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Original poster

Been told now have to wear mask at work

37 replies

Snailsetssail · 27/08/2020 15:00

I’m having anxiety attacks about it already.

I am exempt due to anxiety
But I don’t want everyone to know I’m exempt
Full staff meeting on Tuesday with 70 staff For 4 hours with mask required

I know there isn’t anything I can do but I’m feeling angry and upset over this and it’s ruined the positive frame of mind I had for myself into for the start of work again.

Before anyone starts:
Yes I know some people have to wear them all day. I didn’t chose a career where this was required because I know I couldn’t wear one.
Yes I know I will be wearing one when on a ventilator if the odds of me getting and suffering badly from CV happen (absolutely miniscule).

OP posts:
Uhoh2020 · 27/08/2020 15:06

Whats causing you more anxiety wearing the mask or your colleagues knowing you are exempt?
For me your colleagues finding out you are exempt (you don't need to tell them the reason why you are exempt btw) is bit like the ripping a plaster off scenario once you've done it, its over with

Original poster
Snailsetssail · 27/08/2020 15:07

I don’t want to be thought of as someone who thinks more about themselves than the health of others.

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 27/08/2020 15:14

Practice in the house try 1 minute, then 2 then 5 build up a bit, you can forget they are on the disposable, blue/white ones are so light

Put a drop of lavender in it to perhaps help calm your senses.

This is of course if you are going to put one on.

Hophop26 · 27/08/2020 15:15

This may not be a possibility but what about a scarf instead, lightweight very loosely wrapped round?? Inform your employer you are exempt So no mask so they know but something like a scarf would show some willing/demonstration on your part for the benefit of your wider colleagues??

Original poster
Snailsetssail · 27/08/2020 15:16

@frozendaisy I have been wearing one for popping into shops etc for as long as it has been required. I can manage for a few minutes if I focus on the task at hand and get in and out as quickly as possible.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 27/08/2020 15:19

How is the seating arrangement?

Could you wear a scarf over your mouth for walking in and have it arranged your a central back seat where others can't see you and let it drop?

It really isn't worth wearing it if your this anxious.

balloonsintrees · 27/08/2020 15:25

Are you a teacher in the Garden of England? We have just been told we have to wear masks in communal areas including staffroom and I am utterly bloody seething about it!

DonLewis · 27/08/2020 15:26

Would one of those face shields be better for you? And would they let you wear one of those instead?

Terrace58 · 27/08/2020 15:34

I have huge mask anxiety. It helps to get it off your lips. I added boning to some masks and it helps immensely. You can also use zip ties.

4 hours of wear would mean I was a worthless mess the rest of the day because of all the adrenaline coursing through my system. My max so far is an hour and even that exhausts me.

what I would probably do is tell HR you have anxiety and ask that the accommodation be that you attend the meeting remotely.

If that doesn’t work, sit in the back and step out when you need to.

yeOldeTrout · 27/08/2020 15:34

Are you a teacher -- I'm trying to figure out who else would have a 4 hr staff mtg right now.

Original poster
Snailsetssail · 27/08/2020 15:36

Yes I am a teacher in England.

My school has decided masks are required so that we can go about our normal business. They can be removed in the classroom but must be worn everywhere else including staff training and meetings.

OP posts:
Moondust001 · 27/08/2020 15:37

Honestly I know it's hard telling people - but the good news is that unlike the supermarket, you only have to do it once! It will be a two second wonder and then everyone will have better things to talk about or do. They know, so they won't be thinking you are being selfish. They will be too busy talking about much more important things like where they left the filing system in March and whether that coffee can still be used! Honest, even people who love a gossip get bored in minutes. Just get it done and then you don't have to say it again. You don't have to explain at all - just tell your manager and let them say it - "Jane is exempt from wearing a mask" end of story. If anyone explains why then say you don't want to discuss it or explain how you have had had panic attacks ever since you were abducted by aliens. They won't ask again!

JoanieCash · 27/08/2020 15:41

70 people in a room is ridiculous. You still need to distance- a mask alone doesn’t protect from that. They need to do your training by zoom/teams so you can sit in classrooms alone without masks and attend. I’d go for the angle that a mask isn’t a shield and if someone is carrying virus then being in a room for 4 hours will not protect. I don’t know if government website or PHE had advice to employers on this.

DelphiniumBlue · 27/08/2020 15:44

Is a 4 hour staff meeting for 70 people appropriate and in accordance with NEU guidelines and government guidelines? I suspect it isn't.
Ask to see the risk assessment. There's no reason why this can't be done online as far as I can see, and therefore it is exposing you to unnecessary risk.

ineedaholidaynow · 27/08/2020 15:44

I thought meetings were meant to be held virtually if possible.

Social distancing is meant to still be happening. Wouldn't be great if all school staff have to isolate before school even starts.

Reallybadidea · 27/08/2020 15:47

Masks are absolutely not a replacement for social distancing so they shouldn't be packing 70 people in a room for 4 hours. This is one of the scenarios where masks can do more harm than good because they create a false sense of security!

itispersonal · 27/08/2020 15:50

We are having staff training next week for inset and half the staff are in the hall socially distanced and the other half are watching from a laptop.

Could they offer that option? How are they going to fit 70 people in one room/ even a hall?

itispersonal · 27/08/2020 15:51

And we probably only have 30 staff!

Ickabog · 27/08/2020 15:53

@itispersonal

We are having staff training next week for inset and half the staff are in the hall socially distanced and the other half are watching from a laptop.

Could they offer that option? How are they going to fit 70 people in one room/ even a hall?

Similar story here. Staff will be split across multiple rooms and the hall. There's no reason 70 people need to be in the same room.
Miljea · 27/08/2020 15:54

"Ask to see the risk assessment"

Peak MN!

I hope you get something sorted, OP!

Original poster
Snailsetssail · 27/08/2020 16:11

Risk assessment was relevant to the old plans of remote access from our own classrooms to the sessions. New plan is to scrap everything and just wear masks.

It’s a big room so there is quite a bit of space.

OP posts:
Racoonworld · 27/08/2020 16:20

Space for 1m between each person as well as wearing masks? Because that what it needs to be. If there isn’t room for that then raise it as a safety issue.

ineedaholidaynow · 27/08/2020 16:26

That isn't right, you need SD and masks. Can you speak to your union? School will possibly close before it is open. Are they treating staff as one big bubble?

TheFallenMadonna · 27/08/2020 16:28

I think there would be enough room for 1m distancing for 70 people in most secondary school halls. Not sure why it's necessary, but still...

Nuffaluff · 27/08/2020 16:30

Your management are being ridiculous.
At my school we are having meetings remotely via Zoom. Isn’t that the official advice?