To encourage you to send letters like this to your schools?

[NameChange2271]

Name changed for this as apparently it’s an unpopular opinion; but I think it’s important to protect our children.

Please can I encourage you to send a letter like this into all your children’s schools.

Dear Headteacher

I am writing to inform you that (Child Name) is exempt from wearing a face covering of any kind, as per government legislation.

There are many exemptions from wearing a face mask, which incorporate hidden disabilities, including but not limited to:

(I) because of any physical or mental impairment or illness or disability (Section 6 of the equality act 2010)

(II) without severe distress

Section 6 of the equality act states that schools must not discriminate against a student because of their disability.

I am concerned that my child will be singled out for not wearing a mask and would like to remind you that this is also discriminatory.

(Childs Name) is under no obligation to provide proof of this exemption and is protected from doing so by the Data Protection Act 2018

I have also sent a copy of this letter to our solicitors.

Kind Regards
(Your Name)

Ah you’re one of those people

You haven't said what his exemption is though- I'm guessing he doesn't have one!

But does he have an actual condition which means he is exempt? Not wanting to wear one isn’t an exemption.

And people who think it is are the reason people who genuinely can’t wear them face so much hassle.

I am a lawyer and if a letter like that turned up I would be making this face and wondering wtf they wanted me to do with it.

And I hate wearing masks, btw. They make me feel claustrophobic and panicky. But I do it because I'm not a dick and don't have a medical need not to wear one. Incidentally, my law firm mandates mask wearing except when you are sat at your own desk.

No one has to have an “condition”

The law says if it causes you severe distress you don’t have to wear one. But it also says you don’t have to prove it; so someone wearing a mask may or may not have a “condition” and it’s no ones business but their own

What do you hope to achieve with this letter?

I do think that ppl raising their dc with this attitude of ‘you’re not allowed to tell me what to do’ often get the children they deserve by the time they hit the mid teen years, so there is that

I think that's kind of the point unfortunately op. It is everyone's business. Your decision affects everyone else.

The law states that there are exemptions.

For people with genuine disability/medical need ONLY.

Please don’t take the absolute fucking piss by abusing disability access when you are not disabled. There are already so many selfish chancers who park in disabled spaces, lie about being disabled to cut in line or lie that their pet is a support animal. The abuse of disability access genuinely does so, so much harm to disabled people.

Not to mention refusing to wear a mask unless you physically are unable contributes to the spread of COVID and prolongs the lockdown which many disabled and medically vulnerable people have already suffered disproportionately from. By lying that your son is disabled you are abusing disabled access in such a way as could inflict real damage on actual disabled people.

So basically your part of the “but I don’t want to wear” one bridge. Make your so. Wear a mask, teach him to take a simple step to help protect others

How long is he in communal areas for? How does he personally feel about atleast trying to get used to a mask?
Are you in an area of local intervention?
If he doesn't have a genuine exemption then maybe the best thing to do is to help him get used to a mask for short periods of time and not let your prejudice effect how he.feels

@NameChange2271 So basically your son doesn't have a condition, he just (like most people) finds mask wearing inconvenient and uncomfortable. You resent the idea of being told what to do, so you're looking for loopholes designed to protect those with a genuine need. Who will now face doubt and suspicion because of people like you using those loopholes to prove a stupid point. Bravo.

Does it cause him distress? Or have you persuaded him that it does?

Sledgehammer ----> nut

So you want to use people with disabilities including severe panic if they were masks to meet your personal goals? And you want us all to help you achieve that regardless of our circumstances or views? Ok then.

Its a shame you mentioned the DfE, as I was hoping this would be our local school, and was looking forward to the Headteacher sharing his thoughts on your ridiculous letter.

@DDiva sledgehammer...........>nut

Nut is definitely the correct description of the OP!

I presume you are talking about secondary schools as the young ones aren't wearing masks.
If your child is genuinely exempt, take it up with the school. Otherwise, I can't see a problem with the mask, especially as it isn't all day, just in 'public' areas.
If everyone would abide by the safety measures, we could avoid another lockdown....but no.....

The law says if it causes you severe distress you don’t have to wear one. But it also says you don’t have to prove it; so someone wearing a mask may or may not have a “condition” and it’s no ones business but their own

Exploiting the 'severe distress' exemption just because you don't want to wear one is really fucking vile. You do realise that by doing so you're making life harder for people who are genuinely seriously distressed like rape victims.

Don't know what solicitor wrote that letter, but they've not got a clue about the law. The DPA doesn't come into it, the Equality Act might.

I think I liked the world better when people hid their selfishness and their conspiracy theories. I can't imagine having that much disdain for teachers, health experts, my fellow woman/man

*The law states that there are exemptions.

For people with genuine disability/medical need ONLY.*

Yes, this. People like you are the reason some people like me are too afraid to go out at the moment for fear of being thought of as being someone like you.

People who are exempt CANNOT wear a mask. Some people with my condition can wear a mask ok. They are therefore not exempt.

To allow those of us who are exempt to go to places without being abused (and most people are happy to have an exemption card to show if asked) by arsehole members of public, you and your precious son need to wear a fucking mask.

I can't believe I'm having to spell this out to a grown up.

You absolute tool OP

@Shakirasma

You absolute tool OP

🤣 That about sums it up.