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 was under the impression that there would not be any official documentation re exemption(I think the NHS are probably busy enough). I understand there is also a psychological exemption from wearing a mask where you would find it distressing- eg imagine someone who had been raped, left with ptsd and had hands placed over their mouth During the attack and suddenly having to wear a mask - could be an absolute nightmare. Would they need a certificate, what if it had never been reported/no psychological diagnosis of ptsd.

There was someone on the radio yesterday saying people should just turn their backs on people not wearing masks. It should be remembered there are lots of reasons people aren’t wearing them. Many of these people would probably give their hind teeth to be able to wear one, so the less judging the better.

Unfortunately the way such people as described above are protected from unnecessary distress will leave room for other people to abuse the system. But I would rather some people wrongly didn’t wear masks than some people are wrongly forced to wear them.

Remember the saying -everyone you meet it facing battles you know nothing about -be kind.

So what is more important - your selfish refusal to wear a mask when you can, or my life?

But you advocated on the Internet, the bullying of people with mental health problems or learning difficulties, without any thought that this might create an atmosphere of fear and victimisation for them, which might drive some to suicide?

As for this whole just wear a sunflower lanyard thing - it’s publicly highlighting that these are vulnerable people, to those who might take advantage of them at the best of times such as lie, cheat, mug them, etc. That is selfish.

If the government has said some people are exempt and don’t need certificates, that should be enough for the rest of the population - not start demanding x, y, z!

How many of you go round pub car parks at closing time and demand to breathalise the customers, because drink drivers put all road users at risk? Or, go round supermarket car parks demanding to see people’s driving licence, MOT and car insurance, because unlicensed, uninsured drivers put all road users at risk? I bet you don’t, in case you get beaten up - and that is what we as a society employ the police for.

But it’s ok to bully vulnerable people over not wearing a mask?

What am I supposed to do? Am I really going to be socially shunned because I can’t wear a mask? I am medically exempt. will I get a fine for Not having a letter? My gp has said they aren’t doing letters. I have a sunflower lanyard and a physical disability.

This is really making me so so anxious. I have PTSD and GAD diagnosed. It’s hard enough that people think those are made up in normal times. People are going to challenge me so it means I won’t be able to go out. At all.

Spot checks and on the spot fines from the police sounds horrific.

I can imagine it won't be pleasant for people who can't wear one to be told off constantly over the next few months.

Just ignore the people challenging you, walk away from them.

To be honest, I wouldn't be worried about being challenged and am comfortable telling some to bugger off if they persisted. I just can't be doing with the hassle of it though and won't go anywhere near a shop.

This whole mask issue is just going to go the same way as lockdown reporting and my god, people loved to judge anyone going out more than once, even though they had absolutely no idea what their reason for doing so was.

Can't wait to see the "my neighbour has no disabilities and I know they are going to the shops without a mask, shall I report them?" threads start to pop up.

To be honest, I wouldn't be worried about being challenged and am comfortable telling some to bugger off if they persisted

It's great if you feel though can do that, but I suspect many people who are vulnerable and unable to wear masks won't feel able to. The risk of it escalating to physical violence would always be at the back of my mind.

People should just show some tolerance in the first place and keep any doubts to themselves.

I'm autistic, I still had to wear a mask yesterday when I went to the hospital, in the taxi as well. I couldn't wait to get home & take it off.

Genuine question for people who say there should be an official proof of exemption such as a GP's letter. Don't you think it's very possible that these letters (or copies) would be handed round for friends and family to use if they don't want to wear s mask?

The sad thing is people who can't wear one will stay at home to avoid being challenged or judged in public, whereas those who won't wear one because they don't give a shit about anyone else will just walk around without a mask without a care in the world.

Don't be angry at people wanting others to wear mask when they can.

Be angry at the dickheads who publicly do "I don't wanna" stomp feet and pout. Some of them with large followings and hundreds and hundreds of people agreeing and ordering the lanyards
Be angry at people rambling about "it's just our gov trying to break us". This one is just a great filter on who reads news from outside of UK and who doesn't.
Be angry at people doing #nomaskselfie in shops.
Oh and "it's my body and my right to choose!" brigade🙄

They are the ones making it hard for people with exempt.

The sad thing is that if we hadn’t had weeks of comments like “wear the fucking mask”, “too many people think they’re special enough for an exemption”, “we are a nation of snowflakes”, “I judged a random woman and child not wearing a mask”, “people who can’t wear masks need to stay at home”, “people who can’t wear masks need to have something to explain their reasons pinned to their person”, “people who aren’t wearing masks are selfish and don’t care if they kill people”

Then people who can’t wear masks might not feel like they are likely to be hassled by masked enforcers

Don't you think it's very possible that these letters (or copies) would be handed round for friends and family to use if they don't want to wear s mask?

No, I don't. I also don't think blue badges get handed around to friends and family who want to park more conveniently.

I do think this kind of insinuation puts even more pressure on the people who can't wear masks, and all because a lot of folk in this country have a weird hang up about others being 'deserving' enough. Are you deserving enough to have priority? Are you deserving enough to receive that state support? Are you deserving enough to have that thing I don't? Prove it.

We've never left behind that Victorian concept of the deserving poor. It's so depressing.

No, I don't. I also don't think blue badges get handed around to friends and family who want to park more conveniently.

Blue badges have a big photo of the person they are registered to on the back of them, so it's easy to see if someone other than the person they are for is using them.

@DeepTreacle

The sad thing is that if we hadn’t had weeks of comments like “wear the fucking mask”, “too many people think they’re special enough for an exemption”, “we are a nation of snowflakes”, “I judged a random woman and child not wearing a mask”, “people who can’t wear masks need to stay at home”, “people who can’t wear masks need to have something to explain their reasons pinned to their person”, “people who aren’t wearing masks are selfish and don’t care if they kill people”

Then people who can’t wear masks might not feel like they are likely to be hassled by masked enforcers

Definitely this and MN has been alive with these kinds of comments since it was announced masks/coverings were going to be mandatory.

Thing is, I keep being told that I wear a mask to protect you from me. I don't have Covid, so there is nothing to protect you from. And even if it is to protect me from you - I've had it, and have the antibodies, therefore there is no risk to me from you! Why should I wear a mask? It's totally pointless.

I really really think we need to start thinking more - 'it's unlikely that you have it and will infect me and even if you do I probably won't die anyway' and less 'everyone has it and will kill me if I get it'.

It's so bad for our collective Mental health. And that is as worth protecting and safeguarding as our Physical health.

We will probably all get it at some stage; we have to start thinking of it as a survivable, treatable disease now, and get our economy back on track. Otherwise more people will die of suicide and depression and violence than of Covid (as healthy youth/middle age).

I don;t understand why now? Why now, when numbers are a fraction of what they were at the beginning? In my small town, the infection rate is so low, it amounts to under 20 people positive. I'm unlikely to bump into/talk to for any length of time/walk past even one of these.

And quite honestly, if I was going to get it (again) Id want to have it now, when the hospitals are running smoothly, in the summer, when the risk of transmission is low anyway. I would rather have it now, than in winter,when the hospitals are full with 'normal' flu sufferers, and at capacity.

I’m going to avoid wearing one as much as I can. I’ve worn them a few times but have gotten extremely panicky each time.

I’m not going to claim exemption though. And at the moment it’s not mandatory in public where I am (Channel Islands) but may be soon.

Dh is fine wearing one so he can do a food shop (he usually does it anyway). We can order things we need online.

It’ll only be hairdressers beauticians etc that I’ll need to wear them and even then it’ll be on a “do o really need or want the appointment” basis. Oddly I hd to wear one for a pedicure but not for nails.

Blue badges have a big photo of the person they are registered to on the back of them, so it's easy to see if someone other than the person they are for is using them.

They do indeed. But it has never stopped the insinuations, not does it get rid of the resentment that people look at you, think there can't be anything amiss because you look young/fine/happy, and you have the choice of putting up with it or showing the photo.

But why should you show the photo to Joe Public? Even when they know it's you some of them still persist in asking why? as though their non-existent medical degrees and I-can-tell-by-looking-at-you diagnostic skills give them license to discuss your private business. Nobody should have to justify themselves to random strangers in this way.

Apologies for the rant, but this is an old grievance which some attitudes on this thread do nothing to ease

@ABingThing

Blue badges have a big photo of the person they are registered to on the back of them, so it's easy to see if someone other than the person they are for is using them.

They do indeed. But it has never stopped the insinuations, not does it get rid of the resentment that people look at you, think there can't be anything amiss because you look young/fine/happy, and you have the choice of putting up with it or showing the photo.

But why should you show the photo to Joe Public? Even when they know it's you some of them still persist in asking why? as though their non-existent medical degrees and I-can-tell-by-looking-at-you diagnostic skills give them license to discuss your private business. Nobody should have to justify themselves to random strangers in this way.

Apologies for the rant, but this is an old grievance which some attitudes on this thread do nothing to ease

Don't worry about the rant. I'm with you on that.

I've often been looked at with disgust when using my blue badge, but I let it wash over me now. I didn't originally and had a full on row in ASDA car park with some old bat who decided she was going to give me a hard time. I felt better for 5 minutes afterwards, but to be honest it wasn't worth it.

I went to Sainsbury’s yesterday and only saw one perso with no mask. I assumed they had a medical condition, as I will continue to do so.

It makes me mad when people are just inventing the rules for themselves. I’m heavily pregnant and found wearing the mask highly uncomfortable, bringing back morning sickness feelings and making me feel uncomfortable to the point of having to keep stopping for fear of passing out. I’m sure it’s not good for me or baby but neither would catching COVID, so I will continue to wear one.

@ABingThing

Blue badges have a big photo of the person they are registered to on the back of them, so it's easy to see if someone other than the person they are for is using them.

They do indeed. But it has never stopped the insinuations, not does it get rid of the resentment that people look at you, think there can't be anything amiss because you look young/fine/happy, and you have the choice of putting up with it or showing the photo.

But why should you show the photo to Joe Public? Even when they know it's you some of them still persist in asking why? as though their non-existent medical degrees and I-can-tell-by-looking-at-you diagnostic skills give them license to discuss your private business. Nobody should have to justify themselves to random strangers in this way.

Apologies for the rant, but this is an old grievance which some attitudes on this thread do nothing to ease

This is awful! I’m sorry you have to go through that.

I have respiratory problems. I also have high anxiety, depression and panic attacks, particularly around cloth on my nose and face. It can make me faint, throw up, spiral. All sorts.
I’m also in healthcare and required to wear a mask for every appointment.
I actively wear a face mask when shopping/post office/everything. Because if I’m one of the people most likely to be unable to wear one, then I damn sure should wear one, because the amount of selfish jerks who claim to have one of my symptoms is astronomical. It’s pure selfishness on their part so I will do my best to do my part to pitch in!

@ptumbi how do you know you don’t have asymptotic Covid? I work in virology and health care. It’s is perfectly plausible for you to have asymptomatic Covid and pass it on to others. In fact that’s how the majority of it was being spread. Asymptomatic carriers passed it on to others until it hit the one person who was symptomatic then it hit their grandma. In the meantime you have say 50 people that first person has come into contact with who are all also spreading it.

This makes me so cross as it makes it worse for people who are genuinely exempt.

No, I don't. I also don't think blue badges get handed around to friends and family who want to park more conveniently.

You may not believe it but I assure you it happens quite often, resulting in the badge holder losing their badge. That's in spite of the photo which an exemption letter wouldn't have. And as pp have pointed out, it doesn't stop the abuse and questioning.

I work in a shop. Enough people are complying.

As with "lockdown" it doesn't have to be everyone in order to lower the risk. Just most.

People seem to want to make a big story out of people not wearing masks and putting others at risk, almost wanting the government to become more draconian. No thanks... we are muddling along just fine. Most folks are wearing a face covering, some aren't - no chaos, no fuss.