I agree it is not a major sacrifice, but you are asking for something that does not exist. No one in the NHS is issuing proof of medical exemptions. The U.K. Government has also legislated that asking for any such proof is illegal.
Secondly, shop staff are in a difficult position because they are being asked to enforce the unenforceable. All visible signs- card, lanyard, etc are meaningless because both genuine and fake mask exempt use them. In addition it is illegal for them to ask for any medical documents as proof of medical exemption because these documents do not exist.
So it’s not that people with genuine exemptions don’t think they should have to indicate they are exempt, it is because simply there is no way in existence to do that. Every way available to them is wide open for appropriation and abuse by fakers, and so utterly useless. It becomes performative nonsense and so I do not blame mask exempt for choosing not to wear a meaningless lanyard or wave a card anyone can download and print off the internet.
The blame really lies with the U.K. government on this. They created this situation where genuine from faker cannot be determined by appearances and the very act of asking for proof is illegal. They set up this impossible situation. Not the mask exempt. And the mask exempt are not responsible, as others have suggested, for tackling the fakers and stopping them.
Yes, no such proof exists, and about shop staff being in a difficult position due to legislation saying shops have to "Take reasonable steps to ensure compliance" but that asking for proof is not allowed. That's akin to saying you must not sell alcohol to someone under 18, but must not ask for ID.
I was told on another thread that asking for proof is not allowed because it's discrimination, I honestly don't see how this is the case (I'm not trying to be goady here) when something is mandatory to happen, and in law those responsible for the premises (managers or owners etc) are told to take reasonable steps to ensure mask compliance, yet have no way of ensuring it, the main way outlawed.
I realise of course that that is the fault of the legislators and no one else, but, having followed discussions like this before it has seemed to me that people who are genuinely exempt, don't want anything official either. That baffles me and I can see how it's leading to frustration, I agree at the moment, there's nothing to show, but many are against the idea, when it's likely to be the most effective way to stop people claiming exemptions where there are none, and stopping people challenging anyone and everyone not wearing a mask in an area it's required because they'd know that they're exempt, and if they do, well my vote would go to out on yer arse mate.
The whole reason that people are worried/annoyed is because they know that no proof can be asked for, and people are using that to just carry on.
I know that the NHS is under huge strain, I know that very well, but a proof system could have been set up at the start (not to mention wearing them sooner) and administered by government, some of the wasted money on test and trace which is bloody useless could have been diverted.
I do wonder if the government didn't think that enough people to make a difference would use exemptions as an excuse to not wear a mask when they can, and seriously overestimated people's morals in general, thinking that very few people would take advantage of this because (at least to me) it's a low move, because of the impact on those at risk and the impact of those genuinely exempt.
I don't think the answer though is just for anyone wanting a safe as possible work environment, or that is genuinely concerned about it, just shut up and put up. Or for the exempt to do that either. Look how that ended with teachers and schools.
I don't think mask exempt are responsible for tackling and catching fakers, but I do think they have an essential role to play if proof is brought in, and actually in adding their weight to the argument for that proof to become a thing. It benefits them too, because they're less likely (not impossible I get that, every village has an idiot and all that) to be challenged, and also less likely to be infected because there'll be less people without masks, having weeded out the fakers at the door.
And another question, again not trying to be goady, does anyone know what happens with HCPs that are exempt? I am in dementia care and honestly I've not come across, nor seen anywhere about carers, HCPs etc being exempt and either carrying on with their job, or being furloughed or anything. Nor has my friend in ICU or a paramedic family member. I realise that's a minute survey, but if conditions that need a mask exemption are so prevalent in society as it's appearing to be, surely it stands to reason the NHS, police, social care etc will have a proportion within their ranks?
Everyone I ask in those professions just says they don't know as they haven't come across it.