@FrancineSmith
I work in one of those supermarkets. I’ve been told that people who are exempt will have to prove it. I have pointed out that a) we’re not allowed to ask for proof and b) there is no proof - anyone can buy a bloody lanyard. They seemed surprised by this (we even give them out in our store to anyone who asks for them).
The problem is there is no proof, the NHS decided last year that no one was to be given a letter and everyone should self certify. I've been asked so many times for proof (I've a lanyard my GP got for me with a card in it saying exempt) but have none, I've asked for it and got a letter saying they aren't giving them due to lack of resources and confidentiality. Yes they wrote to tell me that.
Taxis here will no longer take anyone without a GP exemption letter, one person only per taxi and must sit in the back. No exemption letters are being given so people are now stuck. Massive arguments about it on social media as taxis are the only way to get to hospital appointments now hours away so people are going without treatment, including emergency as out of hours GP won't visit anymore due to covid risk and ambulances have always been very hard to get due to being so rural.
Daily I must go out to collect meds. Every day the abuse for not wearing a mask gets worse - NOT staff, but others. Today I ended up in tears. I'm terrified to go out tomorrow. I've just cleared out my social media account because I made the mistake of commenting why I cannot wear a mask or a visor on there and the replies run to hundreds, all accusing me of spreading covid, being a twat, telling lies because the genuinely exempt can't go outside.. And worse.
I've lost people close to me to covid, another lost her baby, another lost their eyesight and others have had minimal side effects. I'm not minimising it is denying it. I simply cannot wear a mask if covering.
Not everyone is "refusing" to wear a mask. Everyone assumes I'm doing it delibrately. I'm not. Nor am I a covid denier, nor does it give randoms the right to hurl abuse at me on the street, poke fun at me, mock me saying I'll regret being silly when I need a ventilator (actually I'm not going to be allowed one, because I'm too ill I was told that last March - it's a waste). Nor can everyone discuss why they aren't wearing one.
I'm not saying there aren't people taking the piss but the fact is there is no way I'd go through the abuse I do on a daily basis if I had the option not to.
Now our shops are all closing much earlier so there's no option to go at quieter times either as there are none.