How to prove exemptions?

[Givemeabreak88]

Does anyone know how you can prove that you are exempt from wearing a face mask if drs are refusing to give letters? A lot of the shops are now refusing entry unless you are wearing one. I try to shop mostly online but sometimes not always possible.

I am saying I would feel embarrassed not to be a) trying to find some kind of face covering I could tolerate or b) staying home as far as possible while there is a pandemic still out of control to try to do my bit to keep staff safe. Make of it what you will. You've been pretty belligerent throughout this thread so its hardly worth debating with you.
I would be interested in someone explaining where "it just makes me feel a bit hot and uncomfy" fits into the exemption criteria. I can't find it..

What problems are people having with a regular supermarket delivery that requires them to go shopping without a mask?

My online shop turned up yesterday with literally 1/3 of the items missing - should have been £140, only got £95 worth. Have to buy specialist dairy, soy and egg free items for twins so costs a lot. DH had to go to the supermarket, can’t get what they need at corner shop or nappies in their size (also missing). If he was exempt from wearing a mask he would still have had to do this as I can’t drive.

That’s of course when you can get a slot - we have to shop with Waitrose now as there are never any tesco slots available for delivery, haven’t seen an available one for months. And those who are actually self isolating or ECV need those slots - those who are mask exempt are entitled to shop without a mask, so why should they put pressure on slots when they don’t need to?

My USA state has clear mask wearing policies and signs on all shop doors.
Everyone age 3+ needs to wear a mask in a shop etc.
There are however medical exemptions.

The mask wearing rate is 96%. This is the around the level for most mask mandated states.This suggests that if the UK currently has around that level of mask wearing then only exempt people aren't wearing masks.
If the mask wearing is a lot lower it suggests that it does need more enforcement because others that could wear masks just aren't bothering.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

I am saying I would feel embarrassed not to be a) trying to find some kind of face covering I could tolerate or b) staying home as far as possible while there is a pandemic still out of control to try to do my bit to keep staff safe. Make of it what you will. You've been pretty belligerent throughout this thread so its hardly worth debating with you. I would be interested in someone explaining where "it just makes me feel a bit hot and uncomfy" fits into the exemption criteria. I can't find it..

No one has said they are exempt because masks make them feel hot and uncomfy. But people have said it causes them to have seizures and piss themselves. Or they have flashbacks due to PTSD. People who can not wear a mask would happily swap the reason why they can't wear one with being able to wear one. I know I would... would make my whole life an whole lot easier and pleasant.

When the law about face coverings was brought into force they really should have addressed this issue and it is not acceptable that they did not.

Clearly the only way to prove an exemption is for a GP/specialist to provide certification. This should have been brought in before the second wave and vaccinations meant that GPs were super-busy.

The law has been in force for months, but only this week has the home office decided that it required enforcement

@MerciSeat

The idea is that there should be shopping slots once or twice a week for those who are mask exempt. This will benefit the exempt because there is no need to prove their exemption, explain why or what their reasons are, feel that they are being looked down on or feel harrassed. NOT because they are 'potential disease vectors' although it is true that this is also the case

That's not 'the idea', that's your idea.

I'm not trying to close anything down. I just want to know if you think children without masks should also be limited to shopping with their parents during your maskless hours, given they are potential disease vectors?

As I have already said, if a parent needs to take their children with them when they shop then OBVIOUSLY they should go when their parents go.

It isn't about being 'potential disease vectors'. I actually said that in the post you quoted but apparently did not read in your rush to change the narrative into one that isn't there.

staff really are that dispensable? employers have a duty of care and have looked after retail staff as best they can through this. you seriously think what you suggest is acceptable?

staff will 'only be at added risk for 2 hours a week' oh thats ok then???

Staff are currently at risk ALL THE TIME because of people not wearing masks.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

I am saying I would feel embarrassed not to be a) trying to find some kind of face covering I could tolerate or b) staying home as far as possible while there is a pandemic still out of control to try to do my bit to keep staff safe. Make of it what you will. You've been pretty belligerent throughout this thread so its hardly worth debating with you. I would be interested in someone explaining where "it just makes me feel a bit hot and uncomfy" fits into the exemption criteria. I can't find it..

I've never said being hot and uncomfy is a reason for exemption, though.

And I do stay home as far as possible, just as we all should be doing, exempt or not.

Also, I love the idea that people who are not happy with being called selfish, told they should stay at home because they've no need to be out, told they're not trying hard enough etc all by dint if disability or health condition are 'belligerent'.

I get abuse pretty much every time I go out. So do very, very many people who can't wear masks. On MN we're called selfish whining cunts and told we should expect to be accosted by members of the public and to show them proof of our exemption.

But yes. Better we just be quiet and not say a word, else we're 'belligerent'.

Nearly got a full house here.

I work in a mini supermarket. We ask all customer to wear masks....which we rarely have to ask as everyone seems to be following the rules. If a customer is not wearing a lanyard we ask if they are exempt from masks. We can't ask for proof of exemption. We simply have to believe is customers are saying they are medically exempt that they are telling the truth. We've offered free face masks since last year which helped in customers who wernt exempt in wearing them without too many confrontations.
I work 10 hours a day on the shop floor....wearing a mask for your shop or a visor helps customers and staff feel more safe shopping. Its not alot to ask for. Also please if u go shopping do not lick your fingers to open bags for vegetables or to separate your notes! Its very distressing for the person who serves you . If u are struggling shop assistants will happily help. We spray on our new gloves some anti bac and open bags and separate notes for those who need help. If you can not pack your own bags ask the cashier for help, we will change our gloves or use hand sanitiser for the transaction and change again after for the next customer

"As I have already said, if a parent needs to take their children with them when they shop then OBVIOUSLY they should go when their parents go."

Why are children without masks allowed in shops during hours when other shoppers without masks are not allowed in? Why are you banning some people and not others?

"The idea is that there should be shopping slots once or twice a week for those who are mask exempt. This will benefit the exempt because there is no need to prove their exemption, explain why or what their reasons are, feel that they are being looked down on or feel harrassed. NOT because they are 'potential disease vectors' although it is true that this is also the case"

Oh so you meant as an extra. People who cannot wear masks can choose those hours or the normal ones. Like the autism friendly hours. There was me thinking you were being discrimatory by insisting certain people went at certain hours but still allowing groups you approved of (children) in at all times.

@Underhisi

"The idea is that there should be shopping slots once or twice a week for those who are mask exempt. This will benefit the exempt because there is no need to prove their exemption, explain why or what their reasons are, feel that they are being looked down on or feel harrassed. NOT because they are 'potential disease vectors' although it is true that this is also the case"

Oh so you meant as an extra. People who cannot wear masks can choose those hours or the normal ones. Like the autism friendly hours. There was me thinking you were being discrimatory by insisting certain people went at certain hours but still allowing groups you approved of (children) in at all times.

Nope, no cigar.

You don't get to change what I said into what you claim I meant so that you can call it discrimination.

There is enough of that crap on these threads.

So is it an extra or not?

employers have a duty of care to employees and customers entering stores.....people are picking this virus up in shops. potentially could kill them or leave them with a long term disability (long covid),disability covered in the equality act mentions that this is likely to be a condition covered.

which is of greater importance..protecting people from potential death/disibility or refusing admission with out a mask for a few weeks?

i dont know the answer. its something we were mulling over in the canteen. currently we are at threat from verbal abuse,physical abuse and covid. more and more staff going off with covid and isolation, one off with mental health problems now too. its too much

we all have to work twice as hard to make up the shortfall.....no time to recruit and induct too many new people.

@MerciSeat

Also, I love the idea that people who are not happy with being called selfish, told they should stay at home because they've no need to be out, told they're not trying hard enough etc all by dint if disability or health condition are 'belligerent'.

I get abuse pretty much every time I go out. So do very, very many people who can't wear masks. On MN we're called selfish whining cunts and told we should expect to be accosted by members of the public and to show them proof of our exemption.

But yes. Better we just be quiet and not say a word, else we're 'belligerent'.

yes i've seen the abuse many shoppers are getting. used to intervene but have to look the other way now and leave them to it i'm afraid. on top of the abuse we get daily customers turning on each other is just too much to deal with

DS 9 and I both have PTSD. We rarely go out but if we have to, we remind ourselves how much worse an oxygen mask would be. That and that this is life and death. I couldn't live with myself if someone died because of us.

yes i've seen the abuse many shoppers are getting. used to intervene but have to look the other way now and leave them to it i'm afraid. on top of the abuse we get daily customers turning on each other is just too much to deal with

That is disturbing to read. Please say you at least call security or the police? People are scared and angry... it could easily escalate into something really serious.

no security!! i'm a manager so if i'm called thats all there is. police will only come for assault. i'm not putting myself at risk and our company don't expect us to

usually its over in 5-10m ins, long before they could get there. called them twice during covid but dont bother now its pointless they won't help us enforce

its mainly just arguing anyway. demanding to know why no mask, demanding everyone is further away etc

@Josette77

DS 9 and I both have PTSD. We rarely go out but if we have to, we remind ourselves how much worse an oxygen mask would be. That and that this is life and death. I couldn't live with myself if someone died because of us.

But you must understand if you suffer from PTSD that other simply may not be able to?

And if your son had a neurological disability that meant he didn’t understand what masks are, how would you make him wear one?

This is the point - if you can wear one, you should wear one. If you can’t, you can’t. You can minimise how often you go out where possible but there will be times you have to go somewhere.

Sorry I'm late

Totally shit @MerciSeat hope you're doing okay!

@GetOffYourHighHorse Yes it is, I'd never heard of it before mine started, so I know what you mean but it has taught me to be more considerate in that you won't always see someone's issues. I have the specialists under my neurologist and neurosurgeon yes (thank god the incontinence is only when I fit, can't imagine if it was all the time I'm only 22!) but they don't do exemption letters as the gov have said they don't have to as they're not required, and it's not as if they don't have enough on! I have plenty of letters with the details of my conditions on - doesn't mean I want to share that with every Tom, Dick and Harry I meet, nor do they need to know about it. They just need to know I'm exempt. I do wear the sunflower lanyard on my handbag with a note on stating I am exempt. I don't know about the breathing, I even make my SN son wear one, because he can, even though it's difficult for him, which means he isn't exempt. I really would if I could.

@Xenobitch I would definitely swap the past 5 and next 70+ years of debilitating pain (at the very least) and extremely risky brain surgery every 10 years for wearing a mask if I was able to!

I wonder if everyone saying the disabled and exempt should get a delivery has read the recent tesco thread?!