Face masks proof of exemption

[PumpkinP]

I am exempt from wearing face masks due to asthma , I just was expecting to show my asthma pump but today my mum was on the bus and she said the police got on and was demanding proof from people and saying that they needed to see a drs letter. Do I need a doctors letter? As I haven’t heard that you do till now.

Dinosaur, have you thought about putting in a complaint to the practice manager?

Also can you change GP? I know this is not always simple, depending on where you live.

@Daisychains20

Even if the police or anyone else got on the bus they can not demand proof as the government guidelines doesn’t say you need proof also doctors are not giving out letters.

But they should, other countries require proof I believe to say you are exempt. There will be idiots who try it on and say they have something that prevents them wearing one but in fact they are just selfish. Another half assed attempt by the uk gov.

@HeIenaDove

You have assumed that people will fake a medical condition. Would you assume that older children will fake their age?

No I haven’t assumed people will fake their medical condition. I said some people with asthma (a medical condition) will use the exemption without even trying a mask.

@ThatDamnScientist other countries may demand proof, but currently our government guidelines state no proof is required until that changes no one can demand proof.

@ThatDamnScientist

I have asthma and my eldest dd does (she also has autism though probably not relevant to this point) we both wear masks. It has been shown time and time again that masks do not reduce O2 or reduce breathing ability whilst wearing it. I am struggling to understand the problem with wearing a mask and asthma. (Asthmatoc nurses manage on 12 hour shifts...just saying).

Not everyone is you.

Of course they reduce breathability! That's why WHO talk at length about finding the best materials and designs to maximise both filtration and breathability. That's why the French Standardization Association (AFNOR) include breathability as a key factor in their new product standard for cloth face coverings. I don't think we're getting a British Standard. Our government thinks a single layer of t-shirt material or a thin bandana is sufficient so this is no surprise.

If you don't think cloth face coverings reduce breathability then here's an experiment for you: Put three on. Three well fitting, multi-layered cloth face coverings, worn on top of each other. Nine layers of cloth. If one mask doesn't reduce breathability then the other two won't either. Go about your normal business and report back how you get on.

Now consider that for some people with severe lung conditions they already feel as if they are breathing through at least one mask before they put a mask on.

I don't know much about asthma beyond recognising that there is a vast range of severity. I have no problem believing that some, but not all, people with asthma cannot wear a mask.

@HelenaDove it gives me hope that disability rights lawyers are onto this.

I have asthma and my eldest dd does (she also has autism though probably not relevant to this point) we both wear masks. It has been shown time and time again that masks do not reduce O2 or reduce breathing ability whilst wearing it. I am struggling to understand the problem with wearing a mask and asthma. (Asthmatoc nurses manage on 12 hour shifts...just saying

I am asthmatic. I am also a doctor. I discovered many years ago that wearing a mask provokes an asthma attack. As a consequence Of this, as I've now mentioned on various threads, I had to change the course of my career so I wouldnt be in a situation that required me wearing a mask.

Due to the insensitivity and downright cuntishness of many people about this current situation I intend on restricting my movements and not going near any venue that requires me to wear a mask, until such a time as they are not required.

And on the subject of a visor, I also suffer from migraines and can't have anything putting pressure on my temples.

But crack on and continue with your pointless examples of people who know they have no problem with face coverings wearing them and ignore the genuine ams distressing stories of people who just cannot.

The transport police were on my train (overground) in London last weekend. They were asking anyone not wearing a mask (actually very few people) if there was a reason why and anyone who couldn’t give a legitimate reason had to leave the train at the next stop.

All the people I saw not wearing one were in their early 20’s and didn’t offer a reason other than ‘yeah errrrr like, I forgot’ (despite the massive posters at stations asking you not to enter without a mask) so not sure what would have happened if they had cited medical reasons.

And on the subject of a visor, I also suffer from migraines and can't have anything putting pressure on my temples.

Yeah but have you tried a cardboard Terry Wogan fun mask? Have you tried this huge cumbersome contraption I found on the internet that costs £100 plus shipping from the other side of the world, but is out of stock anyway? Have you tried a wafer thin slice of organza dangling vaguely from a hat? Have you tried just drawing one on with face paint? Are you sure you are trying hard enough? It's your civic duty to look as if you are wearing a face covering and there really are no excuses.

More seriously, it's awful how many people who have a perfectly valid reason for being unable to wear a mask are saying, 'I just won't go out, I can't deal with the nastiness.'

I’m surprised there are exemptions at all tbh. The blue and white medical masks do not inhibit your breathing in any way, they are very loose around the mouth and nose area, with cloth masks I can understand as the layers are thicker and often 2 or three layers of fabric.
I think a lot of people will insist they cannot wear a mask as they are asmatic without even trying tbh.
If people cannot wear a mask they should probably think about getting a sunflower lanyard as it’s becoming more and more recognised as a sign of hidden disability and I would think you would be far less likely to be questioned about not wearing a mask with one on.

I work in a hospital and we will not see anyone without a mask on. We have the backing of the managers to not see anyone whose not wearing a mask. I have severe asthma (1 set of steroids away from being shielded unfortunately) and I have to wear a mask (have worn a mask for past 26years without them causing issues to my asthma). However I am not willing to put myself at further risk by scanning a patient without a mask on. Whilst I have not had to directly scan any “yellow / red” patients I am in contact with colleagues who do. Surely 30 mins of wearing a mask to see a dr / be treated is better than potentially passing on or increasing your risk of becoming an infected by a staff member who may be asymptotic and then seeing you and multiple other people.

Try a dust mask. DH and some of his family have asthma to different degrees, but all find them very usable.

I can't have anything on my face. I couldn't even manage the sleep study for sleep aponea because it triggered severe flashbacks, seizures and night terrors. The dr who went through the readings for the time I managed it was horrified I suffered so much - at that time my mental state was better than now, but I couldn't cope enough to be tested.

Zero impact from that with breathing but I cannot cope with anything at all on my face, I've TMJ which means I can't wear a visor.

All my medical and mental health care ceased in March and won't restart for eighteen months - yes 18 months, next appointment January 2022. My mental health has severely deterioated in that time as has my medical condition.

During lockdown I was fined by police for sorting out a hypo because the officer decided I was having a picnic, I was fined another day for not having proof of going to get meds. So those saying just explain, will depend on where you live if the police accept that or not.

I've had abuse for not wearing one and I'm in Wales, not mandetory here.

It's often forgotten by many just how complex needs can be and the effect that can have on someone's life.

Surely 30 mins of wearing a mask to see a dr / be treated is better than potentially passing on or increasing your risk of becoming an infected by a staff member who may be asymptotic and then seeing you and multiple other people.

It means no treatment for me. I don't honestly believe I'd survive 30 minutes of wearing a mask and I certainly have no intention of finding out given my recent attempts lasting no more than seconds have left me with some rather nasty cuts/scratches. I certainly wouldn't be in a fit state to be scanned for anything.

Have you tried a wafer thin slice of organza dangling vaguely from a hat?

My mil has just found one of those whilst cleaning out her junk room and the attics. It's a relic of fil's childhood in India, belonged to his mum and it's fabulous. A massive brimmed sunhat with organza hung off the bottom. 3 paper parasols as well. I suspect the latter would be as effective at preventing the spread as the former, I.e not at all.

My doctors surgery you HAVE to wear a mask, as well as all hospitals, if you are there for an appointment or seeing someone you HAVE to wear one.

There is exceptions but not for things like asthma as it doesn't effect your oxygen levels, ofcourse it doesn't feel nice and comfy, but nor will a ventilator !

dinosauratemydaffodils It means no treatment for me either.

The longest I managed was maybe a minute and that resulted in a seizure being induced which for me includes vomiting, and being doubly incontient. The last time I had a seizure in GP surgery I came round to staff saying how disgusting I was, likewise same happened in A&E (neither due to wearing a mask but an infection).

I'm in very high risk category for covid. I've a, young, previously fit and healthy family member (except minor asthma) whose been left severely disabled by it and been given a very poor prognosis. I certainly don't take covid lightly, hence trying.

People are taking the piss but those who cannot wear one should not be denied medical care because of it.

It's got nothing to do with being comfy.

For me it has everything to do with medical conditions and having severe treatment resistant PTSD.

Denying medical treatment is never a wise decision.

Oh and I can't have a ventilator. I've already been told that due to my medical condition.

And once more with feeling

YOU ARE IN AN INDUCED COMA FOR A VENTILATOR

It seems to me that having a “doctor’s note” or the equivalent would be the best way forward for those that can’t wear masks, and actually take away some of the stress. If this were the case, they would be less likely to be viewed with suspicion that they are either a ‘princess and the pea-type snowflake’ or a ‘Covid-denier”. Of course, it’s not at all fair that they would be viewed with suspicion, but that’s going to be the unfortunate reality.

I believe there is going to be government guidance coming out on Thursday about face coverings, ready for Friday. I wonder if they've left it until then so they can judge the public feeling (some people unhappy about them and not keen to comply) and put something in place to mitigate against non-compliance.

I am sure I have read this week that most police forces have said they will not be enforcing the face covering rule and don’t have time to respond to reports of someone isn’t wearing one in a shop.

So I’m not sure really who is going to be enforcing it.

I imagine there will be a combination of signs in shops, staff on the door and peer pressure. And perhaps some kind of register of exempt people will be developed if necessary.

The Apple store near me is providing disposable masks for anyone who isn't wearing one, and a temperature check too before you are allowed in.

I should think a lot of menopausal women wouldnt pass a temperature check done by a medically unqualified person.

I wouldnt be surprised if there is another coronavirus briefing on Thursday. Cant really call them daily briefings now.

I actually had my temperature taken during a hot flush, and it was completely normal.

Surely people that have heath conditions that say that they cannot wear a mask are more vulnerable to covid? What’s the point in doing this if not everyone wears one?
I cannot see how a face mask impacts on someone’s breathing for a short journey on a bus, or shopping?
I’d say either everyone does it or no one. It’s a half hearted token gesture otherwise.