Hi everyone,
How about a support thread for people who are exempt from wearing masks/face coverings for whatever reason?
I am not exempt and I am able to wear a mask when required so I am lucky in that respect because I do not have to endure the abuse that some people who cannot wear a mask are enduring.
I have seen two threads today (I’m sure there are tons of others) where the OP’s are being lambasted for not being able to wear a mask.
On one thread the OP has a lung condition which causes her to cough sometimes and she wears a mask until it becomes unbearable and needs an inhaler. The OP is clearly exempt but is fed up with the comments she receives when she doesn’t try and wear a mask.
On another thread the OP has both asthma and has experienced horrific sexual abuse resulting in PTSD. Therefore she cannot cover her face in any way with anything (mask, visor, scarf, etc) because it is understandably triggering. Or should I say most reasonable people would find it understandable. The OP has a hidden exemption and is often a target because of this.
Yes, mask exempt people could decorate themselves with lanyards and signs or even go a step further and have a t-shirt made listing their full medical history. But why should they have to? Why can’t they be given the benefit of the doubt?
Where is the compassion in some people? Why can’t some people just accept that we are not all the same and have different experiences in life?
What one person can cope with another might not be able to, I thought that was just common sense.
In my mind it is quite simple, nobody has the right to verbally or physically abuse someone because they are not wearing a mask. Bullying is generally classed as unacceptable in most places, why is mask exemption met with such hostility by some people? I just don’t understand it.
The examples of bullying I have heard of tends to be towards people on their own that don’t look like a threat and not so much towards burly looking people who seem like they could handle themselves in a fight. Just saying.
Can’t we just be kind to each other, if we can’t be kind can’t we just have a little bit of tolerance and if neither of those are possible why not just say nothing and move on? Why the tuts and why the nasty comments by some people?
We are all living through such stressful times, this pandemic doesn’t have to be made any worse.
Well done if you have reached the end of my ramblings. Thank you for reading and stay safe and well everyone.