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AIBU?

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Original poster

To remind people that the Sunflower Lanyard is for Hidden Disabilities, not a Mask Exemption excuse for anti-maskers.

161 replies

EmotionalSupportBear · 03/12/2021 10:52

Just wanted to remind people that the Sunflower Lanyard is there to let people know that the person wearing it has a hidden disability.

The scheme has been around longer than Covid, and buying one to wear purely because you don't WANT to wear a mask makes you a complete -insert offensive word here-

Thank you.

(obviously if you have a hidden disability/legitimate reason to be wearing one for mask exemption, i'm not talking about you)

OP posts:
Lifewillbethedeathofme · 03/12/2021 11:59

My mum has had this. When the masks came back, the lady in the shop noted that she didn't wear her lanyard when they weren't compulsory. My poor Mum has someone break into her house and attack her whilst wearing a covering over his face and covering her mouth and nose. She tried to wear one , had a horrific panic attack, same with a shield.

You may say things like oh I obviously don't mean people like that, however, they read these posts. Posts like this also embolden people to feel like they can ask people these deeply personal questions.

Lavender24 · 03/12/2021 12:08

You may say things like oh I obviously don't mean people like that, however, they read these posts. Posts like this also embolden people to feel like they can ask people these deeply personal questions.

Yes. People say "oh I don't mean those with genuine exemptions" but nothing is ever good enough for them and they think they have the right to question people. My friend has been raped and had someone shouting obscenities at her in a shopping centre for not wearing a mask.

And I agree with PP who says they don't work and are germ ridden anyway so it's a load of arguing over nothing. Social distancing is far more effective,

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 03/12/2021 12:12

If someone is an anti-masker, is this not a stance of principle? I don't understand why someone making a stand would hide behind a lanyard.

Sirzy · 03/12/2021 12:15

I wasn’t a massive fan of the scheme before. Now it’s way too ambiguous to be of any proper help to anyone who needs it.

IncompleteSenten · 03/12/2021 12:22

@Shuffleuplove

Ok so what you’ve done there is inadvertently devalue the sunflower lanyard.
How has the op done that?
Polmuggle · 03/12/2021 12:29

I had no idea people were using them fraudulently and would previously have never questioned one (not that I've ever seen one)

TeenMinusTests · 03/12/2021 12:35

@5zeds

Grin we must confuse the fuck out of people as ds can wear a mask but has used the sunflowersGrin.
Same for DD.

I fear that after the pandemic the scheme will have to rebrand with another symbol.

Yournamehere007 · 03/12/2021 12:42

Blah blah blah

Gearedtoyou · 03/12/2021 12:44

Doesn't the same apply to people who assume the lanyard is worn by anti maskers...?

NoEffingWay · 03/12/2021 12:49

I hate wearing the lanyard, it actually makes my sensory issue worse as I can't bear things around my neck irony

I have dyspraxia and find things touching my face unbearable, and they make me panic and forget to breathe. I tried so hard to wear a mask but find it triggers anxiety and makes me feel awful.

I only wear the lanyard in shops to avoid having to explain all of the above whilst i freeze because I can't wear hats or gloves because of the issues I have

Bloodypunkrockers · 03/12/2021 12:52

@5zeds

Grin we must confuse the fuck out of people as ds can wear a mask but has used the sunflowersGrin.
Same here

Been told "oh she doesn't need to put one on, she's got a lanyard" Hmm

MLMshouldbeillegal · 03/12/2021 12:57

@Lifewillbethedeathofme

My mum has had this. When the masks came back, the lady in the shop noted that she didn't wear her lanyard when they weren't compulsory. My poor Mum has someone break into her house and attack her whilst wearing a covering over his face and covering her mouth and nose. She tried to wear one , had a horrific panic attack, same with a shield.

You may say things like oh I obviously don't mean people like that, however, they read these posts. Posts like this also embolden people to feel like they can ask people these deeply personal questions.

Your poor mum.

The problem is a simple statement of "i'm exempt" doesn't stop the mask police from having a go. I'm exempt. I can bear a mask for the 2 minutes it takes to pop into the CoOp and buy milk, but not for a theatre show or a longer supermarket shop. At the start of the mask mandate I ventured into shops unmasked and either got the dirty looks from customers or staff, or people stopping me and telling me to put a mask on. People who are prepared to confront you in Asda are not going to be happy with an "I'm exempt" as they they come back with "Well you don't look exempt to me!" and other similar gems.

So yes, I bought a sunflower lanyard on Ebay with a card which says "i am exempt from wearing a mask". I totally understand why people with hidden disabilities feel their symbol has been misappropriated, I really do. But what is the alternative at the moment?

When this madness has passed, the sunflower lanyard will go back to being used for its original purpose only.

Noeuf · 03/12/2021 13:01

Its because it’s self declared isn’t it? No checks on anyone which makes it optional to wear a mask, with the sub message that mask wearing isn’t actually important.

Noeuf · 03/12/2021 13:02

Because if masks were actually effective and kept people safe surely people who were exempt would have to have an alternative offers eg deliveries or service outside.

Noeuf · 03/12/2021 13:02

And then it would be interesting to see how many people were still exempt.

WhenSepEnds · 03/12/2021 13:09

@Lavender24

You may say things like oh I obviously don't mean people like that, however, they read these posts. Posts like this also embolden people to feel like they can ask people these deeply personal questions.

Yes. People say "oh I don't mean those with genuine exemptions" but nothing is ever good enough for them and they think they have the right to question people. My friend has been raped and had someone shouting obscenities at her in a shopping centre for not wearing a mask.

And I agree with PP who says they don't work and are germ ridden anyway so it's a load of arguing over nothing. Social distancing is far more effective,

Sorry for your friend but I don't understand the relevance of the rape comment? How is that anything to do with wearing a mask?
MLMshouldbeillegal · 03/12/2021 13:13

Use your brain, @WhenSepEnds. Some people who have been raped or undergone other trauma are unable to have anything over their faces because that's what happened in their assault.

So they are exempt from wearing a mask.

Many wear a lanyard too, because they don't particularly want to share the circumstances of their rape with a randomer in a supermarket.

Mrsmch123 · 03/12/2021 13:14

The fact that anyone can decide they are exempt from mask wearing and thus pop on a lanyard is the issue. I believe France are very strict and have a no exception from 6 and older unless a doctor has agreed. Which I think is a good idea!

Lavender24 · 03/12/2021 13:15

@WhenSepEnds She actually told the person she couldn't wear a mask because she had been raped and they continued to abuse her.

unname · 03/12/2021 13:31

The problem is random people who think they should police others.

mumwon · 03/12/2021 13:31

There is only one thing I ask
if you are not wearing a mask (aka exempt) can you please keep your distance for both our sakes
Most "people" I see without masks tend to be noisy groups of youngish males - that does make me suspicious but I am not about to challenge. But if they kept their distance...

WhenSepEnds · 03/12/2021 13:35

[quote Lavender24]@WhenSepEnds She actually told the person she couldn't wear a mask because she had been raped and they continued to abuse her.[/quote]
This is disgusting. I don't know why people can't just mind their own business and let everyone else get on. Hope your friend is recovering

Anordinarymum · 03/12/2021 13:36

@EmotionalSupportBear

Just wanted to remind people that the Sunflower Lanyard is there to let people know that the person wearing it has a hidden disability.

The scheme has been around longer than Covid, and buying one to wear purely because you don't WANT to wear a mask makes you a complete -insert offensive word here-

Thank you.

(obviously if you have a hidden disability/legitimate reason to be wearing one for mask exemption, i'm not talking about you)

Why don't you just mind your own business ? Other people's lives are exactly that - their own.
WhenSepEnds · 03/12/2021 13:36

@MLMshouldbeillegal

Use your brain, *@WhenSepEnds*. Some people who have been raped or undergone other trauma are unable to have anything over their faces because that's what happened in their assault.

So they are exempt from wearing a mask.

Many wear a lanyard too, because they don't particularly want to share the circumstances of their rape with a randomer in a supermarket.

No need for your rudeness. I asked a question. Didn't need any response from you
AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 03/12/2021 13:45

I have autism, wear a sunflower lanyard and a mask and have been vaccinated.