If someone is claiming mask exemption due to asthma

DriedFig · 2021-03-30T22:53:57+00:00

And is a smoker, is this unreasonable?

Siepie · 31/03/2021 00:13

If they truly can’t wear a mask, it’s not unreasonable to not wear a mask. Smoker or not is irrelevant to that.

Asthma isn’t a ‘get out clause’. If you can wear a mask, you legally must wear one no matter your diagnosis. But if you medically can’t, then you can’t.

notrub · 31/03/2021 00:37

TBH I think there should be no exemptions.

My aunt has half a lung missing and while she struggles in a close fitting mask, instead she wears a face shield everywhere.

Northernsoulgirl45 · 31/03/2021 00:37

Smoking gas nothing to do with it imo. I have never smoked and gave asthma BTW. I wear a nadk as I can as asthma mild. Having said that I don't think I could manage all day. On occasions when I have been in shops for too long I have gone outside soI could remove mask for a break.

Northernsoulgirl45 · 31/03/2021 00:38

Sorry about the g/h issue. Fat fingers.

therestissilence · 31/03/2021 00:42

I think Andrew Marr had it right on Sunday when he asked 'are we becoming a finger-wagging nation'? These boards so often suggest that we are. If you are really concerned, ring this person's GP and ask. Oh sorry, that won't work...perhaps because it's none of your flaming business.

HeadLikeAFuckinOrange · 31/03/2021 00:54

Saying "I'm exempt" is enough!
If anyone was cheeky enough to demand further explanation as to why I'd tell them to mind their own goddamn business, and are they actually expecting me to explain my private medical information to a stranger so they can assess the validity of my statement and then tell me if my medical circumstances are good enough for their approval. From the receptionist at a hotel to the wait staff in Costa Coffee?
Not a chance!

KilljoysDutch · 31/03/2021 01:01

I have asthma I can normally wear a mask, I couldn't while out today as I've had a cold and my breathing still isn't quite right and with the heat I really struggled.
Different circumstances can cause someone to struggle when they haven't before. Struggling for breath is the most awful feeling in the world.

wingsnthat · 31/03/2021 01:04

To be honest, at this point I don’t really care if people lie about mask exemptions or not. A lot of people have been vaccinated which helps to slow the spread, even with liars. I definitely wouldn’t confront someone who said they have asthma whilst smoking

Providora · 31/03/2021 01:06

@therestissilence

I think Andrew Marr had it right on Sunday when he asked 'are we becoming a finger-wagging nation'? These boards so often suggest that we are. If you are really concerned, ring this person's GP and ask. Oh sorry, that won't work...perhaps because it's none of your flaming business.

To be fair, we've had some pretty unprecedented and onerous controls put on our lives over the last year. It can grate a little to see other people enjoying some freedoms that we don't. I don't 'finger wag' myself but can understand the sense of frustration behind it.

Whereismymojo · 31/03/2021 01:07

My whole household has asthma and we all wear masks. This mask exemption thing is for the birds.

Buttybach · 31/03/2021 01:12

I have had asthma since the age of 12
I have to wear a Medical grade mask all day even outside in my role as a Sen education staff member.
It's not pleasant and I feel light headed doing it all day but it's got to be done.
I had swine flu when that went around and genuinely thought I was going to die as they wouldn't let me enter the hospital. They sent a nurse out.
I have been extremely cautious regarding covid as I would really be affected.

AcornAutumn · 31/03/2021 01:16

I don't really care OP

Sometimes I cope with a face covering and other times I am asthmatically coughing everywhere

Generally people don't like that on the Tube so I stick with my lanyard.

I find it really sad to see people pull down masks to take a puff of their inhaler. I was going without the preventive inhaler before I used a mask.

I don't care if the person smokes.

I have TMJ and I imagine a face shield is pretty hard to wear if you have that, or neuralgia etc.

It is nerve wracking going out with a lanyard on in case you get abuse.

Bunbunbunny · 31/03/2021 01:30

Not everyone's asthma is the same, a lot of people have similar allergies but we're not all the same.

It drives me nuts seeing people post I have asthma and I can wear a mask for 18 hours with no impact on my asthma if I can do so can you no excuses! Good for you that's wonderful I'm so pleased your asthma doesn't get affected by a mask. My peak flow drops by about a 100 when I wear the mask for more than 30 minutes. Yes I still wear a mask when I go out but I'm lucky as my DH does a lot of the shopping etc so I limit how much I have to go out.

The exemptions are there for a reason, if a person has no choice but to go out and is asthmatic they can choose not to wear a mask.

You're judging them for smoking, yes it's best not to smoke if your asthmatic but not easy to quit. Even if you have a lung condition and you know it's bad for people struggle to quit.

SausageBeanz · 31/03/2021 01:46

Smoker here, and yeah I have asthma, which as you can imagine isn't well managed. I wear a mask. Sometimes I need to take a break from it for a few seconds (and I really do mean 5 seconds or less) at a time, and no, I'm not immediately reaching for the fags.

I have a colleague with mild, well controlled asthma, non-smoker, who claimed exemption (then starting wearing one because they became worried about CATCHING covid, not spreading).

I think YABU to ask this question at all. Plenty of non-smokers taking the piss with the exemption, to be worked up about asthma sufferers who smoke.

BTW asthma symptoms vary throughout the day, so it depends how well managed their asthma is, when it's at it's worst, what triggers it.

Smoking whilst you have asthma isn't healthy, and sufferers are aware of that. Yes we worry about it, and worry about what will happen if we contract covid. Yes we have awful self control and can't just put the fags down. Happy now? Or want to do some more smoker-hating?

SausageBeanz · 31/03/2021 01:53

And YABU if question anyone who says they're exempt, at all. Regardless of their personal choices.

Not everyones the same. Wouldn't dream of questioning any asthma suffer claiming exemption, regardless of whether theirs is milder than mine. It's up to them to make the decision regarding mask-wearing.

Point is, people do take the piss out of the exemption when they're not really exempt. We know this. But you can't question them, because it's not for you to judge if they're exempt or not, and you could be discriminating. Plenty of people also not taking the piss out of the exemption. Just mind your own.

AfternoonToffee · 31/03/2021 02:10

Almost 9 months in and still a mask thread makes an appearance. Stop getting bothered by what others are doing or not doing,.

LangClegsInSpace · 31/03/2021 02:53

No

ChocOrange1 · 31/03/2021 04:31

Oh if you smoke does that suddenly mean your asthma isn't real?

UsedUpUsername · 31/03/2021 04:38

Smoking is actually protective against Covid, fun fact. Bad for asthma though 😂

AcornAutumn · 31/03/2021 10:37

@UsedUpUsername

Smoking is actually protective against Covid, fun fact. Bad for asthma though 😂

Yes, I keep threatening to try it 😂

Sadly I wouldn't last a puff, but it's tempting to suggest nicotine gum etc to the Covhysterics.

That said, is it the nicotine, I don't think it is. I read somewhere that smokers were accustomed to coping with less oxygen......but if that were true, wouldn't the same apply to asthmatics?

I work out but I'm still awful at climbing stairs.

AcornAutumn · 31/03/2021 10:38

Bun "My peak flow drops by about a 100 when I wear the mask for more than 30 minutes"

Oh...not just me then. Mine drops by 75 after 20 mins - I've only done this experiment at home.

XenoBitch · 31/03/2021 10:42

YABU to make it any of your business whatsoever. Everyone with asthma has it differently with different triggers. Some can wear a mask, some can wear one sometimes, and some can't wear one at all. Smoking has nothing to do with masks and being able to wear them.

TheGumption · 31/03/2021 10:56

They're being unreasonable to use asthma as a get out clause regardless of smoking. Let them crack on though. They probably won't choose to be exempt from an oxygen mask or ventilator 🙄

diwrnachoflleyn · 31/03/2021 10:58

God, who fucking cares? So sick of this finger-wagging shaming bollocks.

XenoBitch · 31/03/2021 11:00

@TheGumption

They're being unreasonable to use asthma as a get out clause regardless of smoking. Let them crack on though. They probably won't choose to be exempt from an oxygen mask or ventilator 🙄

If wearing a bit of fabric over their face is affecting their asthma, then an oxygen mask will have the opposite effect, and I am sure the person would happily accept it.