Verbally attacked for not wearing a mask

[8catsaremycoven]

Wow, had a great experience in Lidl today - I was verbally abused and intimidated by a bloke in his 40s for not wearing a mask.

I'm minding my own business, choosing some fruit for DHS when random angry bloke walks past and hisses "You should be wearing a mask ". He doesn't stop and ask me directly why I'm not wearing a mask, just walks past me and says it in an undertone.

I catch up with him because he's browsing and tell him I'm exempt because I'm asthmatic. Apparently anyone can claim to be exempt and it's my personal fault that people are dying?! I told him that I wished that I was able to wear a mask to protect myself if nothing else, he just carried on ranting at me. No security guards in the store, other shoppers just stood and watched. I ended up crying in frustration and walking away.

I can't wear a mask because of my asthma but I also suffer from PTSD because an XH put a pillow over my face and raped me.

Am I expected to explain everything to anyone?

YABU - get over everything, risk a major asthma attack and wear a mask

YANBU - asthma is enough to excuse me from wearing a mask let alone my other reasons, which I don't feel I should have to explain to anyone

Bring it on, I'm sure someone is going to roast me but I truly hope that you're going to be behind me.

I left the shop shaking and in tears

I think it has. I think there are a lot of people who are using covid as an excuse to turn vigilante. Covigilantes, I call them.

If this guy were generally concerned, he wouldn't put himself at risk by engaging with you without a mask on. People just enjoy confrontation when they feel they have a justification to do so

why did you chase after him and confront him while not wearing a mask. Surely going up to him for a confrontation without a mask is even more risky due to the particles you breathe out when youre doing so. Shows you have no interest in the risk you are putting others at. maybe try online for your shop if there is no mask or visor you can cope with. People who cant wear masks should really shield as much as possible. Everyone is scared to some degree.. Noone likes wearing the bloody things, but its better than lockdown isnt it

would you accept your surgeon not wearing a mask ?

My dh is asthmatic and has worn a mask he said he was in the barbers and he started struggling to breathe properly he had to go outside. Hes said he can't manage long periods of wearing a mask so yanbu especially the extra details you discloses. No one has the right to challenge anyone.

No one has the right to challenge anyone

Including the OP.

Dont approach arseholes next time, you dont have to explain yourself to dickheads
So sorry you went through something so terrible

@8catsaremycoven why does asthma stop you wearing a mask. Have you been told by a medical professional that you shouldn’t wear one?

I have severe asthma and always wear one, my mum has severe asthma is 85 and wears one,

I don’t know anyone with asthma who doesn’t wear one.

Masks have been shown not to affect your oxygen intake and so I don’t understand why you say it would bring on an asthma attack.

If you have bad asthma, you are putting your health at risk going in a busy shop like Lidl without a mask.

It also sets a bad example and others think well why should I bother.
I think there are very few people with medical conditions that prevent them wearing masks.

It's a surgical mask now or an oxygen mask later really.

BINGO!!!!

“ Suzi888
Ps
Your mask is to protect you not those around you.”

@Suzi888
No, it’s the other way around. Mask wearing might offer the wearer some protection but it is mainly done to protect other people from your droplets if you have the virus:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-51205344

Who the fuck does he think he is?? We have got a dad at my daughter's school who has nominated himself as the covid police - rants all over social media about people not wearing a mask - can't even be bothered to tell him that some people are exempt and it is none of his business. Bloody hell why didn't anyone in Lidl stand up for you?

@Janevaljane

Dd has very severe asthma and wears a mask because she would rather not get or spread Covid. She finds the disposable masks much easier to breathe than some of the fabric masks.

They are

Disposable ones are lighter in face and do the job intended

Air gets in and out of the side,ask wearing is really about reducing viral load from a barrage of forceful droplets when talking or breathing in direction of others. Protects others more but offers a degree of protection to user

That's why it's so counterproductive that OP felt she had to have a conversation unmasked with the man after he's already left her (having made a comment) - why invite increased risk when you are vulnerable increased risk already?

I would seriously consider getting a lanyard, I got my mum one as for various medical reasons she was advised (yes by an actual professional to all those scoffers, in fact a brain consultant) to not wear one.

I have asthma and do wear a mask, and have also been advised to get a card right now (by the asthma clinic) as my asthma is worse and its triggered by heat which the mask causes. I will continue to wear a mask as I wear it for no more than 20 mins at a time as this is my threshold and will just not go to places where I have to wear for a long time.

As for people saying surgeons cope etc. Yep they sure do, but I am pretty sure if someone had an issue with a mask they wouldn't probably be a surgeon for long.

I’ve been on life support on a ventilator, have PTSD and trust me, wearing a mask is nothing compared to that. Please wear something to cover your mouth and nose, whatever that may be.

Not wearing a mask is, and should be, controversial. Accept you are going to get comments from people who are thinking about the health of the wider public.

I’ve been on life support on a ventilator, have PTSD and trust me, wearing a mask is nothing compared to that.

Ffs. It is not mask or ventilator.

Do you know what percentage of people with masks catch covid when they’re doing all the other measures to protect themselves?

Do you know what percentage of people aged (not elderly) end up on a ventilator?

@Fgs1 I haven't answered any questions about anything because I actually went to bed, I do apologise.

Visors trigger me. Anything that obstructs my breathing causes problems with both my asthma and PTSD.

I did not "chase him down " I walked past him, in a SD way, whilst doing my shopping. I did not "spray my droplets " on him or anyone else.

Thank you for all the supportive comments and understanding. 💐for everyone else who is experiencing problems themselves or with their DC 💐

YANBU. I have asthma, and do wear a mask, but some days I do struggle, and I've got a lanyard now for any days when my asthma might be acting up. It's generally well controlled but can be affected by things like the weather or going from it being cold outside to warm inside. I was finding that some days the mask just restricted me too much, restricted the amount of air I was able to get in. I've never not worn it yet and will wear it as often as I can but I have the option of not, now I have the lanyard. Nobody should be questioning you, and with it not being just the asthma with you, that's even worse. There are lots of hidden disabilities and it's nobody is nobody else's business.

I find a mask helps my asthma when I'm out running, because it stops the cold air which is one of my asthma triggers

I would have stood up for you OP if I had been there. Next time, ignore anyone who just makes a comment and walks off. If they come up and ask you why you’re not wearing one, just say you’re exempt. If they ask why, tell them it’s none of their business. If they say anything else, tell them to stop talking to you and then completely ignore them.

@8catsaremycoven
No mask
No visor

Wear a Lanyard or request an Exemption Card from your GP.
Or better still stay at home, shop online & protect yourself & others.

YANBU. What a horrible thing to happen.

I’m very impressed you stood up to him (despite crying afterwards!) Respect @8catsaremycoven

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Also, if you really start to passing out after few seconds in a mask, you might want to speak to a doctor...

I have cystic fibrosis, I speak to my doctor regularly thanks

Nice to see we are all still on board with being kind.
OP is exempt. LEGALLY EXEMPT. I've put that in capitals as its a point a lot of posters seem to miss.
People who are exempt do not have to explain themselves to anyone, or wear a lanyard or "look like they are making an effort".
The idea that "you can wear a shield to look like your making an effort" shows just how much a lot of this is performance safety.