Face masks and hidden disabilities

[Firef1y72]

So I'm guessing those of us with hidden disabilities such as autism are going to have to wear some sort of huge badge or lanyard now if we want to use public transport.

I've tried using a face covering, I last less than a minute before the sensory overload starts to kick in. I can't wear my glasses that help me see, so wont be able to wear a mask. Cant stand things over my ears.

So I've been trying to get used to wearing a running buff over my mouth/nose. It's not happening, feels like I'm suffocating and no way I'd last the 40 minute bus journey in to town, without going in to sensory overload.

So if (and it's a big if) I am going to be exempt then I'm going to be even more of a social pariah than I am now with my stimming. The world just seems to get more dystopian by the day.

Many places here have had mandatory masks for over a month. Would one like this help the OP? I see this version often in the supermarket.

I live in Eastern Europe and it’s compulsory to wear a mask on public transport and in shops/supermarkets. No exceptions. No mask and you’re not allowed on board/in the shop. Not sure how those with disabilities manage.

"As difficult as that sounds you’re increasing risk to others and does your right to go into town on a (non-essential) trip, trump others rights to be kept safe"

If it is about keeping others safe we could ban those who work in certain occupations from using public transport or those people who are choosing to have lots of non essential meet ups with others.

If you can't wear a face covering to protect others from you potentially having Covid-19 and being asymtomatic, and are not prepared to either wear something or explain to others why you are exempt, then, sadly, you need to consider not using public transport.

You cannot expect not to be challenged by others.

The general public shouldn't be challenging anyone who has been allowed on without one.

If it is about keeping others safe we could ban those who work in certain occupations from using public transport or those people who are choosing to have lots of non essential meet ups with others."
Totally impractical.

Which occupations would you ban from using public transport?

How would you identify those who are having non-essential meet ups with others?

"The general public shouldn't be challenging anyone who has been allowed on without one."
But some of the general public will. If they comply with the rules to protect others, some will feel entitled to question why they aren't being protected by those who aren't wearing coverings.

I was responding to the person who said it was 'wrong' for those who cannot wear masks to go on public transport. Surely it will be 'wrong' for some of those groups as well.

I'm sure some of the general public will in the same way that some harass people who have a badge on a car in a bb space. Like that it should be regarded as harassment and dealt with as such.

I’m not sure how I can get a very reluctant 3 year old to wear a mask. When a small, speech-delayed child who doesn’t understand just continually removes their mask there really isn’t any way of forcing it on. I personally think the obligatory age should be 4 because most children have better speech by that age whereas just turned 3 year olds are hit-and-miss with comprehension.

@ShinyFootball

"A young adult with learning disabilities. No mask no travel?"
The Govt has exempted those with disabilities.

"An elderly person on oxygen. No mask no travel?"
The Govt have exempted those with breathing difficulties so they will not be required to wear a mask.

"A person who has compromised breathing and a mask is suffocating. No mask no travel?"
The Govt have exempted those with breathing difficulties so they will not be required to wear a mask.

"A pregnant woman who finds the mask makes her throw up. No mask no travel?"
Yep. No exemption has been given for pregnancy.

"A middle aged asthmatic whose symptoms are exacerbated by a mask. No mask no travel?"
The Govt have exempted those with breathing difficulties so they will not be required to wear a mask.

Did you even bother to listen to what the Govt announced?

Its difficult but we can only follow the best advice available. Maybe medical exemptions should be part of the system long term but initially we need to respond fast to try to get the country moving. No one wants to discriminate against people with a disability but rolling out ways of improving accessibility is going to take time.

Medical exemptions are part of the system.

“ So how do you propose we distinguish between those who can’t and those who won’t?”

Who is “we”?

I wouldn’t need to know why someone isn’t wearing one, as a member of the public. I am happy to leave that to the transport companies to check (and even then I think it is unnecessary). If this must be mandatory, I don’t want it to be mandatory that I police people around me too.

If people would read any news article on this they would see that.

But some of the general public will. If they comply with the rules to protect others, some will feel entitled to question why they aren't being protected by those who aren't wearing coverings.

Well the can wind their neck in and fuck off. Since when do people with disabilities need to explain themselves to random people?

Seriously if anyone ever started on me about why my son wasn’t wearing one Coronavirus would be the least of their worries.

You have my sympathy, OP. I haven't tried wearing a face covering yet (haven't been on public transport etc) so I'm not sure whether I can manage it. There's a shit attitude of "well why don't you just try harder" towards autistic people so I hope we don't end up with a passengers-policing-passengers situation

@Firef1y72 I have sympathies but not sure you should be using PT if you can’t tolerate a mask. As difficult as that sounds you’re increasing risk to others and does your right to go into town on a (non-essential) trip, trump others rights to be kept safe.

I think we need to remember the whole reason why this has been brought in: to protect other people from any unintended symptoms you may have. To prevent the spread of the virus. If you can't, for whatever reason, tolerate wearing a mask, I think the best thing to do is avoid using public transport rather than putting others at risk.

If you can't wear a face covering to protect others from you potentially having Covid-19 and being asymtomatic, and are not prepared to either wear something or explain to others why you are exempt, then, sadly, you need to consider not using public transport.

Didn't take long did it?

In general I think face coverings are a good idea for everyone who can wear one but I agree with a PP, there is no way to make them mandatory without once again shitting on people with disabilities.

You cannot expect not to be challenged by others.

I find this and similar posts very disturbing. We absolutely should not be encouraging vigilantism.

No one should be “challenging” anyone over mask wearing unless it is their actual job for which they have received proper training (which involves knowing about medical exemptions).

In ROI, this is exactly why masks are not enforced, our T.D's have recognized that some people with hidden disabilities struggle, our minister for health's brother is autistic and is the head of a big autism charity, so there is good awareness around it.

Think the lack of understanding on this thread is shocking.. Just tough titties... walk.
I have also wondering about people with hearing difficulty who rely on lip reading. Perhaps now would be a good time to introduce a national campaign on sign language.

It is sad but not surprising @Cheeeeislifenow as it’s sadly just indicative of the ignorance that people with autism have to face. There seems to be an attitude that people with autism should just try harder - if trying was all that it took to overcome it no one would be autistic.

It’s horrible. I know that people with disabilities were experiencing this well before Coronavirus but it really seems to have given people the excuse to exclude and scorn like never before.

What about a face shield instead? Or a bandana tied loosely? I do sympathise. DS is autistic and this isn't going to be easy but needs must. He hates wearing a shirt of any description but it's not optional and we just have to find the ones he tolerates best. We are approaching the mask the same way. It's not optional. We are very slowly working up to tolerating it for longer and longer. Distracting him with an iPad works well. Is there anything you can use to distract yourself with?

There are exemptions for disabled people so no, we won’t be attempting it at all.