To feel really shit about how people judged me for no mask.

[DidSheReallySayThat20]

For the record. I've previously tried wearing a mask until today. I have ptsd relating to being suffocated in a DV relationship. I spent years in therapy and on meds to cope daily.
The last few times I've come over funny and feeling like I'm goi g to have a panic attack which I haven't had one in 4 years.
I also suffer with anxiety shopping in a store where I don't normally shop.

The gp said I do not need to wear a mask and I have valid reason for exemption

Today shopping two different sets of people were vocal about it.. One was a mutter I could barely catch but I heard.. that's 4 no masks today and continued out of ear shot

I kept my head down I felt awful. Then a couple said excuse me, you are aware of the rules or Are you another young one who thinks they're above the law.. I ignored them. I wish I'd come back with a reply now.
Only ' good' thing was being called young at nr 40.

Its been on my mind since and I honestly have tried but the anxiety and stress they caused and thinking about it days up to shopping day and after wearing one I woild of ended up back on anti depressants because it affected me so badly.

@DidSheReallySayThat20

Dh said about the lanyard but I feel like I shouldn't wear one.

But yes need to practice a phrase.
In any other situation I speak my mind and don't worry about others but for some reason I struggle with this.

Why do you feel like you shouldn’t wear a lanyard? Wouldn’t that largely solve this whole problem?

How many ZOMBIE threads has that spammer reactivated? this is the 3rd one I've seen so far.

I am really sorry that this has happened to you op. I am also saddened to hear of your past experiences.

I myself am medically exempt from wearing a
mask but because I am able to wear one, I choose to wear one.

That doesn't make me a better person.
I guess what I am trying to say is to you to try and ignore the comments because unfortunately this may not be the first time people comment when you do not wear a mask.

Nobody knows your reasons for not wearing one , but they are genuine and real, and that
wearing a mask affects you, and that's all there is to it. You don't need to feel guilty over that.

Sadly , and this unfortunately true, there are people who don't wear masks " because they don't want to" or because " Covid is a hoax " etc etc

That's never going to change and it's all a very sad sign of the times we are in.

Please , take care of yourself and try not to let these ignorant people upset you
anymore.

@corcaithecat

OP. You can't wear a mask but you can still be infectious and pass the virus on.

If I saw you in the supermarket without your mask I'd give you a wide birth or swap queues if necessary.

I'm sorry if you feel feel judged, but equally I want to keep my family safe. Wearing a lanyard wouldn't change my actions.

Are you CV? If so, you'll have had at least your first dose of vaccine, so the risk of you becoming very ill from covid is very small. If you're not CV, the risk of you becoming very ill from covid is also very small.

Please do give us exempt people a wide berth. Apart from the fact that social distancing is still advised, we don't want to be near judgemental, unpleasant people like you. Just in case it's catching.

@TheVampiresWife

No, not vaccinated.

I’m in Ireland. We’re down to over 75’s getting vaccinated and some are still waiting for their first jabs.

My husband has a blood cancer but I can’t see him get his first dose of vaccine until May at the earliest. Me? Maybe late summer? 🤷🏻‍♀️

So yes, I will be giving anyone not wearing a mask a very wide birth for the foreseeable.

I stopped even pretending after Easter. No issues, but then I probably look like someone you don't want to mess with.