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 kwest]@jaxhog you can just go onto the gov.uk website and anyone, with no medical evidence whatsoever, can screenshot/download a “I’m exempt from wearing a face mask” certificate . More well thought out advice from the govt.[/quote]
Wow.

The whole plan is incredibly flawed and will be exploited no end.

I can't see bus drivers enforcing it either, I wouldn't if I worked in retail or public transport as they will be bound to be given abuse from people. Not worth it.

A shop near me refused entry to people without masks today. - and other shops are available to take their money.

They are not going to police it. They can't, and it is not good business practice to turn people away - especially in this economic climate.

The whole act of shopping, for anything, is so Grim now, that many many people will avoid it. I went to Next on monday - queue to get in, one-way system, can't try anything on...And at the till, several people returning stuff that they couldn't try on, and therefore are clogging up the queues for a refund. Why would I put myself through that, when I can just buy it online? And that right there is the death of Next (and others) on an already dying High St.

I will only go to a supermarket once a month now, instead of once a week (plus top-ups in the week). How long before they realise that it killing off businesses large and small?

@Jaxhog you are blatently just making stuff up .

Yes OP anyone can clain a 'exemption'.

@Jaxhog

Exempt people will have a letter saying they're exempt. No letter, you have to wear a mask. I gather the police will be doing spot checks and on-the-spot fines.

This simply isn’t true. There is no issuing authority who are dispensing exemption letters. Doctors might provide one, but they’ll charge you for it as it isn’t a free service to provide. There is no “autism certificate” or “asthma certificate”, there is no central register of disabled people.

It is something the government hasn’t thought through.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I can't see bus drivers enforcing it either, I wouldn't if I worked in retail or public transport as they will be bound to be given abuse from people. Not worth it.

Not all bus drivers were enforcing this when it became mandatory to wear them in public transport.

I'm in London and use the busses often. It was a mixed bag but I definitely saw alot of people being let on without wearing one.

Of course it'll work. A few big retailers have said they won't be enforcing it anyway.

There is no official exemption letter which I think is pretty ridiculous, though I’d guess it would cost a lot to do and could be forged.

So basically anyone can print something off saying they don’t need to wear a mask, or just not wear a mask as to challenge them may result in disability discrimination also the non mask wearer doesn’t need to disclose any of their private medical information to a shop worker (which I agree with).

I have to say I’m more concerned that those who don’t have to wear masks will be harassed/scared to go out than I am about a few people flouting the rules.

My boss today walked in and showed me a phone-shot of the Asthma society 'exemption note'. He doesn't have asthma, and intends to use it in shops.

But then he thinks this whole thing is Social-media led, and a huge con.

Boost your immune system, get fresh air, exercise, Vit D (with K2) and eat a healthy diet. Don't smoke. Get to a healthy weight. Don't eat or drink crap. And he sees 30-40 people a day (clinic setting) with Zero PPE. (As do I)

It’s a very poor society where people who can wear a mask to help others, don’t. No one should be criticising those who are unable, physically or mentally, to wear a mask

I don’t think any supermarkets want to police this. On a positive note I have been travelling on the motorway today and the vast majority of adults and many children were wearing masks in the services despite no active policing of this.

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/24/sainsburys-asda-face-mask-laws-england-police-coronavirus-risk

I work in a large supermarket in Somerset and I was dreading today. But actually it's been fine, been here for 7 hours and only 3 people not wearing masks and no sarcastic comments or abuse from anyone.
Much better than I expected

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/24/sainsburys-asda-face-mask-laws-england-police-coronavirus-risk&ved=2ahUKEwjH4qrirubqAhXEURUIHaAdB5oQFjABegQIChAI&usg=AOvVaw09Yiio1r3sN9bsnyx7gxvx&ampcf=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/24/sainsburys-asda-face-mask-laws-england-police-coronavirus-risk&ved=2ahUKEwjH4qrirubqAhXEURUIHaAdB5oQFjABegQIChAI&usg=AOvVaw09Yiio1r3sN9bsnyx7gxvx&ampcf=1

Most big supermarkets (among other retailers) saying they won't enforce it and Police advising they don't have the resources to (obviously).

Had this been introduced in say April, I expect there would be more willingness to wear a face covering. Scarves would have been used for example.

Parker231 it's called the UK.

Blimey! I heard an announcement that implied they would be issuing exemption letters. If what you say is true, then any CF can 'opt-out'. But I'm guessing that any reasonable, caring person will be wearing one. We need to socially shun anyone who doesn't especially if they are smirking at us in our masks I guess. Please don't use this as an excuse to be a CF by not wearing one without a b*y good reason.

Yes I agree. Had this been introduced in April it would have been accepted. Any shops would be crazy to police it. Apart from disability cases being brought against them, I would assume they need the income! I am now avoiding all shops. Sent my 8 year old into the village shop whilst I waited outside...

If you read the exemption you don't have to wear one if it causes you distress.

Do you expect the nhs to fund psychologists to assess whether people are really distressed or not.

The nhs is under enough strain without having to mess about issuing letters to every person that can't wear a mask to appease a stupid policy purely designed to encourage people with covid fear out of their houses.

People are within their rights to not wear them if it causes them distress. It's not up to the general public to define what that means or police people not wearing them.

It’s difficult. I’m asthmatic, but fairly mild. I can and do wear a mask for short periods of time, but after 10mins or so, I can’t breathe and have to remove it. I don’t think my needs are severe enough to warrant taking up my GPs time to provide a letter, especially at the moment, but I don’t think staying indoors indefinitely is workable either.

I was quite cheered at the local small supermarket - almost everyone masked, the other two were preteen kids who had their tshirts over their faces. Not bad compared to like 25% masked last Friday.

Socially shun? Don't be daft. You have no idea why someone isn't wearing a mask. Do not be the judge and jury about people you don't even know.

We need to socially shun anyone who doesn't

Ah great so now we have people who are actively encouraging everyone to socially shun some of the most vulnerable people in society just because some people are being cheeky fuckers...

Do you expect the nhs to fund psychologists to assess whether people are really distressed or not.

Don't put words in my mouth

I do expect piss takers to wear one, if the only reason they're refusing is because they "don't like it"

I don't like wearing one but I do it because it's the right thing to do.

Some of the supermarkets have publicly said that they won't challenge people without a mask because they don't want to have to enforce it and risk assaults on staff They obviously don't want to question people on why they are exempt

A sunflower lanyard means a hidden disability and they are sold at places like eBay if you need one

@whitershadeofpale

It’s difficult. I’m asthmatic, but fairly mild. I can and do wear a mask for short periods of time, but after 10mins or so, I can’t breathe and have to remove it. I don’t think my needs are severe enough to warrant taking up my GPs time to provide a letter, especially at the moment, but I don’t think staying indoors indefinitely is workable either.

It's admirable that you choose to wear a mask but you really shouldn't feel the need to if you have asthma.

I appreciate not having an official letter of some sort complicates things.

In your shoes, I wouldn't wear one.