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?

@Mydogisthebestest

But I wouldn’t know you’re there when I get on the bus. I can’t stand so I’d have to sit.

I’d turn away from you so as not to breathe on you.

If you’re going to use public transport, there has to be a compromise - your rights don’t trump mine. I’m not asking anything of you - in that situation I’d do as much as I could to minimise the risk to you.

Would you expect me to get on and off buses all day until there was one with no one in the other seat? (Good luck with that here - One bus am one pm)

There's quite some irony there.

My needs don't trump yours but your needs trump mine right?

And what compromise are you looking for exactly? People are wearing masks and that will protect you. You aren't wearing a mask. What more compromise are you looking for others to make for you? Precisely what compromises are you making?

@Mydogisthebestest

Hand washing minimises the risk. It does not eliminate it.

Well, according to you nothing works - not hand washing, not social distancing, not wearing masks.

All of them, individually reduce the risk, everyone doing all three will reduce the risk to everyone massively.

I’m turning away from you. Which is all I can do. I am legally permitted not to wear a mask.

Why do you think I shouldn’t be allowed to do what the govt have said is allowed?

I’m not going out unless I absolutely have to. I wash my hands, use hand sanitizer. Don’t touch my face when I’m out. Socially distance. Face away from people if I can’t. I have changed my working practises to be totally at home. I haven’t seen two of my children or my DP since March.

What more do you want from me?

Some people CANNOT wear masks and the govt have given them a legal exemption.

Everyone cannot wear masks.

"So, if I'm sitting, wearing a mask and someone not wearing a mask sits next to me (and there are no other seats free) then I should what? So what you're saying is that everyone else must accommodate and adjust for people not wearing masks, but people not wearing masks should not have to make adjustments for the health needs of others?"

I'm saying you can't expect someone not to sit somewhere because they don't have a mask on - it is not reasonable. You don't get to decide where anyone else sits on the bus. Just as my son doesn't. What you do about it is up to you. On my local public transport people have to sit socially distanced and so the situation wouldn't arise as the 2nd person to arrive wouldn't be able to sit there

@Mydogisthebestest

I’m turning away from you. Which is all I can do. I am legally permitted not to wear a mask.

Why do you think I shouldn’t be allowed to do what the govt have said is allowed?

I’m not going out unless I absolutely have to. I wash my hands, use hand sanitizer. Don’t touch my face when I’m out. Socially distance. Face away from people if I can’t. I have changed my working practises to be totally at home. I haven’t seen two of my children or my DP since March.

What more do you want from me?

Where have I said you shouldn't be exempt? If you are legally entitled to not wear a mask then don't wear a mask.

That does mean though that you pose an increased risk to others and you should accept that other people might need you to accommodate their legal rights, just as they need to accommodate yours.

@Spikeyball

"So, if I'm sitting, wearing a mask and someone not wearing a mask sits next to me (and there are no other seats free) then I should what? So what you're saying is that everyone else must accommodate and adjust for people not wearing masks, but people not wearing masks should not have to make adjustments for the health needs of others?"

I'm saying you can't expect someone not to sit somewhere because they don't have a mask on - it is not reasonable. You don't get to decide where anyone else sits on the bus. Just as my son doesn't. What you do about it is up to you. On my local public transport people have to sit socially distanced and so the situation wouldn't arise as the 2nd person to arrive wouldn't be able to sit there

That's great then if buses are set up to require social distancing.

Hooves you are being unreasonable towards Mydogisthebestest.

You can’t ask me not to occupy a seat I’m legally allowed to (social distancing taken into account - I haven’t used public transport so can’t comment on that). If I’m allowed in the seat, legally, I am going to sit in it. I will turn away from you, if that isn’t enough for you, then it’s up to you what you do then. I have made reasonable adjustment.

Should people be able to refuse

For example I have a friend who has to go back to work in retail, or lose her job. She is worried about covid because her child is medically fragile. Her mum has moved in to help her with the child and be her bubble to look after him when she works. But if someone says they don’t want to or can’t wear a mask, can she ask someone else to serve them on her till? Because I can just see the threads now from outraged people she refuses to serve who refuse to see her side of the story

You pose an increased risk to me due to your job.

"you should accept that other people might need you to accommodate their legal rights"

Actually no you have no legal right to expect a private person to accommodate what you have decided is a reasonable adjustment.

@Spikeyball

Hooves you are being unreasonable towards Mydogisthebestest.

Oh of course. I was forgetting accommodation only goes one way.

She told me compromise was needed. I'm still wondering what compromise she's making?

What adjustment have I asked anyone to make for me exactly?

I will repeat

I’m turning away from you. Which is all I can do. I am legally permitted not to wear a mask.

Why do you think I shouldn’t be allowed to do what the govt have said is allowed?

I’m not going out unless I absolutely have to. I wash my hands, use hand sanitizer. Don’t touch my face when I’m out. Socially distance. Face away from people if I can’t. I have changed my working practises to be totally at home. I haven’t seen two of my children or my DP since March.

What more do you want from me.

Also. You can’t require me to do anything more than that the law requires.

I haven’t asked anything of you or anyone.

@Spikeyball

"you should accept that other people might need you to accommodate their legal rights"

Actually no you have no legal right to expect a private person to accommodate what you have decided is a reasonable adjustment.

What I've decided is a reasonable adjustment ,for my disability? Oh right. So anyone can declare the need for a reasonable adjustment when it comes to not wearing a mask and everyone must accept that without challenge but anyone else requiring reasonable adjustments for a disability " you've got no right to expect a private person to accommodate you".

Ok. So in your opinion a private person does not have to accommodate a reasonable adjustment then?

Legally a private person only has to comply with the law.

Neither you nor anyone else has the right to require me to do anything not required by law.

But if someone says they don’t want to or can’t wear a mask, can she ask someone else to serve them on her till? Because I can just see the threads now from outraged people she refuses to serve who refuse to see her side of the story

I would have thought so. I'm making dh do all the shopping because I'm uncomfortable going in a shop without a mask (and in a mask I wouldn't be capable of shopping). Probably depends on the shop though. I used to work for a large supermarket chain whilst a student and I doubt they'd have been supportive.

Don’t all the tills have plastic shields now? Could she wear a face shield herself as well as a mask?

Well, this thread has certainly gone mental hasn't it.

Well, I survived my first trip out not wearing a mask. Shop staff absolutely fine, the majority of customers fine, apart from some evil stares from, shall we say the more maturely aged of the population.

I may just survive my next trip out, who knows.

@Mydogisthebestest

Legally a private person only has to comply with the law.

Neither you nor anyone else has the right to require me to do anything not required by law.

The exemptions not to wear masks are covered by the EA.

My needs, caused by my disability are covered by the EA.

Can you explain why legally I have to accommodate your reasonable adjustments but you don't need to accommodate mine?

The government has decided certain reasonable adjustments are allowed regarding masks. You personally are not making that reasonable adjustment. The government is.
You yourself cannot decide what is a reasonable adjustment for you and expect a private person to accommodate it. That is not how reasonable adjustments work.

You could contact a bus company and ask them to make it a rule and they could decide whether it is reasonable but you cannot ask it of another passenger because you yourself have decided it is reasonable.

But if someone says they don’t want to or can’t wear a mask, can she ask someone else to serve them on her till? Because I can just see the threads now from outraged people she refuses to serve who refuse to see her side of the story

And this will be me next week. Coming out of shielding Saturday and onto a till on Monday, serving people not wearing a mask.

I’m not asking you to do anything. I require no reasonable adjustment from you. Therefore your premise in that statement is wrong.

Reasonable adjustments only apply to businesses. I am a private individual. You can ask nothing of me, just as I can ask nothing of you.

As a courtesy, as I have repeatedly explained, I will face away from you, whilst observing social distancing as is advised.

What more do you demand of me?

Not to breathe over me.