Mask shamed (disability), complain? (Some TMI)

[Maskwoes]

I've NCed for this thread as I expect the details I share will make the case highly identifiable. MNHQ can confirm I'm a member of some years.

I have several disabilities, physical and psychological. I am unable to wear a face mask because I have PTSD from sexual trauma as a young teen. I'm sorry for TMI but it's relevant to the case - I was raped and penetrated in my mouth too. Due to this nothing can cover my mouth, it's an instant panic attack.

I had to attend a hospital yesterday - minor injuries unit. I approached to book in and was instantly ordered to put on a mask, one was offered, to which I replied I was unable to do so due to a mental health condition. She fetched a nurse who asked why I was refusing to wear one, and that if I did not then I would be removed from the unit. This area is very open and very public, with other patients being seen at the side of me.

I was becoming extremely anxious at this point and explained that I have PTSD. They wanted details. I was essentially railroaded into detailing what happened as a teen. I was told to wait and then taken into a room with a doctor and another nurse. I again had to explain in detail my PTSD. I was then offered a visor type mask which I found very claustrophobic and in all honesty unbearable.

I was then triaged, assessed and treated. In total I explained everything three times, had an hour-long major panic attack in the car afterwards and have been very on edge, upset, and on the edge of more panic attacks. I had two more overnight and haven't slept, am very upset.

I'm extremely pissed off in truth and am wondering whether I should complain, through which channels, how far to push and what the outcome would likely be.

I'm posting this in AIBU as I want the brutally honest views!

Thank you for reading.

I'm sorry this happened, OP.

But the staff were trying to protect themselves and other patients, you must understand that.

Even with a good reason not to people not wearing masks look like they don't care about other people to many not familiar with the lanyard.

I'm exempt (health) but I wear one to keep others safe. Too many people take the piss and it ends up hurting genune people.

Complain via PALS. The NHS is there to provide healthcare for all, not to terrify and intimidate people with mental and physical difficulties.
This was handled with appalling insenstivity.

People who face additionsl difficulties in life need sensitive support, not calling out, humiliating or having to advertise their challenges.

Contact pals. There maybe a disclaimer badge you can wear. Have you tried a visor. Much less confining.

that sounds really tough. I hope you will not get any more intrusive questioning once you carry the exemption letter.

Absolutely complain, and if it was me, I would be going public as well. We need to stamp on this mask-shaming. It's bad enough when vigilante members of the public take it upon themselves to do so, but appalling for the professionals to be doing the same thing.

get a medical exemption certificate to avoid any further distress

These don't exist (except for the generic ones available online)

The guidelines are very clear that people claiming a medical exemption should not be challenged.

YANBU at all OP, you should definitely complain.

Very worrying that so many pp are dishing out 'advice' that is completely wrong.

It's actually really unlikely they will have had access to your full medical history in triage in a minor injuries unit.

GP systems in many areas aren't linked up automatically to even their local hospital, let alone some national NHS database.

I'm so sorry this happened to you OP you poor thing. You have to wear a mask or visor though. Theres a pandemic.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

I'm sorry this happened, OP.

But the staff were trying to protect themselves and other patients, you must understand that.

Even with a good reason not to people not wearing masks look like they don't care about other people to many not familiar with the lanyard.

I'm exempt (health) but I wear one to keep others safe. Too many people take the piss and it ends up hurting genune people.

The staff were in breach of the government guidance.

...and if you are able to wear a mask, you are not exempt.

When they asked why I wouldn't wear a mask I asked if there was somewhere more private and told the private rooms were in clinical areas. It was only after I divulged the full reasoning I was given access to this area (and had to explain twice more).

I was railroaded into wearing a visor mask. I found it very hot and claustrophobic, things I can relate to the rape, was totally drained, exhausted, and running on empty at that point. It was a case of "just get it over with" at that point and I'd deal with the after effects later. Similar thoughts to that day, I'm not exaggerating when I say I felt totally broken, demeaned, and worthless.

You have to wear a mask or visor though. Theres a pandemic

No, she doesn't.

You clearly haven't read the guidance, so why are you posting?

There is a group of lawyers who have a common sense site, separating the fiction from the facts regarding laws and discrimination.

They have put together a marvellous 'toolkit' for anyone who encounters discrimination as a result of being challenged despite having an exemption. Nice and simple. Properly laid out and tells you everything you need to know, especially if you wish to take it further.

www.laworfiction.com/2020/07/face-covering-litigation-threats-and-administrative-headache/

Because as much as I sympathise I think she is wrong. Just my opinion I appreciate you do not agree.

@Chocoholic12 no she doesn't.

As well as PALS, it might be worth contact POhWER , they help with medical advocacy.

www.pohwer.net/

@Chocoholic12

I'm so sorry this happened to you OP you poor thing. You have to wear a mask or visor though. Theres a pandemic.

Excellent, what about people with autism? People, like myself, with sexual trauma? The people with optical issues where a mask removes their low-edge sight? We should all just suffer? And, FWIW, my partner is extremely vulnerable so your sarcastic "there's a pandemic" comment can be shoved.

This is really awful, people say that you are not suppose to be challenged but I had a bus driver ask why I wasn’t wearing a mask when I tried to board a bus so just got off as didn’t want to explain my private medical reason to anyone. This sounds really horrible what happened to you op, I would definitely complain.

She is not wrong @Chocoholic12 ... it is an actual FACT that some people are exempt - I suggest you read the FACTS instead of spouting your opinion.

I truly hope you never have the terrible, traumatic experience @Maskwoes had and then have to relive it over again in front of people.

@Chocoholic12

Because as much as I sympathise I think she is wrong. Just my opinion I appreciate you do not agree.

This is exactly what is wrong with the world.

Your ignorant and ill-informed opinion is in no way equal to one that is based on facts (in this case legislation).

This isn't a case of '2 sides to every story'. You are wrong, and the legislation is correct.

Its so worrying that some people thing all opinions are somehow equal, no matter how ill-informed they are; how did we get to this point?

@Howyiz

Knowing that they will require people to wear masks you should have contacted them before hand to let them know your circumstances or as another poster suggested get a letter from your GP/mental health professional to state you cannot wear one.

@Howyiz Please explain how the op could have contacted the minor injuries unit before she suffered the injury. The injury that required immediate treatment.

@Thisfucker ....I wondered that too .... @Howyiz can you explain how the OP could predict her injury and to phone ahead?!

[quote Weetabixandcrumpets]There is a group of lawyers who have a common sense site, separating the fiction from the facts regarding laws and discrimination.

They have put together a marvellous 'toolkit' for anyone who encounters discrimination as a result of being challenged despite having an exemption. Nice and simple. Properly laid out and tells you everything you need to know, especially if you wish to take it further.

www.laworfiction.com/2020/07/face-covering-litigation-threats-and-administrative-headache/[/quote]
Oh now that is very useful. Thank you.

[quote runbummyrun]**@Thisfucker* ....I wondered that too .... @Howyiz* can you explain how the OP could predict her injury and to phone ahead?! [/quote]
This is just missing the point, even had the appointment been pre-booked, she still shouldn't have been challenged.

The sunflower lanyard is for hidden disabilities. You can pick them up at Tesco customer service. I would go in there if you can and collect one.

I'm so sorry this happened. I had a bad experience in boots recently where I was pressured into wearing a mask, had a panic attack and threw up all over the pharmacy counter. Being told we have PTSD should be enough. And no, I did not offer to clean it up. Served her bloody right.