Technically exempt

[Spanglebangle]

I am so fed up of hearing this phrase. No one is technically exempt from wearing a mask. If you can wear one you are legally required to do so.

Today my sister said proudly "I'm technically exempt from wearing a mask because of my autism but I wear one anyway to protect others"

She got really huffy when I told her that she was not exempt as she is perfectly capable of wearing a mask and was simply following the law like everyone else.

Does anyone else find this inexplicably infuriating?!

MN is well known for being a very sweaty forum.

@JamieLeeCurtains

MN is well known for being a very sweaty forum.

As well as one where the “speech [sic] police” like to hang out.

Damn.
“Speach [sic] police”,

My autocorrect is actually on the ball tonight.

@PurpleDaisies

Damn. “Speach [sic] police”,

My autocorrect is actually on the ball tonight.

Surely you mean 'dam'?

Do you think 'technically exempt' is acceptable?

If they’re wearing a mask, yes. They can say what they like. If someone who is technically exempt can’t wear a mask, that’s fine too.

The term does not bother me in the slightest.

No.
You don't justify your medical conditions with anyone except the doctor.
Imagine being a rape survivor, not able to wear a mask without flashbacks and being asked to explain your reason of exemptions to every Tom, Dick and Harry?!
Nope. Just nope.

And before I get into BIG THREAD TROUBLE from the technically offended, I apologise for my levity but I've had a bastard of a day 'shielding' and being disabled, and my brain has decided to rebel.

@JamieLeeCurtains phew I thought I was getting in over my head!

@PurpleDaisies if they can't wear a mask they are not technically exempt they are actually exempt. If they are wearing a mask they can wear a mask so they are not exempt.

@poshme Im Sorry your dad feels he has to wear a mask even when he is actually exempt.

I am exempt..... I was gang raped whilst tied and bound and in a ball gag in the USA when I was at college on an exchange year. The main perpetrator was my boyfriend. I didn’t report it due to the issues it may have caused with my student visa. All I did was request a move from the coed dorm to the all female one: I dealt with it and am normally well adjusted apart from this.

1. I don’t wear a mask but a lanyard

1. I’ve only been challenged twice and that was by a security guard at Asda. The first time I just said I was exempt - the last time I ignored him and walked on by

1. Yes I do keep a copy of the covid and disability regulations in case I need to deal with the above shite

It doesn’t mean I’m a civil rights activist or some sort of moron - I just know how to have supporting evidence if needed.

If someone asks - I say I’m exempt hence the lanyard.

@Spanglebangle

No it is not. I am in no way sweaty

😂😂😂

@poshme bless him for wearing one. I really hope he shields as much as possible, it must be a scary time for him and your family should he catch it. I know everybody is different and case by case basis but just goes to show if ur dad can wear one majority of people can!
OP I agree, I see people try to come
Into A&E not wearing a mask, thinking they are immune to not catching covid. They say they are exempt but when told there is covid all over A&E they silently put on a mask and sit down.

Should I have to relive the details to every fucker who asks? Even my own mother I haven’t told. My DH does know but for obvious reasons.

I’ve never told another soul. I doubt if I phoned my gp they would take my word as I haven’t been there in five years! It was never an issue!

It is an annoying phrase because it's usually used to minimise somebody else's difficulties.

If you have asthma* and can wear it without aggravating it, great. That doesn't mean that other people with asthma who find the increased humidity is a trigger are malingering.

• insert any other of the commonly cited medical conditions.

The law does not specify specific conditions, just circumstances when it is reasonable to be exempt. If you can wear one safely and without distress/ aggravating a condition then you are not legally exempt.

I might not necessarily agree with you, @Spanglebangle, but obviously you and i have the right to express our differing views and long may that continue in the UK and on MN.

The balancing of rights is very tricky at the moment.

I don't think the UK Government(s), the opposition parties, or the devolved assemblies are covering themselves in glory at the moment over the whole 'self-identiication' model of rights.

@TransplantedScouser

I am exempt..... I was gang raped whilst tied and bound and in a ball gag in the USA when I was at college on an exchange year. The main perpetrator was my boyfriend. I didn’t report it due to the issues it may have caused with my student visa. All I did was request a move from the coed dorm to the all female one: I dealt with it and am normally well adjusted apart from this.

1. I don’t wear a mask but a lanyard

1. I’ve only been challenged twice and that was by a security guard at Asda. The first time I just said I was exempt - the last time I ignored him and walked on by

1. Yes I do keep a copy of the covid and disability regulations in case I need to deal with the above shite

It doesn’t mean I’m a civil rights activist or some sort of moron - I just know how to have supporting evidence if needed.

If someone asks - I say I’m exempt hence the lanyard.

I assume you didn't come across the video of the woman in the Daily Mail today who was "thrown out" of Sainsburys due to her 'exemption' despite her armed with a photocopy of the covid and disabiity regulations.

No I haven’t but I’d love them to try it with me. I have the means and wherewithal to take it as far as needed.

I don't know where people have got the idea that some conditions mean you don't have to wear a mask if you don't feel like it.

Probably the same place where they were told that they could have "special bubbles for Christmas" and decided that meant "free for all".

I know that "severe distress" is a condition of eligibility but frankly, as your sister is wearing a mask anyway, I'd keep quiet in case she changes her mind.

Today my sister said proudly "I'm technically exempt from wearing a mask because of my autism but I wear one anyway to protect others"

She got really huffy when I told her that she was not exempt as she is perfectly capable of wearing a mask and was simply following the law like everyone else.

Perhaps that's how she sees things though, what with being autistic and all. We often see things differently. Of all the things to be pissed off about

OP this irritates me too.

For those asking what's the harm as long as they're wearing a mask. The harm is it perpetuates the myth that asthma or autism etc are automatic mask exempt conditions. They're not.

Lots of people seem to think this and I would hazard a guess that a significant number of non mask wearers are people who could in fact wear a mask but quite genuinely believe themselves to be exempt because of their disability, so don't.

I think there is a cross over

MY DF has throat cancer, has had his thyroid recently removed with thyroid cancer, has had chemo and radio on his throat and neck, and has had multiple operations, has neck/face scaring, fluid build up around his neck and limited saliva. He also has renal cancer at the moment.

He can wear a mask most of the time but finds it very hard (very hard indeed) Some days he can't face it- on those days he doesn't go out.

So my DF may start his visit to the supermarket not being exempt as he can wear a mask but by the frozen food be exempt as he can't?

Yes of course. If he can wear it, he wears it and if he can't he's exempt.

There's nothing in the law stating exemption status must remain fixed for the duration of the pandemic. In fact it's clear that the mask can come off if it needs to.

@Calmandmeasured1

Non-mask wearers only seem to get problems from keyboard warriors. I've never seen anyone pulled up about it in public. Even the press just put photos but don't give much of a pulling up about it. (e.g. Phil Schofield, Jason Donovan).

Bingo.

I've never worn a mask and never been bothered by anyone about it. In fact I've had the opposite- more pleasant small talk with strangers in shops than before lockdown. I think people are starved of social interaction.