To think unless you are actually medically exempt you can't get out of wearing a mask?

[Simsie]

People on social media are telling others to download a basic picture of text saying "I am exempt from wearing a mask" to present at supermarkets if they don't want to wear a mask.

Not medically exempt, no hidden disabilities, just for those don't want to wear one.

Surely that crap isn't going to work?

I'm not going to say it's been easy, the first couple of times I lost nights of sleep from the triggers and nigjtmares, but eventually, I just got used to it 🤷🏻‍♀️. I just "got on with it".

Well you are a better person than me. I've tried, my nightmares are horrendous. I think about suicide constantly in the background. I see it in my head all the time. Remembering how I fought to live and wishing I hadn't. I've scarred myself for the first time in years attempting to deal with my mask revulsion. I'm trapped in my own head because of this, nearly got sectioned in lockdown due to the threat of masks becoming mandatory. If this is permanent, I'm done.

What worries me is the attitude of very many people on this thread. The disgust and contempt shown towards people they have seen in a supermarket and who isn't wearing a mask.

Suppose they are genuinely exempt. How can you tell, just by looking at them?

How must they feel, knowing that people are judging them?

Dear Dinosauratemydaffs - I was just going to bed but HAVE to reply to your post or I won't sleep - please please get yourself an exemption "card" off the Govt website. The fact other folk are able to cope in due course with a mask doesn't mean you are a failure by not being able to cope. You are who you are and you need exemption - just to remind you GPs are not allowed to issue letters etc, it needs to be off the website. Verypeckish is so right - no member of the public has the right to diss people not wearing a mask, end of. I said similar in a previous post ie how does anyone "know" by looking at someone if they have health probs or not. You all take care of yourselves x

What can you say if someone lies and declares they have mental health issues (as in wearing a mask causes them distress). That’s not something that can easily disproven so in a way, they do have an easy get of jail free card

There should be a proper exemption card from the GP.

And yes to fines! If everyone flouting the rules was charged £100 on the spot fine it would help keep everyone safe and put some money back into the bottomless pit of money this government seems to think we have.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

@Hairthrowaway id rather have 10 people do that than one person suffer or God forbid consider taking their own life because of this.

@HeIenaDove I’m not disagreeing with you, I was just responding directly to the OP. People can lie and get away with at as there (rightfully) are exemptions, which can unfortunately be misused

YY @Hairthrowaway I realised you didnt disagree

if people arent wearing masks just accept that they have reason not to - otherwise we will have bullying and intimidation everywhere

“ quite frankly the number of people refusing to wear masks just because they 'don't want to' is huge”

I think you will find it probably isn’t. And if you haven’t been out you have no idea whether there are large numbers of people not wearing masks in the shops that you want to go into. All you have to go on is social media posts, which is self-selecting if you are seeking out masks threads

Every shop I went to, people were wearing masks.

BBC news reported that the public appeared to be complying.

And yet predictably on MN there is always moaning about people not who won’t wear masks.

@Jaxhog

I am vulnerable and had hoped I could now go out. But there are so many people who are totally disregarding the simple guidance of covering their face with a mask when in an enclosed space like a shop, that I cannot do that. Sure, the risk is much lower than it was, but I run a serious risk of dying if I catch COVID. So what is more important - your selfish refusal to wear a mask when you can, or my life?

If you’re that vulnerable you should still be shielding not going out. Masks don’t offer full protection.

@MaleficentsCrow

Not quite the same experience, but face covering is a massive trigger for me for not dissimilar reasons - on top of sensory deprivation.

I had to be picked up my a taxi organised by the AA yesterday after flying debris hit my car on the motorway. An hour and 15 in a taxi. I wore my mask the whole time. It was not great last night. But it was for the safety of the driver helping save me and my little one from the side of the road.

I'm trying to avoid places where j have to where a mask for significant lengths of time, but for a quick 10 minute shop etc. I'm going to find a way to do it.

I'm not going to criticise others in the same boat as me, or someone I know who has a type of neuralgia that means even putting make-up on causes serious pain. But most people, even those with exceptions, can probably wear a mask for the times it is required.

@Cadent

Every shop I went to, people were wearing masks.

BBC news reported that the public appeared to be complying.

And yet predictably on MN there is always moaning about people not who won’t wear masks.

Riiiiight. That doesn’t mean that those whom had a different experience from you are lying. I genuinely did go out last night and witnessed no one else wearing masks in store, why would I lie? I have better things to do frankly. Drunk people won’t social distance, let alone wear face coverings and staff certainly weren’t enforcing it.

I genuinely did go out last night and witnessed no one else wearing masks in store, why would I lie?

Really, every single person not wearing a mask? Was it a tiny shop? 🤔

@Cadent

Oh wait, the security guard had one on - pulled under his chin if that counts?

No, it was a busy Tesco within Birmingham city centre (new street) at 9pm, where most of the customers were going “out out”. Feel free to visit at the same time and report back.

Still not buying it, and no thanks, I have no need or desire to go to Birmingham.

Most people who are not wearing a mask will be exempt. Your concentration on a few people who are taking the piss makes life more difficult for those who cannot wear masks. Yesterday a local lad with learning difficulties was abused and had things thrown at him by a group of people. It wasn't a mask issue but your promoting of suspiciousness and as a consequence of that obnoxious behaviour, is promoting that sort of behaviour towards vulnerable people. You will of course argue that you are not doing that but that IS what you are doing.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils it's easy for me to say, but try and ignore the intolerance of the self-appointed mask police: you cannot wear a mask.

You don't have to explain yourself to the general public nor compare yourself to anyone else. No two sets of circumstances are the same when dealing with trauma. Do you have access to any IRL support at the moment?

I second @GertyTheGert about downloading the card. It may also be worth getting a sunflower lanyard - some people recognise them and it might make them think twice.

It's already happening. Bits of paper wrapped in cling film. I hate wearing them and if I'm wearing one and they are not, they are protected not me. The government and medical authorities need to work out what the genuine need for exemptions are and issue letters on nhs notepaper. Apparently they do not restrict breathing so asthma, copd etc is not a valid reason. PTSD, sn (though possible to teach to wear in most circumstances), physically unable to apply the mask and nobody to help, and unable to tolerate on your skin due to hypersensitivity (rare) are the main reasons my gp friend said. But he's been told not to issue letters!

I think masks will be worn by most people for a month or two, then people will get (more) resentful and rebellious, like they did with lock down.

Lockdown bought the NHS some time but govt knew it wouldn’t last. Now masks will help reduce virus transmission for a while but they won’t last either.

The law isn’t policeable, just as lockdown wasn’t. It relies on people’s goodwill which doesn’t last long.

I agree @Underhisi exactly that .
The sneering and contempt for people who can't wear a mask is disgusting.
Also the ones that are actually afraid to go out now in case someone gives them a hard time .
Really are some horrible people about , this pandemic has turned people into utter twats .

Lockdown was surprisingly effective - 90% of people complied because it was the right thing to do.

It isn't fair on shop staff to have to police this policy - ultimately it needs to come down to the integrity of each individual. An individual's risk may be low but shop workers risk is high. If everyone that can wear a mask does that will mean there's a much smaller risk from the people who can't.