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?

I'm just wondering if people who can't handle a mask realize that if they catch a serious respiratory illness, that they may have to wear a much more constricting form of mask

I'd decline treatment personally. I've spoken to dh about it and put my wishes in writing. I haven't valued my life in a long time and the breakdown masks have triggered has essentially made me realise all my hopes/plans for the future aren't realistic at all. Right now I doubt I'll ever hold a proper job down again, let alone what I was planning on studying for.

@Ibake

Ah right *@starray* you're one of those delightful people who says 'if you don't like a mask, you'll not like a ventilator'. What a cop out given the odds of getting Covid so seriously that you end up in ITU are incredibly low for the average person. Therefore maybe, just maybe, they'll take their chances given the physical or mental distress wearing a mask can cause them. It's also a crock of shit given that you're put into a coma if you need to go onto a ventilator so you won't really know too much about it.

It's true that you'll be put into a coma to go onto a ventilator, but the step before that is CPAP, which is a mask and you are conscious for that. You may be sedated, but you will be conscious and aware for a large part of the time you are wearing the mask.

It's not just Covid. CPAP is also for severe pneumonia.

Don't know why people get so defensive. I'm just stating what I went through myself so others can have another point of view to consider.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils, I fel that the CPAP mask was awful and claustraphobic, but what helped me get through my fear was concentrating on the fact that this was something that was going to make me well, and not kill me. I tried to focus on the stream of oxygen coming through, rather than on the claustraphobia.

I think it is the same with wearing cotton or cloth masks. If you try to think of the mask as something protective, rather than something that is hindering your breathing, it may help.

I tried to focus on the stream of oxygen coming through, rather than on the claustraphobia.

I'm not claustrophobic. If you have a look on page 2, I cover my issues with masks including my unsuccessful attempts to change my perception of them. I would not consent to said treatment.

I apologise if I'm repeating anything but I admit to not RTFT. It's late and the thread is long.

You are assuming that people's reactions to wearing a mask are rational and controllable. That is not always the case.

I suffer from PTSD after a pulmonary embolism which very nearly killed me. One of the prevailing memories is that of not being able to breathe (i.e. absorb oxygen) and, although I am well aware that wearing a mask does not affect my breathing in any detrimental way whatsoever, my default/subconscious reaction is one of panic. I can talk myself out of it for so long, but once the palpitations, sweating, hyperventilation and uncontrollable need to run away take over there is little I can do.

But I still have to go out; for my family, my job, my mental health (ironically). I'm trying to maintain some semblance of normality, whilst working through my condition. It was hard before this shitstorm of a pandemic - now it's bordering on impossible.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils

My heart breaks for you and feels your pain.. You're very brave to be so outspoken, not all of us are . Sending you genuine ♥

I loathe these threads. The idea the differently should shut themselves away or wear a special badge.

Cloth masks do fuck all except make people feel better about going out. So just stop the disgusting judgement of those who can’t. (And I can and I’m fed up with people attacking those who don’t.)

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

So what happens to people like my sons, who don’t understand what a mask is, why they need to wear one and physically could not wear one unless you physically tied them up?

Do those with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities have to be locked up inside indefinitely?

Do you honestly think this is a good thing?

@TheSunIsStillShining

1. My example was deliberately were extreme. The fact that you think (*@lbake*) it's not an example, but a generalization says more about you than me.

1. I don't want to police anyone. I want to live in a country where common sense prevails and people can act responsibly for the common good. I can now see (not because of this thread obv.) that I have chosen very unwisely in this respect.

And atm I would like to see my kid go back to school for instance. That can only happen if the virus is in-check. The gov is failing on so many levels, I thought that people have more brain cells than the fuckwits in power, but it seems that it was a daydream that never happened.

1. My heritage is what it is. Not proud of it, but neither am I ashamed. Not my choice where to be born, so don't really care. I mostly grew up in an arab country though.. Anything to say about that?

1. I would really like to understand the reason why ppl are so against masks, but it's not gonna be on MN that I will find out. Or probably will never crack this very British exceptionalist attitude....

1. I have multiple disabilities (invisible) and yet I still take full responsibility for my life. Don't have a blue badge (could), never applied for benefits. Most of the time where there's a will, there's a way. Not always, that is true. But for those we should have a reliable social net.

There is a huge difference between someone totally dependent with everything on others and let's say someone being asthmatic (again, just an example to a point, not a generalization)

You keep talking about individual responsibilities. You keep talking about benefits and blue badges. You seem to have a thing for people who receive help from society. If you think these things then why do you think people should wear masks for the good of society. Why should someone who doesn't want to, wear a mask so your child can go back to school? Why should they give a fuck about your kid? I think they should because we should all work together within society. You don't. You views don't match up. Tbh just looks like you had an opportunity to bitch about about disabled people and benefit claimants and took it.

@Illusionordelusion

Trigeminal neuralgia.

An excruciating disorder whereby the slightest touch or pressure to the face can cause horrific nerve pain.

That’s just one condition off the top of my head but there will be more.

Live and let live, if someone is exempt they will be exempt for a good reason.

Yes definitely TN. I have TN and cannot stand anything touching the right side of my face, including around my head, so a shield wouldn't work.

I did try a mask and was in pain within seconds. It was worth a try but knew it would happen.

Can't even stand a breeze on my face, windy days are a real bugger to deal with.

Epilepsy. Have you ever had a seizure? You usually throw up, piss yourself, or shit yourself or sometimes a mixture of them all.

I'd die if I threw up with a mask on. I would literally choke on vomit. I haven't had a seizure for 5 years, but if I were to have a seizure at least I'd be able to breathe without a mask on..

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

"So what happens to people like my sons, who don’t understand what a mask is, why they need to wear one and physically could not wear one unless you physically tied them up?

Do those with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities have to be locked up inside indefinitely?"

In those countries where that is truly the case people with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities are likely to be kept locked up inside all the time anyway because they are given no rights and seen as not real people. I don't understand people who think that is something to be proud of.

Ds can't wear a mask just like he can't talk or understand what people are saying or understand things are unsafe or lots of other things. He needs sedating for all medical procedures as he becomes extremely distressed by people doing things to him, not surprising given he has no clue what is going on and hates any sort of unwanted physical contact.

My da has autism. He finds it extremely hard to have something over his face.

However we have spent time finding a mask he can tolerate. So when out and about he'll wear it in busy shops etc but if he's struggling I don't make a fuss about him taking it off. I just have taught him the correct hygiene process and it's stored in a Ikea sandwich bag that's wiped internally with alcohol gel between removing and replacing face mask inside. As I do mine.

Personally, I try to wear a mask as often as possible, however if I'm feeling particularly unwell, I won't wear one on the advice of my midwife after I fainted wearing one to an appointment due to breathlessness in pregnancy. As she put it, the risk of me falling over and hurting my baby is much greater that me catching covid thanks to everyone who's not exempt wearing a mask. I'm so greatful to everyone wearing masks for this reason. It means I can go into a shop if I need to and get something to make me feel better without worrying massively about catching covid.
I think people need to consider that other people's medical conditions are none of their business and follow the rules that apply to you.

Sallydimebar you have no need to be out anywhere either. You can still pass it on even with a mask on so be a good girl even if it is at great difficulty for yourself and don't go out.

Are all those saying no one should be allowed anywhere indoors in public without a mask and if you can't wear one tough, applying that to under 3s too be or is that allowed because 'that is different' (and might affect you)?

My dad can not wear a mask and the looks he gets in shops from ignorant people has put him off going and he feels rubbish every time he needs to go. Why should anyone feel that it is okay to judge others.

My partner wears one from social pressures and I don’t think he should. He has asthma and feels like he can’t breathe. He’s had two attacks in the last week. Again why should ignorant, judgemental people make others feel this way and affect his health?

I do not understand the nazi culture that is developing here from some around masks. Some people are genuinely exempt and need to be. Those people who talk about countries where no one is exempt, can you imagine the stress levels and the horrible experiences for those people who should be exempt?
I wear one because I can but I do not judge anyone for not because I don’t know anything about them. Those people who do need to get a grip.

I would have hoped the "if you can't wear one, stay at home" mob would have given up by now. It's not exactly a measured and sensible response.

It's the type of "instruction" I'd expect from "Head Boy Hancock" to be honest and we all know how much attention the country pays to his instructions.

The ableism on this thread is disgusting but not suprising. Some people are vile. Especially for something that doesn’t bloody work considering cases are going up.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils would your GP do a telephone appointment to discuss your medication? In view of your issues they should! If you can get through to a GP to discuss and they are not happy to issue over the telephone they should be able to help find a solution....coming straight into consultation room etc.
Healthcare providers are aware there are exemptions

Sallydimebar you have no need to be out anywhere either. You can still pass it on even with a mask on so be a good girl even if it is at great difficulty for yourself and don't go out.

Thanks Sockwomble For your concern! don’t worry I try to stay away from most public confined spaces . I may well pass it on but if we’re all wearing masks , keeping 2m apart the risk reduces massively for me and them . Have a good day

The ableism on this thread is disgusting but not suprising. Some people are vile. Especially for something that doesn’t bloody work considering cases are going up.

Cases are going up because people can’t seem to follow instructions then spoil it for those who do .

You are presuming everyone has a working brain, which is not always the case. Someone with brain injury and cognitive disorders would not understand mask wearing and try to take it off. Honestly it's really not that hard to think that some people shouldn't have to wear them.

would your GP do a telephone appointment to discuss your medication? In view of your issues they should!

No. Every thing I've suggested has been vetoed (video call/seeing them outside). I've given up. It was gone 3 last night before I fell asleep, I've been up with the kids since 7. Hoping I'll just collapse tonight.