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.

@yolio

What really gets me is the fact that those who are unable to wear masks are quite willing to get out there and expose themselves to the virus and possibly spread it too, just because.

Can anyone explain?

How dare people with disabilities want to go to shops and indoor venues!

If you dont want to be "put at risk" by all these thoughtless people then you should avoid indoor places where people may not be wearing masks.

@NoMoreFlowers

This is a difficult one. There are people who don't wear masks and have no good reason. What you're effectively saying is that nobody should be challenged.

Correct.

It's not your job to challenge anyone. It's even in the government guidelines that some people cannot wear masks and that others need to respect that and not police it!

It. Is. None. Of. Your. Business.

You shouldn't be mask shamed and I agree with someone else's comment how people don't challenge 6ft burly men. I have asthma and wear a mask, not sure if that's an exemption but I take my inhaler out just incase I get mask shamed!

All of these make it clear that the general public are NOT to challenge people on why they aren’t wearing a mask. It’s just simply not your business. If you’re so concerned about exempt people spreading it to you, @yolio, why don’t YOU stay home?

And if you're really worried about people not wearing masks then stand away from them! Keep at least 2m apart and then there's no issue.

I'm annoyed with all the mask wearers in my local co op ignoring the one way signs and reaching over me rather than waiting for me to move on. Why not start having a go at them - they're also breaking the rules!

By not wearing one yourself, you’re accepting the protection given by other’s masks, but not according them the saMe protection - which is bound to cause annoyance

People arent getting the same protection though are they? What about ppl who had to do lockdown in homes with flammable cladding.

Doesnt it just warm the cockles of your heart to see that this pandemic has become such a leveller...............oh wait it HAS when it involves telling poorer people to make face masks out of old socks so they can feel we are all in it together and not risk infecting their "betters" with Covid

@NoMoreFlowers

This is a difficult one. There are people who don't wear masks and have no good reason. What you're effectively saying is that nobody should be challenged.

Yep, you got it.

Why are you so special that you get to challenge people? That's not your job or your business.

Have a Google of "white flower girls" and see how you feel about shaming people.

KitKatastrophe

No problem. Just get on with it and prove you cannot wear a mask. They are very brave really WRT to their non mask wearing ability but in many cases it is just not warranted really I'd say. Are they not concerned?

My 15 yr old has many issues you don't want to hear them all, but he will don his mask and get on with it.

The blame lies firmly at the door of people taking the mickey and not wearing masks for any other reason than they can't be bothered to.

Exactly. They’re usually easy to spot though as they can be found loudly talking to their friend telling them ‘No fuckers telling me Ive got to wearing a mask, they can’t prove I’m not exempt.’ 🙄 Fucking idiots.

@yolio

What really gets me is the fact that those who are unable to wear masks are quite willing to get out there and expose themselves to the virus and possibly spread it too, just because.

Can anyone explain?

Oh, I don't know. But maybe it could be for any of the following reasons:

Work
Taking children to school or childcare
Exercise
Shopping
Medical appointments

Or maybe because they want to and it's none of your bloody business why

@yolio

I assume because people with disabilities and other conditions still need to work, travel and shop? I don’t think they do it ‘just because’.

What you're effectively saying is that nobody should be challenged.

No, nobody should be challenged, people should mind their own business.

I do feel for you OP, it's just awful what people have become. I have a family member who is taking great pleasure in confronting people over keeping their distance and mask wearing. I have to say, it's made me look at her in a different light, not a good one.

@NoMoreFlowers, because you might have a reason, if you could tell by looking those who don’t then fine, challenge away, but you can’t. So therefore to protect people who might be learning disabled, or autistic, or have mental health disorders, you should err on the side of caution. For the same reason challenging people using disabled toilets isn’t ok. It simply isn’t anyone’s place to do so.

Agree there are many idiotic rebels out there. But we posters are always reprimanded by the usual police on such threads.

@KitKatastrophe you're right. The 3 mid thirties builders that rolled out of their van and into the shop to get their lunch whilst I was buying petrol today all had their own valid reasons I'm sure. I didn't question them to find out. I just wore my mask and left as quickly as I could.

As usual it is the few making things difficult for the majority. I have no issue with anyone not wearing a mask whether it is through choice or necessity.

I do, however, have an issue with the lovely lady who I moved away from when she leant across me in the supermarket, she then shouted that I couldn't catch fucking coronavirus from her because she didn't fucking have it which is why she refuses to wear a muzzle. I don't know that, she most likely doesn't know that and honestly, I'm not bothered.

I understand she was one person though and you always get one don't you? Wear a mask, don't wear one, no problem either way if you get on with your life and allow other people to get on with theirs.

@NoMoreFlowers

I'm genuinely interested in people's opinions about this as they mostly seem to differ from mine, and I'm questioning what I think. I understand the government guidelines but I'm struggling to see why nobody should be challenged. I'm not exempt from wearing a mask and I wear one. If I went shopping tomorrow without one on (which I obviously wouldn't do as I'm not exempt) I fail to see why I should just be able to do that without anyone questioning it.

So you think it's okay to question disabled people? To make them explain their disabilities to random people in the street? You want people with PTSD from rape or abuse to explain that to you, do you?

What if you think their reason isn't valid enough - what then?

Keep your bloody nose out and be grateful you don't have a disorder or disability that prevents you from living a normal life!

Attitudes like yours make me so angry. It's fuck all to do with you. Even the government thinks you should mind your own damn business

Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.* This is a personal choice and is not necessary in* law.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#when-you-do-not-need-to-wear-a-face-covering

@yolio

No one needs to ‘prove’ they can’t wear a mask. Particularly not to you. The government guidelines are explicitly clear about this.

@yolio

KitKatastrophe

No problem. Just get on with it and prove you cannot wear a mask. They are very brave really WRT to their non mask wearing ability but in many cases it is just not warranted really I'd say. Are they not concerned?

My 15 yr old has many issues you don't want to hear them all, but he will don his mask and get on with it.

Well it's not for you to say whether it is "warranted". It is not for them to "prove" anything to you. What proof would you, random stranger, deem appropriate?

And it is not "brave" to go out without a mask on. I can and do wear a mask (although technically could be exempt) but if they reversed the rule tomorrow I would be more than happy to go out without one. There were 3 cases in my LA this week. There were 2 deaths in the whole country. I am not scared.

If your 15 year old is happy to go out without, great, carry on. Other people are not happy or able to wear one. Their issues probably arent the same as your son's

What you're effectively saying is that nobody should be challenged.

That's correct. Mind your own business and rub along. It's not your place to go round challenging people and is honestly quite stupid and unwise.

I honestly think that some people are loving this whole mask business as it gives them a whole new thing they can be judgemental, virtue signally and dramatic (my breath could kill someone) about.

@yolio ‘my son wears with issues’ is the kind of bullshit whataboutery you really should know better about. Just because some people with issues can tolerate it, doesn’t mean others can or should.
Am I worried about my son not wearing a mask, no more than I am about my other kids who can, or my other medically exempt child who is so scared of being chastised won’t go and get her gcse results tomorrow or leave the house at all.
Life is hard enough without people making the lives of others harder just because it makes them feel superior.

@yolio what really gets me is those who chose to continue to go on ski trips and cruises after the virus had already been well publicised? Why werent they being told they should think of others.

They are, King, and I've noticed many of such ilk are also yearning for a massive 'second wave' (the virus never went away so there is no 'second wave').

@KingFredsTache

I honestly think that some people are loving this whole mask business as it gives them a whole new thing they can be judgemental, virtue signally and dramatic (my breath could kill someone) about.

Yep! I imagine it's the same people who were phoning the police because their neighbours went out for more than one walk during lockdown. Or were yelling at people on mumsnet for daring to eat a packet of crisps on a bench.