To think you should not demand more information if someone is exempt from mask wearing?

[youngandbroken]

I know the importance of wearing a mask, and genuinely try to wear one when I can however I have CPTSD and some days are far, far worse than others (I tend to avoid going out where possible on these days). Today is one of those days, I live in a tower block and just went to put the bins out - that's all and had a woman stop me getting back up to my flat and have a go at me for not wearing a mask. I'm not comfortable explaining that I have mental illnesses, let alone explaining what caused those. I apologised and said that I am exempt to which she said NO your not, there are elderly people in this flat block. I know this and will always stay as far away from everyone as possible, constant hand washing and sanitizing and again I will wear a mask whenever I can do that without having a major panic attack. I ended up explaining but that then caused another panic attack.
All I was trying to do was take the bins out, there wasn't anyone else in the hallway when I went in, the woman followed me - if she had been there already I would have waited. Am I wrong to think that you shouldn't ask people to explain why they are exempt? I know there are people who do take the mick but there are also many who are genuine.

I can't wear one at the moment because I have severe hyperemesis and they make my vomiting worse. Its nobodies business why I can't wear one, if I'm feeling well then I do but if I'm having a bad day then it's not happening. Anyone who challenges me will be told to mind their own business. I don't have to explain myself to random people.

Yanbu at all

She is a nasty piece of work.

I think it’s easy to doubt yourself - but please remember that going up to strangers to ask why they are not wearing a mask is actually a very peculiar thing to do.

Unfortunately there is still a lot of anxiety around people not wearing masks, and sometimes anxiety comes out in strange ways. However you don't need to expand on why you aren't wearing a mask. If you exempt, you are exempt, and you'd think by now people would accept that.

She spent an unnecessary amount of time questioning you, surely if she was that concerned that you were fizzing with covid it would have been better to have her say then get away from you? She sounds nuts to be honest. There is a lot a people who were probably close to losing their minds have been pushed over the edge by lockdown.

I find a hearty” Oh, off to fuck with you!” Generally works well!

Although you are right, other people also suffer mental illness and may not always talk to strangers appropriately.

I’m with Temp. This whole thing has given nosy, patronising idiots licence to air their opinion on other people’s business. At Marks yesterday I had the misfortune of waking past some random woman berating anyone that didn’t use the store provided hand sanitizer on the way in. She had no way of knowing if people had already used their own, had skin issues or allergies or so forth. The more people ignored her, the louder she became.

@Temp023

I find a hearty” Oh, off to fuck with you!” Generally works well!

In this circumstance definitely if she felt at risk she’s put herself at risk by stood near you telling you off . She’s a bitch op don’t let someone like that bring you down . She’s probably upset because she knows the mask situation will end soon and what will she police then with her sad little life .

@buggerbuggery

Although you are right, other people also suffer mental illness and may not always talk to strangers appropriately.

Oh stop with diagnosis of complete strangers sometimes people are twats.

Yes sometimes they are idiots. But you do not know if they are or not.
Just as we do not know if those not wearing a mask are really exempt or not.

I think people should keep themselves to themselves and not be mask detectives

That said, I was on public transport yesterday and the number of people not wearing masks was pretty shocking. Seemed to be a very similar type of person too which makes me think certain groups don’t believe in covid or masks or think they’re exempt somehow, I don’t believe all those people had medical exemptions

Why on earth would you need to wear a mask to put the bins out? Tell the silly bitch to get fucked. It gets easier tht more you do it.

My hair dresser's got that sick of people demanding her vaccination proof, last LFT etc she's taken to asking if they want to know her last smear test date and results as well to make the point.

@OrangeRug because she is working through communal areas in a flat. Do you really speak to strangers in that way?

You need to just say you’re exempt and not get into conversation about it. If they ask why just say that’s between me and my doctor and none of your business.

It sounds like this women is slightly unhinged though so I would try and put it out if your mind. However I remember when it wasn’t compulsory to wear masks and some people that chose to wear them were subjected to abuse so some people are just nasty busy bodies.

@CoffeeWithCheese it astounds me that people think that they have the right to know that personal and private information. Just so rude and intrusive.

Unfortunately, I know too many people who can’t be arsed wearing one or think they’re exempt for pseudo-political reasons.
Wear a badgelanyard or expect to get asked.

No one should feel obligated to wear a badge/lanyard and no one should be asking other people about their mask /lack of mask unless they are employed to do so (e.g., covid marshall) as its none of their fucking business.

People should have a card/certificate from an official source e.g. their GP to prove their exemption.

Far more people just choose not to wear a mask than are actualy exempt, and the “you don’t have to explain why,” has made it all the more easy for people just to not bother.

In fact there’s an organisation called Power to the people,” who actively encourage people to just say they have to say they have a disability and are exempt as they’re anti maskers.

It’s the same as a blue badge IMO. You wouldn’t be able to park in a disabled space and say “I have a disability so you can’t question me.” This is the same.

FWIW I am exempt and I choose to wear a mask anyway, but the fact that anyone can just say “I’m exempt” means that people with genuine reasons for exemption are then made to feel guilty by those who feel that many who claim exemption are just taking the piss. Which many of them are.

@AlternativePerspective - if you are able to wear a mask, you aren't exempt. There isn't a list of conditions that exempt you from wearing a mask. It's based on the impact it has on you.

In the place you were in, unreasonable I think.

However, on public transport, in shops, in a pub and at events, I do not agree. A bandana, a scarf, as examples that can be removed quicker than a mask are all options to cover face and nose. There is a difference between wearing a face covering for a few minutes and something as long as a train journey of several hours as well.

My view will not prevail, given the current government we have. When in Germany in September everyone on the local trains had a face covering, without exception.

For crying out loud, people do not need to wear a mask to out the bins out!

FWIW I am exempt and I choose to wear a mask anyway

If you can wear one, then you're not exempt. Some people will be exempt on some occasions and not on others, as many conditions fluctuate.

Poor form to judge others when you don't understand the rules yourself.