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

[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)

@MaxNormal

Problem is you get shit if you are unmasked and don't wear one.

If you're unmasked because you are exempt then wear a lanyard - you have a reason to do so.

If you are unmasked because you are anti-mask then stand by your convictions and deal with the shit.

@Mrsmch123

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!

this x100%, well said. Same in Spain.

Anti maskers really couldn’t give a shit what the sunflower lanyard is for. They just see it as a get out of jail free card. It’s like using a blue badge when you’re not entitled to. It’s just another example of their sheer selfishness.

@SarahBellam

Anti maskers really couldn’t give a shit what the sunflower lanyard is for. They just see it as a get out of jail free card. It’s like using a blue badge when you’re not entitled to. It’s just another example of their sheer selfishness.

I agree.

@ISpyCobraKai

I've never seen anyone brag about it. I have seen many times people assuming they are just an excuse to not wear a mask.

laurence fox for one

Couldn't agree more that it has to be verified by a Doctor. My best friends ex falsely obtained one online claiming "anxiety". Utter bloody bollocks. He is also an ardent anti vaxxer and told a young family member how disappointed in her he was because she got both her vaccinations. Terrible behaviour.

@Eightandahalfyears

I’m exempt. I refuse to wear a lanyard as that’s not the purpose of them. I also refuse to wear a badge. If I’m challenged, I calmly reply that I’m exempt.

And this is all you need to do. I wish folk would realise this.

No, what folk should realise is that they should not be challenging people they see without a mask.

That is why people are wearing a lanyard. Fear of being challenged.

@Noeuf

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.

You cannot 'check' if people are exempt tho can you? You are not a doctor. Just go about your own business

I know someone who blagged a lanyard. Wears it when flying so gets to front of queue etc 🙄🙄🙄

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!

this x100%, well said. Same in Spain

Totally this. We've just returned from Spain and we didn't see a single person in the airport, in a shop or walking through a bar not wearing a mask. If a tourist forgot then a MOP would shout loudly at them. Presumably none of the UK anti-maskers will be travelling to Spain in the near future? Or will they drop all that bollocks in order to go on holiday? As for those medically exempt, I don't think the Spanish would differentiate so you they may still yell 'Mascarilla!' at you - we didn't see any lanyards.

Also the same in Malta. You had to wear a mask anywhere 'inside' so shops, public transport, food places unless you were seated with food and drink on the table and you needed a doctor's note if you were exempt.

Just about all adults were masked and on the rare occasion they weren't it was policed. We were on a ferry and two people got on without masks and the member of ferry staff who was at the entrance checking told them to put masks on.

AsleepOnTheTrain

Noeuf
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.
You cannot 'check' if people are exempt tho can you? You are not a doctor. Just go about your own business

Of course you could - get it validated by a doctor and issue some form of ID. Extra work but if mask wearing is so important and efficient why make it optional?

It’s optional here because Johnson is frightened of being perceived as unpopular.
It is not optional in the rest of Europe.

Well it's what different settings who have children with sen on site also use for people with hidden health issues? Our settings manage to use it for both.. The hidden issues?

@Gilead

It’s optional here because Johnson is frightened of being perceived as unpopular. It is not optional in the rest of Europe.

It's optional here as people or more individualistic and less societal. Plus we have a fear of authoritarian leaders. It's a massive tightrope for leaders to walk on, and whatever they do there will be people saying they are too relaxed or too controlling. The government are relying on 'peer pressure' as much as possible rather than mandates.

I know someone who blagged a lanyard. Wears it when flying so gets to front of queue etc

Blagged? So long as they're in stock you can collect one for free from supporting businesses such as Asda, Tesco, and Morrisons.

A sunflower lanyard doesn't get you access to the fast track security, facilities, or boarding at the airport. You need to book Special Assistance in advance for this and state what your need is, the staff will then advise what support/facilities are available for this and make recommendations based on your needs.

I know someone who blagged a lanyard. Wears it when flying so gets to front of queue etc

I wear my lanyard and have never, ever been moved to the front of the queue or had preferential treatment or anything. I am obviously doing disabled wrong. Darn.

Where I live (not the UK) there are no exemptions. You either wear a mask or send someone else into the shops for you, or have things delivered or collect at the door.

I’m curious how it works with exemptions. Do you have to get something from a doctor? What happens in the shop. Do you just walk in with no mask or do you have to show something to the employees to be allowed in?

@OnAWobblyFence

Where I live (not the UK) there are no exemptions. You either wear a mask or send someone else into the shops for you, or have things delivered or collect at the door.

I’m curious how it works with exemptions. Do you have to get something from a doctor? What happens in the shop. Do you just walk in with no mask or do you have to show something to the employees to be allowed in?

You just walk in. You don't need to say anything to anyone. People can be very aggressive when challenged, so it's best for shop employees not to say anything.

@AlfonsoTheUnrepentant thank you for replying. I am trying to imagine what would happen here if someone walked into a supermarket with no mask on. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen. I think people would probably be surprised to see someone without a mask but I don’t think they would say anything. From reading this thread it seems that some people get nasty towards people who don’t wear masks for whatever reason. That’s a shame.

You're welcome!

Where I am a lot of people are not wearing masks where they should be. No one enforces it and no one seems to care. So I doubt people would feel the need to buy a lanyard in order to not wear their mask. And if they had gone to all that trouble, the chance of them not using it because you've appointed yourself lanyard prefect is slim to none. So I'm not sure what you'll achieve with this tbh.

‘I wear my lanyard and have never, ever been moved to the front of the queue or had preferential treatment or anything. I am obviously doing disabled wrong. Darn.‘

We’ve been given access to the faster security, moved to the front, assisted with luggage - maybe before pandemic when they weren’t as visible?

@ginslinger

Well Laurence Fox went off and got one and spent days taking the piss that he could just buy it off Ebay - I suspect he might not be the only person and that's what the OP is talking about.

I know of more than one person with a false vaccination card with which he's travelled abroad.