I'm wondering what types of medical conditions prevent people from wearing masks

[lovelemoncurd]

I'm trying to understand the rationale for not wearing masks. Patients with respiratory conditions routinely wear masks in hospital and it's not a problem so what are the conditions that are prohibiting mask use. After all coronavirus must surely trump them?

It's just the brits that always need to be so special..

...Except for that large demonstration they had in Berlin today against all control measures and very much against masks. And the bus driver who got shot in France... and the militia who turned up at Michigan state capital. And the rampant discussions and moans on Mexican social media (I follow some) complaining about people who won't wear masks. Or the president of Brazil insisting masks are unnecessary.... But you carry on with trying to pretend only Brits find face covers difficult.

It's just the brits that always need to be so special....

This is simply not true and such an annoying comment people insist on making. Firstly the vast majority of people are wearing them. Secondly America has had protests over it (and I read some comments on an American news site where people were saying "why is it just Americans who are whinging about wearing masks"). And there were protests in Berlin today about the virus measures being taken, including mandatory mask wearing.

I have to say. I’m the same as @askinfforfriend

I live in a country where we have to wear one. Illnesses. Respiratory condition. Everyone.

And everyone does. So that’s that really. Me and my girls wore one for 4 hrs out shopping today.

Sensory processing disorder which is often a comorbid condition to a diagnosis of ASD, dyspraxia etc.

Anxiety? Claustrophobia? Panic attacks? Eczema?

I guess I couldn't imagine why either until I had two kids with SEN myself.

There are many medical conditions which could preclude someone from wearing a mask however I'm thinking that where I live must have the highest rates of such medical conditions in the world! I'd say about 30% of bus users seem to have one or another of these conditions...

I wear a mask for short periods in shops and on the bus, but I would find it very difficult for more than 30-45 minutes, as I have perennial rhinitis and a deviated septum. My left nostril is almost completely blocked all the time and the right nostril is partially blocked.

I have severe asthma & another chronic lung condition. I’ve found I’m ok with a mask for a very short period, after that my breathing suddenly becomes a problem. It’s like an asthma attack- I feel I’m running out of oxygen, sucking in the mask, wheezing, desperate for air, & have to take it off. I was surprised, actually - I hadn’t expected anything like that. It was much worse than I thought it would be.

@Dadnotamum72 expression of the day for me is 'please keep your ignorance invisible'.
Who on earth do you think you are to say 'no exceptions, if you can't wear one, stay at home'. Do you have any comprehension that what you wrote is bullying and ignorant?

I find surgical masks much easier to breathe through than cloth masks, so anyone who has been struggling with cloth Id try switching to surgical

I think to name conditions is hard because plenty of people with say COPD will be able to wear a mask, but there will be some that wont.

It seems on MN we get obsessed with people breaking the rules, people not wesring masks when we should. If we all just wear masks ourselves and stop worrying about others i reckon reluctant mask wearers will be more inclined to wear them

@Hubstar

I have to say. I’m the same as *@askinfforfriend*

I live in a country where we have to wear one. Illnesses. Respiratory condition. Everyone.

And everyone does. So that’s that really. Me and my girls wore one for 4 hrs out shopping today.

Apologies if I came across a bit harsh earlier, wasn't intentional. But as this post suggests some countrys do say all with no exceptions. I personally am more frustrated with shop floor staff that genuine medical exceptions which I have no issue with.

The issue with medical exceptions like it or not is that the moment you see someone you judge.

Are you genuine or are you a twat trying to break the rules.
There are four types of people.

1. Genuine exceptions.
2. people finding any excuse to be excempt.
3. Idiots who are very selfish and wont do anything for anyone.
4. Most of the public who do there best.

Personally I where a mask in shops happilly to protect others, i'm astmatic and have two kids who Are on the autistic spectrum which Do where masks.

I also am very risk averse and today for example spent 4 hours in the pub with no masks.

dinosaur my mum is the same . Had an extreme panic attack this afternoon because of the shop workers wearing masks . I’m not sure what her trauma was but she can’t cope with wearing one or seeing others wearing them either .

Dsis is same too - severe autism - she just doesn’t leave the house really . Her flatmate - Down’s syndrome and also petrified - hasn’t been out for more than an hour or so for 5 months . It’s all just absolutely awful .

And the more it goes on you feel the world is rapidly becoming a very cold, unfriendly, uncaring and selfish place with little or no time and patience for anyone who might need a hand .

And everyone does

Or those that can't don't go anywhere that requires a mask.

I came on to add Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is indeed excruciating. I'm exceptionally lucky because mine is well controlled by medication, but there are many people on the TN boards who are saying that they've worn a mask when needed and then really suffered for it when the contact with the face is a major trigger (even the wind blowing on your face from a slight breeze can trigger attacks) and they have been in a lot of pain.

Twarty Vagitus is an excellent reason not to wear a mask 😷

I read about a woman who had been raped and during her horrific ordeal had her mouth covered.
Wouldn't take a genius to work out why she would find mask wearing traumatic would it op?
Our world is made up of all sorts of people, with all kinds of experiences, issues and conditions, often these are totally invisible to strangers.
Op, try and walk through life with empathy & kindness towards others, instead of presuming the worst.

I genuinely think that many people cannot wear masks for medical or mental health problems. I have a lot of respect and understanding for people who can't, it must be a very stressful time for them, and when I see someone in a shop not wearing one I make an even bigger effort to social distance.

However, it's hard to deny that some people (I can and will call then selfish idiots) don't wear masks because of their 'freedom of expression' is compromised of whatever stupid reason. Twitter is full of them, people in perfectly good health who decide they are above the law. That is what I don't understand, or respect.

@Dadnotamum72 so how about we be slow to judge? Accept that 2 and 3 do exist (same ones who've broken guidelines throughout) but that the vast majority fall into categories 1 and 4.

I, for one, and very glad that I don't live in the sort of country that says 'no exceptions' as they don't tend to have a brilliant track record when it comes to disability legislation generally.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I have no exemptions and do wear a mask. I just can't stand small minded bullies that think it's ok to make already vulnerable people feel even more shit about themselves.

If you can't think of any reasons then be thankful they don't apply to you and go about your day, minding your own business.

My 8 year old daughter who I suspect has autism, waiting on getting assessed. She gets so upset with wearing a scarf or mask. She just stands for here, she says it dosent feel right. She has had sensory issues for years. I now tell her not to bother wearing it.

My DP was suffocated while she was raped. She cannot wear a mask without having a panic attack. The unpleasant behaviour and comments of others towards her when not wearing a mask means that she is no longer able to go out without me accompanying her. I don't understand why people assume those without masks are trying to be awkward, my DP would much rather wear a mask than live with severe PTSD.

It's amazing how many people are so keen for us all to be controlled since this pandemic started.

Saying "I live in a country where there are no exceptions" as if that's a good thing. I'd hate to live in a country that was so unsympathetic towards its citizens.

[quote Ibake]@Dadnotamum72 expression of the day for me is 'please keep your ignorance invisible'.
Who on earth do you think you are to say 'no exceptions, if you can't wear one, stay at home'. Do you have any comprehension that what you wrote is bullying and ignorant?[/quote]
I totally get what your saying and it is bullying against a genuine invisable disability, the issue we find ourselves in is that many others are not wearing masks without an invisable disability and we are unconciously judging everyone.

I appreciate that is shit but that is the world we currntly live in and it isn't fair.

Saying "I live in a country where there are no exceptions" as if that's a good thing. I'd hate to live in a country that was so unsympathetic towards its citizens.

Totally agree with this.

This is an awful time to have a disability, visible or invisible.

@Dadnotamum72 but it doesn't have to be the world we live in unless people like you make it so. Hence my follow up comment 'be slow to judge'.

If I see someone without a mask I might register it but I don't immediately assume they are a chancer. In fact, given how many sanctimonious judgers there are out there my first thought tends to be admiration that they've braved the shops, despite the condemnation that's headed their way.