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.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme

Noneformethanks isn't it disablist to say that those at highest risk - many of whom are disabled themselves - have to take the conequences and pay the price to allow others complete freedom to do as they please.

Most of the non mask wearers aren't disabled. Many medically vulnerable people are.

Where’s your evidence for this?

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme I'm higher risk and I'm exempt.

A lot of those who are exempt have a disability. All will have a health condition which makes it impossible for them to wear a mask.

Gosh this thread is exhausting, what I find most objectionable is the notion raised by one poster that the vulnerable are covered by the Equality Act and people who are exempt from wearing masks are not.

Complete nonsense. Not all vulnerable people will be covered by the EA and not all people exempt from wearing masks (although most) would most definitely be covered by the Equality Act.

I find the suggestion that a non mask wearer should wear a symbol (star of David spring to mind anyone? ) in order to identify themselves to a non mask wearer completely objectionable. And I say that as a mask wearer.

As others have said we all have to take PERSONAL responsibility and ownership for what we are confortable with , within the confines of the laws/ regulations.

As it is non mask wearer have no legal obligation to either wear a mask or to wear / carry reasoning for it. If a vulnerable person doesn't like that then I suggest they take it up with their MP.

If they feel unsafe because of it then then have to take a risk assessment as to weather they want to go out. Just the same as non mask wearers will often be taking the same risk assessment especially if the reason for their inability to wear masks is anxiety or autism (covered by the Equality Act) as they won't cope with the social anxiety of being confronted.

Whether not weather!

I find the suggestion that a non mask wearer should wear a symbol (star of David spring to mind anyone? ) in order to identify themselves to a non mask wearer completely objectionable. And I say that as a mask wearer.

Yeah we do seem to be going back in time don't we? What's the point in learning about history if you aren't going to learn from the mistakes?

Too many people are claiming exemption. I don't find wearing a mask comfortable either. And find it stifling and difficult to breathe. So I shall suffer no more and be exempt.

@KeepingPlain

I find the suggestion that a non mask wearer should wear a symbol (star of David spring to mind anyone? ) in order to identify themselves to a non mask wearer completely objectionable. And I say that as a mask wearer.

Yeah we do seem to be going back in time don't we? What's the point in learning about history if you aren't going to learn from the mistakes?

I hope you will be equally strident in condemning the suggestion made sometimes that the exceptionally vulnerable should be badged.

And the solution is easy - keep the proper social distance from everyone, which is 2m if you are not masked (plus minimising time in enclosed spaces)

Yes it does mean that - rather like pushchair users - you have to get off buses when there is not enough space. Because the exceptionally vulnerable (who have now been let out and need to to work like everyone else are kind of like the wheelchair users here. Those covered by DDA have priority - you wouldn't like to have their life as a whole, but we as a society can opt to make some parts of their daily life that bit less hard

Yes it does mean that - rather like pushchair users - you have to get off buses when there is not enough space. Because the exceptionally vulnerable (who have now been let out and need to to work like everyone else are kind of like the wheelchair users here. Those covered by DDA have priority - you wouldn't like to have their life as a whole, but we as a society can opt to make some parts of their daily life that bit less hard

I’m covered by DDA as a result of my disability. Therefore there is no require,net for me to be made t get off the bus, and in point of fact, ask g me to do so is illegal under DDA.

you either are exempt or you aren't. To be honest it is nobody's business but yours any the police's.

If there is no space on a bus for a wheelchair, then boarding can be denied (the wheelchair space is already taken by another oneH with no breach I'd DDA.

If person covered by DDA required proper social distancing from unmasked people, and there is not 2m available on a full bus, then there is similarly no breach of DDA.p to deny boarding to those with no mask.

You didn’t say on an already full bus.

I cannot be asked to get off a bus if I am on it already.

You specifically said “get off buses” you did not say deny boarding.

There is a difference.

I cannot be put off the bus because someone vulnerable wants to get on.

Yes it does mean that - rather like pushchair users - you have to get off buses when there is not enough space

Utter tosh. Nowhere in the guidelines or in law does it say this. And how would a driver know for sure who's covered by the DDA anyway? As I'm sure you know, not all disabilities are visible. I'm covered by it but I don't always look as if I might be. And there isn't a document we carry to prove our status.

I hope you will be equally strident in condemning the suggestion made sometimes that the exceptionally vulnerable should be badged

Absolutely. Nobody should have to wear a badge (or a lanyard, or a sash) to 'prove' their exemption/vulnerability unless they choose to do so. The guidelines around exemption state that lanyards etc aren't required and that some people may feel more comfortable wearing one, but nobody is compelled to. And those who choose not to should not be judged or face abuse.

Everyone should be keeping 2m away from everyone else where possible. I'm not sure why those with little sympathy for the exempt keep harping on about this. Do you rub up against people who are masked?

If everyone would keep 2m away from me, that'd be great. Most don't.

@Viviennemary

Too many people are claiming exemption. I don't find wearing a mask comfortable either. And find it stifling and difficult to breathe. So I shall suffer no more and be exempt.

Up to you.

Those who can wear a mask, should. Those who can't shouldn't be castigated for their inability to do so.

It's worth remembering however that for those who are exempt it isn't about being merely 'uncomfortable'.

I’m actually astounded that people think it’s ok to have people get on a bus and order me off. Because someone vulnerable wants to get on. And can’t see that is an infringement of my rights.

Simply put, I was there first. I have physical disabilities as well as CPTSD and MH challenges. If the bus is empty enough when I get on, are there going to be burly conductors, transport police (?) to come and oxtercog me off?

I wear the bloody lanyard with the card on it. No one should have to. I should not have to advertising myself vulnerability.

Everyone should keep social distancing.

When mask wearing on public transport first came in many charities aired their concerns regarding lanyards/badges, because they signpost those who may be vulnerable and may attract people who would take advantage of that vulnerability.

It's all very well to say WEAR A LANYARD but it's not as straightforward as that.

And let's not forget that they are not compulsory anyway. I wear one in the hope that it will deter people from passing judgement/comment or worse, but given nobody knows what they symbolise - or they do but still think I'm taking the piss - I'm not sure it's worth bothering.

@VikingVolva

I love how you think you can try and pick apart something another person and I said, and then you have the nerve to say that you can kick people off buses because you are more exempt than them. No you can't. If they are on, they are on. You can't kick them off because you deem their health to be better than yours. And how would you know anyway, you aren't their doctor.

A pushchair user is also completely different to a wheelchair user. The pushchair can be put down. The wheelchair cannot, obviously.

I thought our point was pretty clear to be honest. We object to the idea of badging, identifying, tagging etc people, because it's exactly what the nazis did. How did you not get that point? The fact that people want to do that again just shows we've learnt nothing as a society. Maybe we'll have concentration camps again and gas chambers.

I see people all the time not wearing masks. Don't actually give a fuck. The masks in my opinion do very little anyway, so I don't care about them. I wear one because the government is making us, not because I believe it will save me or anyone else. Washing my hands regularly does that.

"Those covered by DDA have priority - you wouldn't like to have their life as a whole, but we as a society can opt to make some parts of their daily life that bit less hard"

It's the Equality Act not DDA. Your not getting even that right shows how little you know.
If you actually cared about people with disabilities you wouldn't be spouting the rubbish you are. It's not difficult to think of disabilities where a mask couldn't be worn.

I was sitting looking at my daughter this morning and remembered how many young women with SN were taken advantage of, abused, when I volunteered for headway. Some of these girls were practically passed around dirty bastards, that had sex with them. In my mind, due to their vulnerability, those men were no better than child abusers. I have to protect my daughter and there’s no way I’m advertising her vulnerability, by having her wear a badge, everywhere we go. My child was abused before I adopted her, so it has taken years to help her learn to feel safe. She would just shut down, if some creep touched her in public.

Most women can remember when creepy men started perving on them, so how delighted would those creeps be, walking through a crowd and being able to pick out the most vulnerable women amongst all the females they want to harass and abuse?

If people can't wear a mask, fine, but keep your sodding 2 metre distance away to protect others around you.

Just another thing that impacts on women, more than men. Not that vulnerable or disabled men aren’t vulnerable to abuse, but generally of a different type.

If people can't wear a mask, fine, but keep your sodding 2 metre distance away to protect others around you.

The same goes for anyone wearing a face covering especially the ones not wearing them properly. No point of moaning about the ones not wearing them if the ones who are aren’t wearing them properly and not SD.

Had a woman who was wearing a mask but wasn’t social distancing so I moved away from her only for her to move closer. I finally moved to the other side of my pram after two tries of maintaining SD and she looked at me as if I was crazy. There was more than enough room for her to SD (we’re the only ones in line at a big rectangular- shaped Pret) she just chose not to.

@Kazzyhoward

If people can't wear a mask, fine, but keep your sodding 2 metre distance away to protect others around you.

Shouldn't those in masks be doing that, too? Why do you assume those who are exempt would not? Do you think we're reckless and selfish?