To ask the mask police to please PLEASE stop

[PennyDreadfuI]

Another mask thread but I'm not going to apologise because I'm absolutely at the end of my tether with this sort of thing.

I can't wear a mask because I have trigeminal neuralgia and I've lost count of the stares, comments and filthy looks I've had (and yes, I do wear a lanyard, even though I'm not keen on advertising the fact that I have a hidden health condition). I've heard of people not being allowed on buses, being challenged by staff to explain their reason for exemption and being told they can't enter shops despite being exempt (none of which is legal). I've been told I should wear a visor (I can't, and they're next to useless anyway - Scotland have just banned them unless they're worn with a mask), that I should just stay at home (I can't and neither do government guidelines suggest I should), that I shouldn't use buses (I don't drive and can't walk long distances or cycle because I have inflammatory arthritis) and that I'm selfish (I'm not - if I could wear a mask, I would).

I understand this is a contentious issue but please, can people just think for a minute before they judge or comment? Exemptions are there for a reason - those who are sticklers for The Rules should surely accept and respect this one, too. It's awful that people are too scared to go out for fear of what's essentially discrimination.

The pandemic is bad enough by itself - let's not lose our sense of empathy and humanity, too.

So pathetic and stupid. They should mind their own business my love.

I dont wear one either. I am asthmatic but one day I did wear one with my son to the range, it was awful. Hot and uncomfortable and would happily never wear it again.
Two weeks ago, I had an appointment with the midwife. And the stares I had, while sat in the waiting room where as if I had committed mass murder. No one should challenge anyone about why they aren't wearing it if that person is sincere and is wearing it due to any health factor etc. The midwife at the entrance of the clinic who greeted me and checked my temperature, offered me a mask ,at which point I told her I cant wear one due to my asthma. She said oh fine, we have no problem with that. Go ahead. She was very polite and lovely. More people should be like her. Some people are unbelievably rude, demanding to know why you aren't wearing one. Seriously. That reminds me of when shop workers, post men and strangers on the bus demand to know why your child isnt at school. That winds me up too. One woman who works at the local shop, saw my son off school and from thereon accuses him of skivving off school. He has two serious health conditions and been in hospital, had paramedics around the house and so on, why do we have to bloody justify ourselves to strangers.
I don't bother with the lanyard myself. The only people that need to ask me are health professionals. Everyone else can get stuffed.
You just keep doing you and look after yourself.

All my love.

I don't think many people appreciate the fact that restricting people's movements, or requiring special items like masks, is actually a pretty extreme thing in the kind of western liberal democracy we have.

Would a pandemic appear under your definition of 'extreme', Goosefoot? (Ironic username, BTW.)

So pathetic and stupid. They should mind their own business my love.

But people are minding their own business - they are worried that someone not wearing a mask poses a risk to them so the "mind your own business" argument doesn't hold water.

I think all people can be told us that individuals shouldn't be challenging non mask wearers, that's up to the police. All individuals can do is stay as far away from non mask wearers as possible, although that can be very difficult in certain circumstances

OH cannot wear a mask or a visor (before anyone suggests that for the millionth time). The chances of him choking to death if he has a seizure whilst wearing one are too great. So who is being selfish...him for not wearing one, or those who insist that he should wear something that risks his health, because they don't want to risk theirs?

@trappedsincesundaymorn

OH cannot wear a mask or a visor (before anyone suggests that for the millionth time). The chances of him choking to death if he has a seizure whilst wearing one are too great. So who is being selfish...him for not wearing one, or those who insist that he should wear something that risks his health, because they don't want to risk theirs?

So, people shouldn't be challenging him but the fact then remains that him not wearing a mask does potentially pose a risk to other people. That is simply the reality. I do think it's unreasonable to expect other people to be anything more than unchallenging about it.

If those wearing a mask stay 2 metres away then he poses no risk to anybody, anymore than he did before mask wearing came into force.

You know 99% of us are not dicks. There is nothing we can do about the rest so just walk with your head held high and forget the dicks. You know what's going on and that's all that matters!

The majority of the population is probably doing something that is a risk to other people. Work with members of the public - that makes someone a higher risk than someone who doesn't. Young child or baby not wearing a mask - also a risk to other people. Child that goes to large school - a higher risk to other people than one who goes to a small school. People living in a large household - a higher risk than those living in a small household. Families where children are going to playgrounds - a higher risk than those who don't. And so on.

Just wear a lanyard, no? I do a double-take when I see someone without a mask now but see the lanyard and think 'ah, there you go'. I'm afraid that in times of a global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people have died, you do need to advertise your exemption. Nobody has the right to ask WHY you're exempt of course.
I was at a wildlife park the other day and you had to wear a mask for indoor enclosures. Family of seven, teenagers with Mum and Dad, and not one was wearing a mask. No lanyards. Now, it's possible that every single one of them had a condition that meant they couldn't wear a mask. Or alternatively they could just not think the rules apply to them and not give a shit about anyone else. Every single person on this thread knows that there are people up and down the country doing that. Not everyone not wearing a mask is medically exempt. I HATE wearing a mask - it's uncomfortable and it makes me feel claustrophobic and panicky but I do it anyway. Unless you can't, you should.

@StepAwayFromGoogle

Just wear a lanyard, no? I do a double-take when I see someone without a mask now but see the lanyard and think 'ah, there you go'. I'm afraid that in times of a global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people have died, you do need to advertise your exemption. Nobody has the right to ask WHY you're exempt of course. I was at a wildlife park the other day and you had to wear a mask for indoor enclosures. Family of seven, teenagers with Mum and Dad, and not one was wearing a mask. No lanyards. Now, it's possible that every single one of them had a condition that meant they couldn't wear a mask. Or alternatively they could just not think the rules apply to them and not give a shit about anyone else. Every single person on this thread knows that there are people up and down the country doing that. Not everyone not wearing a mask is medically exempt. I HATE wearing a mask - it's uncomfortable and it makes me feel claustrophobic and panicky but I do it anyway. Unless you can't, you should.

Wear lanyard and card.

Still get abuse.

"I'm afraid that in times of a global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people have died, you do need to advertise your exemption."

No you don't. There is no requirement that you need to advertise your exemption.

@trappedsincesundaymorn

If those wearing a mask stay 2 metres away then he poses no risk to anybody, anymore than he did before mask wearing came into force.

But look around when you are out. A lot of people not wearing masks don't stay two metres away or it isn't possible - on public transport for example, or in shops. I must ask people to step back behind the two metre line about 50 times a day in work. Of course, everyone should be following SD but the new rules are one metre plus (the plus meaning mitigation ie wearing a mask) if two metres isn't possible. So people not SD but wearing a mask do pose less risk than people not SD and not wearing a mask.

I don't challenge anyone not wearing a mask but it is very difficult when I have to interact with people at close quarters who aren't wearing a mask. There is nothing that I can do in those circumstances to protect myself but apparently that's just something I have to suck up. I do think of you can't wear a mask then you should be making absolutely sure that you take the responsibility for maintaining at least two metre SD - so in supermarkets queue correctly, don't lean over the cashier when paying, if you need bags packing or trolleys loading then be sure to step back from the cashier. That's being responsible and mitigating because you can't wear a mask. Can't wear a mask but take steps to mitigate that - fine. Can't wear a mask but then do as you please in other regards and expect people to just put up with it - not fine.

I'm afraid that in times of a global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people have died, you do need to advertise your exemption

Why? What difference would it make whether the exemptions were advertised or not, other to satisfy your curiosity and afford your "permission"?

I was reading this thread last night but didnt post.
I can wear a mask and do, i was a little on the fence, i didnt think people should demand why others arnt wearing a mask but equally those exempt can pass the virus on they arnt exempt from that so i can kind of see why people might ask.
Then i read this this morning and am off the fence and on the side of those exempt.
This is what should not be happening and it is just no ones business. I kind feel that the guy deserved the punch to be honest.

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-man-knocked-out-at-london-train-station-during-face-mask-row-12052744

It's such a difficult situation for people who are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons when there are some dickheads who won't wear one because 'no-one tells me what to do', or 'it's an infringement of my civil liberties'.

These are also probably the entitled twats who will go to pubs and not social distance, will go to house partys etc., meaning of course, that when they go into shops without their masks, they are likely the ones who will ultimately place those who are medically vulnerable and unable to wear a mask at risk.

@StepAwayFromGoogle

Just wear a lanyard, no? I do a double-take when I see someone without a mask now but see the lanyard and think 'ah, there you go'. I'm afraid that in times of a global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people have died, you do need to advertise your exemption. Nobody has the right to ask WHY you're exempt of course. I was at a wildlife park the other day and you had to wear a mask for indoor enclosures. Family of seven, teenagers with Mum and Dad, and not one was wearing a mask. No lanyards. Now, it's possible that every single one of them had a condition that meant they couldn't wear a mask. Or alternatively they could just not think the rules apply to them and not give a shit about anyone else. Every single person on this thread knows that there are people up and down the country doing that. Not everyone not wearing a mask is medically exempt. I HATE wearing a mask - it's uncomfortable and it makes me feel claustrophobic and panicky but I do it anyway. Unless you can't, you should.

That sums up my view.

I saw a man run into where I work the other day. Wasn't wearing a mask but had on plaster splattered overalls, work boots etc. Security guard politely stopped him and asked him if he had a mask. "I've got fucking asthma and can't wear one" was the response and he walked off. Sitting at my till I saw him leave the shop and get into his work can - an asbestos removal company. I very much doubt that he doesn't wear a mask whilst removing asbestos from properties.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras

But that can also be said of those wearing masks. The amount of times OH has had to politely as someone to step back for their own safety, when those people have been wearing masks is astounding. Surely if you see someone not wearing a mask then you should act accordingly. There are those that wear masks and behave like a dick, just as much as there are those that don't wear a mask and behave like a dick

Like many things during lockdown I think it's allowed the pious busybodies among us to have a platform to fulfil their inner ambitions to police and judge people under the guise of protecting everyone

[quote HoldingForGeneralHugs]I was reading this thread last night but didnt post.
I can wear a mask and do, i was a little on the fence, i didnt think people should demand why others arnt wearing a mask but equally those exempt can pass the virus on they arnt exempt from that so i can kind of see why people might ask.
Then i read this this morning and am off the fence and on the side of those exempt.
This is what should not be happening and it is just no ones business. I kind feel that the guy deserved the punch to be honest.

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-man-knocked-out-at-london-train-station-during-face-mask-row-12052744[/quote]
Errm well no, that's assault and there's no excuse for doing that.

HoldingForGeneralHugs, I don't think the guy deserved to have some random punch him unconscious......

Did you read the story underneath that one about Oldham - heading for a local lockdown and it appears that hardly anyone locally is observing social distancing or wearing masks......

I’ve been verbally abused for not wearing a mask

And I’m not counting the tuts and eye rolls in that.

And I have a lanyard with a card.

It’s so wrong and unfair.

@trappedsincesundaymorn

Hearhoovesthinkzebras

But that can also be said of those wearing masks. The amount of times OH has had to politely as someone to step back for their own safety, when those people have been wearing masks is astounding. Surely if you see someone not wearing a mask then you should act accordingly. There are those that wear masks and behave like a dick, just as much as there are those that don't wear a mask and behave like a dick

But the government have actually reduced SD under certain circumstances and where other mitigation, such as wearing masks, is in place. So, yes, people should be maintaining SD but where they aren't wearing a mask does lower the risk.

People not wearing masks and not SD are a higher risk. You say if I see someone not wearing a mask I should act accordingly. By doing what exactly?

Try to ignore them. Most of us realise that some can and some cannot wear masks and it's none of our business why.

I for one have never made a comment/look/etc at anyone not wearing a mask - it might be because they disagree or because they have forgotten one or because they have a medical condition. It's not my business.

Some people have such little to focus on that they have to focus on what others are doing - please try to ignore them.

I'm sorry to hear you're getting these reactions OP.

I think the problem is those who refuse / fail to wear face coverings when they can means people like you end up being regard with unnecessary suspicion. For example I found it hard to believe that ALL 6 of the 20 somethings who were yelling at each other and playing loud music on the bus I was on yesterday had an exemption.

People not wearing masks and not SD are a higher risk. You say if I see someone not wearing a mask I should act accordingly. By doing what exactly

Oh I don't know....maybe keeping your distance. The same as you would expect those not wearing masks to do for you, it's not rocket science.