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.

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

There’s no such thing.

YANBU, I can't believe over a year later the Gestapo wannabes are still doing this. This pandemic has really brought out the cunty busybodies. It wasn't ok to challenge anyone a year ago and it isn't now.

I also don't think anyone gets that much anxiety about others not wearing masks - I just think they're rotten people who like to pick on others (always women funnily enough) and believe they now have a legitimate and noble reason to do so

@AlternativePerspective

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.

LOL as if GP's have fucking time to dish out exemption cards.

How about instead people just don't be interfering bastards. Problem solved.

Oh and BTW anyone can pick up one of those lanyards @AlternativePerspective - but if I bump into you in Sainsbury’s I'll be demanding you give me your medical history seeing as, according to you, most people are faking their disabilities and should be answerable. Afterall, why should I assume that you aren't?

Oh and i would LOVE to know how people know "most people who don't wear masks aren't even exempt". Did somebody do a survey? Can I see the results? Or is it just a case of making shit up?

@toocold54

i am pretty convinced that at this point in the game, very few people are catching Covid as as result of putting the bins out without a mask.

Yes I agree but obviously if the landlord wants his tenants to follow the rules then they need to do so unless exempt.

I'm a landlord and I have no right to tell my tenant when she can and can't wear a mask

The amount of people who genuinely can’t wear a mask is very small. Wear a lanyard and then I’ll know.

@Chamonixshoopshoop

Know what? That they picked up a free lanyard that anyone can take? It's not your business, if you struggle being outside to a point where you need to know exactly why someone is mask free May I suggest staying indoors?

@Snoozer11

It's really not hard to wear a mask though, is it?

I think a few seconds of mild discomfort is worth stopping the spread of a virus that has claimed the lives of 130,000 UK lives.

But each to their own.

Also sick of these naff attempts at sensationalist bomb drops.

Cases are dropping thanks to the vaccine. Not people putting theirs bins out with a mask on.

And yes for some people it is hard to wear a mask. What's hard to understand?

@Snoozer11

A full blown panic attack is a rather extreme reaction to wearing a few inches of thin fabric loosely against your lower face.

I think it's remarkable how a small, weightless piece of cottton can induce extreme panic attacks in so many of the population.

@Snoozer11 would you also say this patronising statement to the PP who can't wear them as she was raped as a child and had her face covered to muffled her screams, and wearing a mask triggers it?

@VictoriaLudorum

When I am shopping, not in the UK, the shop broadcasts regular messages about people being required to wear masks and if, for whatever reason, they are not wearing masks they need to produce "official" proof that they are exempt otherwise they will be escorted from the shop. I haven't ever seen anyone without a mask (and here they must be OP or FFP ones). If I did ever see anyone without a mask, I would assume there was some good reason why they were not wearing one and would never say anything.

How very Orwellian.

I'm shocked at the reaction of people these days if someone doesn't wear a mask for 30 seconds to walk to the loo of a bar in town with 5 cases per 100,000

Indeed!

I'm embarrassed for the people who blindly swallow the ridiculous rules without question, because the (totally incompetent and untrustworthy) Government say's it's so. So COVID can't get anyone sitting down in a pub but the minute your bum is off the chair these thickos think "yOurE puTtInG EVeRypNe aT RiSk".

How do these people function on a daily basis?!

“I’ll explain this only once. I am EXEMPT from wearing as mask. It’s none of your business why I am and what I am doing is perfectly legal. Harassment, on the other hand is illegal so if you don’t stop harassing me now, I’m afraid I’ll have no other option then to report you to the police and to the council”

Then start filming her.

That’s what I would do but I hate wannabe Stasi’s.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

I'm shocked at the reaction of people these days if someone doesn't wear a mask for 30 seconds to walk to the loo of a bar in town with 5 cases per 100,000

Indeed!

I'm embarrassed for the people who blindly swallow the ridiculous rules without question, because the (totally incompetent and untrustworthy) Government say's it's so. So COVID can't get anyone sitting down in a pub but the minute your bum is off the chair these thickos think "yOurE puTtInG EVeRypNe aT RiSk".

How do these people function on a daily basis?!

Agreed most sensible post I’ve read on here .

I don't think you need to wear a mask to put bins out! It's not a close social activity.
However, I do find it helpful when exempt people wear the lanyard in shops and public transport. There's far too many people not bothering and I personally don't feel all these people are exempt. If I'm on a train and you're not wearing a mask and I'm off to my NHS job where we have to wear PPE all the time and rely on myself and family to keep well so we don't have to isolate all the time.... Then you'd better have an explanation. I think those who are medically exempt should have a doctors note. Otherwise non mask wearers are just selfish *** who don't give a shit about society and think not disturbing their makeup or sipping a coffee for 20 minutes on the tube is far more important

"However, I do find it helpful when exempt people wear the lanyard in shops and public transport."

The lanyards were designed so that people didn't need to be approached by THOSE WHO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ASK. They were designed to make the wearer feel more comfortable. They weren't designed to suit your needs. Thinking people should wear labels to warn or suit others is a slippery slope.

The lanyards were designed so that people didn't need to be approached by THOSE WHO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ASK. They were designed to make the wearer feel more comfortable. They weren't designed to suit your needs. Thinking people should wear labels to warn or suit others is a slippery slope.

The sunflower lanyards were originally designed for people with hidden dissabilities. They are now recognised as being for people who don't wear a mask.

@Sockwomble

"However, I do find it helpful when exempt people wear the lanyard in shops and public transport."

The lanyards were designed so that people didn't need to be approached by THOSE WHO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ASK. They were designed to make the wearer feel more comfortable. They weren't designed to suit your needs. Thinking people should wear labels to warn or suit others is a slippery slope.

Bollcks. If someone is putting others at risk I've every right to know if they are appropriately exempt or not. Just like there's fines for not isolating because you can kill someone from spreading infection there should be repercussions for being selfish cunts and not bothering to protect others

Using language like 'killing someone' is so over the top- so would it be ok if someone without a mask on infected someone else and killed them as long as they were legitimately exempt?

Years ago at school I remember studying the Stasi and their use of civilian informants and not really understanding what could possess the average person to inform on their neighbour for a perceived transgression. This last year has certainly been an eye opener in terms of the way some people out there think and it's pretty frightening.

Using language like 'killing someone' is so over the top

Agree - pathetic and embarrassing.

Do these people always catastrophise? If so they seriously need help

And yes re Stasi recruitment. People these days would be sticking their hand up in the air desperate to be part of it. It actually makes me feel sick that these mask police/"yOuRe KILLING pEoPle" idiots exist in the world.

If I'm on a train and you're not wearing a mask and I'm off to my NHS job where we have to wear PPE all the time and rely on myself and family to keep well so we don't have to isolate all the time.... Then you'd better have an explanation.

You'd think someone who allegedly works for the NHS would have a better grasp of the fact that people have a right to privacy and do not need to share any details about their medical information, including the wearing of a visible sign of disability such as a lanyard or badge. You'd also think someone who allegedly works for the NHS would have a better grasp of the reasons why someone mighr be unable to wear a mask and would be more understanding of those reasons.

If someone is putting others at risk I've every right to know if they are appropriately exempt or not. Just like there's fines for not isolating because you can kill someone from spreading infection there should be repercussions for being selfish cunts and not bothering to protect others

Masks aren't a magic bullet and are simply one layer in the Swiss cheese approach to infection control, a maskless person who is observing all other layers of the Swiss cheese is not a massively increased risk provided you are also observing all of the layers that you're able to. Your risk of contracting covid will never be zero and part of your own risk assessment when going out should take into account the fact that there might be unmasked people. As for repercussions, many people who are unable to wear a mask do so due to disability or medical issues, including psychological ones, do we now fine people for being disabled and consider them to be selfish cunts? Catch on with yourself. There are at least three cunts on this thread that I've counted and they're not the maskless people.

Ill say it again- why would the op be risking killing her neighbour by passing her in a corridor without a mask but would be fine to sit inside a pub together? If the risk of being maskless is so great why can we go to restaurants without them? I'm a musician and the other day I played in a large indoor venue with a group including saxophone, trumpet and singer. All perfectly legal. Nobody told us we were risking killing people!

"Bollcks. If someone is putting others at risk I've every right to know if they are appropriately exempt or not."

A lanyard doesn't tell you whether they are appropriately exempt or not. I suggest you read up on the law.

This is another case of people without additional needs making other people's reasonable adjustments about themselves.