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.

Because I don't have the facilities or the resources to design and make it

DD made me a badge out if cardboard, a downloaded image, safety pin and a bit of tape. It wasn't terribly professional but it did the job, which is all it needed to do.

And the sunflower lanyard wasn't an national scheme to do with masks - it was for hidden disabilities such as autism to signify that the wearer might require some extra assistance.

The original meaning has no disappeared though hasn't it?

@PennyDreadfuI

Because I don't have the facilities or the resources to design and make it

DD made me a badge out if cardboard, a downloaded image, safety pin and a bit of tape. It wasn't terribly professional but it did the job, which is all it needed to do.

That was in response to the poster telling me to design something like the sunflower lanyard to help everyone else. I don't think she meant draw a cardboard badge. I wouldn't be allowed to wear a homemade cardboard badge at work anyway (remains to be seen if they'll let me wear this lanyard but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it)

Hearhoovesthinkzebras, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but are there another potential employment options you could explore? I know you’ve talked a lot about not wanting to apply for benefits, but you mentioned upthread that you’ve been a supermarket cashier for 20 years, and in other threads you’ve talked about being a qualified nurse and why you left your nursing job. I’m not being snobbish about supermarket jobs, but with your nursing qualifications and experience are there no jobs open to you that might potentially be less challenging and more protected than supermarket checkout work?

Here ya go - 'nationally recognised'.

And no, the original meaning of the sunflower lanyards hasn't disappeared. DD's just done a disability awareness course at work and they were mentioned as being used by those with autism, hearing loss, etc. They've just been extended given the current circumstances. When the need for masks is over, they'll still be used by those who used them originally.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras sorry but why am I meant to be apologising? Not sure I’ve done anything to warrant that.

And no i haven’t designed something, I don’t want one and also don’t think it’s necessary but seeing as you do I thought it was a good suggestion that you design one yourself. You don’t have to physically make it yourself, send the design off to a company who make them (there’s loads), or even send to a charity and suggest the campaign.

@boltzmannbrains

Hearhoovesthinkzebras, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but are there another potential employment options you could explore? I know you’ve talked a lot about not wanting to apply for benefits, but you mentioned upthread that you’ve been a supermarket cashier for 20 years, and in other threads you’ve talked about being a qualified nurse and why you left your nursing job. I’m not being snobbish about supermarket jobs, but with your nursing qualifications and experience are there no jobs open to you that might potentially be less challenging and more protected than supermarket checkout work?

Like what though? Seriously I have looked and looked over the years. I was accepted onto a return to nursing course a few years back because I couldn't find anything else but then my health deteriorated and I suffered a nerve root injury during a procedure on my back - that put the kybosh on that.

I have no idea what sort of jobs I would be qualified to do now. Certainly not those that require you to.have current registration and as I said, my ill health makes me wary of surrendering the current employment protection that I do have. In a new job they could get rid of me for no reason within the first two years and I would have no recourse. I have no recent qualifications (O and A levels but they are thirty plus years old so don't count so I was told). My DD has just graduated and can't get a job - what chance do I have?

@PennyDreadfuI

Here ya go - 'nationally recognised'.

And no, the original meaning of the sunflower lanyards hasn't disappeared. DD's just done a disability awareness course at work and they were mentioned as being used by those with autism, hearing loss, etc. They've just been extended given the current circumstances. When the need for masks is over, they'll still be used by those who used them originally.

Why does the article you linked to say it's available through NHS Wales then, if it's nationally recognised? Have you ever heard of it or even seen it around? Hardly national is it if everyone is unaware of it?

No one has any right to know another person's health issue or disability

People with visible disabilities advertise their health issues every day. I guess it’s ok for them to have to do this. I’ve lost count of the number of strangers I need to disclose DD’s condition to either to benefit from some adjustment or gain exemption. It’s a fact of life living with a disability, I’m not sure why that is thought unacceptable for those with a hidden disability.

In my local paper this week there was an article about Asda and it's rules on face masks. The journalist who wrote it said there are still a number of selfish people who aren't thinking about others and choose not to wear the mask. If only I could put it down to me being selfish for not wearing the mask and not the massive panic attack wearing a mask induces. I wish it was as simple as me being selfish and choosing not to.

If going maskless isn’t a choice for you, the journalist wasn’t talking about you, why would that statement of fact upset you?

You know them all do you? Know their medical histories? Or do you think maybe some of the people your see in sainsburys not wearing a mask might have a reason they just dont want to share with you.

Is this deliberately obtuse? There are people out there who are refusing to wear masks. People are posting proudly about it on social media for a start. Then there was the group of young lads and lasses in my local supermarket at the weekend, picking up their carry out. What’s the chances that a half dozen people happen to be mates and all happen to have an exemption? Perhaps it was just coincidence that when I sat in my car waiting for the takeaway to be ready, every single person who went in to get theirs in a 20 minute period were exempt?

It may well be a minority of people who are choosing not to, but pretending it isn’t happening is laughable.

I wonder how many people saying that those exempt from wearing a mask should be prepared to disclose why, are the same ones who get all offended when the Dr's receptionist asks why you need to see them?

@MintyMabel it still doesn't give a stranger the right to know anyone else's medical history. What's more, the law says they're not supposed to ask.

Yes, there are people who refuse to wear masks and yes, they make it more difficult for those of us who are exempt. But that doesn't give anyone the right to abuse, challenge or film anyone who's not wearing a mask. Those who tar everyone with the same brush are just as much to blame as those who don't wear a mask without good reason. At least the latter group aren't abusing those who are exempt, though.

Why not give anyone you see without a mask the benefit of the doubt, and stay 2m away from them if you're concerned?

“ KeepingPlain

“The people I know who cannot wear masks are absolutely scrupulous about handwashing, sanitising, maintaining distance etc.“

You should be doing that even when wearing a mask. A mask isn't going to save you.”

Which was exactly the point I was making. It would have been clear if you had read and quoted the rest of my post

Seriously all this drama. Find a piece of card. Write “keep your distance” in black sharpie and pin it to your top.

If work don’t like it ask them to provide something better.

[quote PennyDreadfuI]@MintyMabel it still doesn't give a stranger the right to know anyone else's medical history. What's more, the law says they're not supposed to ask.

Yes, there are people who refuse to wear masks and yes, they make it more difficult for those of us who are exempt. But that doesn't give anyone the right to abuse, challenge or film anyone who's not wearing a mask. Those who tar everyone with the same brush are just as much to blame as those who don't wear a mask without good reason. At least the latter group aren't abusing those who are exempt, though.

Why not give anyone you see without a mask the benefit of the doubt, and stay 2m away from them if you're concerned?[/quote]
Because we can't always give people two metres clearance as has been repeatedly explained.

The masks are meant to be the mitigation if two metres isn't possible. Why not just be truthful and say that we all have to accept the risk that people not wearing masks pose in instances where we can't maintain two metre distance? Why keep trying to pretend that two metres is always possible? It just isn't and in those instances people not wearing a mask are a risk to.others. That's just a statement of fact.

I am really glad our local Sainsburys keep announcing about hidden disabilities. I just assume people who aren't wearing a mask have a hidden disability.

I know one person who won't wear a mask because he doesn't believe in Covid. Masks are apparently the government trying to control us. There is literally no point in talking to him about it.

@DeepTreacle

“ KeepingPlain

“The people I know who cannot wear masks are absolutely scrupulous about handwashing, sanitising, maintaining distance etc.“

You should be doing that even when wearing a mask. A mask isn't going to save you.”

Which was exactly the point I was making. It would have been clear if you had read and quoted the rest of my post

But hand washing and masks are preventing different things. All the hand washing in the world won't provide any protection against a person exhaling Covid containing droplets. Likewise wearing a mask won't protect anyone if your hands are contaminated with Covid.

So, it's great if people wash their hands, masks or no masks, but washing your hands won't stop you infecting someone with Covid via your breath.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Two years ago was pre covid. It’s different now. If you are shielding and you are not protected from customers then raise it again.

No one can guarantee that some one wearing a mask hasn’t got Covid all over their hands coz they blew their nose into their hand and didnt wash after.

I'm really starting to question why I'm wearing a mask tbh. I've got sores around my mouth, a line of ulcers across my bottom lip and tongue is cracked and sore (suspecting thrush). All happened since I've been wearing a mask. I'm getting no benefit from it and I seem to be suffering detriment from it.

Which was exactly the point I was making. It would have been clear if you had read and quoted the rest of my post

I was agreeing with you problem is other people are stupid and think that masks alone save them, so they never bother doing the rest. It was difficult enough getting the public to understand how to wash their hands before lockdown.

@Noneformethanks

No one can guarantee that some one wearing a mask hasn’t got Covid all over their hands coz they blew their nose into their hand and didnt wash after.

But I can wash my own hands, not touch my face, use hand sanitizer. I can't not breathe

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras what do you suggest?

I have the legal right to go into a shop.

I have the legal right not to wear a mask.

I keep 2m distance. (It’s mask wearers who lean over me)

I have a lanyard and a badge.

What further suggestions do you have?

[quote MMN123]@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Two years ago was pre covid. It’s different now. If you are shielding and you are not protected from customers then raise it again.[/quote]
The way they explained it, to be medically retired my income would come from my company pension. Is that right? It's a pittance. I would get the equivalent of a week's earnings per month because of my age. Plus, my pension stops now rather than me paying into.it for another fifteen years. Simply, I can't afford it

My apologies KeepingPlain, clearly I approached your post in a crabby frame of mind and misread it as assuming I meant the opposite!

Why can’t you ask for a badge and lanyard as a reasonable adjustment @Hearhoovesthinkzebras