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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

827 replies

balihai550 · 12/01/2021 21:19

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Lovely1a2b3c · 22/01/2021 00:25

*medically exempt. The card should also entitle people to priority online deliveries and click and collect.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 26/01/2021 00:47

@Lovely1a2b3c because Supermarkets aren't already struggling with their workload, if people who can't wear masks take up a slot, it could from someone who actually needs it such as someone isolating or someone clinically extrwm vulnerable.

What about non mask wearers going to work, they do work in supermarkets too you know. Covid really has made people blindsided. If they make you that anxious perhaps YOU should stay at home like a caged animal, if people are that convince they sToP tHe sPrEAd then why be so anxious about someone not wearing one? The same people like this will be the ones who think the vaccine will prevent transmission. Lol.

gingerbiscuits · 26/01/2021 09:25

Sorry, but no. If you can't wear a mask then you can't go in the shops - simple.

No-one likes wearing them & we all feel like we can't breathe sometimes but its just what we all have to do right now - for the greater good.

Janegrey333 · 26/01/2021 10:09

Definitely not.

Thewiseoneincognito · 26/01/2021 10:18

If a mask that will protect you and those at home from a potentially deadly virus makes you anxious then I would be more anxious being out and about in public and catching said virus and would probably stay indoors to be safe. It is also disrespectful to those with anxiety about non mask wearers trying to go about their daily business.

Your anxiety is very misplaced.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 26/01/2021 23:28

@gingerbiscuits well that's where you're wrong, the OP can go in shops - there are no rules to say she can't. Should she starve?

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 26/01/2021 23:29

@Thewiseoneincognito your anxiety is very misplaced

If that's not small minded and judgemental I don't know what is.

Seems COVID has given people the right to be absolute prejudice arse wipes.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 26/01/2021 23:30

No wonder the OP never came back.

Carrotcakefiend · 26/01/2021 23:41

OP I can't believe the reactions of others on here! If you had a panic attack and really felt you couldn't breathe, I would say that's covered by the govt guidelines:

"where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress"

Not being able to breathe for any reason is very distressing. I assume this is a one off, and that you were in the shop for a limited time, and that you currently have no reason to believe you have COVID? If so, don't worry. Look after yourself and try again another day. Don't let the worried judgers get you down x

Btw to all of you who are saying things like "a ventilator will make you feel worse" yes. It will. And I sincerely hope you aren't suggesting OP in any way deserves this? If she was presenting with a physical disability you wouldn't think about comments like this. Mental issues are just as valid, just as serious, and deserve the same level of respect.

TheoSawUs · 26/01/2021 23:56

I'm not unsympathetic but I live in an Asian country where masks are mandatory for everyone including children. I am certain people here must also suffer with anxiety but I have never seen a single person in public without a mask on.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 27/01/2021 02:09

@TheoSawUs you live in an unsympathetic environment that probably don't believe in mental health issues or hidden disabilities. Compliance ingrained in Asia, the people are different.

Also, if you mean children under 5, try making my 2 year old wear it. She doesn't even keep a hat on when it's cold, never mind shoving something on her face. She's 2, doesn't have a clue and will probably take it off and give it back. All children are different.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 27/01/2021 02:09

oNe sIzE fItS aLL apparently.

TheoSawUs · 27/01/2021 02:27

Yes I agree there is less understanding of mental health challenges here but it’s interesting to observe that, despite the fact these most certainly do exist, I have never seen an Asian or Caucasian (of which there are many) person without a mask in public.

JFCO · 27/01/2021 02:46

I have a friend who suffers from anxiety and doesn't wear a mask. Guess what- last Wednesday she started suffering from symptoms and on a Friday got positive covid test result. Still very ill :(
I understand if people like her and OP would stay home and protect others around them- but, no, my friend, too, was going round the shops, taking bus every day and so on. It's not fair on others. I think she will overcome her anxiety and wear mask when she gets better.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 28/01/2021 01:13

@JFCO and she may not, everyone's circumstances are so different.

I don't wear a mask, because I can't, I still have to go to work, I still have to take my daughter to nursery and I still need shopping, online delivery slots are few and far between here which isn't great when you need milk at least once a week. I'm getting fed up with small minded people thinking they know everything. I don't get furlough because of a mask exemption and it be discrimination to suggest I am furloughed because of my inability to wear a face covering.

borntohula · 28/01/2021 01:17

Funny that some of you are all too quick to accuse people of not giving a fuck about old people but clearly don't care about people who are vulnerable in other ways.

MissMarpleDarling · 28/01/2021 03:04

Snap to one of the above comments! My sister has anxiety and said masks made her have panick attacks so she was exempt. Had covid and could barely breath and wears a mask now.

MissMarpleDarling · 28/01/2021 03:04

Panic *

Masai71 · 28/01/2021 03:13

Sick to the back teeth of people bleating about exemptions for anxiety when frontline staff in the NHS have no choice but to wear PPE for over 12 hours. Trust me you are not more anxious that us being scared shitless about taking this disease home.

Try doing 30 minutes of chest compressions in a cardiac arrest in the hallway with the heating on 30 degrees while in level 3 PPE and a hood.

Until then wear a fucking mask for the 20 minutes or so you go into a food shop. Jesus.

Macaroni46 · 28/01/2021 07:41

Perhaps those who can't (won't) wear masks should carry proof of a recent negative test?
After all lots of us now have to do this for work.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/01/2021 07:59

My sister lives in Melbourne where they had very strict lockdown rules. It was mandatory to wear a mask in shops.

I'm not underestimating what its like to have a panic attack but I also believe that we all have a duty to ensure we do everything we can to reduce the spread of this virus. So if you really can't wear a mask then you need to find other ways to get your shopping.

It's all shit but the sooner we get rates down the better

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 31/01/2021 00:19

Can't wait go shopping tomorrow, need milk & bread, may even pick up some Dairy Milk 😊

People really are ignorant. World's gone mad.

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 31/01/2021 00:22

@Masai71 you really have no understanding of anxiety and it's issues 🥴

I don't suffer anxiety and it's not hard no work out how debilitating it can be some.

Masai71 · 01/02/2021 09:47

[quote coulditbeanymorerubbish]@Masai71 you really have no understanding of anxiety and it's issues 🥴

I don't suffer anxiety and it's not hard no work out how debilitating it can be some.[/quote]
Get over yourself with that daft statement. Of course I know. I also know the impact of "if onlys" on several bereaved families because their loved one refused to wear a mask due to anxiety.

Mostlylurkingiam · 04/02/2021 06:01

You are being silly, you can learn to wear a mask, just build up to it. It does not effect your breathing at all. Just start trying at home, and distract yourself when out with headphones in - music, podcast etc to take your mind off. Learn some anti-anxiety techniques, you do not really have the option to just not try at the moment.