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Original poster

If you're mask exempt, are you still wearing a lanyard?

34 replies

GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 07/09/2021 12:10

Not a discussion on the whys and wherefores of masks/exemption, just a simple question.

Asking because I'm never sure of the etiquette now and want to see what others are doing!

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 07/09/2021 12:13

Yes.

Saves me any potential aggro

CandyFIosss · 07/09/2021 12:40

No why would you? Literally no one wears masks where I live now.

idontlikealdi · 07/09/2021 12:41

I'm not exempt and I haven't worn a mask for weeks. I wouldn't wear a lanyard if I was exempt.

Soubriquet · 07/09/2021 13:07

@CandyFIosss

No why would you? Literally no one wears masks where I live now.

A lot of people around here are still wearing them

Lou98 · 07/09/2021 13:09

I'm in Scotland so still mandatory here, I've seen a lot of people wearing the lanyards, including people I've previously seen wearing masks. Think people are getting fed up now

CandyFIosss · 07/09/2021 13:11

Really I can’t remember the last time I saw someone wear
One and I use public transport daily!

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 07/09/2021 13:14

I still see lots of sf lanyards where I live, most people are still wearing masks in shops (England).

Evenstar · 07/09/2021 13:46

Yes, I am afraid of someone being unpleasant about me not wearing a mask.

PainterInPeril · 07/09/2021 14:03

The lanyard isn't about mask exemption. It's to show the wearer has hidden disabilities. And yes, as I have hidden disabilities, I'm still wearing the lanyard.

Whatever9999 · 07/09/2021 14:07

Yes, but only for its original purpose, that is in places/situations where I need people to be more understanding of my behaviours (which actually included the underground a few weeks back as I struggle in crowds). Otherwise I stopped a couple of days after masks were no longer mandatory.
My 11yo son has taken great delight in telling everyone that we wear them for the real reason over the last 6 weeks or so.

DumplingsAndStew · 07/09/2021 14:09

My teenage daughter can't wear a mask and still wears a lanyard in places she would be expected to wear one - school, shops. She says she'll maybe keep wearing one at school even after masks are dropped as she doesn't like people 😂

gamerchick · 07/09/2021 14:11

@PainterInPeril

The lanyard isn't about mask exemption. It's to show the wearer has hidden disabilities. And yes, as I have hidden disabilities, I'm still wearing the lanyard.

Yes and it seems as people are asking if they should give them up shows they didn't have the right to use them in the first place tbh.

Makes a mockery out of the scheme.

canigooutyet · 07/09/2021 14:20

I agree with others that the appropriation has made a mockery out of the system.

If you were exempt due to a hidden disability then why would you need to stop wearing one now? Surely that hidden disability hasn't suddenly pissed off now the masks are no longer legally required.

Lanyards irritate me so I have never worn one. Work places that required their wear I clipped it onto my clothing.

ElfDragon · 07/09/2021 14:20

My dds are exempt (and I was on basis of carer communication).

I don’t routinely ask dd1 to wear a lanyard/badge, as I don’t like routinely disclosing her private information unless necessary. So on trains/underground/busy areas or days out (theatre/theme park) I ask her to wear one - places where it is for her benefit, or where people might need to know she might need support.

Dd2 is able to decide for herself, and has chosen to not wear one most of the time. Again, she will wear a badge or wristband in situations where she might need others to support her, or where it is easier for her (trains, for eg).

flourella · 07/09/2021 14:21

No, but I've never worn a lanyard because it doesn't prove exemption any more than the lack of mask on my face proves it. I only go to the shops really; I always (and still) have in my pocket a card saying "face covering exempt" along with a letter, and have had to show the card at the door about half a dozen times. No one has asked to see the letter even when I've told them that I have one.

I was asked to wear the lanyard to a GP appointment recently, but didn't have to at other medical appointments I've had.

PurpleDaisies · 07/09/2021 14:22

@CandyFIosss

No why would you? Literally no one wears masks where I live now.

About 80% of people still wearing them in shops here.

YouJustDoYou · 07/09/2021 14:23

It's weird that people are still wearing their sunflower lanyards.

ElfDragon · 07/09/2021 14:23

No, neither dd’s hidden disability has ‘pissed off’, don’t be ridiculous.

There is no requirement for them to label themselves as having a disability, and so they only do so when it is necessary, and when it benefits them to do so. That does not make a mockery of the scheme.

TinaYouFatLard · 07/09/2021 14:24

Everyone is now mask exempt (in England).

PurpleDaisies · 07/09/2021 14:32

@TinaYouFatLard

Everyone is now mask exempt (in England).

Some places are still requesting you wear them if you can. My local bus service for example.

flourella · 07/09/2021 14:37

The lanyard isn't about mask exemption

Some are, though. Mine is from the Hidden Disabilities shop, has sunflowers on it, but specifically says "face covering exempt". I do have hidden disabilities so could legitimately choose to wear the generic sunflower lanyard if I felt I would benefit, but never have because I don't need (and certainly don't want!) people asking questions or even just wondering about it when they see it, or trying to "help" if I'm distressed or having a panic attack or meltdown. It only ever makes things worse so I want them to leave me the fuck alone! I don't think I'm appropriating anything just because I didn't have a lanyard before covid, and wouldn't feel that way even if I ever put the card on display rather than in my pocket.

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 07/09/2021 14:45

My friend suggested getting DS2 a lanyard, but it was just too late to need one, so no. This is his own fault for not telling anyone that he found it difficult to breathe in them until no one had to wear them.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 07/09/2021 15:02

I still have a hidden disability but I rarely had to disclose for my own safety before mask wearing so I didn’t even bother to have a sunflower lanyard. Since face coverings are a trigger then it made sense to get one as it avoided officious ship assistants making a fuss and embarrassing me. My other triggers - having to cover my ears with earphones for example or being touched by anyone other than partner (sounds rare but now I have a baby bump is surprisingly common!) rarely happen and I doubt anyone would be deterred by a lanyard.

Pumpkinstace · 07/09/2021 15:11

I still have hidden disabilities so I still wear mine.

It's not weird that people still wear them, not everyone wears for one for mask exemption.

I've had my lanyard longer than the pandemic/masks has been a thing.

They aren't a new thing just for covid

QueenofKattegat · 07/09/2021 15:19

I haven't been but I wished I had at weekend when I went into Specsavers, as the woman 'greeter' was insistent I must wear one. It really embarrassed me having to stand in the queue and try to explain why I couldn't.

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