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 wore one for the first time today to go for my smear , I don’t have any condition why I shouldn’t but almost had a panic attack lying down in one .

I think we have been fed for so long there is no benefit people are doubtful there is any benefit.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

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.

This really annoys me as both my daughter and I have invisible disabilities and to see people being advised to "just get a sunflower lanyard if you don't want to wear a mask" means the whole idea becomes pointless. We have them so transport and shops can see we may need a little more time (to get to a seat) or that we may need a little more assistance

Gps are too busy to produce a million letters
I have asthma but have worked on a ward throughout. Also managed to go shopping now in a mask
Every other country seems to be able to do this

You’re right. During WW2 everyone, children, asthmatics, people with autism (they existed, even if the diagnosis didn’t) all wore gas masks during air raids and didn’t complain that they “tickled”.

What a pile of old crap. Gas masks were for gas attacks and there weren’t any. They actually contained asbestos so thankfully they weren’t needed. Keep looking through your rose tinted glasses.

I’m personally baffled at how soft the U.K. public are being about a virus. But we’re all entitled to our own opinions.

And civil liberties really do matter in mine.

It's not disgusting for disabled people to have something with them. My father used to have a card. It's normal where I am from. It helps to quickly sort things like different access, toilet access, discount etc. You always have it with you and can use it when you need it. No one can just buy it and it works on train stations as well as airports. Simply anywhere. He didn't have to go and get letters of gp. Simply had a card and once in certain time got it renewed.

Also FYI. I reported your post.

@SchrodingersImmigrant They've said it twice now. It's disgusting but perhaps best ignored. There's nothing that can be done about that sort of wilful ignorance.

@Teateaandmoretea

You’re right. During WW2 everyone, children, asthmatics, people with autism (they existed, even if the diagnosis didn’t) all wore gas masks during air raids and didn’t complain that they “tickled”.

What a pile of old crap. Gas masks were for gas attacks and there weren’t any. They actually contained asbestos so thankfully they weren’t needed. Keep looking through your rose tinted glasses.

I’m personally baffled at how soft the U.K. public are being about a virus. But we’re all entitled to our own opinions.

And civil liberties really do matter in mine.

Yes, that WW2 post read like a parody.

@Starlightstarbright1

I wore one for the first time today to go for my smear , I don’t have any condition why I shouldn’t but almost had a panic attack lying down in one .

I think we have been fed for so long there is no benefit people are doubtful there is any benefit.

There are many doctors explaining how masks help to cut down transmission

[quote SheepandCow]@SchrodingersImmigrant They've said it twice now. It's disgusting but perhaps best ignored. There's nothing that can be done about that sort of wilful ignorance.[/quote]
Unbelievable it still stands

Everyone's wearing some class of face covering round here today in shops.

And to be fair, it doesn't really need everyone to comply, just enough, to significantly reduce the risk of transmission.

You will of course get the occasional selfish fucker, but I'm not prepared to condemn all those who have a valid reason not to wear a mask to catch out the odd wanker.

@SchrodingersImmigrant
Reported my post for what exactly? For being concerned about people's liberties and being concerned at disabled people having to justify themselves and prove their disability so they don't get judged? It IS worrying. And it worries me how blindly people follow these orders, when there is little to no evidence of masks even working.

FWIW if I didn't have my PTSD issues I would wear one, not because I'm worried about the virus but because I hate sticking out like a sore thumb and people judging me. I'm just going to be avoiding shops at all costs.

This is a storm in a teacup.
There will always be a tiny minority of people who abuse any process but let's be kind as the majority of people not wearing a mask will be genuinely exempt.
Let's not promote division.

People are saying they won’t enforce it but my mum was on the bus the other day and said that the police boarded and was asking for proof of exemption from anyone not wearing a face mask, I also got questioned by a bus driver as the why I wasn’t wearing one

In Tesco today I saw only one person over the age of about 8 not wearing a mask and she was on a till so I very much assume she had a reason.

I'm asthmatic (and a bit claustrophobic) so have been wearing mine for the last few months off and on to get used to it. I know there are a few people with genuine reasons, be they psychological or medical, but there are a lot of people who just need to get a grip. If my 92 year old dad can get on board, so can lots of other people.

@Tistheseason17
Exactly. I feel desperately sad for all of us with genuine reasons. I won't be going into a shop anytime soon.

Maybe, just maybe, all the people who ARE exempt from wearing masks (for whatever reason they do not need to disclose to the general public) are feeling uncomfortable and have received abuse in public so they're deciding not to go out in public anymore. The fact that other countries don't have any exempt people venturing into the public sphere (totally based on anecdote) doesn't mean these exempt people don't exist.
I thought the UK was a tolerant country. This thread shows that that reputation has been destroyed.

Please do not 'challenge' people in shops for not wearing a mask, I cannot and was challenged today and it was horrible, why should I have to explain to any tom, dick or harry my issues, I have an exemption card but then I would have had to get close to her to show her.

If you can wear a mask to keep yourself do so, and if someone not wearing one offends you so much then just keep your distance, as they will be feeling self conscious enough and trying to give you space.

@moretolifethanthis2020 If a genuine system of proof existed it wouldn't be any different to the blue badge one. Or do you see displaying one of those as something to worry about?

The mask prevent nothing

@PumpkinP

People are saying they won’t enforce it but my mum was on the bus the other day and said that the police boarded and was asking for proof of exemption from anyone not wearing a face mask, I also got questioned by a bus driver as the why I wasn’t wearing one

Then I suggest you report both incidents officially as it's in the government's guidance that people are NOT to be asked for proof if they say they are exempt.

I can’t wear one and just won’t be going to the shops anymore tbh, The thought of randomers challenging me or being stopped by the police had made me too anxious

@Flowers009

The mask prevent nothing

It prevents me coughing straight into your mouth.

BamboozledandBefuddled

So bus drivers can’t ask you why you aren’t wearing one? I just got off as I don’t want to explain my personal medical information to people. I was told they weren’t meant to ask but obviously some people will take it upon themselves to ask.

I have an official Tfl card "I am exempt........." which I won't use unless panic steps in (I get claustrophobic if I can't freely breathe and I can't freely breathe with a mask on - I get overhot and breathless). But I will still try to keep the mask on regardless. However I think folk shouldn't accuse just because they fancy accusing - or we will quickly turn into another culture entirely - where its 1984 and the book ALL comes true.

@TrainspottingWelsh
Yes true to some degree I guess. But as there isn't, disabled people or those with a genuine reason, will just be bullied out of shops. I find it worrying.