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?

It’s completely wilfully missing the point, because it makes you feel uncomfortable about your views to address them.

@Walkaround

I wear a wristband to show I’ve paid for my slot at the swimming pool, or at the soft play centre.

• yes, as does EVERYONE else. Not the same.

People with epilepsy or diabetes may wear one to help people if they become unwell

• well, you've explained that one yourself. It contains live-saving information; wearing a wristband to show exemption does not such thing. And, of course, it's a choice for them to wear it, not a requirement by an institution in order for you to access it.

2 senseless comparisons.

@CataclysmicVariable - no, I’m just failing to get your point, whatever you think it is. I have no problem wearing wristbands as an indicator of something completely harmless - like I’ve had a conversation with someone and confirmed I either can’t or won’t wear a mask. I see nothing concerning in that whatsoever. There is no obligation either way, no personal data whatsoever required. You can argue it’s not effective but not that it is in any way Big Brotherish or infringing whatever your notion of civil liberties is.

"and confirmed I either can’t or won’t wear a mask"

And there we have it.

@Sockwomble - and there we have what? Something inherently dangerous? Or just something you consider pointless? What are you scared of, because I don’t see anything scary in it?

And you have already agreed it is sometimes a good thing to identify yourself as other - eg epilepsy and diabetes. If you don’t think it’s a good thing to identify yourself as other, even though you already are by not wearing a mask, then you do not have to wear a wristband anyway. As with other wristbands, the choice is yours whether you think you are happier with or without it. Not all people with diabetes or epilepsy wear wristbands. Not all people in swimming pools wear their wristbands. Nobody arrests you for not doing what is expected.

The whole mask thing is just totally batshit

If you’re not wearing a mask
You’re obviously exempt
End of
We’ve had them for a year now
You’d think people knew the rules

There can’t be anything simpler

Unless people just want to thrown their weight around of course

What else would you like people to be labelled for? Ds can shriek suddenly. Some people don't like that. Do you think he needs a label on him for that? Or maybe a label on him to say that he hits and bites himself when upset perhaps when someone has tried to force a wristband onto his wrist?

Maybe the sort of disability I am talking about will be part of your life one day and then maybe you will understand.

@Sockwomble - there isn’t a label on any of these wristbands specifying either that you are actually exempt or why?! You don’t have to be exempt to wear the bloody wristband. So what is your problem?

Well I know the question wasn’t aimed at me but I’ll bite
Why are organisations making rules up as they go along
The government guidelines clearly state you wear a mask if you can
Or you don’t if you can’t

There’s no need for anything else.

It really is that simple.

Maybe ds who is a wheelchair user ( obviously othering himself) should wear a label to show he is a wheelchair user because otherwise no one would be able to work out that he is a wheelchair user.

@Sockwomble - might feasibly be helpful if he is not always a wheelchair user, if he wanted it. Do you have a blue badge for parking? Why do people have these? Are they necessary, or should it be obvious to people without you having to produce one by the fact your car is parked somewhere most people are not allowed to park? As with any condition, it is sometimes helpful to provide your “label” to others and sometimes you may choose not to. When it comes to wristbands, it’s entirely your choice. When it comes to a child who bites people who have not been warned he may not like them to behave in particular ways - again, your choice.

Well said sockwomble
Where does it end?
The government guidelines are plain enough
There’s no need for anyone to exert more control.

she, "The government guidelines clearly state you wear a mask if you can. Or you don’t if you can’t".
Not since 19 July in England. Now it is the law says no masks (unless you choose to wear them) unless it is something setting its own rules like London underground.

You don't wear a blue badge.
I don't stick labels on my child. I treat him as a human being and tell those who need/have a right to know his personal information.

If you don't wear a mask you are obviously exempt. No. You might just not want to wear a mask and find them uncomfortable.

@Sockwomble

You don't wear a blue badge. I don't stick labels on my child. I treat him as a human being and tell those who need/have a right to know his personal information.

I don’t stick labels on myself either. I occasionally wear a wristband, though!

I also still consider myself to be a human being, even when wearing a wristband. I don’t consider myself or any conditions I have to be shameful or making me less human.

That blue badge example was ridiculous

You didn’t have to prove exemption when mask wearing was a legal requirement. It is madness that you should now have to identify yourself as exempt from a law that no longer exists.

Anywhere sitting their own rules on face coverings on their premises ought to also be setting their own exemption policy, it hasn’t really got anything to do with who used to be exempt in law.

@shewalkslikerihanna - what is ridiculous is just to make a statement saying you think something is ridiculous, without any explanation as to why you think so. I am still in the dark as to why not identifying yourself as anything at all with a wristband is so worrisome.

*setting not sitting

There is a big difference between making your own choice about what information you want to share with other people and forcing someone else to share their own personal information. If you are a carer for someone with a learning disability then you need to be mindful of their dignity and privacy even if they have no understanding of those concepts themselves.

Yes, I can see that, @Sockwomble. It would feel a lot more like labelling someone if you were asking for a wristband for someone else, rather than them being able to make an active choice.

“ You can argue it’s not effective but not that it is in any way Big Brotherish or infringing whatever your notion of civil liberties is.”

I didn’t make any argument about civil liberties. Clearly you like to decide what people’s opinions are and argue against whatever it is you have made up, rather than actually look at the content of their posts.