Buying lanyards when not required

[Family1st2020]

Today I saw a friend and the mask wearing conversation came up. She said how she hates them and makes her sweaty and she would have to wear a lot for the activities she does with her dcs, soft play etc
She then said she's purchased a lanyard on ebay to stop people asking why she won't wear one.
I said oh I didn't know you were exempt too ( I am which she knows) she replied. I'm not. But if I can buy a lanyard why not saves having to wear them shitty things!

I felt really angered but I know if I was to say anything it would fall in deaf ears.

Fwiw I am exempt as i have panic attacks wearing one. Due to an ex repeatedly suffocating me with his hand across my mouth. However I can sometimes bear one for very short periods if I'm in an OK mindest and I do always try. ( in case anyone asks),

@Mistigri

The whole exemption thing is just an invitation not to wear one if you don't fancy it.

In most other European countries where masks are mandated, they have to be worn by everyone.

Which countries don't have any exemptions?

Everywhere I've seen the regulations for (I haven't looked at everywhere obviosly) has exemptions, although some require evidence from a doctor.

I think the problem in western country is that a lot of people have negative view for the mask wearing.

I grew up in the country that wear a mask regularly to prevent spread of virus, as well as protecting yourself, from childhood. My nephew who has asthma worn masks regularly, to protect himself from getting virus, also the mask made the breathing easier, since it keeps moisture inside your throat and nose, making breathing easier during dry winter.
There were article by government about people with autism and other sn, should also encouraged to wear a mask few months ago. I couldn't find it, but will c&P if I could. The stance about wearing a mask is so different in other countries.

I choose to live in UK, so appreciate British/English mentality. But I do think it is very damaging in the situation like this, when I see so many people defy following the rules without real reason, just because it's uncomfortable.

"There were article by government about people with autism and other sn, should also encouraged to wear a mask few months ago."

There are levels of sn. 'Encouragement' doesn't cut it with someone with the understanding of a 1 year old who reacts violently to sensory difficulties.

@Gwenhwyfar

"I find it very hard to believe that nobody in Belgium has trigeminal neuralgia, sensory issues, trauma from rape or any of the myriad other conditions which make mask wearing impossible."

I didn't say that though, did I? I said exemptions are not really 'a thing' here as they are in the UK.

"Perhaps at least some of the people you see without masks are unable to wear them rather than simply won't?"

Nope. They all have them somewhere convenient ready to put on for in case a police officer is nearby.

So if those things exist in Belgium, it follows that there must be people who can't wear masks.

And you're doing what many people here in the UK are doing - assuming that everyone you see without one is just a mask refuser. How do you know they have them to hand? Have you asked them all?

This sort of attitude is a huge disservice to those, like the posters on this thread, who genuinely can't. It makes a mockery of the whole initiative.
The fact the lanyard system has been abused by so many shows really what those same people think about mental health issues. Would they also try and get themselves a blue badge for easier parking? They wouldn't. Because they acknowledge physical disability exists because they can see it. But for people like this, there's the unpleasant undertone that invisible disability doesn't.

@Mistigri

The whole exemption thing is just an invitation not to wear one if you don't fancy it.

In most other European countries where masks are mandated, they have to be worn by everyone.

Apart from the fact that that's not true (most European countries have some form of exemption system in place), not having protections for those with disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, etc is not something to celebrate. I wouldn't want to live in a country where people who have bee raped are forced to relive their attack just to get to work.

@LivingMyBestLifeNOT

I do not understand this. I noticed in a FB photo the other week my auntie had a sunflower lanyard and I questioned it. she has COPD so is exempt. Surely if you have breathing issues you would wear one..... I also saw 3 families in Aldi the other day without face masks and the parent had a lanyard. One parent had 5 kids that I counted, I felt very confused...

You don't have to wear a lanyard if you don't want to. They're not compulsory. In my experience they don't make much difference anyway, people are still abusive.

In my experience they don't make much difference anyway, people are still abusive.

They don't. The gobshites still kick off.

Firstly there was a case in a hotel that spread and the only member of staff who caught it was wearing a face shield and those wearing a mask in the same room did not .

The link about room spread and mask wearing and ventilation posted on another thread was very informative .

To the one person who got a cold wearing one . You probably caught it from your hands or you were not wearing your mask correctly or it was not a good quality but of course you know better.

All we are doing at any time is trying to reduce risk that’s all we can do . This is very contagious.

I agree if you are high risk you would want to wear one? It does offer a small amount of protection to you as well as others .

@yawnsvillex

Masks don't work. I've never been so ill since wearing one, constant bastard cold. So now I don't wear one as it makes me sick. Is that good enough or do you want proof?

Bloody hell, someone tell Chris Whitty 🙄

@OpheIiaBaIls

No one is saying that they were talking about people who don’t have a reason for exemption.

Apart from the fact that that's not true (most European countries have some form of exemption system in place), not having protections for those with disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, etc is not something to celebrate

Some form of exemption yes (typically for younger kids and for people with severe disabilities) but not for people with asthma etc who with very few exceptions can and should wear masks.

[quote Unsure33]@OpheIiaBaIls

No one is saying that they were talking about people who don’t have a reason for exemption.[/quote]
There are lots of posts on this thread (and others like it) suggesting that there are too many exemptions, others countries don't have them, even those with genuine reasons for being exempt could wear a mask if they tried, etc.

@Unsure33

I agree if you are high risk you would want to wear one? It does offer a small amount of protection to you as well as others .

Not all people who can't wear a mask are high risk.

Even if they are, it's not a case of 'not wanting' to wear one. It's a case of can't wear one. I'd love to wear a mask, but I can't.

@Mistigri

Apart from the fact that that's not true (most European countries have some form of exemption system in place), not having protections for those with disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, etc is not something to celebrate

Some form of exemption yes (typically for younger kids and for people with severe disabilities) but not for people with asthma etc who with very few exceptions can and should wear masks.

How do you define 'severe disabilities'? Someone with, say, Trigeminal Neuralgia isn't severely disabled but absolutely can't wear a mask. Ditto autism, PTSD and so on.

Some EU countries such as Belgium are getting some form of exempt letter/card from their GP.
The downside to getting it from the GP in the UK is that some aren't that sympathetic. Just look at how many females suffer with their periods because they are dismissed by the gp.

Should a rape victim have to go through trying to justify themselves to their gp to get an exempt card?

The downside to getting it from the GP in the UK is that some aren't that sympathetic.

You tried getting into a surgery lately? You've got more chance escaping from prison!!

Some EU countries such as Belgium are getting some form of exempt letter/card from their GP

If a bright green and yellow lanyard doesn't stop idiots abusing the exempt, a discreetly carrier letter or card that nobody can see isn't going to help!

And no, I wouldn't show Bill on the 32 bus a card. It's none of Bill's business. I'd show a police officer or other official but anyone else can jog on.

I have Phil, my gp has been telling me since March they need to see me.

I was going to say something in that post about lack of appointments, but though it would lead to numerous posts saying this is not true

@canigooutyet

I have Phil, my gp has been telling me since March they need to see me.

I was going to say something in that post about lack of appointments, but though it would lead to numerous posts saying this is not true

Oh I agree Ophelia.
When I'm out and see someone unofficial coming towards me, my fuck off glare steers them away.

One store with someone on the door telling people to wear masks, before he had a chance I socially distanced and asked him where I could find something, and walked passed him before he had the chance to mention the mask.

@NailsNeedDoing

I can’t be too bothered about people doing this tbh, I think it’s right that people make their own choices about wearing masks or not. It’s sad that the sunflower lanyard scheme, which had the potential to become more widely known and helpful to people with hidden disabilities, has become hijacked by Covid mask wearing.

This. It hacks me off. If no proof is required why buy them?

When my mobility is bad and my joints awful I appreciate the extra time and help I get from wearing one. Now, people will thunk it's covid and ignore.

I use a sunflower lanyard for mu daughter who has autism , i think its disgusting that people r abusing the system before covid it was really helping with changing people views on hidden disabilities if i meet anyone who said they were not exempted but abused system i would have to give them a piece of my mind 🤬😡