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.

@BilboBercow

We could make the people who can't wear masks wear an easily identified symbol so we all know they have an invisible medical condition. What about a big star or something?

Or the sash that op suggests vulnerable people should wear?

But those who can wear one but don't, yet take the benefit of those wearing them are the absolute worst.

Agreed. What should be done about them?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Where do you want people to stand when they are paying or packing? If you don't like how it is set up at your workplace than speak to your manager/union rep/ MP or the bloody Queen but stop making excuses. If it's so bad that it's causing you this much anxiety then quit, because there is nothing, NOTHING random strangers on the internet can do to help you if you won't help yourself. A customer facing role is clearly not your thing so do something about it, but stop hijacking threads and making it all about you. Start your own.

@trappedsincesundaymorn

Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Where do you want people to stand when they are paying or packing? If you don't like how it is set up at your workplace than speak to your manager/union rep/ MP or the bloody Queen but stop making excuses. If it's so bad that it's causing you this much anxiety then quit, because there is nothing, NOTHING random strangers on the internet can do to help you if you won't help yourself. A customer facing role is clearly not your thing so do something about it, but stop hijacking threads and making it all about you. Start your own.

People are meant to be standing at the very end of the checkout, not where the screen stops. They are meant to be using the slots in the screens to pass money to the cashier and take their receipts.

Sorry, why should I have to quit my job because I have a disability? I thought this thread was all about standing up against disability discrimination?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras people who cannot wear masks are following the law. They are doing NOTHING wrong.

If you think your workplace is putting you at risk why aren't you taking it up with them?

I don't have many ticks on my bingo card for this long thread: the masked Mafia are letting me down!

Do i think the vulnerable should stay at home?
It's entirely up to them.

Do i think people who can't wear masks stay at home?
It's entirely up to them.

What else is there to say?

If you can't stay at home and you have to go to go out and you're vulnerable and/or can't wear a mask then you mitigate your own risk over and above what the government have outlined as standard practice for the general public as best you can.

Mask exempt people having to wear flashing lights wouldn't make any difference, isn't going to happen and nor should it.

Hears your personal employment situation sounds unsuited to your medical condition/s. Rather than be outraged about that towards the rest of the world why don't you see it as your own responsibility to sort out? Being blunt.

If you don't like how it is set up at your workplace than speak to your manager/union rep/ MP or the bloody Queen but stop making excuses

And none of those are in a position to do anything are they? People can't be challenged about not wearing a mask. There's nothing that anyone is going to be able to do to change that. Basically anyone at increased risk from Covid who isn't in a position to quit their job just had to accept that they are going to.be put at risk. That's the upshot, right?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras you said:

What about a lanyard to identify us as extremely vulnerable? Perhaps it would encourage people to give us adequate social distancing?

So I answered with a suggestion which (surprise!) wasn't suitable. I didn't suggest you wear it out of the blue.

And as @trappedsincesundaymorn said, please don't hijack this thread with the same comments you make on all the others you've hijacked.

And maybe ask your manager to put you in a non public-facing role for the time being. That's a fair adjustment. Although how you'll manage when you're out in the world away from work with all us insensitive, uncaring, selfish non mask wearers I don't know.

@Laiste

Do i think the vulnerable should stay at home? It's entirely up to them.

Do i think people who can't wear masks stay at home?
It's entirely up to them.

What else is there to say?

If you can't stay at home and you have to go to go out and you're vulnerable and/or can't wear a mask then you mitigate your own risk over and above what the government have outlined as standard practice for the general public as best you can.

Mask exempt people having to wear flashing lights wouldn't make any difference, isn't going to happen and nor should it.

Hears your personal employment situation sounds unsuited to your medical condition/s. Rather than be outraged about that towards the rest of the world why don't you see it as your own responsibility to sort out? Being blunt.

Interesting isn't it? My disability is my responsibility, despite being covered by the Equality Act (even though no one takes any notice of it) yet the won't wear masks people are being protected by people citing the Equality Act even though they aren't covered by it and the can't wear masks people are also citing the Equality Act even though a lot of them won't be covered by it either, as being legitimately exempt from wearing a mask doesn't necessarily mean you have a disability and come under the Equality Act.

It would be great if people were willing to expend as much energy defending people covered by the Equality Act as they are defending people not covered by it.

@Laiste

Do i think the vulnerable should stay at home? It's entirely up to them.

Do i think people who can't wear masks stay at home?
It's entirely up to them.

What else is there to say?

If you can't stay at home and you have to go to go out and you're vulnerable and/or can't wear a mask then you mitigate your own risk over and above what the government have outlined as standard practice for the general public as best you can.

Mask exempt people having to wear flashing lights wouldn't make any difference, isn't going to happen and nor should it.

Hears your personal employment situation sounds unsuited to your medical condition/s. Rather than be outraged about that towards the rest of the world why don't you see it as your own responsibility to sort out? Being blunt.

This.

And none of those are in a position to do anything are they? People can't be challenged about not wearing a mask. There's nothing that anyone is going to be able to do to change that. Basically anyone at increased risk from Covid who isn't in a position to quit their job just had to accept that they are going to.be put at risk. That's the upshot, right?

So basically you want to make people do more than the law? You want to force people to wear a mask that can't and or be challenged about it?

If you think you are at risk at work then talk to your manager who has a duty of care to you. Have you asked for a different position so that you are not customer facing?

And none of those are in a position to do anything are they

Well your manager/union rep aor MP are in a position to improve your workplace if they feel it's required and if it's not then the answer lies with you.

Basically anyone at increased risk from Covid who isn't in a position to quit their job just had to accept that they are going to.be put at risk. That's the upshot, right

Well what do you suggest as an alternative? Life's full of risks it always has been and always will.

Some people can't wear masks and there is nothing you can do about that. You want those people to consider your needs and hardships but refuse to do the same.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras what do you want to happen then being realistic? People with medical conditions can’t be forced to wear masks and shouldn’t have to stay at home just because they can’t wear a mask. Masks aren’t complete protection anyway so you are at risk regardless of people wearing them or not. If your so extremely vulnerable maybe you shouldn’t be in a customer facing job? Or maybe you should stay at home to avoid coming into contact with others?

But hooves your big solution is a disabled label. Lots of (most?) disabled people and vulnerable people don't want a big fat label.

And maybe ask your manager to put you in a non public-facing role for the time being. That's a fair adjustment.

Our staff are told to wear masks out on the shop floor even though shop staff don't legally have to wear them. Off of the shop floor we don't have to wear them so in the corridors, offices, warehouse, licker rooms, canteen staff aren't wearing them. I'm more exposed off the shop floor than I am on it.

So I answered with a suggestion which (surprise!) wasn't suitable. I didn't suggest you wear it out of the blue.

I said it wasn't suitable because it isn't suitable. Are you wearing a fluorescent yellow sash? A lanyard would be good. You didn't have to make or produce a lanyard or come up with the idea did you?

People are meant to be standing at the very end of the checkout, not where the screen stops. They are meant to be using the slots in the screens to pass money to the cashier and take their receipts

You know how to make sure they do that,,,it's a radical idea but here goes.....TELL THEM!!!!

Oh God Racoonworld don't say that to hooves. You're basically telling her to just diiiiiiie don't you know?

@Gancanny

I assume if someone is not wearing a mask it's because they are exempt!

I thought everyone did the same?

Though I did see w girl getting turned away from the shop the other day because she wasn't wearing a mask. She did have a lanyard on too. But this shop was for apps only and I don't think the app was for her. I'm pretty certain only the app people could go in there.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, or whatever the phrase is, why can’t you wear a sunflower lanyard?

Am I missing something?

Still not wishing anyone dead 🙄

@Laiste

But hooves your big solution is a disabled label. Lots of (most?) disabled people and vulnerable people don't want a big fat label.

It's not compulsory. If they don't want to wear it they don't have to. Lots of people who aren't wearing masks aren't wearing a lanyard but others are. We should have the option of signifying that we are at increased risk and require extra space and distancing. If anyone doesn't want to wear it they don't have to but it could be an option for those who do want it. A bit like the "please offer me a seat" badges.

it is wholly unacceptable to expect people who cannot wear a mask, to advertise that. That is why there is no legal requirement for them to do so. Same as there is no legal requirement for you or me to wear a neon sash.

You have no right to control other people. You can however set your own risk behaviour.

@Noneformethanks

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, or whatever the phrase is, why can’t you wear a sunflower lanyard?

Am I missing something?

Still not wishing anyone dead 🙄

Because that's been co-opted to mean "I'm mask exempt". People seeing a sunflower lanyard wouldn't then realise that I'm extremely vulnerable and need them to keep their distance would they?

You do have the option of signifying that you are at increased risk.

Wear a lanyard.

@yellowsubmarines

I can't wear a mask due to a medical reason but I have avoided going out for fear of being challenged and people becoming agressive. What are we suppose to say when Joe Blogs approaches 'Why aren't you wearing a mask?' I don't want to list out my medical history to every random stranger that approaches me and I don't want confrontation.

Say “Hello Doctor! I didn’t recognise with with your mask on! How are you?”