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?

[quote honeygirlz]@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.[/quote]
And shielding pauses next weekend. On the Monday after I go back to work in a supermarket. So, are you suggesting I shouldn't then? Only your response is only really valid for another week. It's interesting how people seem to think it's ok to tell vulnerable people to stay at home but it's not ok to tell people who can't wear masks to stay at home. I wonder why that is?

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

Only if people decide to get cross about it.

@ptumbi

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).

But then you need to extend understanding to the people who have been isolated at home for four months shielding. We certainly haven't been told it's a a survivable, treatable disease that we probably won't die from. Even now our pausing letters tell us that we remain extremely vulnerable and likely to have serious consequences if we catch it and to maintain extreme precautions - 2 metre SD, staying at home as much as possible, only going to work if it's Covid safe. So I think some more understanding needs to be shown to the soon to be de shielded and the effects of being told that we are extremely vulnerable to this and that, as of next week, many of us will be back at work and will still needing to be taking extreme precautions. So, if someone asks you to step back from them or turns their back on you or steps into the road as you pass too close maybe consider that they are de shielded and are still very vulnerable?

@Underhisi

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.

Me expressing frustration at healthy and non disabled chancers on Facebook encouraging people not to wear masks "If they don't want to" is encouraging people to assault young men with learning difficulties and throw things at him, is it?

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

WTF has that got to do with my post then, my OP is very much a mask issue.

Don't be so stupid.

*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.*
Your 2nd paragraph contradicts the first , so you will assume that anyone not wearing a mask has a medical condition good. Then you say it makes me mad people inventing the rules for themselves, who ? Who have you seen not wearing a mask that should . So yes you are assuming that someone isn't wearing a mask but can .

I work in a shop. Enough people are complying. Thanks for being the voice of reason @BeyondMyWits .
My next post was going to be who are these people that are not genuine? Posts on here claiming that people are not wearing a mask don't have a genuine reason , how do you know this ? Who have you seen do this ? You don't or one or 2 of you may have .

You post making a bunch of idiots spouting bollocks designed to antagonise into a serious issue, is encouraging people to think that people not wearing a mask are taking the piss. It is promoting intolerance and othering. That is where intolerance and othering ends up.

@Underhisi

You post making a bunch of idiots spouting bollocks designed to antagonise into a serious issue, is encouraging people to think that people not wearing a mask are taking the piss. It is promoting intolerance and othering. That is where intolerance and othering ends up.

That's your take on the post, it's not facts.

It is a serious issue. The post is reaching many of its target audience who will then relay it to their covid denier friends and on it goes.

Such a serious issue you had to change your name for the occasion.

And you being one of their target audience.

@Underhisi

Such a serious issue you had to change your name for the occasion.

I change my name frequently because like you've just proven, posters like you like to dig into people's posting history looking for things to drag into the current discussion that bare no relevance at all.

Yes I was the target audience for the post in my OP because one of those idiots happens to be my cousin, I'm ashamed to say.

You can go away now. I have no time for people who like to cast aspersions about my character and intentions when all I came here for is a discussion based on a legitimate concern.

Good day to you.

"I have no time for people who like to cast aspersions about my character and intentions when all I came here for is a discussion based on a legitimate concern."

Yeah right and I'll go away when I want to thanks.

“ 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.”

This is exactly what I expected would be the case, and I’m pleased to hear it

Technically, I should be exempt, as I'm an asthmatic.

Practically, I'm in masks all day at work, it makes no difference.

I've put an order in for one of these.

www.ukcophumour.co.uk/shop/note-contagious-face-cover/

I've just been to the supermarket and everyone was wearing a mask even a few kids except 1 guy who came in to buy some masks .

Having asthma is not a reason to be exempt.
The main reason is distress die to claustrophobia, previous trauma etc. Severe breathing issues could cause distress but are rare and the majority of these people will not be risking supermarkets. The gov uk or tfl sites can give you exemption cards for travel but it is unlikely that GPs will get involved in exemption certificates as reasons are largely subjective and if wearing a mask is the law doctors can't certify over the law. Most large stores will accept the occasional person with out a mask if they have a reason and aren't in a position to police the whole issue. As far as I know they or any shopkeeper is able to turn away customers without masks if they wish for protection of staff and other customers.
Best advice for most of us is to practice wearing a mask and build up tolerance.nhs staff and other key workers for whom we have been clapping have had to get on with wearing them and the vast majority are able to. I understand that there are a few conditions eg trigeminal neuralgia that make mask/ visor / buff/ balaclava wearing very difficult and it may be that over the months some card carrying system for these outliers will be developed for shops and workplaces.

I understand that there are a few conditions eg trigeminal neuralgia that make mask/ visor / buff/ balaclava wearing very difficult

It certainly does. Even a breeze on the face can have you on your knees.

Face covering should have been introduced once it was known you can have the virus without symptoms. Earlier introduction I think would have led to more compliance.

As with the government's reaction to the whole Covid 19 crisis, far too late a response.

I agree they should have been introduced much sooner but I don’t think it would have had much impact on compliance.

There are those that follow the rules/guidelines and those that don’t. I can’t see the date making much difference to their stance either way.

www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/24/deafblind-woman-and-sister-verbally-abused-for-lifting-mask-on-train

lots of people in my store today wearing half the mask....pulling it down or leaving nose free just mouth covered

its slipping already, won't be long til theres either a clampdown or it moves into blind eye territory

"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"

Sorry but this sounds like the new "its the fault of scroungers that you cant get DLA/PIP"

so i'm wondering the reason shop staff are exempt? why?

there must be a reason why

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

What this whole issue has taught me is that the hard left are just as dangerous to disabled people as the hard right.

And there are people on these threads who couldnt give two shits when social housing tenants have been left in unhygienic conditions.

Yet now expect people in lower economic groups to help protect them Pffft