Is there anyone who couldn’t wear a visor, if they can’t wear a mask?

[Derbygerbil]

I get that some people can’t wear masks for medical or psychological reasons, but surely the vast majority of those could wear a visor instead?

If someone is physically unable to attach a mask/visor, I’m thinking they would need to have a carer with them anyway who could support that.

This leaves those with severe autism, where I recognise there may need to be an exception.

If this is the case, wouldn’t it be reasonable to insist on everyone wearing a face covering in public indoor places, with a much smaller set defined exemptions supported by a medical note.

Or am I missing something?

There was a thread on here by someone who couldn't due to ptsd.

I thought the evidence on visors wasn't so strong as masks too? Somewhere there was a study where visor wearers were more likely to catch it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought the whole mask wearing point was to avoid spreading your germs onto others, NOT protecting you from anything.

Visors are just to stop customers spitting in your face. All your nasty little germs are still free to float around as they choose when you wear one of those and they probably still are when you wear a mask

There was a thread on here by someone who couldn't due to ptsd.

I thought that was a mask... I’m not sure how a visor would be an issue.

I thought the evidence on visors wasn't so strong as masks too? Somewhere there was a study where visor wearers were more likely to catch it.

Possibly, but presumably it’s better if the alternative is nothing. It would provide a means for those who can’t wear masks for using shops without feeling like pariahs, and would stop the dicks who are flouting the rules because no one can prove they don’t have a hidden condition.

Off the top of my head - people with dementia, people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, people with chronic pain disorders, certain mental health conditions. Obviously not everybody with one of those conditions wouldn't be able to wear a visor but plenty won't. The presence of a carer doesn't automatically mean someone will be able to overcome whatever is stopping them wearing one either.

As a side note beyond protecting from direct splashes if you're face to face with someone I'm not totally convinced visors do much, surely the virus laden breath just blows down and out?

Visors are just to stop customers spitting in your face. All your nasty little germs are still free to float around as they choose when you wear one of those

Visors will disrupt the airflow reducing the potential for viral droplet spread.... The virus doesn’t tend to linger and float around in the air (though I appreciate this can happen in some circumstances).

Visors are to protect the wearer from spills and splashes - like if they are looking after somone vomitting or from a proper cough / spit in the face. I dont really know if they protect others from you or not.

As for having a carer if you have mobility problems with your hands. I dont think thsts a given in the slightest.

I think we need to stop worrying about the people who cant wear a mask and ensure that those of us that can, do it properly. None of these things need 100% of us to do it to make a difference.

I can't wear a visor because I have a cochlear implant and it sits against the implant causing pain and interference.

The outer part (speech processor) sits behind my ear like a normal hearing aid, meaning masks can be difficult to wear as they make the speech processor fall off my ear.

I have speech problems and a mask makes that more difficult. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I also have a visual impairment so can struggle to put a mask on and social distance.

GPs do NOT give exemption letters because its illegal and a breach of privacy for a shop worker to make someone disclose their disability. Its their choice not the shop workers

(I have asked my GP and lawyer friends who confirmed this)

I do try to wear a scarf but even this is difficult to put on and use properly due to my disabilities. Its either that or stay inside and lose my independence because some ignorant people on MN want me to, so that THEY are safe.

Honestly the ignorance and disablism on MN during this pandemic, especially regarding face masks and social distancing, has been appalling and @MNHQ leaves it largely unchecked.

OH's consultant has advised him not to wear either so he won't. The nature of OH's seizures mean that it would be impossible for anyone to remove either the mask or visor without injury to themselves. The last time I had to make him safe during a seizure I ended up with bruised ribs and a split lip, through no fault of his as he wasn't aware of his actions.

@username2020 I agree. This has been discussed to death. It 's becoming tedious!

Given that many who can’t wear masks also cannot wear visors, and the fact that visors won’t protect others from Covid if the wearer has it (whole point of masks), I’d say that’s a bad idea OP.

I can't wear anything with a head band as it would touch my hearing aid. I can't wear a hat for example or a helmet. Or even most hoods. I could take off the hearing aid but then I'd be left trying to hear people with mask on. I can wear a mask though.

OP, have you missed all the other threads on this? You are getting the same comments.

@Derbygerbil

I get that some people can’t wear masks for medical or psychological reasons, but surely the vast majority of those could wear a visor instead?

If someone is physically unable to attach a mask/visor, I’m thinking they would need to have a carer with them anyway who could support that.

This leaves those with severe autism, where I recognise there may need to be an exception.

If this is the case, wouldn’t it be reasonable to insist on everyone wearing a face covering in public indoor places, with a much smaller set defined exemptions supported by a medical note.

Or am I missing something?

Yes, that the exemption exists and people are under no obligation to try multiple types of face covering to find one they can tolerate.

Thank you for the responses. I can see now that visors aren’t necessarily the answer.

@username2020

I can't wear a visor because I have a cochlear implant and it sits against the implant causing pain and interference.

The outer part (speech processor) sits behind my ear like a normal hearing aid, meaning masks can be difficult to wear as they make the speech processor fall off my ear.

I have speech problems and a mask makes that more difficult. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I also have a visual impairment so can struggle to put a mask on and social distance.

GPs do NOT give exemption letters because its illegal and a breach of privacy for a shop worker to make someone disclose their disability. Its their choice not the shop workers

(I have asked my GP and lawyer friends who confirmed this)

I do try to wear a scarf but even this is difficult to put on and use properly due to my disabilities. Its either that or stay inside and lose my independence because some ignorant people on MN want me to, so that THEY are safe.

Honestly the ignorance and disablism on MN during this pandemic, especially regarding face masks and social distancing, has been appalling and @MNHQ leaves it largely unchecked.

I am so sorry you feel this way. MN have some really rather horrible people . Im disabled also but I can wear a face covering but I feel unhappy that you feel you can't go out potentially because of stuff you've read here. I'm wondering have you tried to go out / been confronted ? In which case obviously I understand why you're struggling if someone has asked you, it's just I've heard several shop keepers over the last week's ask someone to wear one who has then said they weren't able and that was that and they went into the shops.

I guess I just wanted to check that you hadn't based everything on here because some people really are quite hideous about this mask / covid stuff

I'm so sorry If you have already been out and struggled though because you really don't need to wear one and people should respect that

How about this

If you can wear a face covering wear a face covering

End.

Stop trying to police people who can't it is none of your business.

Visors are pretty pointless, unless worn with a mask underneath.

Those on the frontline in ICU would wear a mask then a visor.

@OpheliasCrayon yes I've tried going out and I've worn a mask or a scarf but I have struggled to lip read people and they get angry, annoyed and shout at me.

They see my assistance dog and shout 'no dogs' but I can't understand them due to the mask (so I don't know at first what exactly they are shouting at me for). I then get asked to leave (or rather shouted at or pointing at the door)

I also struggle to keep the mask on as it keeps falling off for reasons I said above and I struggle to breathe/speak clearly/control my anxiety.

I am able to work but I am currently WFH which is helping a lot but I fear eventually going back to work with these restrictions still in place as it will lead to more encounters and problems.

[quote username2020]@OpheliasCrayon yes I've tried going out and I've worn a mask or a scarf but I have struggled to lip read people and they get angry, annoyed and shout at me.

They see my assistance dog and shout 'no dogs' but I can't understand them due to the mask (so I don't know at first what exactly they are shouting at me for). I then get asked to leave (or rather shouted at or pointing at the door)

I also struggle to keep the mask on as it keeps falling off for reasons I said above and I struggle to breathe/speak clearly/control my anxiety.

I am able to work but I am currently WFH which is helping a lot but I fear eventually going back to work with these restrictions still in place as it will lead to more encounters and problems.[/quote]
Im so sorry you're having to put up with this. I'm struggling to understand why an assistance dog wouldn't be enough of an indication that you would have an issue with wearing one for hearing or sight reasons, obviously I know assistance dogs can be for other things but really I can't see why people wouldn't be able to work it out and be tolerant.

I really am so sorry you're experiencing this. I'm hoping in time you may be able to go out if people can stop being quite so twattish

I wear a vizor at work. I won't take it off unless I've sanitized my hands and there's been times I haven't had time to remove and sneezed into it. Believe me it catches a lot of water droplets.

@username2020

I can't wear a visor because I have a cochlear implant and it sits against the implant causing pain and interference.

The outer part (speech processor) sits behind my ear like a normal hearing aid, meaning masks can be difficult to wear as they make the speech processor fall off my ear.

I have speech problems and a mask makes that more difficult. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I also have a visual impairment so can struggle to put a mask on and social distance.

GPs do NOT give exemption letters because its illegal and a breach of privacy for a shop worker to make someone disclose their disability. Its their choice not the shop workers

(I have asked my GP and lawyer friends who confirmed this)

I do try to wear a scarf but even this is difficult to put on and use properly due to my disabilities. Its either that or stay inside and lose my independence because some ignorant people on MN want me to, so that THEY are safe.

Honestly the ignorance and disablism on MN during this pandemic, especially regarding face masks and social distancing, has been appalling and @MNHQ leaves it largely unchecked.

That sounds really tough. My heart goes out to you,