Anyone just not bother going out now

[Happycat1212]

Does anyone else just not bothering going anywhere at all now?? I’m exempt from wearing face masks but to avoid abuse I just stay home now, my mum keeps trying to get me to go to hers (I can she’s in my bubble) but I don’t drive so would need a bus but I don’t want to get on them for fear of being abused. Anyone else worry about this type of thing?

I’ve also seen videos online of people being abused for not wearing them

Nobody posts videos of the thousands of times maskless people are not abused. That’s a far more likely scenario.

I understand how you feel op.

I am also exempt. I work 8hr shifts in a supermarket.

I wear a sunflower lanyard. I very much care about other people’s concerns, and I am not a piss taker. I have tried so hard to wear a mask, to the point where I was a nervous wreck. My colleagues support me, and understand how hard it is for me to go against the grain.

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this op. It really is horrible. My advice would be to get a sunflower lanyard, and try to get out a little. You should not sacrifice your mental health because people don’t understand.

It's a shame that the mask zealots don't appreciate the additional damage that their bigotted opinions are causing to people who are legally exempt. Thank goodness that the law recognises that not everyone can cope with covering their face/ hindering their breathing for a whole variety of reasons.

Are you getting out at all OP?
If you aren't at least get out for a walk (as tedious as it is at this time of year)

Are taxis an option? Particularly a hackney cab style where there's a barrier between the passenger and driver. Window open is far more effective than a random facecovering anyway.

I'm fortunate to drive so that removes the public transport issue. I've only really gone to the supermarket for some time, not that there's many other destinations avaliable, but before November I was avoiding superflous places where masks were needed. I could cope with a minute to a table in a pub before removing my dratted visor, but wasn't going anywhere where they were needed for a prolonged period. Since then I've ended up hyperventilating in places like the pharmacy in the 5 minutes it takes to pick up a prescription, (yup, even in the visor). I now go bare-faced in the supermarket after scratching my face to bleeding. I'm not repeating that again. I go late at night when social distancing is a non-issue and staffing is minimal. I keep going to maintain a thread of connection with society and because online is not compatible with my family's dietry needs. It's often 10 days between trips there anyway and no indoor exposure to anyone else with external contacts, so negligable risk of infecting anyone anyway.

It is deeply unpleasant trying to go about normal business in fear of encountering the vile attitudes that some have unecessarily demonstrated on this thread.

It is deeply unpleasant trying to go about normal business in fear of encountering the vile attitudes that some have unecessarily demonstrated on this thread

I agree. It’s very upsetting. This time last year, the same people we telling us ‘be kind’ and ‘ it’s ok not to be ok’.

You say you’ve seen videos online of people being abused.
Never, ever, make decisions on the crap you can see online.
It’s just pointless self-indulgence searching for this sort of thing, then lamenting you don’t want to go out.

BogRollBOGOF

Thank you for understanding, my mum just seems worried about me, she thinks it’s odd and tries to encourage me to visit her so yes she can come here but she’s been pushy to try to get me to hers because she’s concerned and says I’m “scared” it’s not that I’m scared, I just don’t like arguments and confrontation. For example I had a Tesco’s shop the other day that never showed up, it had my daughters nappies in but I couldn’t face getting on a bus or going to the shop even though I needed that as I had ran out so I just had to go without as I was too worried to go. I guess even if I’m not confronted I’m worried about offending people. I was going to get a cab not long ago but they said that if you are not wearing a mask the driver can refuse to pick you up 🤔

I don’t search for them it’s generally things people post up I don’t go out of my way to look, and I’ve seen threads on here where people say if you can’t wear a mask don’t go out (they don’t care about exemptions)

Personally I wouldn't go to see my Mum (as she is over 75k) or Dad at the moment. I haven't seen them since June so am missing them terribly so know it's hard.
I also wouldn't take public transport unless it was an emergency. I do go out everyday though for at least an hour walking the dogs and forcing the kids out to get some daylight. I also met up with friends. I would go insane stuck inside.

OP it’s ludicrous that you should be prevented from going about your business because you can’t wear a mask and some of the attitudes on this thread are discriminatory and deeply unpleasant.

The mask exemptions were made for good reasons to protect people who can’t wear one. It’s dreadful that in reality people are feeling judged and harassed and getting told they shouldn’t use buses and stuff.

@Happycat1212

Yes I was wondering if anyone else who is exempt just stays home now, my mum is exempt also due to medical conditions but she’s out everywhere all the time so doesn’t get it.

Me, I haven't been out to a shop etc in a long time. I try and get out and walk at least a couple of times a week though.

I'm sure most people are staying home. Everything is shut. I go to the park and for walks. You? Do your get out for walks?

Do you have epilepsy or trigeminal neuralgia? Those are the only reasons I can think of for not even putting a scarf or something around your mouth. Sorry if I sound unfeeling it's not intended that way I'm just wondering if there is any way around your particular issue with wearing a mask

There are a variety of reasons why someone can’t wear a face covering. Some of them are rather personal or trauma related and I think it’s awful that people feel they’re constantly being made to explain themselves.

While i appreciate your reasons are genuine, you do bring an increased risk to others so you should really limit your time in shops on public transport.

Your mum should understand that, we are all making sacrifices for he greater good.

There is a greater risk to others, and to you (From idiots who think they are he face masks police), of venturing into confirmed spaces without a face mask. Compliance has increased so you will be very noticeable - and unfortunately some idiots are falsely claiming medical exceptions which isn’t helping matters.

Could you get take out coffees, meet in a park. Show your mum your aren’t afraid to leave The house, you are just being sensible and considerate until the worst of this passes.

some very abelist /disabilist comments on here. the very idea that someone with a sunflower lanyard who is medically exempt shouldn't use PT (if they don't drive they have to!) is shocking

I wear a mask, I still haven’t used public transport in a year, I only go into a shop if it’s absolutely essential and When I do I limit my time there.

My parents haven’t been inside a shop in a year.

Telling Vulnerable people to shield and asking those who can’t wear a mask to limit their time in confined spaces Is just common sense.

We are in a pandemic.

We should all only be using public transport for essential journeys, we should all be minimising our exposure to others.

The mask also protects OP, she shouldn’t put herself at Unnecessary risk.

This won’t last forever.

Well I try to get everything online but when Tesco’s cancel your shop without any warning that’s not easy is it 🙄 I had to go without any nappies for my daughter as I was too scared to go to the shop

We only go out for walks or runs. Haven’t been on public transport since October and haven’t been in a car since before Christmas.

Depending where you live, Deliveroo will deliver basic groceries from co op or Morrisons within the hour

Yeh I have that round here and our Morrison don’t sell nappies on my deliveroo and coop cancelled the order saying the items weren’t available.

So, leaving aside the whole mask exemption argument and return to your original question, yes, I’m mostly staying at home because that’s what we’re meant to be doing.

@Happycat1212

Yes I was wondering if anyone else who is exempt just stays home now, my mum is exempt also due to medical conditions but she’s out everywhere all the time so doesn’t get it.

I hear you OP. I know many people who are both exempt and others who don't agree with wearing masks (with some people who overlap both groups) and they simply avoid places where there is mandatory mask wearing to save the judgements and stress.

As a former leftist/socialist I now shudder at the naivety of the loaded phrase 'for the greater good'.

academyofideas.com/2020/09/greater-good-tool-of-social-control/

The best protection is your own front door.

@blue25

My partner is exempt but he still wears a mask. He certainly wouldn’t get on a bus without one, it isn’t fair on everyone else.

I've seen a few people say they are exempt but wear a mask.

I thought it was a case of you can safely wear a mask then your aren't exempt. So like not everyone with asthma is exempt and can safely wear a mask but I've heard quite a few people say " I have asthma and am exempt but wear one". If you can wear them you aren't exempt.

Same with ptsd, not everyone with ptsd is exempt because some people with PTSD can manage a mask fine because the mask wearing or face covering isn't a trigger for them.

I don't know what makes your partner exempt and you don't have to tell me, it's just I wonder what people mean when they say they are exempt but wear one anyway. Surely if someone is capable of wearing one with no risk to their health or safety then they aren't exempt?