✊Support thread for people who are exempt from wearing masks 😷

[ExemptFromMasksSupporter]

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.

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

Utterly disgusted by the poster above saying PTSD sufferers are selfish for not wearing one

This is NOT a mainstream view for anyone reading this and feeling upset.

This is a disgusting thing to say.

I’m not exempt from wearing masks and I fully support anyone who is. It’s none of my business.

Yes. I agree I can wear one but if you can't please don't think every one thinks your selfish. I can only imagine what ptsd is like.

I see the usual suspects are piling on to give everyone the benefit of their wisdom. They need to fuck off and start their own mask appreciation thread where they can share how virtuous they are.
If you can’t wear a mask then that is perfectly fine and it is absolutely nobody else’s business.

@ACautionaryTale - I am so sorry to hear of the awful abuse you suffered. I am so glad you had the strength to leave. I hope you are now starting the process of recovering with the support you need.

@Spikeyball

"Sorry no time for non mask wearing."

I've no time for those who make uneducated comments.

I agree with you Spikeyball.

Thank you to everyone who has given their support to mask exempt people and have shared their experiences.

Another plea to the mask exempt haters - Please stop posting on here with your nastiness. There are so many other threads where you can find like minded ignorance, no need to post on here.

"Also, this problem just does not seem to exist in many countries (or even many areas of this country). And how have doctors and nurses coped?

The only exemptions should be able to produce a certificate from their GP to that effect, not self declare."

Usual thick shite being spouted I see. I could go through it and explain again but I can't be arsed.

I’m not a mask exempt hater but I just wouldn’t enter a public enclosed space if your health condition is that bad with cases again on the rise I’d find another alternative . I blame the government on not being strict enough far to many people taking the guidance as being well if I find it uncomfortable I don’t have to wear one . Again in most countries you can not step outside with out wearing one . I’m just abit confused how they manage I’m sure like us they have copd , asthma. People just waltzing around supermarkets no attempt with a thin scarf or sip coat right up . You not wearing one is putting me and many others at risk . I bet many who class themselves exempt would manage if they had to attend a hospital appointment .

@Sallydimebar - The countries where you can’t step outside without wearing a mask often have little to no human rights or democracy. I hope you agree that is abhorrent.
As for people who need hospital treatment managing to wear a mask if they have to......Er mask exemptions apply there to you know just the same as everywhere else.

I would politely suggest your views do not fit with a thread which is intended to support people with mask exemptions. As I’ve said many times there are loads of other threads where wilful ignorance seems to be welcomed on this subject.

This isn't a thread for me, as I'm not exempt and wear a face cover where I have to, and I appreciate you want to keep it as a support thread. So I'll just post and run.

But I just wanted to say to all of you who have experienced abuse for not being able to wear a face cover/mask. I absolutely hate the country of judgemental superior ableist people we have become, and how it seems "justifiable" if not our social duty to "call out" anyone not wearing a mask, to assume they are taking the piss. That's bollocks. Some of your stories are heartbreaking. So kudos on OP for thinking to start the thread...

My pet hate is where people say "oh, well no one has exemptions in other countries and everyone just gets on and wears masks, its just the UK that are such snowflakes". No, in other countries if there are no exemptions, people that can't, can't go out. That's why you don't see them. That's not the kind of country that I want to live in, frankly. I quite like living in a country that recognises that people who can't do a certain thing of uncertain and likely marginal effectiveness still have a right to go out and live their lives. Of course we all may as a result have to take extra care to keep distance from others and so on (as masks do tend to make everyone less aware of that) but that should be something we are willing to do to live in a more inclusive society. Rant over.

@NotAnActualSheep - Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I too am not exempt but I started the thread because I have been disgusted by the abuse directed at mask exempt people.

Oh, and using a scarf or a snood or a zipped coat, as long as it covers your mouth and nose, is entirely in accordance with the letter and spirit of the guidance and regulations (except in Wales, possibly where it does have to be three layers). It doesn't make you any better if you have a medical grade mask (other than maybe signifying that you are more important than others by taking ppe away from NHS workers) or a disposable surgical one (because plastic waste somehow doesn't matter any more) or a bespoke one crafted out of your clan tartan. It just needs to be something, (usually made of fabric, and ideally fitting closely to your face) that covers your mouth and nose, if you are fortunate enough to be able to do that. A "face covering", not specifically a mask.

[quote ExemptFromMasksSupporter]@NotAnActualSheep - Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I too am not exempt but I started the thread because I have been disgusted by the abuse directed at mask exempt people.[/quote]
Sorry, yes I realised that! You're still a though, and it is a good idea...

Morning, all,

Just hopping on to remind everyone that this is a support thread for people who are exempt from wearing masks (as was clearly stated in the title).

We've already deleted a number of posts which we felt were disablist and/or inflammatory or just not in the spirit of a support thread.

There are a gazillion other threads where people are welcome to share their views on this issue, so it would be really good if this one thread could be a supportive space for those who are exempt. Thank you.

No it's not the place to "rant your views" given that the people exempt from masks are absolutely not showing an "i'm all right jack" attitude.

"Again in most countries you can not step outside with out wearing one ."

Not true.

@VirginiaWolverine

I won't wear a lanyard as I feel that makes me stand out more

It's obviously up to you, and as your exemption is for mental health reasons, your perception of things is pretty much the most important thing, but I work in a shop and the people without a mask or lanyard are really noticeable.

When someone comes in with no mask and a lanyard, I just smile at them and welcome them into the shop, and treat them like any other customer . If they don't have a lanyard, I remind them that are required to wear a mask in the shop and ask them if they are exempt.

When they approach the tills, the member of staff there would also remind the customer that masks need to be worn unless you are exempt, because some people take off their mask once they enter the shop. They would also remind the nose-revealers to pull their masks back up.

So

Thank you for being considerate of those of us who wear a lanyard.

Can I just politely point something out though? I actually could wear a mask if it was acceptable to keep my nose out of the mask. That would be enough for my respiratory system. No, it's absolutely not how you're supposed to wear a mask, but surely covering just my mouth is better than neither?? However I don't do this, as I'm immediately branded a 'nose reveller' as you call it
I realise some people do this out of selfishness/ignorance, but I just wanted to explain this as it may be the case for some 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Spikeyball

"Again in most countries you can not step outside with out wearing one ."

Not true.

It is actually. Some parts of the US require a mask at ALL times when outside of the boundaries of your property

It is actually. Some parts of the US require a mask at ALL times when outside of the boundaries of your property

That’s not exactly “most countries”.

"Some parts of the US require a mask at ALL times when outside of the boundaries of your property"

So some parts of one country is " most countries".

@PurpleDaisies you do have to wonder about how some people manage to confuse some parts of 1 country with most countries don't you.
I hope those who can't wear a mask again strength from the supportive comments on here. I can wear a mask but my dad can't and neither can my FIL. Frankly I'd deck anyone who gave my frail old dad grief.

It is almost unbelievable @countrygirl99

It’s like saying most countries in the world speak Welsh because they do in Wales.

Thank you OP

I can't wear a mask - but according to some people on some threads I'm lying because my exemption is due to having asthma. Just because they know people with asthma who can wear a mask, it doesn't mean everyone with asthma is the same. The fact that patients are individuals and don't always present in the text-book defined way was one of the first things I ever learnt at medical school and it was whilst at medical school that I found out that I cannot wear a mask. It wasn't too bad at first, just made me a bit wheezy. Then I started getting a pain in my chest, started getting breathless and, by the time I'd graduated and was a junior doctor, wearing one was causing an asthma attack. That put paid to my hopes of a career as a surgeon and I had to change direction completely.

One asthma attack was so bad I was in ICU where I also found I couldn't even wear an oxygen mask - had to have it delivered through nasal tubes instead.

I don't want to not be able to wear a mask. It has limited my life since July to the extent where I'm rarely leaving the house due to the abuse I've encountered on the rare occasions I've tried. Intersestingly my elderly father also can't wear a mask but has never been challenged. I've been out to the pub a few times, but always phone ahead and explain that I'm exempt from wearing a mask. I also carry a card I've downloaded from the Asthma UK website and I'm ok with telling people that it's because I'm asthmatic.

I hope that the knobs stay away from this thread and this doesn't become yet another one that I and many other exempt people, have to hide.

to you all

I think part of the issue is the fact that people don't seem to think they need to social distance with masks.

I have ptsd and have managed to desensentise enough to make it around the supermarket (most of the time) but I really wouldn't recommend trying that. I'll probably have the physical scars from the process for life. Even then it's not guaranteed as I had an "incident" in a supermarket on Sunday when the mask became "his hand" and I lost all sense of where I was/what I was doing. It was terrifying so dh is back on shopping duty and my mental health is screwed at a time when there is no useful support.

for everyone struggling atm.

I'm glad to see someone starting a thread like this it is needed. People who berate others in public making them feel they should reveal their personal medical conditions to complete strangers are the absolutely disgraceful. How are we supposed to encourage future generations to be part of an inclusive and tolerant society with this ridiculousness going on is beyond me. Bullying of people who are mask exempt should be taken seriously and treated as such. I am not mask exempt but I work with people that are and I know what effect this is having on people's confidence and independence.