Requiring the exempt to identify themselves?

[MolyHolyGuacamole]

Attached is a photo from the Science Museum on their mask policy. If you are exempt from wearing, you can 'if you would like', be given a wristband. It's worded as a choice, but I looked into this after my friend who is exempt went with her kids, was asked if she was wearing a mask and when she told them she was exempt she was told to go to x desk over there and get a wristband. It wasn't presented as a choice.

Am I the only one who thinks that it's wrong to make exempt people identify themselves as 'other'? Is this legally enforceable?'

I was on the DLR the other day and heard an announcement that stated 'everyone is required to wear a mask, unless you can show that you are exempt'. Again, have I missed something? You do not have to prove your exemption, what are these companies playing at?

Where are these countries which don't have exemptions? I'm in a TN support group on Facebook and everyone in it who's unable to wear a mask is covered by exemptions, wherever they are in the world. Interestingly few have had the abuse many in the UK have been subjected to.

I can only imagine that those on MN insisting that there are no exemptions aren't exempt themselves, so have never been directly affected.

I have pretty much no sympathy for someone making a fuss about wearing a wristband - it does not require any proof from anyone whatsoever that they have a good reason not to wear a mask, it just indicates that they have already had a conversation with someone about being exempt, so should not be challenged by a random member of the public who is upset by their lack of a mask. In other words, at most it is an attempt to stop arguments happening, not to start them.

"Like another poster, I live in an EU country where masks are required on public transport and in shops/malls. If you’re not wearing a mask, you’re not allowed in."

I'm pretty sure you have said that before and then it came out there were exemptions.

I don't think there is coercion here, just something so you will get less grief or the possibility of less grief from other people. Seems kind to me, even though it is enabling the liars.

@TheVampiresWife I expect much of the abuse and criticism seems to be in the UK because most of them are lying. There are very few people who claim exemption who are over 40.

@Sockwomble

"Like another poster, I live in an EU country where masks are required on public transport and in shops/malls. If you’re not wearing a mask, you’re not allowed in."

I'm pretty sure you have said that before and then it came out there were exemptions.

Yep - the country was mentioned, and someone posted a link to the government advice detailing exemptions.

[quote newnortherner111]@TheVampiresWife I expect much of the abuse and criticism seems to be in the UK because most of them are lying. There are very few people who claim exemption who are over 40.[/quote]
I don't even know where to begin with this, it's so nuts.

What research/source are you basing this on? I'm 49 and exempt, and the condition I have is most commonly diagnosed over the age of 40.

Why are you rationalising the abuse of disabled people/those who live with health conditions?

@Sockwomble and @TheVampiresWife I don’t think that was me. I am not aware of any exemptions here.

I’ve just had a look at the law. The only reason for not having to wear a mask is if you have a severe respiratory illness, and this has to be confirmed by a doctor’s letter.

"There are very few people who claim exemption who are over 40."

My son's autism and severe learning disability won't be 'cured' at 40. Although there will be fewer with his disabilities around because many die much younger than average due to health provision inequalities.

"I’ve just had a look at the law. The only reason for not having to wear a mask is if you have a severe respiratory illness, and this has to be confirmed by a doctor’s letter."

So no exemptions for those so disabled they cannot keep a mask on. There must be some 'interesting' equality laws.

“But... why are you different to the rest of us looking after small children? I'm absolutely not saying it doesn't have any challenges - it's warm, and my spatial awareness is affected by wearing a mask, stairs are tricky - but it's not a big deal. I'd much rather be out and having fun than staying home because a mask might be a bit tricky.”

I’m not saying I am different - and if you had read my post properly you would have seen that I do take my children to these places because they find it fun so I’m not sure what your problem is? I find it a bigger deal than you do (and clearly you think I shouldn’t) but still I do it. I’m literally doing what you are telling everyone they should be doing.

@MrsSchadenfreude

I’ve just had a look at the law. The only reason for not having to wear a mask is if you have a severe respiratory illness, and this has to be confirmed by a doctor’s letter.

So there are exemptions, then. As is often the case when people suggest that in their country, there aren't.

@Sockwomble

"How the hell would any of you cope with a real disability?"

Ds has a severe very real and very obvious learning disability. Nothing hidden about it. He has a blue badge and uses a wheelchair much of the time. I still wouldn't want him to be forced to have a label or wristband on him to say that he has a learning disability or autism or any of the other conditions he has just so the general public can feel happy that he has been properly labelled.

I think you've perfectly captured the way I feel about it. All the people shouting 'but you're already othering yourself by not wearing a mask' yes, and that's enough, nobody should be expected to have extra identifiers just to make other people feel better, which is what this is all about.

[quote newnortherner111]@TheVampiresWife I expect much of the abuse and criticism seems to be in the UK because most of them are lying. There are very few people who claim exemption who are over 40.[/quote]
I'm 49, my autism wasn't miraculously cured the day I turned 40, in fact I didn't get my dx until I was 45 (until then I just knew I was different and couldn't cope in certain situations, I just didn't know why).

And I know plenty of other people my age that have the same issues as me as Well as others that have different issues. It's just up until the last 18months we've been able to hide those issues to some extent.

@MolyHolyGuacamole - a wristband in a museum does not mark you out in any way as having a disability, it just identifies the fact that nobody else should approach you to tell you about wristbands, or to ask you to put a mask on, or to lecture you about face masks and question why you ignore requests to wear a mask. In all honesty, it seems a better way of not having to label your disability or argue with aggravating strangers than just wandering around without a mask on when there are signs up everywhere asking you to wear a mask.

[quote Walkaround]@MolyHolyGuacamole - a wristband in a museum does not mark you out in any way as having a disability, it just identifies the fact that nobody else should approach you to tell you about wristbands, or to ask you to put a mask on, or to lecture you about face masks and question why you ignore requests to wear a mask. In all honesty, it seems a better way of not having to label your disability or argue with aggravating strangers than just wandering around without a mask on when there are signs up everywhere asking you to wear a mask.[/quote]
Well it's a medical exemption, not all of which are also a disability, so it identifies you based on your medical needs.

I understand in theory the purpose of it, but as I've said before, the lack of the mask and 'I'm exempt' should really be enough, no one has a right to 'lecture' anyone, and their training should reflect that.

As PPs have listed above, not even lanyards have stopped them being lectured anyway.

The general public will have some dicks who'll comment (although I've not personally ever seen anyone without a mask challenged) but if staff members are suitably trained on the law stating that no one needs to show their exemption, there should be no issues re lecturing to begin with.

Walkaround do you think we should extend that to expecting everyone who cannot or does not, conform to societal norms to wear a label to warn others or protect themselves?
It doesn't protect anyway. Abusive bigoted arseholes are going to have a go at anyone who looks more vulnerable than themselves label, badge, wristband or not.

Omg I would absolutely love for someone to tackle me for not wearing a mask.
I’m not exempt, I do not have a disability, I choose to wear a mask in some environments but not in others. It is not compulsory.

I don’t know who these people are going around abusing poor folk but they’d get a rude awakening if they did it to me.

No one one should have ever been or be required to prove they’re fucking disabled enough to warrant being exempt. The fact that we even need a exemption signifier so they don’t get abused by arseholes tells you everything you need to know about these people.

It’s not compulsory by UK law and therefore it’s not enforceable by ANY business. Interesting about the flights - I’d like to know how they are getting around it

@Sockwomble

Walkaround do you think we should extend that to expecting everyone who cannot or does not, conform to societal norms to wear a label to warn others or protect themselves? It doesn't protect anyway. Abusive bigoted arseholes are going to have a go at anyone who looks more vulnerable than themselves label, badge, wristband or not.

A wristband isn’t a “warning” of anything. I wear a wristband to show I’ve paid for my slot at the swimming pool, or at the soft play centre. People with epilepsy or diabetes may wear one to help people if they become unwell - not to scare them off. Wearing a wristband is not going to scare anyone off. Why on earth would it? If they are going to be scared of you, it will be because you are not wearing a mask, not because you are wearing a wristband.

Why should people be scared of those not wearing masks?

You have managed to completely miss what sockwomble is actually saying and decided to take two words and extrapolate to something she wasn’t actually talking about.

@CataclysmicVariable - The use of the word “warning” generally indicates something to be fearful of, imvho! It was sockwomble’s choice of word, not mine.

Also, you only need to protect yourself from something you are scared of.

Walkabout is doing a good example of faux not getting it or lives in a cosy world where othering of disabled people and disability hate crime don't exist.

[quote Walkaround]@CataclysmicVariable - The use of the word “warning” generally indicates something to be fearful of, imvho! It was sockwomble’s choice of word, not mine.[/quote]
You chose to ignore the main point about people with disabilities needing to protect themselves then?