sick of this whole 'snowflake' narrative.

@BamboozledandBefuddled yes I got that impression too. Also true about the minority of officers who let their power go to their heads! If I encounter one they can just hang on while I phone my GP and get confirmation of my condition for them

Honestly though I don't see shop staff or police being the main issue here, I've always said we're more likely to get hassle from other members of the public - as many of us already have. Shop staff (particularly larger companies) and police are probably well versed in equal ops and shop staff have been told they shouldn't intervene anyway. I foresee the dirty looks/comments/questions from other shoppers being more of an issue.

I replied to her. I wasn't as polite as you.

@BamboozledandBefuddled

I replied to her. I wasn't as polite as you.

I like your reply better, not least because I've just realised I typed 'direct' twice 🤦 That Twitter account of mine has become all about masks lately, it seems. It's usually my secondary one for customer service stuff and arguing with racists!