Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask the mask police to please PLEASE stop

984 replies

PennyDreadfuI · 19/08/2020 12:58

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 20/08/2020 17:47

@trappedsincesundaymorn

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!!!!

Yes, that goes well. They ignore you, point blank refuse, can't hear you right at the end, can't reach their shopping, can't reach over or into the trolley and onto the belt. Same reasons people can't queue in the right place either
Noneformethanks · 20/08/2020 17:48

Well it would be something. But you seem to have lots of reasons why you can’t do anything.

Ask your work to get you a sash that has please Keep your distance as a reasonable adjustment?

I’m allowed into shops without a mask. I do wear a lanyard and card but I’m reconsidering it as a result of abuse. I have no problem at all with a proper exemption card from the govt and would be happy to show it to a suitably authorised person.

Im socially distancing when I’m out (which is approx once every ten days). I wash my hands and am scrupulous with hygiene.

I’m not going to be kept under house arrest because I’m a trauma victim.

But it’s up to me to take agency for my own actions. That’s all I can control.

Original poster
PennyDreadfuI · 20/08/2020 17:48

I used to have a job which I loved but could no longer do due to my health. The nature of it meant that no suitable adjustments could be made for me. It was sad but neither was it anyone's fault. So I left that job and got a different one.

Nobody is suggesting you don't work at all @Hearhoovesthinkzebras. But clearly a public facing role where you can't appropriately socially distance when you're so vulnerable isn't ideal. Unless your managers can find you a role where you're not so at risk then it might be time to look for a different job as I had to. Nobody is denying your right to work, but clearly your current job isn't suitable for you, particularly if the adjustments you require simply aren't possible.

I fully expect this comment to be met with the usual pooh-poohing, of course.

OP posts:
MMN123 · 20/08/2020 17:49

Followed by “what do you mean why aren’t I wearing a mask? You told me not to! I can pop one on now if you like, while you’re here to call the ambulance for me!”

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 20/08/2020 17:49

@PourMeADrink

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?

There aren't non customer facing roles that are Covid safe - no one is required to wear a mask off of the shop floor.
Racoonworld · 20/08/2020 17:50

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras why can’t you come up with your own lanyard or sash if you want it? Someone came up with the idea of the sunflower one, you could put the effort in for your own if you want one so much!

MMN123 · 20/08/2020 17:50

Ah I see we are back to but but butting again

Noneformethanks · 20/08/2020 17:53

You know. At one point I wanted to be a water sports instructor.

I was rally good at it and worked summers doing it as a teen.

Then I had an accident that wasn’t my fault and I couldn’t do it anymore.

I had to do bar work instead.

Funny how that happens. Things change. It’s not anyone’s fault but you can’t do what you used to.

I’m now disabled, physically. I’d love to be a dancer. Or a mountain guide. Or even work in a supermarket. I can’t. So I have to do something else.

MMN123 · 20/08/2020 17:53

I agree with @PennyDreadfuI

If you don’t feel safe travelling to work or being at work because you are extremely vulnerable then maybe it’s time to look at alternative jobs

Noneformethanks · 20/08/2020 17:53

*really

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 20/08/2020 17:53

@Laiste

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

Wear a lanyard.

What lanyard? Do you mean the invisible disabilities lanyard (the sunflower) that's now been co-opted to mean "mask exempt" rather than "I have a hidden disability"?

If I wear a sunflower lanyard all people will think is that I can't wear a mask, which would be weird seeing as I'd be wearing a mask. There would be nothing to.indicate "please keep your distance, I am extremely vulnerable". That's what's needed.

Happyheartlovelife · 20/08/2020 17:53

This is a good picture for those saying about wearing masks to protect others.

I thought it's really clever.

To ask the mask police to please PLEASE stop
Noneformethanks · 20/08/2020 17:54

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras get your employers to get you a badge as a reasonable adjustment? Or a sash?

MMN123 · 20/08/2020 17:54

Ditto. I used to be in a role where I was ok the go all day but I developed arthritis. Now I have a desk based job. I miss my old job!

Laiste · 20/08/2020 17:56

Have you seen my links Hears? It took about 3 mins to find those bits.

annabel85 · 20/08/2020 17:57

@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.

Agree with you that it's unfair. If I couldn't wear a mask I wouldn't go anywhere where a mask was required because i'd feel far too self conscious, so you're brave for going into shops without a mask (while being exempt).

In reality the people who'll go into shops and not wear a mask because they don't give a shit are the ones that aren't bothered at all and that's the brush you'll get tarred with by people.

eeyore228 · 20/08/2020 17:57

The only issue I have are the people who have masks hanging around their neck so that they can quickly pull it up to avoid a conversation with staff when using their facilities. Or those who wear it under their nose. These are the people who will spread their germs and are only doing to save face. I’d prefer it if they didn’t wear one at all at least then I know when to use the full 2 meters or can reduce it to 1 with mask wearers when it’s busy or leave me to decide to wait until people have disappeared. There is absolutely no point in pretending you’re actually wearing it, I’ve also found that these are the sort of people I have seen having a go at those not wearing one. It’s maddening.

MMN123 · 20/08/2020 17:57

On the go. Not ok the go!

chickenyhead · 20/08/2020 17:57

Or this

To ask the mask police to please PLEASE stop
Racoonworld · 20/08/2020 17:58

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras why are you ignoring all the sensible suggestions? Wear a sash or lanyard (ready made ones that people have linked for you or make your own), or if nothing works for you in your current job then it’s time you found a different non-customer facing job somewhere else?

Original poster
PennyDreadfuI · 20/08/2020 17:59

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras plenty of links there for lanyards/badges you can wear.

The sunflower lanyard is just one way of signifying exemption. There are also cards/badges you can download from the govt website and those of travel companies and charities. There are various other lanyard schemes too. They all amount to the same thing: a declaration of exemption. As long as people can read what they say it's enough (though strictly optional, of course).

My point is, a '2m distance' badge or lanyard doesn't have to be part of a recognised scheme. As long as it says what it needs to say, it's fine.

I look forward to reading your reason why this suggestion is shit.

OP posts: