Local lockdowns and the mask exempt

[PennyDreadfuI]

We're about to go into local lockdown. If you're currently in lockdown where you are, and you're exempt from wearing a mask, can I ask if peoples' attitudes to you have become more hostile when you're out and about?

I've had so much abuse already that I'm absolutely dreading the next few weeks. Public transport here is set to be for essential use only - I don't drive and have mobility issues so need to use it to get anywhere, so I'm worried about peoples'reaction on buses etc too.

Sorry for yet another mask thread but I want to be prepared if it's going to get worse.

have you got one of those sunflower lanyard things? Serves as a visual cue that you won't be wearing mask

@dementedpixie yes - nobody seemed to know what it meant so I've started wearing two lanyards, the sunflower one and a red one with MASK EXEMPT written all over it in huge capitals! Sadly people still either don't notice it or if they do, comment anyway.

Funnily enough it doesn't happen at all when DH (who wears a mask) is with me!

To be honest if I see somebody without a mask I assume they are exempt from wearing one and don’t take much notice.

My area's in lockdown but in some parts people aren't wearing masks still. In one shop only 5 out of 20 wore masks and nobody says anything.

have you got one of those sunflower lanyard things?

I am not sure what this sunflower lanyard thing is. It is for those with hidden disabilities such as learning difficulties or autism to indicate that they may need extra help or extra time to process information or may find certain situations difficult. They are not meant to show that you are mask exempt. I am aware there may be an overlap between a hidden disability and not being able to wear a mask but it seems to be the standard suggested solution to show that you cannot wear a mask - whether you have a hidden disability which means you need extra help or not.

To be honest if I see somebody without a mask I assume they are exempt from wearing one and don’t take much notice.

This!

I’m in a local lockdown area. So many people don’t wear masks I don’t think you’ve anything to be worried about. The number I see wearing them is going down every week. I work in a premises people are required to wear one and even today 3 people looked shocked to see signs mentioning them, as though it was something new

It has been used to show you are mask exempt too as there aren't many other ways to show outwardly that you can't wear one. The use has been adapted. The majority of people are wearing a mask where i am (Scotland)

@Southernsoftie76

To be honest if I see somebody without a mask I assume they are exempt from wearing one and don’t take much notice.

I wish everyone was like you!

Thank you on behalf of mask exempt everywhere

I don’t would steer well clear if a non mask wearer more so than someone in a mask - exemption or not - for my own safety. I wouldn’t be rude or say anything though - don’t really care once they don’t come too close to me

@dairyfairies

have you got one of those sunflower lanyard things?

I am not sure what this sunflower lanyard thing is. It is for those with hidden disabilities such as learning difficulties or autism to indicate that they may need extra help or extra time to process information or may find certain situations difficult. They are not meant to show that you are mask exempt. I am aware there may be an overlap between a hidden disability and not being able to wear a mask but it seems to be the standard suggested solution to show that you cannot wear a mask - whether you have a hidden disability which means you need extra help or not.

They've now been rolled out to cover the mask exempt. I bought mine from the Hidden Disabilities website, and it states 'mask exempt'. My GP told me about it, I'd never heard of it before.

They've now been rolled out to cover the mask exempt.

Not really:
hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/what-is-a-hidden-disability

@Heyahun

I don’t would steer well clear if a non mask wearer more so than someone in a mask - exemption or not - for my own safety. I wouldn’t be rude or say anything though - don’t really care once they don’t come too close to me

Absolutely fair enough - I make sure to keep as far away from others myself. I understand people might be wary. It's the threats and abuse I hate, not people just taking extra care.