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?

Why are doctors not doing exemption letters?

A woman with her son wasn't. I judged. Selfish thoughtless person

And this is the problem, everyone assumes automatically anyone not wearing a mask is taking the piss and being slefish. How about we all just assume those not wearing masks have a legitimate reason.

DH is a GP and they are not doing any exemption letters. They have enough to do.

@SheepandCow Im embarrassed to be British too @SheepandCow

Thankfully im only half as embarrassed because im half Italian

Italy..................handing out free masks outside pharmacies.

Japan..................cooled face masks in vending machines for the summer

UK. Make your own face mask out of a sock.

My relatives in Molise are bloody horrified about the sock thing.

Im ashamed of our Government and the way they treat us here in the UK

@Sometimeswinning

Why are doctors not doing exemption letters?

Because they'd have to field call after call from aggressive patients insisting they're eligible for one, refusing to accept they weren't, and threatening to sue. They haven't the time for that.

My son has an exemption letter from his consultant paediatrician, although he's under 11 anyway. I imagine specialist doctors might produce them for their patients or maybe she's just extra helpful.

I have been wearing a mask when out for the past week and my son being without a mask today meant three people (adults) without masks engaged me in conversation almost apologising that they weren't wearing one. I hadn't commented or stated at them, it made me feel sad they felt the need to offer this as people might judge them - and that others are taking advantage when others do have genuine barriers to wearing them.

@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.

@Jaxhog where have you had this from?

You really think people with disabilities should have to justify themselves and fave questioning from shopkeepers and bus drivers in public, and have to disclose the nature of their disability? You think they should have to take up the time of the GP and have to jump through hoops to prove they deserve to be exempt?

I think people, myself included, would simply choose not to go out (I could be exempt on medical grounds but I can tolerate the mask so have been wearing one for short periods - but if I needed an exemption I would rather not go out than try to justify why I can’t wear one to the GP)

I can't wear a mask due to severe psychological distress - PTSD from being the victim of a horrible crime by a man in mask. Even worse than wearing one myself is seeing everyone in them. I have to confront what happened to me hundreds of times a day. Now seeing this post has confirmed to me the exact reason I will not go into a shop until this is over. I will not put myself up for being abused by mask wearers for not having one on. Talk about victim blaming . I'd clearly need a badge on me to say what I was a victim of to stop people having a go at me in public.

Masks do not even do much (if anything) to stop the spread - even the government website says this. I watched with dread over the weeks as it became apparent it was going to happen.

I feel gutted reading this thread.

No is going to need an exemption because there will be no one enforcing this rule. Most sensible people will wear one, but there will always be the bell ends that just want to do their own thing.

It's a shambles.
The civil liberties wannabe anarchists group aren't likely to be downloading exemption cards because they'll want to be challenged. It will be the group with bullshit excuses deciding they deserve an exemption that cause the problems for the vulnerable and the genuinely exempt. My rl favourites so far include someone that has decided out of the blue they are 'a bit autistic' because they don't like the feel of them, and severe distress because the elastic rubs.

@HeIenaDove not seeing the relevance of proof of age. As a parent of tall dc it was something I just expected. And if they were under 11 now, I'd accept the fact I'd probably get challenged, and just as we have in other situations I'd just get in the habit of carrying proof. Just like if actual exempt cards had been issued, provided they don't contain any personal details I don't see the objection to showing it as proof to anyone with a right to ask, eg door staff.

As with lockdown and perceived “flouting” (when in reality the public was more compliant than expected), it works very nicely for the government when people blame each other for “spikes” rather than scrutinising the government’s actions. I don’t actually think this is their strategy, but it’s a convenient side effect

@Coldspringharbour
Yes 'bellends' like me hey.....rape victims.

[quote HeIenaDove]@SheepandCow Im embarrassed to be British too @SheepandCow

Thankfully im only half as embarrassed because im half Italian

Italy..................handing out free masks outside pharmacies.

Japan..................cooled face masks in vending machines for the summer

UK. Make your own face mask out of a sock.

My relatives in Molise are bloody horrified about the sock thing.

Im ashamed of our Government and the way they treat us here in the UK[/quote]
There were "beauty" competitions on the homemade masks in national news in a EU country my family is in. They all made their own because there was a shortage. They also donated where needed. People match them with their clothes incl politicians. They too are raising eyebrows at sock ones... They are also reintroducing them back in there because of spikes.

And yes. As pp said. Very few exceptions. You saw very few people without masks outside.

I’m going to find it very difficult to wear one. My Dad died from Covid and we were allowed to go to the hospital to say goodbye. We wore the masks of course but now wearing one really triggers me. I will have to now shop online for everything because I find it so hard to wear one. I wouldn’t go in a shop without one because that wouldn’t feel right either. So will just avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

How about we all just assume those not wearing masks have a legitimate reason
Well we might assume this if not for the eejits the OP has seen posting fake exemptions on social media. It is those people making it harder for people who genuinely struggle with masks.

I have Asthma, but I've only worn a mask once sitting down and it was uncomfortable ( hairdresser at my home, as I had said previously) I am technically exempt, but I just won't go to the shops now. I won't go to the garden centre. I will shop online, I might go to an attraction, but I won't use the cafe or shop. I don't know are masks needed for toilets ? I hate the thought of being challenged when needing a wee.

The Japanese cooling masks sound good. I wonder if we can buy them online? My masks actually are from Japan (bought as a souvenir a couple of years ago) but I'm running out.

Cooling masks might be useful for our doctors and nurses and carers, people who have to wear masks for extended periods.

“ It is those people making it harder for people who genuinely struggle with masks.”

Why, are they also challenging other people not wearing masks to check that they have “legitimate“ reasons?

I saw people urging others to order the sunflower lanyard so they don't have to wear a mask since they stamp foot don't want to.

There should be an official card or sething for actually disabled which shouldn't be available to buy for anyone. This behaviour is disgusting.

First retail staff were behaving like they were medically trained and I'll advising customers on infection control and now they're policing customers.

@SheepandCow That’s exactly my point - both are important and one doesn’t trump the other. So those who can wear a mask do, and those who can’t don’t. I can’t speak for those who can but are choosing not to, but as someone who is unexpectedly finding they can’t, I can only ask that we aren’t lumped in with the “can but won’t”.

Did you really just...