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?

Is your 15 yo in a disability buggy or free to walk around? Does he understand social distancing? If he isn't wearing a mask and doesn't understand social distancing then he should not be in the shop and doesn't need to be in the shop.

This is one of those situations (IMHO) where the safety of others and civic duty trumps your son's right to not wear a mask. No-one should make him wear a mask. But he doesn't need to be in the shops. If childcare is an issue then do what shielding people do. Shop online.

I’ve basically stopped going out unless its absolutely vital

Correct. As we all should be doing.

Saying babies and toddlers are only allowed in if they are in buggies ( not trollies because that brings them too high up) is more reasonable (although my 15 year old is also in wheelchair or buggy for safety reasons although an unusual situation I admit). Whenever I ask this question the usual response is well children are different and actually no they are not.

"No-one should make him wear a mask."
Unless he was sedated no one could make him wear a mask. It would be easier keeping a mask on most 1 year olds.

Theres way to much tolerance of this bullshit. People use anxiety as an excuse. There will be very few people who genuinely cannot wear a mask for 20 minutes as they walk around a shop.

We all feel a bit breathless and panicky when we first wore them. It's really pathetic to use that as an reason not to wear them.

No. I live in a country where masks are compulsory indoors and out. No exceptions. Everyone manages. These are not normal times

Those who struggle, have you tried different types? I find this design, in slightly stiffer cotton, stays away from my nose and mouth better.

"Everyone manages. These are not normal times"

Everyone does not manage. Some people won't leave the house and for some people not going outside at all, it will very distressing with lots of violence and self injurious behaviour unless they are drugged so much they don't move. Don't kid yourself.

Wear a mask or stay the fuck home.

For all those who say mental health doesn’t trump some else’s covid death risk...

An important part of mental health recovery is doing normal things. Most of those normal things, except grocery shopping, can’t be done right now.

For some people, being able to go grocery shopping every now and then is the fine line between just about coping in this lockdown, or becoming suicidal again.

(Which happened to my daughter last lockdown when we tried to stay at home full time bar a walk in the fields or two. She ended up in hospital for two months. So we will continue to grocery shop, she in her lanyard, me in my mask, socially distanced and sanitised up to the hilt)

@BeardieWeirdie
If you don’t like a face mask, try a ventilator - if you’re lucky enough to get one. YABU. Why should shop workers be exposed to the virus from people who don’t like wearing masks?
This exactly.

I have no problem wearing a mask but I still don't fancy trying a ventilator. Does anyone? When I see the ventilator comment I think person not capable of discussion.

Most people find wearing Masks odd at first .However I practised wearing mine at home for 5 then 10 minutes ,and gradually built up to around half an hour /40 mins .About the time it takes for a full shop.There shouldnt really be any exceptions .Our medium size Tesco actually states that Masks are a Mandatory Requirement by law, and if you dont have one ,to ask and they will provide one for free.Germany is considering shutting down Public Transport ,and I think this is correct .Although harsh in the short term ,we need to eliminate chances of infection as much as possible in order to stamp out the virus long term

I’ve had severe anxiety all my life ( fully diagnosed..)

I’m less anxious wearing a mask. I’d never go without one. The virus is too scary

@OrangeSamphire. But why does she need to go grocery shopping? It shouldn't be the case that her recovery from mental health issues trumps the safety of staff and shoppers in a supermarket. There is nothing specifically about being in a shop that is imperative to recovering from mental health . Just stay out of the darn shop if you won't wear a mask.

I'm chuffed that I have found a solution to my mask anxiety. I now wear a visor like mask that covers my mouth and nose and put a cloth mask over it. I can go to my local Sainsbury's without feeling like my chest is too tight. I can do my shopping without having to leave sooner than I needed to.
If you have a lanyard I won't judge you, but if you don't I will judge you hard, then explain about lanyards.

@Gingaaarghpussy

I'm chuffed that I have found a solution to my mask anxiety. I now wear a visor like mask that covers my mouth and nose and put a cloth mask over it. I can go to my local Sainsbury's without feeling like my chest is too tight. I can do my shopping without having to leave sooner than I needed to. If you have a lanyard I won't judge you, but if you don't I will judge you hard, then explain about lanyards.

You'd judge someone hard if they weren't wearing a mask and didn't have a lanyard? My Dad can't wear a mask and doesn't have a lanyard. I tend to go to the shop with him now so any one who comments can be told exactly where to fuck.

The ignorance towards mental health on this thread is appalling.

When they first became mandatory I felt a bit panicky for the first few weeks. Now I forget I’ve got one on! I have anxiety. Everyone’s anxiety is different i wouldn’t begrudge someone not wearing them who had genuinely tried to wear them and couldn’t. I also feel that asthma isn’t a very good reason not to wear one, everyone I know who has asthma wears one.

I’ve basically stopped going out unless its absolutely vital.

Well yes, that's what lockdown is.

Wear a mask or stay the fuck home

At home. Stay the fuck AT home.

Fucking irritates me as much as the stupid comment itself.

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I meant in my head. I not brave enough to actually voice my judgement because obviously I could be wrong.
I do know some arseholes who won't wear a mask, just because, and I have told them exactly what I think.

Mental health is so difficult because you can't see it and a smile is extremely easy to do. I don't particularly like those people who say "all you have to do is" either.

Why shouldn’t she @LizDiz?

It’s just about the one predictable purposeful activity she can do right now, that motivates her enough to get out of bed and is manageable with her other disabilities.

Because shes putting others at risk and I cannot believe walking around a supermarket is the only thing that will get her out of bed! Nonsense. What about a walk in the park?

The ignorance towards mental health on this thread is appalling.

No, people just aren’t prepared to put their loved ones lives at risk for the mental health of strangers. You could be getting tortured to death with red hot pokers and I’m still not going to put my children’s lives at risk to save you.

That’s the ultimate truth. My family are my priority, over and above the mental health problems of strangers.