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Covid

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Original poster

If you are exempt have you been confronted for not wearing a face mask?

21 replies

Givemeabreak88 · 21/09/2020 09:40

Has a member of the public confronted you for not wearing a mask? I was on the bus yesterday I am exempt I was with my children and a man got on and started on me for not wearing a mask, he wouldn’t stop even when I told him I’m exempt, he was scaring my children but he didn’t care , the worst part was there was two men on the bus not wearing face masks but he only started on me.

OP posts:

movingonup20 · 21/09/2020 10:03

I've spoken to people not wearing masks, young people (I'm sure there not an epidemic of copd in 20 year olds!) but also the guy with the Brompton , if he's breathing is good enough for cycling he can manage a mask rather than heavy breathing less than a metre from me, insists on sitting on aisle rather than against window which annoys me more

ChaChaCha2012 · 21/09/2020 10:05

@movingonup20 You do realise that mask exemptions apply to many people without breathing difficulties? What an ignorant soul you are.

NNCD · 21/09/2020 10:06

DM doesn’t wear them - PTSD - GP surgery had a go at her funnily enough and a couple of relatives but strangers, no . She’s avoiding going out though just in case .

ChaChaCha2012 · 21/09/2020 10:08

I'm really sorry this happened to you @Givemeabreak88. I don't have the problem because I keep my headphones in, but there are plenty of ignorant people out there so don't doubt that it does happen.

Original poster

Givemeabreak88 · 21/09/2020 10:15

Thanks for the comments, I honestly would never go out or get a bus ever again if I had the choice but unfortunately if I don’t take my children to school I will get fined (I am not in a position to home school) he sat right opposite me and glared at me and made nasty comments for the whole journey, I felt very intimidated, it is one thing asking someone then stopping when they say they are exempt (which I still don’t agree with anyway) but he wouldn’t stop passing comments on me and my children. The bus was relatively empty so there was really no need for him to sit right next to us, his only intention was to target me as like I said he didn’t say a single word to the two men not wearing a mask.

OP posts:

redlockscelt · 21/09/2020 10:16

No thankfully not.

peachescariad · 21/09/2020 10:35

Why didn't you ask him why he wasn't directing his comments at the 2 guys also not wearing masks?

Original poster

Givemeabreak88 · 21/09/2020 10:46

I did but he said because you have children? Not sure what his point was on that one.

OP posts:

jillandhersprite · 21/09/2020 10:50

I'm afraid you're going to need a thicker skin on this one - its because people will confront only others they percieve as 'weaker' and that they feel they can 'win' the verbal tussle with.
My husband doesn't wear a mask - he's never been confronted - something to do with being male, tall and stocky...

Original poster

Givemeabreak88 · 21/09/2020 10:54

jillandhersprite Very true, I find generally I appear an easy target as I’m a woman (single parent) with 4 children so it seems easy to start on.

OP posts:

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 13:57

More times than I can count. I've been hissed at, tutted at, told I have 'stinking disease breath' by a man who felt the need to thrust his face into mine to do so (obviously terrified of my stinking disease breath), called a filthy pig, glared at...

Funnily enough it's usually men who do it and when I'm with DH I get very little bother at all.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 13:59

@movingonup20 your ignorance is breathtaking. Respiratory conditions are only one reason somebody may be exempt. Neurological conditions, PTSD, sensory issues, skin conditions and hundreds of other conditions besides render people exempt.

Would it hurt to show a little understanding?

RedRumTheHorse · 21/09/2020 14:00

@movingonup20 how did you know he didn't have PTSD or another mental health condition that prevents him from wearing a mask?

DominaShantotto · 21/09/2020 14:01

Yep. We went through a spate of people threatening to photograph and shame on social media around here. If I need to go to the shops I make sure the voice record app on my watch is open so if anyone harasses me loud enough to hear (it's usually hissing and tutting) I can grab a recording so I've got a record of the abuse - it makes me feel a bit more secure.

I try not to go out much anymore though. When I need to return to the odd university session - the university have been very very very clear that they will be dealing with people who can't wear masks being harassed in the same manner they'd deal with any kind of discriminatory abuse which reassures me somewhat (but I'll still have to get there and get through the city to the campus)

And yes I get the harassment when I'm on my own - when I'm with my tall, well built husband - not a peep. Funny that.

fantasmasgoria1 · 21/09/2020 14:05

No but I have the lanyard and card. The assistant in the pharmacy asked me where I got it from and I told her. She was very polite and asked me why I wore mine. Out of curiosity not because she was challenging me. We had a chat about it and she thanked me for raising her awareness of different reasons why people have a lanyard. No one has challenged me at all.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 14:06

On another mask thread a poster had been filmed by a man walking through a shopping centre because she wasn't wearing a mask. When he'd finished filming her he started filming someone else. Presumably to share on social media.

My local police force have said to report any harassment because they treat it as a hate crime. As they should - being abused for having a health condition/disability is precisely that.

PhilCornwall1 · 21/09/2020 14:06

@movingonup20

I'm perfectly capable of riding a bike, but there is no way I can wear a mask. It's not just breathing difficulties that stop people wearing them!

To answer your question OP, yes I've been confronted quite a few times and been called everything from a cunt to scum. The last occurrence almost ended up in a fight as I got pretty angry with him. Whilst I could have floored the bloke, I'd have ended up in a whole load of trouble and it's not what I want or need.

I just don't go anywhere near shops now.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 14:08

I only go to the shops I need to go to now. Unfortunately I also have RA and don't drive so need to use public transport to get anywhere, and the abuse on buses is just as awful. The drivers are lovely though and always stand up for me.

PhilCornwall1 · 21/09/2020 14:09

No but I have the lanyard and card.

I do too, it's made no difference.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 14:09

@PhilCornwall1

No but I have the lanyard and card.

I do too, it's made no difference.

Snap! Not a jot of difference.

anguauberwaldironfoundersson · 21/09/2020 14:14

I've not experienced it but I wear a mask. However I don't question other people or judge them for not wearing one.

I have a few Facebook friends who are unable to wear a mask and who were posting long statuses about how ignorant and rude people are to those who are unable to wear masks, complete with long lists detailing those that may not be able to wear one. Those same people are now posting about how they saw ten people in Morrisons not wearing masks and they can't all be exempt...

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