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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

718 replies

NameChange2271 · 22/09/2020 13:18

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)

OP posts:
Kazakaren · 23/09/2020 07:45

I still can't get over the fact that there's parents out there willing to lie and threaten in order to have their child not wear a mask

These are the people who think they are entitled to other groups of people's rights. They train their children to be just as entitled and arrogant. It's people like this that make the world shite for everyone else.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 23/09/2020 07:49

I often wonder how people in this country would cope should we go through any real hardship...

bigdecisionstomake · 23/09/2020 08:00

I work with students and I know exactly what type of young adult your son will grow into as we get one or two with parents like you each year.

Thankfully they make up a very tiny percentage but believe me you aren't doing him any favours behaving as badly as you are and allowing him to think it is ok.

I feel sorry for your son (and the poor kids he is too selfish to want to help protect by wearing a mask). I hope you aren't damaging him too badly.

I say this kindly but please think about your actions and how they impact on other people, your son in particular.

KaptainKaveman · 23/09/2020 08:02

@NameChange2271

I sent the letter into the school yesterday. He was given a pass today - so clearly it was worth sending it!

I still don’t agree with every teacher stopping to ask “where’s your mask” it is discriminatory and will have a negative impact on Mental health.

Well done on teaching your ds that your selfish desires trump everyone else's health needs and that the school's rules can go to hell. He might be pestered about wearing a mask but can't he just suck it up, like everyone else? Do you really not get the rationale behind wearing masks, even now? are you that dim?

Unbelievably entitled, rude, demanding and frankly despicable behaviour OP. And the 'copying in my solicitor' bit - like something out of a 6th former's hissy fit.

Marzipan12 · 23/09/2020 08:16

Your letter was not needed. You said in your second post that passes where being issued. Your letter made zero difference to your child receiving a pass but it will have angered staff, congratulations.

ItalianHat · 23/09/2020 08:23

I support a child that I cannot socially distance from, he goes to a childminder before school where children from four other households are also present, he has horse riding and swimming lessons. I have two very elderly parents, one who has dementia and I am in a bubble with over 200 teenagers. It is an extremely scary time for me trying to do my best still for the child

You are a sterling heroine Flowers and people in situations like yours (I know several people who have to work as you do) have been sadly let down by our shower of a government.

And by nobs like @NameChange2271

@NameChange2271 's notion of "protecting our children" is a bit like those parents who drive huge 4 x 4s in urban settings. "Oh my children are safer in this car" - well, yes, but other people's children are at far higher risk from your car in an accident.

Selfish, selfish, selfish

steppemum · 23/09/2020 08:28

@Userzzz

Good job, OP. Shocking how many parents support their children wearing face masks
why?

Really think I am missing something on this thread.

My kids are 12, 15, 17 and have been wearing masks on school transport and round the halls at school since June. They are fine with it.
If you have a genuine exemption, fine, but otherwise, why wouldn't you?

steppemum · 23/09/2020 08:32

@AwaAnBileYerHeid

I often wonder how people in this country would cope should we go through any real hardship...
well quite.

When my mum was 4, she had to learn how to wear a gas mask.
I don't know if you have ever tried on a gas mask? They are AWFUL and veyr claustrophobic, I cannot imagine having to teach a 4 year old how to wear one.

to make them more user friendly, they had Mickey Mouse ears. Enough to give you permanent nightmares!

Honestly this whole post is exactly why kids today get called snowflakes.

teach him bit by bit how to be comfortable in a mask, as cuturallyappropriatename did

Hoppinggreen · 23/09/2020 08:34

I have sent DS with a note this morning asking if he can be allowed to rest if he is in pain during PE (on the advice of his physio)
Should I send a copy to my Solicitor?

boomboomg · 23/09/2020 08:38

So OP but even after your encouragement I wouldn't be sending a letter like that.

It's totally unecessary and disrespectful,

The part about the solicitor at the end is just cringe.

Alonelonelyloner · 23/09/2020 08:49

Wow.

How to gain friends, influence people and generally make people's lives easier.

Wow.

How about, as your son has no medical need, teach your son that in life sometimes we have to do things we don't like as it helps others?

Get a grip OP.

Brot64 · 23/09/2020 08:58

GrinGrinsurely this has to be a joke. No one can be this ridiculously stupid? Confused

WokesFromHome · 23/09/2020 08:59

My son was quite happy to have the letter actually; and asked to hand it in to his form tutor rather than me take it in

I recon OP's son has binned the letter and asked school to give him a 3-ply mask from their stash and wears it to school. He probably doesn't need the grief form his peers.

Cocomarine · 23/09/2020 09:12

@WokesFromHome

My son was quite happy to have the letter actually; and asked to hand it in to his form tutor rather than me take it in

I recon OP's son has binned the letter and asked school to give him a 3-ply mask from their stash and wears it to school. He probably doesn't need the grief form his peers.

“rather than me hand it in”

Bloody hell... so it wasn’t even going to be an email turd?

Of course he took it in! (and binned it) No kid wants their mum coming in with a letter - even without their mum being a known arsehole to teachers.

DdraigGoch · 23/09/2020 09:24

@NameChange2271

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

So you're saying that just because no one is allowed to check if your son has a genuine reason, you are going to take the piss just because you can get away with it? Exemptions are there for those who will be caused severe distress by wearing a mask. Many people who are theoretically exempt have still tried to wear one anyway because they are sensible enough to realise that the virus doesn't care if they've a note from their mother. Those who really cannot wear a mask without having a panic attack/coming out in hives rely on everyone else wearing them to protect them. Just because you CAN get away with something, doesn't mean that you SHOULD.
chrislilleyswig · 23/09/2020 11:09

So OP, have you reported back to the rest of the Us for Them bampots about how Mumsnet is full of sheeple who need to educated themselves.

And by educate I mean read some random YouTube shite

PhilSwagielka · 23/09/2020 11:12

You'll be laughed out of court. Good luck with that.

ItsGoingTibiaK · 23/09/2020 11:26

How many normal people even have a solicitor on retainer? You’d have to specially engage one.

Good morning, Hugh Pugh Bojangle Dimitri Solicitors, how can I help you?

Yes, I’d like to send you a letter, please.

OK. What is it regarding?

I’d just like you to have it on record.

Right. Would you like us to check it or take any action?

I wouldn’t. I found it on Facebook, written by a Holocaust-denying conspiracy theorist. She can’t even do capital letters, so I doubt her legal knowledge is that great.

I see...

Thing is, I’ve rashly promised to send to to my solicitor - don’t know why - so I thought I’d better get in touch with one.

Click. Dial tone.

MarshaBradyo · 23/09/2020 11:28

It doesn’t have an apostrophe so perhaps the op has a whole team of solicitors on retainer waiting for her school letters.

gypsywater · 23/09/2020 11:29

Get a fucking grip

Belladonna12 · 23/09/2020 11:36

I live in a lockdown area which means that children are meant to wear masks in corridors unless they have a medical reason not to. The school has asked parents to email specifying the medical condition. Not sure what would happen if they sent an email like OPs but they probably can ask for details of the condition if they want to. Workplaces do. What's the difference?

Belladonna12 · 23/09/2020 11:38

OP. Children would refer to you as a 'Karen".

Comefromaway · 23/09/2020 11:44

Belladonna, as the parent of a child with an SEN/disability I can confirm that schools only have to make reasonable adjustments, that any adjustments are only made when in full possession of all the facts regarding the child's disability and if an adjustment is unreasonable in that it may place others in danger then it need not be made.

Lougle · 23/09/2020 11:52

It really annoys me that people game the system. Most people 'don't like' wearing masks. 'Severe distress' is not the same as 'don't like'.

DD1 goes to special school. All the kids have to wear masks on transport. They manage, even though they don't like it.

It's like all these things. The exemptions are meant to be for people who really need them. Not for people who just don't fancy it.

cataline · 23/09/2020 11:54

You sound like a nightmare parent whose kid is a pain in the arse and doesn't think he needs to follow rules and you'll back him up.
For fucks sake. Have a bit of respect for the people trying to educate your child and grow up.

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