Face covering

[chelshodds]

Hi all. Maybe I'm being ignorant, but I don't understand how some people are exempt from wearing a mask?! If its down to a respiratory condition, I would imagine you will need to try and avoid going out as much as possible as catching covid could be more dangerous to you? (although it's been proven wearing a mask does not reduce your oxygen) If its more psychological reasons, are there not alternatives? For example face Sheild or chin Sheild?! I think there is a bigger problem that we should all be doing what we can. I work in a clothing department of a supermarket and I see people who are "exempt" just browsing clothes, picking up everything and potentially spreading germs that I could then take home to my young family!!

There’s so many posts on this with similar ignores my views; please take a read and educate yourself

I don't really have time to sit on MN all day. Thanks

I work in a clothing department of a supermarket and I see people who are "exempt" just browsing clothes, picking up everything and potentially spreading germs that I could then take home to my young family!! Wearing a mask does not stop someone spreading germs by picking things up.

"Hi all. Maybe I'm being ignorant, but I don't understand how some people are exempt from wearing a mask?!"

Yes you are ignorant. Just switch your brain on and think how severely disabled some people can be. It's not difficult.

There's ab article on the BBC this morning about some of the reasons people can be exempt. Feel free to go and educate yourself a little.

I suppose if you are the sort of person that thinks everyone could walk or talk if they tried hard enough then you are never going to accept exemptions.

1. shields don't work in the way that masks do (protect the user against splatter, not protect everyone against your exhalation NHS). Because of this lack of utility, they are banned in Scotland unless a mask is also worn. To avoid false sense of security

b) people who cannot mitigate the risk they pose (by wearing a mask) need to stay a minimum of 2m from people.

I don't want those in masks ( and I wear one) closer than 2m either.

Maybe I'm being ignorant

Yes, you are. Hope that's clarified things for you.

Oh god, hasn't this already been done to death?

I don't really have time to sit on MN all day. Thanks

Lol too stupid to comprehend there might be myriad reasons why someone might not be able to wear a mask, too lazy to find out what they are.

I don't really have time to sit on MN all day. Thanks

So you expect others to repeat what’s been said 100 times because you haven’t got time/can’t be bothered to do some research?

Ffs here we go again...

If you don’t have time to look at the many other threads that have been done on this already then Obviously you haven’t got time to start a thread and read the replies either!

Yes you are being ignorant...hope that helps.

It really wouldn't take you long to comb through a few of the mask threads on here, of which there are dozens and dozens, to see what has already been said on this subject.

The official exemptions are listed on the government website anyway, so you could try looking them up.

My Dad cannot wear a mask. He has severe COPD (so his breathing is severely compromised) and heart failure. Surely the reasons why he may not be wearing a mask need no further explanation than that.

Oh fuck off. Seriously??
No words..

It would have been just as quick to read one of the 100 other mask threads than start a new one and wait for replies.
But better fun stirring the pot against non mask wearers again eh?
There are 101 reasons why people can't wear a mask. None of them are actually any of your business.

Did you not think you susceptible to germs pre-Covid???

@chelshodds

I don't really have time to sit on MN all day. Thanks

It would actually quicker to read one of the million threads that are already on here if your that pushed for time love.

Go educate yourself lazy git!

You clearly have plenty of time to sit on MN all day

Yes you are being ignorant. There you go question answered.

There are (probably) 100s of different reasons why people can't wear masks. I cant because I have sensory processing disorder as part of my autism and after 5min (total throughout the day) I'm stimming so badly I'm hitting myself in the face. However I am NOT at high risk from covid and refuse to completely shut myself away anymore than I do because of the autism.

I also do my best to distance, unlike many of the people wearing masks who constantly get in my space

OP, look up Trigeminal Neuralgia (The Suicide Disease), that stops me wearing one, oh and a shield too.

My respiratory system is just peachy thanks.

Oh and as for ignorant? You are either that or just being an idiot.

I'm asthmatic. It's not the reduction in oxygen that's an issue it's the inhaling damp air and your breath makes a mask wet within a couple of minutes. The resulting asthma attack can (and has) hospitalise me. Without being exposed to a trigger I'm very healthy, regularly run 10km, lift weights, hike for miles kind of healthy.

Oh and I've been socially distancing since before it was a thing. It helps me avoid those with arsehollery, which I find to be far more vicious than any virus.

children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)

people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress

if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate

to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity

police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public

Five main exemptions that cover thousands of reasons for actual people.

Took 30 seconds to find online

Not every exemption is about breathing difficulties or mental trauma. I have severe trigeminal neuralgia (agonising facial nerve pain nicknamed the suicide disease) caused by a tumor and a scar from a related surgery directly behind my right ear all the way from the bottom of my neck to the top of my scalp which cannot have any pressure on for any period of time. This excludes any type of visor. Any pressure (even a gust of wind on my worst days!) can cause me to not only fit, wet myself but results in me being in agony for days if not weeks, being unable to look after my son properly, eat or even open my eyes in the worst case scenario, even with pain medication. I had to quit my job, I wanted to kill myself at 20 wondering if I was going to suffer so badly for the rest of my life. No, it's not as simple as 'just put one on for 5 minutes'. Just because you don't understand - and I'm so glad you don't have to! - doesn't mean there aren't genuine exemptions.