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.

You mean the bit where you accused everyone of wishing you dead?

Or the bit where you said stuff from other threads that isn’t being discussed here?

Or the bit where a thread about people who are struggling with not wearing masks because of the judgements they get is totally taken over by you because you’re at work, your bosses are shit you don’t like the bus and you won’t speak up for yourself and ask people to stand back?

if some nosy shop assistant who had no right to ask asked me why I didn’t wear a mask I might say because it fogs up my glasses.

Explaining my trauma is in and of itself traumatic for me and it’s not something I choose to do to strangers who are breaking the law in asking me.

www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3048208/left-home-six-days-disabled-chinese-boy-dies-after-carer-dad-and

[quote MMN123]@Hearhoovesthinkzebras
So you’re annoyed that you might catch covid.

You travel on public transport. You deal with the public in you work. You feel unsafe with both.

You can change jobs or be unemployed or retire early. Or accept the risk.

What you should not do is take your frustration out on other people, who are reasonably going about their business, because you don’t like the life choices available to you.[/quote]
I take public transport only when I have absolutely no other choice. That shouldn't be the case. I shouldn't have to avoid public transport, avoid going out or pay out a fortune in taxi fares, or driving expenses when I could use affordable public transport but am being excluded because of a disability. I really cannot see how it's a choice to just give up work - what do people live on? Again, you can only retire early if you can afford to do so. Pension companies aren't begging 50 year olds to retire on final salary pensions. So, sorry, no, there aren't choices unless you consider it a choice to not eat or have somewhere to live. Is that a choice?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras does your area have a rural transport scheme? Mine does. I have to pay 40p a mile but it gets me to hospital appointments when I’m having a flare up. There’s volunteer drivers for that it’s way cheaper than a taxi.

@Noneformethanks

if some nosy shop assistant who had no right to ask asked me why I didn’t wear a mask I might say because it fogs up my glasses.

Explaining my trauma is in and of itself traumatic for me and it’s not something I choose to do to strangers who are breaking the law in asking me.

And nobody asked either of them. They both said to me "how do you cope wearing a mask and glasses all day? Isn't it hot? Do your glasses steam up?" "Not really", I said. I bought an anti fog spray that helps. "Oh Im not wearing a mask - my glasses steam up and it's ridiculous".

So no one asked. They started the conversation and voluntarily said they don't wear a mask because it steams up their glasses.

I have to avoid public transport.

Loads of people do. Public transport is a service that you use if you can. If you can’t you organise something else.

A public bus service is not a personal taxi service. If you want to use it, you have to accept the restrictions of it being a public bus - other people, timetables, that sort of thing.

[quote Noneformethanks]@Hearhoovesthinkzebras does your area have a rural transport scheme? Mine does. I have to pay 40p a mile but it gets me to hospital appointments when I’m having a flare up. There’s volunteer drivers for that it’s way cheaper than a taxi.[/quote]
What's a rural transport scheme? I don't live rurally if that's what it means? I live in London - we have things like the congestion charge and exorbitant car parking fees though.

“Oh Im not wearing a mask - my glasses steam up and it's ridiculous".

So no one asked. They started the conversation and voluntarily said they don't wear a mask because it steams up their glasses.

You’ve inferred something that isn’t in their sentence. They didn’t say because. You inferred something that they didn’t say.

Discussions like this often get heated. While we encourage healthy and robust discussion, we hope that everyone can respect each other in their choices and express their views without resorting to personal attacks.

We understand that when you feel strongly about an issue it can be hard to accept other points of view but, put simply, that's the deal here.

We're happy to allow the discussion to continue, but on the understanding that having strong feelings about an issue does not give carte blanche to harangue others or shout them down. If you are finding a thread particularly challenging then please step away from it. We do take down threads which become bunfights.

But London has public toilets

So how do you live in a town with no public toilets if you live in London.

What's a rural transport scheme? I don't live rurally if that's what it means? I live in London - we have things like the congestion charge and exorbitant car parking fees though.

I also live with those things and high price values!

@Noneformethanks

You mean the bit where you accused everyone of wishing you dead?

Or the bit where you said stuff from other threads that isn’t being discussed here?

Or the bit where a thread about people who are struggling with not wearing masks because of the judgements they get is totally taken over by you because you’re at work, your bosses are shit you don’t like the bus and you won’t speak up for yourself and ask people to stand back?

How many threads have there been about people who can't wear a mask and the struggle they are having Vs the number of threads from extremely vulnerable people and the struggles they are facing?

Start a thread hooves about that. I’m sure there are people who would like to discuss those issues with you.

I shouldn't have to avoid public transport, avoid going out or pay out a fortune in taxi fares, or driving expenses when I could use affordable public transport but am being excluded because of a disability. I really cannot see how it's a choice to just give up work - what do people live on?

But don't you see, that's precisely what you're asking those who cannot wear a mask to do? We have to work and use public transport, and we're doing so entirely within the law. Your demands that we move aside for you are not lawful. And don't backtrack (again) and say this you're not aiming your ire at those who are exempt, just those who won't stay 2m away from you. You've said on other threads that you wouldn't get on a bus if there were unmasked people on it full stop.

How have you coped in previous flu seasons, when nobody wore masks? The flu jab is not 100% reliable, there's still a chance you'll catch it and if you're vulnerable the result can be every bit as bleak as with Covid. What did you do to lower your risk? Did you avoid buses? Did you ask for adjustments at work?

People have definitly lost their empathy and compassion because of this pandemic. You are not alone OP. Don't let it stop you from going out.

@Noneformethanks

But London has public toilets

So how do you live in a town with no public toilets if you live in London.

Because London is a huge place. It's not just the West End or The City.

Would you like my actual address so you can check? To be honest, even within the West End I can't think of any public toilets, only ones that are in restaurants and pubs or department stores? Do actual public toilets exist anymore?

@Noneformethanks

Start a thread hooves about that. I’m sure there are people who would like to discuss those issues with you.

Please do this, Hooves. You may well get the support there that you're looking for.

www.transportforall.org.uk/d2d/taxicard/

www.transportforall.org.uk/concessionary/

www.transportforall.org.uk/community/

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Well great you are in London. Changing buses costs you nothing then. Avoid rush hour, change if it gets too crowded. You don’t get charged again if it’s within an hour of starting your journey.

But if you live in London I’d be considering selling up and moving somewhere cheaper and finding a job you can walk to that isn’t public facing.

Pension companies aren't begging 50 year olds to retire on final salary pensions. So, sorry, no, there aren't choices unless you consider it a choice to not eat or have somewhere to live. Is that a choice?

Pensions aren't payable until aged 55! WTF @ you talking about @Hearhoovesthinkzebras ?

www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedom-pass/disabled-persons-freedom-pass

@PennyDreadfuI

I shouldn't have to avoid public transport, avoid going out or pay out a fortune in taxi fares, or driving expenses when I could use affordable public transport but am being excluded because of a disability. I really cannot see how it's a choice to just give up work - what do people live on?

But don't you see, that's precisely what you're asking those who cannot wear a mask to do? We have to work and use public transport, and we're doing so entirely within the law. Your demands that we move aside for you are not lawful. And don't backtrack (again) and say this you're not aiming your ire at those who are exempt, just those who won't stay 2m away from you. You've said on other threads that you wouldn't get on a bus if there were unmasked people on it full stop.

How have you coped in previous flu seasons, when nobody wore masks? The flu jab is not 100% reliable, there's still a chance you'll catch it and if you're vulnerable the result can be every bit as bleak as with Covid. What did you do to lower your risk? Did you avoid buses? Did you ask for adjustments at work?

But you're doing exactly the same. If you want to be honest we are being as bad as each other. You are asking people to be totally accepting of you and your condition, which like it or not has the potential to affect others, and yet are telling someone else who has a disability to suck it up, make different choices, change jobs, print their own lanyard, and put up and shut up.

Flu is not every bit as bleak as Covid - we have treatments, vaccines, having a flu vaccine every year increases immunity even if that particular strain isn't included in the vaccine. When has flu wreaked this havoc in the UK in living memory? When have you witnessed whole hospitals turned over to.it, ITU beds increased many times over - because of flu? It isn't comparable. My drs have never told me to shield during flu season. That tells me all I need to know.

Why are you paying for travel when there’s a disabled persons freedom pass?

Do actually @Hearhoovesthinkzebras your inability to get out has fuck all to do with Covid but everything to do with lack of facilities!
?