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 wear à mask where it's law to do so but I don't think for one minute putting a mask on for a few seconds to walk through a communal area has any proven benefit whatsoever!
We ate inside a restaurant last week and we had to put our masks on at the door to walk approximately 5 metres to our table. I felt like saying - 'I could just hold my breath for those 3 seconds if you like'
I know it's the law but really- where's the sense?

@99victoria

I wear à mask where it's law to do so but I don't think for one minute putting a mask on for a few seconds to walk through a communal area has any proven benefit whatsoever! We ate inside a restaurant last week and we had to put our masks on at the door to walk approximately 5 metres to our table. I felt like saying - 'I could just hold my breath for those 3 seconds if you like' I know it's the law but really- where's the sense?

Totally agree. If the rules made sense, maybe we wouldn't question so much but some of them are nonsense.

As I said in another post, I was in a bar with about 120 people on Friday without a mask - when I went into the empty lobby to take a call, the bouncer followed me out there yelling 'wheres your mask' - there wasn't another person around

Like you I wear a mask when I absolutely have to but I will 100% not wear one outdoors.

@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.

Because nobody has the right t demand other people's medical information. Ever. With the exception of doctors in a clinical and consensual setting of course.

Your anxiety doesn't trump someone else's right to privacy.

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.

@BusyLizzie61 so sexual assault victims should just have panic attacks or stay at home because you're too narrow minded to accept some people can't wear a mask.

'Other countries' who have 'not laundered' have shitty human rights records. Let's not emulate them please

It wouldn't occur to me to put a mask on just to put the bins out anyway.
I have blood clots on my lung and a lot of the time I struggle with a mask but had so much abuse of the general public I wear one but have to dash outside several times a shift so I can take the mask off and breathe.
I don't feel obliged to explain myself to customers but just got too much flack.
Some people are just nasty.

@Temp023

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

Me, too.

The sooner we ditch masks the better. They are shit, they have limited effect and they are very divisive.

I wear my mask where I legally must and yank it off as I am leaving the shop, restaurant, bus, pub.

I couldn't give a shit whether other people are wearing masks or not.

@Topseyt

The sooner we ditch masks the better. They are shit, they have limited effect and they are very divisive.

I wear my mask where I legally must and yank it off as I am leaving the shop, restaurant, bus, pub.

I couldn't give a shit whether other people are wearing masks or not.

Ditto!

@Topseyt

The sooner we ditch masks the better. They are shit, they have limited effect and they are very divisive.

I wear my mask where I legally must and yank it off as I am leaving the shop, restaurant, bus, pub.

I couldn't give a shit whether other people are wearing masks or not.

Absolutely spot on

I live in a block of 4 apartments and have never worn a mask in the shared area, and I'm CEV and shielded for 14 months!
It's 3 steps from my door to the outside door

Maybe people have PTSD from covid experiences and close ones dying or becoming seriously unwell. Why don't they have a right.

They do. No one is stopping them from not wearing a mask. They're just stopping them from probing strangers about their medical information

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

No one needs to say ANYTHING - there's a huge stigma around MH, not everyone is comfortable sharing even the basic informations

WHY do you need to know anyway? What comfort would it give you?

@romdowa

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.

My daughter was the same when she was expecting.

Masks would make her retch as soon as she put one on.

She dreaded hospital/midwife appointments as masks were compulsory. Once inside a consultation, most HCPs would allow her to take the mask off.

She had lots of bad reactions from people if she went into a shop without a mask.

@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.

You clearly have no idea. I had three days of extreme anxiety, crying and panic attacks from reading a sentence that triggered memories of abuse. One sentence.

That's what triggers do.

Luckily that's really rare for me now, but I don't find it hard to believe that others could find mask wearing impossible for similar reasons.

WHY do you need to know anyway? What comfort would it give you?

Thats such a good point. What actual difference does it make to those who demand to know what reasons for exemption are?
So as long as the non mask wearer gives a good enough reason to satisfy the nosey parkers, they suddenly feel much safer than if it's not a good reason

It makes no difference why someone isn't wearing a mask - if it bothers anyone, then steer clear rather than provoke to get a reaction

YANBU. You should not have to explain yourself. Keep pushing on OP, and try and ignore the nosy parkers.

Sorry but this is just nonsense. Arguing over whether to wear a mask to put the bins out or not?! Wise up

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

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.

@BusyLizzie61 so sexual assault victims should just have panic attacks or stay at home because you're too narrow minded to accept some people can't wear a mask.

'Other countries' who have 'not laundered' have shitty human rights records. Let's not emulate them please

Ultimately, for the greater good, those that refuse to wear masks should not be permitted in indoor areas. There's very little that they couldn't do online. Why should the majority be out at risk.

Yet again we're at the start of another wave. So this week its only 24000 cases, but soon, if the projection is as forecasted we'll be back with 100000s. So every person not wearing a mask IS a risk to everyone else and the NHS. They are potentially spreading the virus and by default, responsible for the deaths that will inevitably take place as a direct consequence.

It's OK to try and portray it as not this, but that's disingenuous and blatantly minimises the impact of the increasing number of of non mask wearers.

Ultimately, for the greater good, those that refuse to wear masks should not be permitted in indoor areas. There's very little that they couldn't do online. Why should the majority be out at risk.

"Ultimately, for the greater good, disabled people and people with psychological issues should not be permitted in indoor areas. There's very little that they couldn't do online. Why should the normal people be put at risk?"

That is how ridiculous you sound. A handful of people not wearing masks is not the reason why numbers are increasing and is not contributing to the rise in cases.

Bloody hell, don't explain to cunts like this, just tell her to FO.

Bloody hell, are we really at the stage where people are advocating not letting people with certain disabilities/conditions out of their homes?!?

Nobody has any right to question a stranger on their medical conditions. None whatsoever. I went for my vaccination the other day, no mask as I'm exempt. Not a single one of the medical professionals even asked.

I've hardly gone anywhere for a year because I find masks unbearable but couldn't deal with the hassle of questions. I can't continue to live like that so I have started going without one and anyone who asks just gets a firm "I'm exempt" and that's it. And I don't and won't wear a badge or lanyard either.

@BlatantlyNameChanged

Ultimately, for the greater good, those that refuse to wear masks should not be permitted in indoor areas. There's very little that they couldn't do online. Why should the majority be out at risk.

"Ultimately, for the greater good, disabled people and people with psychological issues should not be permitted in indoor areas. There's very little that they couldn't do online. Why should the normal people be put at risk?"

That is how ridiculous you sound. A handful of people not wearing masks is not the reason why numbers are increasing and is not contributing to the rise in cases.

Exactly. Revolting "I'm alright Jack" ableism. Where is the common sense? And who protects vulnerable people from the likes of @BusyLizzie61

I think people are genuinely sympathetic to those who have breathing difficulties or MH problems.

I’m currently fortunate enough right now to be fit and healthy and able to wear a mask.
I genuinely don’t mind wearing it and helping those who can’t (by wearing my mask, hand washing, social distancing, getting the vaccine). It feels good to do my bit and help people.
I have friend in the vulnerable category; with cancer who cannot have the vaccine for e.g.

People start to struggle with people who can’t be arsed wearing a mask. It just makes people feel frustrated and sad, that we’re not all in this together and trying to get us out, some people just don’t give a shit with their ‘I’m alright jack’ attitude.

No one minds people who genuinely can’t wear one! It’s the latter group.

As usual my post calling out ableism is deleted while ableist posts remain.

No one minds people who genuinely can’t wear one! It’s the latter group

The problem here is that many doctors, surgeons, nurses have all been very vocal that there is no reason. If someone has a learning disability fair enough. If someone has diagnosed themselves, their choice. However there are people who dont understand and question it. I dont deny anyone the right to tell them to fuck off but people saying they dont have the right are wrong!

I have 1 mum in DC's school who doesnt wear one. I've not asked her why but funnily enough, knowing her, I knew she'd be that person!