To ask if Anxiety is an acceptable excuse for not wearing a mask?

[balihai550]

Just this...I had a mild panic attack in M&S today because for some reason masks make me feel closed in and like I can't breathe.

So I took it off and then had to explain to three people why I couldn't wear it. Anxiety in their view wasn't a good enough reason.

I often try to get online shops but atm all the ocado, Sainsbury's and Waitrose slots in my area are gone, so have to venture out.

Is not wearing a mask because of Anxiety and panic attacks unreasonable?

As I understand it, you need a genuine medical reason to not wear a mask.

Like an illness or disability, yes. Anxiety fits into that.

@covidaintacrime

I'm so over listening to / reading these these pathetic posts! For the love of god, wear the damn mask or make other arrangements to do your shopping! It's really not that hard!!

Pathetic? For being disabled or mentally ill? Yikes.

I live in a country where it's been compulsory to wear masks everywhere in public since last March. No mask, no entry, no exceptions! No one wants your damn germs! Go home and take your anxiety with you - and before you say it YES! I suffer from it too!

What about people who have been raped and suffer PTSD (as has previously been mentioned)? Your lack of compassion is pretty indicative of a bigger issue that face exempt individuals.

I disagree. It's not lack of compassion, it's helping save lives. As I said, I have my own anxiety but follow the rules and make alternative arrangements. I wouldn't wish PTSD or rape on anyone, but I wouldn't death on them even more.

The UK is in such a horrific mess. Stricter rules must be put in place, compulsory mask wearing should be one of these rules. I stand by what I originally said before certain people got all upset.

@Givemeabreak88

Hmm yeh you just say you’re exempt no need to “explain” why

Which makes the whole mask-wearing nonsensical if everyone can claim exemption. If a person claims not to be able to wear a ,mask they should carry official documentation and be expected to show it.

I disagree. It's not lack of compassion, it's helping save lives. As I said, I have my own anxiety but follow the rules and make alternative arrangements. I wouldn't wish PTSD or rape on anyone, but I wouldn't death on them even more.

Helping save lives = staying inside as much as possible, wearing a mask as much as possible, washing your hands and socially distancing. Most people (even those with exemptions) can manage 3/4 of these things, it just so happens that one is not masks. There's a reason we have so many precautions, so that those who are exempt can carry on with their daily lives in the same way that anyone else is entitled to.

"Alternative arrangements" for many people means not wearing a mask but doing everything else they are capable of doing.

The UK is in such a horrific mess. Stricter rules must be put in place, compulsory mask wearing should be one of these rules. I stand by what I originally said before certain people got all upset.

You can either enforce everyone stays home (I don't know how that would be facilitated) or you can accept that people have to leave their homes. To pick and choose based on disability or mental illness seems prejudicial.

No. Stay home for your own and others' protection.

Anxiety is easy to claim, so farcical as an excuse. If one's so anxious then stay at home.

Again I'll repeat my earlier question - There are medically exempt people who don't have family (or can't see their family!) and can't get delivery slots for a multitude of reasons. Does anyone have a good suggestion about what they should do?

FML EVERYONE IS ANXIOUS its a fucking pandemic there are precious few reasons not to be ANXIOUS my anxiety ridden asthmatic daughter wore a mask for five hours my dad with copd technically exempt but wears a mask for the supermarket he also struggles with anxiety people staring at him for not wearing a mask would make it worse

What do anxious people do in country's where its absolutely mandatory? Seriously what so they do? We have such a low compliance rate in this country its insane

I have seriuos issues wearing mine so I can empathise. It really helped me to practice outside, the fresh cold air made me feel calmer about being able to breathe. Also indoors I walk round with my mouth gaping open, it helps me to take take really big breaths and nobody can see me lol. It gets easier the more you do it I promise.

FML EVERYONE IS ANXIOUS its a fucking pandemic there are precious few reasons not to be ANXIOUS

"You're not depressed, everyone gets sad sometimes!". It's a mental health condition that is isolated from a solely situation-based occasional emotion.

Helping save lives = staying inside as much as possible, wearing a mask as much as possible, washing your hands and socially distancing. Most people (even those with exemptions) can manage 3/4 of these things, it just so happens that one is not masks.

Many people with masks only manage 3/4 of those things - social distancing seems to have practically disappeared. I think some people confuse a thin piece of fabric for a Covid-repelling forcefield.

@covidaintacrime

Anxiety is easy to claim, so farcical as an excuse. If one's so anxious then stay at home.

Again I'll repeat my earlier question - There are medically exempt people who don't have family (or can't see their family!) and can't get delivery slots for a multitude of reasons. Does anyone have a good suggestion about what they should do?

Army delivery's?

Thier neighbours?

But I doubt there is exactly an army of entirely seperate hermits in this country

@covidaintacrime

FML EVERYONE IS ANXIOUS its a fucking pandemic there are precious few reasons not to be ANXIOUS

"You're not depressed, everyone gets sad sometimes!". It's a mental health condition that is isolated from a solely situation-based occasional emotion.

But this isn't irrational anxiety its just finding the physical sensation unpleasant and can be trained out

Why do we seem to have such a high number of people who can’t wear a mask/face covering

If you had to no exceptions what would your do

Many people with masks only manage 3/4 of those things - social distancing seems to have practically disappeared. I think some people confuse a thin piece of fabric for a Covid-repelling forcefield.

Indeed, culpability always seems to come down hard on those who don't deserve it. Unless these "it's just an excuse" posters have not left their house in eleven and a half months (even which would demonstrate the privilege of having people who can fetch you the basic necessities) it's hypocrisy. No method is 100% safe, everyone is doing the best they can.

Also don't you need a diagnosis before you start claiming medical exemption.

@neondragonfly I have to admit, if I had to choose between rape or death, I'd go with death.

You are seriously lacking in education and compassion.

Having posted on here tonight re anxiety have just had the news half hour ago that my lovely, gorgeous, wonderful very, very special relative is in HDU alone and very, very ill with this fucking virus .

She ‘just’ had a cough yesterday . She’s not even fifty and is normally fit and well .

So .

Going back on my earlier word slightly .

If you can stay at home, stay at home . Mask
or not . But especially if you can’t wear a mask .

It isn’t fucking worth it to chance it to be honest .

I don't think it's reasonable at all, risk of catching or transmitting covid trumps your anxiety,
I have panic attacks as part of my PTSD and if I have a panic attack I go outside and take my mask off so I'm well away from other people I don't just stand in the shop with my mask off and expect other people to deal with my problems.
Anxiety is not an excuse to do whatever takes your fancy that day sorry.

Jesus Christ when did our society become so intolerant of other people?

Anyone with an ounce of kindness would never dream of telling anyone else to wear a mask or challenge them or give them dirty looks.

But this isn't irrational anxiety its just finding the physical sensation unpleasant and can be trained out

"Unpleasant" ≠ causing panic attacks. Most people find wearing masks unpleasant but they can stomach it, if it causes you severe mental health consequences and you feel you cannot stomach it then you are absolutely justified to not wear one.

I'm curious to know what method of "training it out" would cure sensory difficulties for people with autism for example?

Is there ANY reason why you can't wear a face shield?

I do understand but I think instead order a plastic shield for your face, that should be OK for your breathing. With regards to your shopping, check out your Facebook we have local volunteers doing shopping. Is there a group near you?

I think some people confuse a thin piece of fabric for a Covid-repelling forcefield.

Absolutely! And some of them were probably the same people in March/April/May laughing at the people wearing masks, mocking them and saying "I'm following the science! Masks don't help".