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.

Tell her to fuck away off. None of her business to question you about masks or reasons for not wearing one. Honestly, this pandemic has brought out the absolute worst in some people.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

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

If you go around with covid and you pass the infection on then yes, your actions can kill someone. Why do you think *120 *thousand plus people have died? How do you think they caught it? Oh yes, that's right, from other infected people

Follow the law and follow the rules.

Erm, who's said they aren't? The rules are wear a mask unless you exempt

The reason we're in a prolonged mess is because of those who don't.

Oh bless your heart, You've actually swallowed the nonsense that this is the little people's fault haven't you? Playing into the governments hand - a government who

• put us into lockdown the first time about 3 weeks later than they should
• kept London in Zone 2 restrictions despite alarming numbers of cases, because it's convenient for MPs to regain their own freedom
• didn't close borders the way they should have.

Australia is practically COVID free. Huge population, many of whom didn't wear masks due to exemptions. Now have a little think and decide what they did that we didn't do

If you want to go out while infected and not isolating then yes, you can pass the infection on and someone can die.

Who's said they've done this?

And yes if you're going to put people at risk and keep the country in the dark ages and locked down from NOT following the rules then I've a right to know why.

So you think you have a'right' to know why people aren't wearing masks? What do you want - the legal right to get an answer? What makes you qualified to decide if that reason is a "good" one? Are you a doctor with a specialism in all aspects of healthcare? Well you aren't because that person doesn't exist.

Would it make you feel better to challenge someone like a PP who would be legally bound to give you details of their childhood rape? Is that what you're looking to gain?

If you go around with covid and you pass the infection on then yes, your actions can kill someone. Why do you think 120 thousand plus people have died? How do you think they caught it? Oh yes, that's right, from other infected people

You can also pass the fly on which kills people. And chicken pox. Do you scream MuRdEReR then or do you only get hysterical when the government tells you that This Virus Is Baaaaaaad?

This automatic assumption that everyone has covid all the time is weird. Why would people be going out if they knew they had it? Should people just never go anywhere just in case they have covid and don't know it? Nobody is deliberately infecting people are they. When I had covid nobody in my household or any of my contacts caught it but maybe I could've fatally infected a neighbour on the stairs, who knows (don't worry I isolated for the required time when I had it before anyone jumps on me!)

Rules on public transport are wear a mask. So yes.
And yes I also scream murderers at people in the street, obviously

There are a lot of hysterical people on this thread There is no need to start swearing at people, filming people or rehearsing lines. Just say you are exempt and walk away. You don't have to engage with people if you don't want to.

I don't agree with asking people why they aren't wearing a mask unless it is your job to do so but I don't think the aggression of some people here is right either. Both 'sides' need to calm down, using people asking about masks as a way to get your aggression out doesn't make you any better than the person asking in the first place.

@MyrrAgain

Rules on public transport are wear a mask. So yes. And yes I also scream murderers at people in the street, obviously

Unless you're exempt. That rule is valid anywhere.

You may not shout "murderer" but i would love to know if you REALLY think it's your right to be given details about people's childhood rapes?

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop it's one of the government's greatest successes isn't it, getting people to blame each other. Like those massive posters in bus stops showing people queuing outside for a coffee saying 'don't let a coffee cost lives' as if they were responsible for killing people. Absolutely ridiculous.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

The Stasi wannabes/sheeple seriously need to fuck off to a hole in the ground somewhere. Your attitudes are damaging, you're a bit thick and you're behaving like a massive loser. I'm sorry that when this pandemic is over your little year-long reign as Top Busybody will be over. Maybe get a new hobby - can I suggest purchasing a Nintendo Switch?

This post is a prime example of over the top aggression. Wtf is wrong with people? Buy a punching bag or something.

@OuiOuiKitty yes I am mad when people demand to have details of someone else's CPTSD under the faux guise of thinking they have a right to know because they're might DIE.

This pandemic has brought out a really ugly side of society and it isn't the people not wearing masks

OuiOuiKitty yes I am mad when people demand to have details of someone else's CPTSD under the faux guise of thinking they have a right to know because they're might DIE.

But if they are worried to that point (you cant assume it's not true) then surely they can ask. If I was really scared and people not wearing a mask was a trigger then why should my feelings not be as valid. That person can say none of your business. I dont understand the outrage on either side.

@FlyLight

The op and her neighbour could sit together in a busy pub or restaurant with no masks on and that's safe according to 'the rules', but she's putting them at risk by passing maskless in a corridor? Do people not realise how ridiculous these rules are?

That would be their choice to take the risks in the restaurant. In a foyer of shared flats, noone has that choice to be put at risk from the op's uncovered mouth and breathe do they? Tbh, all this exempt crap is crap. We should have been like other countries and not panndered to the distinct minority and the opt outers. Amazing that so many other countries have all of the citizens wearing, are we supposed to believe that their populations don't suffer these supposed exempting conditions?

@MyrrAgain but I do follow the rules, I have explained very clearly that I do wear a mask when I feel able to do so, it is only on days when I have very high anxiety and am not coping that I can't and on those days I am exempt which means I am following the rules. I also stay home on those days where possible. I also follow social distancing and always sanitizer my hands. I might pass a neighbour in the hallway for all of 3 seconds but that is highly unlikely to spread the virus if I do have it.
It is really unfair to say that I am putting them at such an increased risk when in actual fact alot of people think masks make you totally immune and all other measures are often forgotten about. But actually I shouldn't have to disclose any of my medical problems to anyone other my doctor or the police if they ask because they actually have the authority to ask.
You cannot go around asking people to recount the abuse/trauma they suffered, triggering them to have PTSD Flashbacks and panic attacks that can last for days sometimes, and not realise that it's wrong to do that to a person. I wasn't on public transport I was in the hallway of the flat block I live in, I was followed and stopped and shouted at. Simply saying I was exempt wasn't good enough, even telling this person I have PTSD wasn't good enough. So now I am nervous to even leave my flat because she might be there.

The comment wasn't about your situation on the stairs, I agree it's ott to be asked when taking bins out. Nor do you have to recount trauma or go into detail. Just like people with baby on board badges don't have to go into details of why they need to sit down or their pregnancy histories or any traumas etc

This lady is being rude!!! However the problem is people were given a choice to begin with to decide if they’re exempt or not. It should have been down to the GP’s to give out the exemption cards.

"are we supposed to believe that their populations don't suffer these supposed exempting conditions?"

Well there are some countries that don't believe certain conditions exist or lock away the people who have them. I think you should consider going to live in one of them. It would probably suit your belief of not "pandering to minorities". You would feel right at home.

@Sometimeswinning

OuiOuiKitty yes I am mad when people demand to have details of someone else's CPTSD under the faux guise of thinking they have a right to know because they're might DIE.

But if they are worried to that point (you cant assume it's not true) then surely they can ask. If I was really scared and people not wearing a mask was a trigger then why should my feelings not be as valid. That person can say none of your business. I dont understand the outrage on either side.

Exactly. Maybe people have PTSD from covid experiences and close ones dying or becoming seriously unwell. Why don't they have a right. Also citing general mental health problems is different from disclosing details of childhood rapes or whatever the example was someone gave before. Since when anyone suggest and full and detailed explanation

Given how much stigma, discrimination, and outright scorn there is for people who are disabled and/or have mental health conditions, why would you think anyone would want to disclose these matters to anyone and everyone who asks?

We should have been like other countries and not panndered to the distinct minority and the opt outers. Amazing that so many other countries have all of the citizens wearing, are we supposed to believe that their populations don't suffer these supposed exempting conditions?

Do you mean countries like North Korea and China? Because practically every other country has exemptions to mask wearing.

@Maldives2006

This lady is being rude!!! However the problem is people were given a choice to begin with to decide if they’re exempt or not. It should have been down to the GP’s to give out the exemption cards.

Choice, your exempt your exempt nobody should question nobody decides . You don’t need a bloody gp exempt cars to go about your business and nobody should decide that they can question you . It’s up there with those people calling those going out for a daily walk early in the pandemic. Don’t you dare be afraid to go out op , this needs to d stop the majority are vaccinated and if you really feel you are at risk then those need to not go out and they should very well stop telling people they should be wearing a mask and coming out with crap like gp’s should give out exempt cards . People have suffered greatly during this pandemic and those that are exempt have been bullied and abused for not wearing a mask it’s bloody disgusting behaviour and tbh those that are saying well yes but you should wear a mask are just as bad . Has compassion and empathy gone now ? .

I would never ask, however people have the right to ask and you have the right not to answer. People not wearing a mask is a risk to others so you can't say its not their business, especially as not all the rules are gone.

"Why don't they have a right."

Asking questions may not be banned but harassment is. If you start bothering people who cannot cope with being bothered who knows what distress you might cause and the reaction you might get.

If you're that bothered about non mask wearers spreading COVID then why on earth would you go up to them and demand an explanation? surely you would want to be as far away from them as possible if you're that concerned about catching a virus from someone who almost certainly hasn't actually go it

The area I live currently has 5 cases per 100,000 - the chances of bumping into any one of those is so remote as to it not even crossing my mind

I'm sick to death of this acting like every single healthy person out there is a disease spreader - any semblance of common sense and perspective has totally gone over the last 15 months

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@OuiOuiKitty yes I am mad when people demand to have details of someone else's CPTSD under the faux guise of thinking they have a right to know because they're might DIE.

This pandemic has brought out a really ugly side of society and it isn't the people not wearing masks[/quote]
I agree. How is it now acceptable to ask random strangers about their medical conditions? The division amongst society that this has caused scares me far more than the virus as I can't see a way back from this