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 would face away.

I’ve said this.

Wouldn’t breathe on you.

Didn’t you read where I said that ?

Also, you're all saying a private individual can't be made to make reasonable adjustments but then you all want private individuals to not look at you funny, tut, or mutter under their breaths because you aren't wearing s mask - but they are private individuals. You can't control how someone else looks at you.

All ANY of us can control, beyond that required and enforced by laws, is our own actions.

You would be better sourcing a shield and mask and maybe a portable shield for your till if your work don’t provide one, as not everyone will be able to wear masks. And this exemption is allowed by law.

I’m allowed out, under the law, without a mask. And when I have To go out I’m as considerate to others as I can be.

People are going to look at me. And tut. I’d rather they didn’t but I’m not going to approach them and demand that they don’t. I never said I would. You’re making that up.

If someone approaches me and challenges me on my not wearing a mask I’ll tell them I’m exempt.
I have a sunflower lanyard and I’ve ordered a mask exempt card last night.

So I need to double up on PPE to accommodate others who won't wear it because it makes them feel breathless or claustrophobic? And who needs to be paying for these masks, shields and portable shield? Would that be me too? So I should not only wear something that's uncomfortable (and makes my breathlessness caused by O2 sats of 90% feel worse) but I should also pay to accommodate other people's inability to wear a mask? Oh yep ok. That sounds reasonable.

Yes you are right people cannot control how someone looks at you and of course that works both ways. The person doing the looking can't control the other person's reaction.

Only stupid, selfish arseholes and fuciwitted conspiracy theorists pretend to be exempt for no good reason.

People not wearing masks who are medically exempt are unlikely to merely be claustrophobic or breathless.

My exemption is not for either of those reasons.

*slightly breathless.

Poorly worded.

@Mydogisthebestest

People not wearing masks who are medically exempt are unlikely to merely be claustrophobic or breathless.

My exemption is not for either of those reasons.

But people are doing exactly that.

Watching another thread now and people are discussing the quarantine of returners from Spain and people are discussing how not to.inform employers so they don't lose two weeks pay.

Of course people are going to be exploiting exemptions because there's no penalty to them doing so.

Anyway, regardless of whether the exemption is real or not I fail to see why I as an individual needs to pay in order to accommodate you.

The choice is yours.

See if work will pay for it, or pay yourself, or just wear a mask.

I’m not making you do anything.

Anyway, regardless of whether the exemption is real or not I fail to see why I as an individual needs to pay in order to accommodate you

Your employer should be risk assessing and making adjustments. You cannot expect people who are genuinely exempt to never need to be in a place where masks need to be worn. It’s not realistic.

Yes as ever Hoovesit is all about you and how everyone else is doing things that make your life worse.

You should ask your employer to provide you appropriate PPE as a reasonable adjustment under the equality act.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

So I need to double up on PPE to accommodate others who won't wear it because it makes them feel breathless or claustrophobic? And who needs to be paying for these masks, shields and portable shield? Would that be me too? So I should not only wear something that's uncomfortable (and makes my breathlessness caused by O2 sats of 90% feel worse) but I should also pay to accommodate other people's inability to wear a mask? Oh yep ok. That sounds reasonable.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras if the mask makes you breathless and you have low o2 levels anyway, you would be exempt from wearing it, have you consulted with you medical practitioners regarding this?. If you don’t want to come in contact with people not wearing masks then make suitable arrangements so you’re not put under the stress of doing so. Your health is your responsibility, not that of somebody else. Like everybody else wearing masks the cost is on them. Your remark regarding payment of masks is really ridiculous, it’s like me saying I choose to take supplements for my health and well-being, but because others choose not to then it’s unfair I have to pay. Come on now. People are exempt for good reason, don’t treat them like they’ve done something wrong.

If a member of the public questions me in a store, I won’t be engaging with them, I won’t be explaining to them because I don’t need to. If they harass me in a store, like some have experienced, I won’t be tolerating it and neither should I. If somebody becomes aggressive in a store the store is legally responsible to make sure this doesn’t happen, if it does there’s grounds for a legal matter as it’s discrimination. Do be mindful of how you behave because you don’t know why someone isn’t wearing one and I’m sure you don’t want to make that person feel any more vulnerable , imagine the societal implications of being potentially the only person in a store without a mask, not everybody can handle that and they most definitely do not deserve comments or looks. You wouldn’t like it.

@Mydogisthebestest

You should ask your employer to provide you appropriate PPE as a reasonable adjustment under the equality act.

😂 yes. It took eighteen months and the threat of legal action to finally get a piece of equipment occupational health stipulated I needed. I'll put my request in now for special PPE. I might get it by 2022.

BF888

I'm not exempt from wearing a mask - I'm breathless regardless of wearing a mask or not. Wearing a mask makes me feel uncomfortable - I'm currently working with a respiratory physio to overcome the feeling of air hunger. It's uncomfortable, not impossible.

This isn't just about me. Another poster just raised the same issue about a friend who has a vulnerable daughter but who will be required to serve customers not wearing masks and how there will be complaints if she asks them to use another till. Posters suggested she too wears a visor plus face mask. I do think it's off to tell others to wear, and pay for, extra PPE in order to accommodate people wearing none.

As someone just said, my employer has a duty of care to me at work and I've no idea how they balance these conflicting rights. Should they exclude people like me from the workplace?

I’m suggesting something. Not telling.

I’m sorry your employers are crap.

Do be mindful of how you behave because you don’t know why someone isn’t wearing one and I’m sure you don’t want to make that person feel any more vulnerable

Ok. Will you too be mindful of not making people feel more vulnerable? As someone who has been shielding can you imagine how it feels to now be facing people who might be a risk to you? I'm sure you can understand.

If a member of the public questions me in a store, I won’t be engaging with them, I won’t be explaining to them because I don’t need to. If they harass me in a store, like some have experienced, I won’t be tolerating it and neither should I.

Me neither. I was waiting for it today and the old bat that gave me the death stare was certainly looking like she was considering it, wise she didn't.

I'm just going to give back what someone decides is acceptable to dish out. Up to them.

Some disabled people, like me, are unable to do particular jobs. It’s unfortunate. But it is what it is. Perhaps COVID will mean there are some jobs that some people with particular disabilities now cannot do which they could do before.

hear Have you spoke to your workplace about what you need?

@Mydogisthebestest

Some disabled people, like me, are unable to do particular jobs. It’s unfortunate. But it is what it is. Perhaps COVID will mean there are some jobs that some people with particular disabilities now cannot do which they could do before.

As long as DWP recognises that and doesn't leave them penniless because they've been found 'fit for work' that's too dangerous for them to now do. Also disability benefits need to actually cover the cost of living including housing.

@Mydogisthebestest

Some disabled people, like me, are unable to do particular jobs. It’s unfortunate. But it is what it is. Perhaps COVID will mean there are some jobs that some people with particular disabilities now cannot do which they could do before.

Oh ok. So you're comfortable advocating for disabled people to be removed from certain jobs but God forbid anyone ask about a mask?

Absolutely 100%.

(But Disability benefits don’t currently do that)