Responding to people asking why I'm not wearing a mask

[PhasedRay]

I can't wear a face mask and am exempt due to having issues which make it extremely uncomfortable and difficult to wear. At the start of the pandemic I used to explain to people who asked why I can't, but I was getting some nasty comments and it's made me quite cynical. When someone asks now, I just tell them to mind their own business.

AIBU? I think that rather abrupt response probably would sound unreasonable from the perspective of someone who has just asked a single question, but I have been getting questioned (feels more like an interrogation sometimes) for nearly a year and I am just sick of it.

Also the government has said that visors are ineffective alone, and should only be worn with masks.

People can be such knobs.

My Mum (who's 82) got abused for wearing a mask and for wearing gloves in a supermarket, both times by middle aged women. I cannot get my head around people who think it is OK to berate anyone especially someone elderly

What is this discomfort you speak of? Frankly, your forebears were hiding in underground stations to be safe from German air raids. The small imposition of a mask is a small sacrifice. It just shows how soft and self centred society we have become.

But many can , and have done.

@31flavours

What is this discomfort you speak of? Frankly, your forebears were hiding in underground stations to be safe from German air raids. The small imposition of a mask is a small sacrifice. It just shows how soft and self centred society we have become.

Well I suppose it was inevitable someone would make a spurious comparison to the war at some point

In all seriousness though, it's pretty offensive to say society is self centred after the year and a half we've had. People being unable to say goodbye to dying loved ones, or go to their funerals. Losing livelihoods. Being separated from family. Mental health in the toilet. And all of it, for the greater good.

I think as a society we're pretty bloody brilliant, actually.

As @TheVampiresWife said, I don't see how a visor could be effective in stopping an airbourne virus, as the person's breath will just go out under it. On the other hand it might make people STFU @PhasedRay .

But hopefully in a fortnight it won't be a problem for a bit.

@shivawn

People who genuinely have respiratory conditions will wear a mask. My asthma, copd and lung cancer patients will all wear masks no problem because they know they're high risk and aren't going to make a fuss about protecting themselves. I have to roll my eyes when I hear people loudly declaring they have asthma while walking in to shops with no mask.

@walkoflifewoohoo that was rude of them. Or it would be if it had happened.

Yep!

I'm interested to hear this. I've long wondered why a bit of cloth over your face would be a problem with asthma, and suspected some were using it as an excuse, but I didn't feel qualified to comment.

Personally I am exempt BUT I thought it was selfish not to wear anything .Having raised a child with additional needs if we have had a problem there is nearly always a way around it somehow !
So I looked at alternatives and found a very small chin resting shield that just covered front of mouth to below nostrils if I coughed or sneezed .It was totally open at sides allowing me to breathe like normal and wasnt the full face visor kind and when I went for my vaccine , 3 medical staff asked me where I bought them as they though it was really good design.So there is no need for anyone not to wear a mask unless they physically are unable to put one on and off themselves really.
Therefore nobody would bug you,it's been far too easy for people to say I have an exception!

@sashadasher

Personally I am exempt BUT I thought it was selfish not to wear anything .Having raised a child with additional needs if we have had a problem there is nearly always a way around it somehow ! So I looked at alternatives and found a very small chin resting shield that just covered front of mouth to below nostrils if I coughed or sneezed .It was totally open at sides allowing me to breathe like normal and wasnt the full face visor kind and when I went for my vaccine , 3 medical staff asked me where I bought them as they though it was really good design.So there is no need for anyone not to wear a mask unless they physically are unable to put one on and off themselves really. Therefore nobody would bug you,it's been far too easy for people to say I have an exception!

Just because you can doesn't mean everyone can.

I've seen the mouth shields you're talking about and they're completely open, as you say. I don't see how that can protect others - the government say visors shouldn't be worn alone because they're so ineffective, and these offer even less protection.

This sort of thing.

I come from a country where the rule is everyone has to wear it, no exceptions. And you know what? They've all miraculously managed. Funny that, isn't it?

@Plumedenom Which country is that?

I agree @TheVampiresWife But whatever we do it will never be enough or good enough.

"They've all miraculously managed."

I can guarantee you they haven't.

@Plumedenom

I come from a country where the rule is everyone has to wear it, no exceptions. And you know what? They've all miraculously managed. Funny that, isn't it?

I'm so sorry that you live in a country which disregards and discriminates against those who are disabled or live with health conditions. I'm curious to know which country it is, given almost all have exemptions in place?

Bet she doesnt come back on and say because she knows we can Google it.

Italy. The law until last week was that everyone must carry either a mask or a certificate of exemption (due to disability or disease) from a medic at all times, unless you are under 6 years old, and the mask should be worn inside at all times and outside when not in remote areas like your garden or a country walk far from others. I have not seen a single person in town without a mask on (even if they don't all wear it perfectly), and that includes outside, in a country that is currently 30 degrees. The compliance isn't driven by the law though, it's driven by courtesy and respect for others.

So there are exemptions then.

@Plumedenom DM is half Italian. We had a video call with my relatives over there last Christmas Day.

DM IS Italian.....................sorry.

They wernt banned from seeing family either like we were here.

Its me and DB who are half. DM was born and grew up in Naples.

No, we could see one other nuclear family at Christmas for three specific days. However for the rest of this year we have had a 10pm curfew in place and no meeting outdoors with anyone at all until Feb. Individual exercise only, no retail, no garden centres, no travel outside of our immediate town. The face coverings were the least of it. My six year old goes back to school in a mask in September. That's why I can't wrap my head round why someone can't put it on in a shop for half an hour, while they expect the check out lady to wear it for eight hours a day. Or why Boris thinks people shouldn't have to prove that there is a legitimate reason why they can breathe virus onto people rather than just staying at home if they can't comply.

It's not hard to say "I'm exempt" 🤷🏼‍♀️

Just got back from Naples MercyBooth. Fascinating place, very different to where I live. Couldn't understand a word, the dialect is strong!!!