Some restrictions back, fed up

[Ireallydontcare55]

Just heard the news about masks returning as of next week and changes to travelling rules.

It’s not so much that wearing a mask is inconvenient, it’s the fact that we were told restrictions were over and that we could get on with our lives.

I know I will get shot down for this post, but if it isn’t the ‘omnicron’ variant then it’ll be something else.

I’m sure many people will be in favour of tighter restrictions ‘until numbers drop’. And then what? In a few months’ time when the latest variant is out, will we have to do the same again?
“it’s just for a few weeks/months”

This isn’t going away. What’s the point of having 3 vaccines?

I’m fed up with it all, are people really prepared to do this for the foreseeable future ?

@TheVampiresWife

it is beyond ironic that those who say they are 'exempt' are probably most at risk of severe illness so why choose not to do something to reduce their own and everyone else's risk?!

Why do people insist that things like TN or PTSD make you more vulnerable to covid?

And why have you phrased it the way you have - those who say they are 'exempt'? It's almost as if you don't accept there are exemptions, but you go on to say they're more at risk? Very confusing.

Because they know the existence of conditions like PTSD shit all over their argument. It's deeply inconvenient to them that PTSD may not be visible, that we've no way of reliably ascertaining who has it and how common it is, and that there are exempt people who aren't at any higher risk of covid because of it. So they try to avoid acknowledging it.

@Ireallydontcare55 Like being back at school and an insight into how mobs start, how witch-hunting took off etc.

Did all these enthusiastic mask-wearers wear them before 2020? Because there have always been viruses, mild to some but deadly to the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. The U.K. has about two and a half million cancer patients in any given year.

How many posters have worn masks for their whole adult lives to protect the vulnerable people who are with us always? If people didn’t then they can hardly take a moral stance on masking now.

KennykenkencatI work in health care with many glasses wearing colleagues. I've never come across anyone with foggy glasses and we wear masks for hours at a time not just the few minutes it takes to dash around Lidl.
Oh come on, you've really never ever come across somebody with fogged up glasses? I work in retail and we have two or three people everyday whose glasses are absolutely fogged up. And yes, there might be a right way to get your mask on so this doesn't happen but those particular people haven't found it. This is why why I hate these sort of posts, people become more one-sided- if they haven't seen it it doesn't exist it isn't a thing apparently!!you can be in favour of Masks and still know they can be difficult for people, I've had about 3 near panic attacks where I had to get out and get air. Not a big deal when y poi u consider I wear one 9 hours 5 days a week but for people who don't I can possibly see why they might feel it's too difficult. Calm down everyone!!

I've just come out of hospital following elective surgery.(Fortunately I was at the top of the list and was able to be done in the short window, before elective orthopedic surgery is being closed down again). Closure due to anticipated winter pressures so that means folk having to wait a further 6-8 weeks in pain. So. I've problem with further restrictions if it means others can get their ops sooner. I wish people who have little personal experience were more consider and thoughtful of others

@JaniieJones

'I work in health care with many glasses wearing colleagues. I've never come across anyone with foggy glasses and we wear masks for hours at a time'

It is funny how you never come across staff who are exempt who work in healthcare isn't it. They all manage 12hr shifts with the discomfort of using face covers. None of them passing out from lack of 02 thankfully or wetting themselves.

My rheumatologist is exempt. I haven't asked why because it's absolutely none of my business (and likewise, she hasn't asked why I'm exempt).

@JaniieJones actually my consultant doesn't wear a mask I don't ask why because it's none of my business!
Also there is a difference between oxygen level dips and passing out.

Are you sure you work in healthcare? Your statements are pretty ignorant for someone who claims to!

@JaniieJones do you know everyone that works in healthcare ?? No you don't and do you know some people who may not of gone into healthcare because of masks
Prior to covid people in healthcare only wore masks in certain situations
People who want to wear a mask wear one for those that can't people mind your own business
I bet most on here have broken a rule in one small way or another throughout this so stop being so judgemental , nobody knows other peoples battles , its like judging someone with a disability badge because they aren't physically in a wheelchair

And to add I wear a mask and haven't stopped but I can also see that for others they may have genuine reasons because I am not a prick and don't pretend to know all 67 million people in the uk and their individual circumstances

'do you know everyone that works in healthcare ?? '

No this is a chat forum not a court of law. All our opinions tend to be anecdotal related, you won't have peer reviewed papers I'm afraid.

I don't know everyone who shops in Tescos either but ime a lot were refusers and they cannot all have ptsd and trigeminal neuralgia can they, hmm? The vague exemptions gave many a get out clause, thus spoiling it for the genuine few.

Poor mental health can be a reason many people are exempt. It's down to the individual

Now, anyone who works with people will know how mental illness is rocketing...

@Ireallydontcare55

The abuse I’ve received is disgusting , it’s like being back at school. I can only imagine these posters have severe mental illness or other issues going on to randomly abuse strangers online, it’s creepy as hell.

I don’t have to explain myself to anybody, but never once did I say I wouldn’t wear one, I have to for my job anyway.

Please think before you abuse people like that

Anyone who has a differing view than the currently acceptable one gets shouted down. We live in a very divisive society and there’s a real hatred, anger and dismissal towards those who want to discuss another way. It’s across the board and even qualified and respected scientists get dismissed. When we’re back to not wearing masks, no doubt these same people will be telling others that they’re paranoid for wanting to continue with them.

@Ireallydontcare55

The abuse I’ve received is disgusting , it’s like being back at school. I can only imagine these posters have severe mental illness or other issues going on to randomly abuse strangers online, it’s creepy as hell.

I don’t have to explain myself to anybody, but never once did I say I wouldn’t wear one, I have to for my job anyway.

Please think before you abuse people like that

Yes there are groups who will hound so people stop posting.

[quote Scottishskifun]@JaniieJones actually my consultant doesn't wear a mask I don't ask why because it's none of my business!
Also there is a difference between oxygen level dips and passing out.

Are you sure you work in healthcare? Your statements are pretty ignorant for someone who claims to![/quote]
masks do not cause "oxygen dips"

@saltedcaramel1 try reading up the thread my oxygen levels dip anyway due to long covid!

[quote Scottishskifun]@saltedcaramel1 try reading up the thread my oxygen levels dip anyway due to long covid![/quote]
apologies @Scottishskifun!!

I thought you were saying in a general sense that masks cause oxygen dips.

I don't understand this reaction to masks. If they cause you distress (i.e., exactly as in your example due to your LC), then you self-exempt. If not, then you wear one and help reduce transmission if you are infectious.

'try reading up the thread my oxygen levels dip anyway due to long covid!'

Yes as you say possibly due to long covid, not face covers.

@JaniieJones

'try reading up the thread my oxygen levels dip anyway due to long covid!'

Yes as you say possibly due to long covid, not face covers.

😂 Except I am told by Dr's not to wear them........ And you will be happy to know have a letter which states it too...... 🙄

'If they cause you distress (i.e., exactly as in your example due to your LC), then you self-exempt. If not, then you wear one and help reduce transmission if you are infectious.'

Because we could all say they cause us distress, no one likes wearing them but when we are advised to for an actual scientific reason like reducing spread then we all should.

I don't want to be breathing in anyone else's infected particles because they find them uncomfortable, unpleasant or just a faff on. The tiny minority genuinely exempt, fine. It just seems a bandwagon far too many jump on.

Spain has now joined the huge list of countries that won’t let them in with unvaccinated
Has this changed for 12-15 yr olds since half term then? My GS just had to produce a negative PCR result to enter Spain as he didn't have a vaccine pass.

@JaniieJones

'do you know everyone that works in healthcare ?? '

No this is a chat forum not a court of law. All our opinions tend to be anecdotal related, you won't have peer reviewed papers I'm afraid.

I don't know everyone who shops in Tescos either but ime a lot were refusers and they cannot all have ptsd and trigeminal neuralgia can they, hmm? The vague exemptions gave many a get out clause, thus spoiling it for the genuine few.

What 'spoils it' (curious wording there - as if it's a special treat, or privilege) for those who are exempt is those who don't believe in, or understand, exemption. Those who very vocally have their own idea of what warrants exemption and what doesn't, despite there already being rules in place for this. Those who believe that the effects of rape and DV can be magicked away by a bit of therapy, which of course is so very easy to obtain on the NHS. Those who present their opinion ('there are vanishingly few genuinely exempt people'/'other countries don't have exemptions'/'NHS staff aren't exempt' and so on) as fact.

Those whose views perpetuate the idea that no mask = selfish, and who claim they care about the wellbeing of others while using phrases which thinly veil their contempt for people living with disabilities and health issues who are exempt.

Those are the people who are spoiling it.

'Except I am told by Dr's not to wear them........ And you will be happy to know have a letter which states it too'

Oh that's great @Scottishskifun. I'm surprised though, I didn't think they did letters about face covers.

I work in health care with many glasses wearing colleagues. I've never come across anyone with foggy glasses and we wear masks for hours at a time.

Love to know how you all manage this! Cold weather and damp air makes things worse, I guess hospital air is hot and dry? Do people tape the top of the mask? I do seem to have a bigger problem with this than most people.

I don't know everyone who shops in Tescos either but ime a lot were refusers and they cannot all have ptsd and trigeminal neuralgia can they, hmm?

Those aren't the only reasons for exemption though. Indeed the government website doesn't list individual conditions.

If you work in healthcare, as you claim, you would be fully aware of the rules around exemption.

@AmaryllisNightAndDay do you wear a fabric mask? I find those do make foggy glasses. You need one with wire along the bridge of the nose. Press it firm on either side of your nose and wear it so the wire is just above the lower rim of your glasses.