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.

@PickAChew

Im well aware of that... But as above !

Afterwards, Not when your on it.

Ofcourse you are sedated. Im not stupid !

Yes i know. Its a pity it wasnt reiterated half as much pre ski trip and pre cruise. For those that carried on doing these.

I’ve seen adverts saying masks must be worn, sunflower lanyard wearers are exempt. So presumably if you don’t have a lanyard they won’t let you in without a mask.

Ofcourse you are sedated when you are on a ventilator.

You will feel the effects of that ventilator for potentially months after.

Look at Kate's (Good morning Britian presenter) husband.

He was on a ventilator so long , the effects of it, is so bad, he will more than likely never recover.

Being on a ventilator is alot worse than a mask!!!!! (The after effects)

I am autistic, and a bit worried about this tbh. I have discovered I can tolerate a mask for approximately 30-45 minutes without a meltdown, but even then the 'cost' of that is 24 hours of sensory overload- tension migraine, being unable to wear fitted clothing/ a bra, unable to tolerate physical touch from anyone including my young children, being in a state of fight or flight, jumping at any noise beyond quiet voices. Pushing through sensory overload leads to meltdowns. It is the feel of having something on my head/ behind my ears that triggers it. I will not disclose to everyone I meet that I am autistic as it is none of their business, my plan is to ignore anyone 'unofficial' who challenges me and only respond to people who need to know - shop staff/ police/ NHS workers etc. I am hopeful that most people will assume an exemption is legitimate if and when masks become mandatory here in Wales.

Sounds like you and your mum are both as full of shit as each other to be honest.

The ventilator 'quote' is ridiculous. Meaningless rubbish at best and verging on gleeful othering.

My son is exempt due to disability. There is no doctors letter. I got his sunflower lanyard and a card thing on it saying he’s exempt.

46 attacks on disabled people already for not wearing masks

From Twitter................video and thread.

twitter.com/transportforall/status/1285615607744995329?s=20

I'm curious as to what happens if you're taken unexpectedly sick/injured and rushed into hospital without a mask.

Will a paramedics first thought be to put a mask on you if you've got a suspected neck injury? Will they refuse to treat you until you've got one on; same for the hospital?

I'm frightened that these rigid rules are going to cause people to not seek necessary medical care if need be.

I really struggled with masks due to horrific DV. I've now managed to find a way around it with a visor/homemade mask that isn't so tight around my face; I'm one of the lucky ones it seems.

I don’t get this... as an asthmatic, I am more vulnerable if I get Covid. I would rather wear a surgical mask for the few minutes/hours on public transport / at work / in a shop than contract a disease that even in its milder forms leaves damage to the lungs. The thought of being on a ventilator is way worse. Or get one of those plastic visor head masks that sit away from your face.

Non-verbal autistic person, someone with Alzheimer’s etc, other disabilities or illnesses that prevent the understanding of why we wear masks: I totally understand why these categories get to be exempt.

Slightly off topic but I am impressed beyond words with people who only ever spend 'a few minutes' in a shop. I shop once a week, for two households plus oddments for elderly neighbours and I am never in and out in 'a few minutes'. Clearly, not wearing a mask isn't the only thing I'm doing wrong

I wish the police would do the trains, under half wearing masks and very much a gender divide - young men especially refused to wear masks, they weren't exempt, just idiots

My gp sent a text out saying that asthma was not a valid exemption and that all those who are exempt have been sent a letter already. I'm guessing they were fed up with calls. The main exemptions I interpret are physically unable to put on the mask and emotional reasons why you can't eg some asd, ptsd etc. There's a few rarer reasons why skin is hyper sensitive too. They are horrible but me wearing one only protects others not me, if 30% of the train aren't wearing them I have all the discomfort for no benefit, I'm very annoyed about yesterday. Train company did give out free masks but soon as guard disappeared they took them off

@ActuallyItsEugene masks are only required on public transport and shops

Also ... we do all have a choice as to go in a shop or not, I don't want to wear a mask so I will not be going in a shop. That's my choice.

"Nobody likes wearing them, but would you rather wear a ventilator? I think not."

And the ventilator bollocks yet again.

@Adirondack

There are doctors with severe asthma. There are nurses with severe asthma. There are surgeons with severe asthma. Guess what? They all wear masks. Guess what else? Masks don’t affect your oxygen levels and anyone who says they do is talking utter bollocks. Get over yourself and put a bloody mask on. Nobody likes wearing them, but would you rather wear a ventilator? I think not.

Does this include the poster on MN who said she’s a doctor who said she had to change her preferred specialism because she can’t wear a mask due to severe asthma?

My understanding is if people are really paranoid about wearing a mask or don’t want the embarrassment of being challenged then they probably wouldn’t go into big shops or travel on public transport.
DP and I both work with customers, I have been told to politely challenge anyone not wearing a mask, as we have to abide by government guidelines to operate.
People have been told to get an exemption card, if that is the case. Otherwise there is little I can do, what other customers say to people not wearing a mask is beyond my control.

Does this include the poster on MN who said she’s a doctor who said she had to change her preferred specialism because she can’t wear a mask due to severe asthma?**

I’d imagine anyone in the NHS would have to wear PPE that has patient contact. If they can’t for any reason, I’d assume they would have to carry out an alternative role until things change, with no patient contact.
Yes I’d imagine that lots of stuff hate wearing it for 10/ 12 hours a day and struggle. I’d also assume that some of these sane staff also have health issues too. I doubt they have much choice with PPE wearing.

I hope you would treat it like any other harassment of other customers.

@runbummyrun I understand, however PPs have stated that their hospitals/GPs are refusing to see people who aren't wearing masks.

The PP who's suffering from serious mental health and unable to seek the help she needs, for example.

As I have said on the AIBU threads, I would much rather be able to wear a face covering for long enough than be unable to wear one. My life would be a lot easier thinking I could catch a bus somewhere without the risk of being refused to board, or challenged by other passengers.

I have asthma and POTs and I can only manage a face covering for a few minutes before I feel tight chested and faint.

All GPs have been offering phone appointments, anyone who can't wear a mask should take one up. If the GP then thinks the person should come in they can discuss their mask issue and agree with the GP arrangements needed to come in without a mask (e.g. appointment with no other patients there and reception as well as GP in PPE) or have a home visit. So that's not actually an issue that can't be solved, but the answer isn't "do whatever you like because you think you can't comply with the rule", it's about following processes that are put in place to protect the GPs, the receptionists, the nurses and any other patients at that surgery.