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Original poster

Is anyone exempt from wearing a mask but feels that they should try their best to wear one?

131 replies

girlbaby85 · 16/12/2021 19:20

I'm asthmatic and take two different coloured asthma pumps making me exempt from wearing a mask. When the mask wearing rule came into effect, I tried so hard to wear a mask even though I could barely breathe. I tried the fabric ones and the medical ones and neither worked for me. I then got pregnant and eventually gave up because I was constantly out of breath😂

When I had my baby I was very cautious of my surroundings so tried to wear my mask again as I didn't want to get ill. Some days were easier than others but I eventually gave up yet again. Fast forward to now and I'm pregnant again and with the new variant I've tried so hard to keep wearing a mask but it's literally hell!

DP says he doesn't know why I keep putting myself in this position of doing this when I know it makes it harder to breathe but I wondered if there's anyone else about that shares my pain? I think the reason why I keep trying to wear the mask is because I want to feel as if I'm doing my bit by keeping myself safe and other people. I find it so annoying that I can't wear one even though there's nothing I can do about it!

(I know there's bigger things to worry about so this is kind of lighthearted)

OP posts:
JKDinomum · 17/12/2021 08:21

I'd like to ask a related question. Does anybody live in a country where there are no exemptions to the mask rules, for example France? Do you, or anyone you know genuinely have difficulty living live as a result of the legal requirement to wear a mask? Is there any evidence of people passing out or having actual medical problems as a result of wearing a mask? I'm just intrigued that here there seem to be loads of people who are exempt but in lots of other countries literally everyone has to wear one.

Draggondragon · 17/12/2021 08:21

How do I know? How do you think? Maybe I work in a government position? Maybe I am a CMC officer? I'm not exactly going to move thousands of miles away to be a housewife Grin

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:22

Oh dear @Draggondragon. I'm absolutely mortified for you 😬

Draggondragon · 17/12/2021 08:23

All those so called exempt people wear masks when they want to do something for themselves, like go to a Gary Barlow concert. Ear plugs would also be advisable in that case.

Draggondragon · 17/12/2021 08:24

I don't care. I love these middle class hypocritical posters who think they are so clever. It's so entertaining. Sad for them but fun

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:26

@JKDinomum

I'd like to ask a related question. Does anybody live in a country where there are no exemptions to the mask rules, for example France? Do you, or anyone you know genuinely have difficulty living live as a result of the legal requirement to wear a mask? Is there any evidence of people passing out or having actual medical problems as a result of wearing a mask? I'm just intrigued that here there seem to be loads of people who are exempt but in lots of other countries literally everyone has to wear one.
France has mask exemptions.

If I wear a mask (and believe me, I've tried, and thrown lots of money at the problem too), I have a TN attack. They can be so painful I sometimes lose consciousness. That's just me - there are lots of other reasons why people can't wear them. That's why exemptions exist, thankfully. Without them, hundreds of thousands of people would not be able to access employment, medical care, education and so on.

Somebodylikeyew · 17/12/2021 08:28

Genuine question OP, have you tried different types of mask? I’m just wondering what hospital staff, especially theatre staff have done all these years, there MUST statistically be lots of them with asthma, so wondering if the masks they wear are easier somehow?

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:28

@Draggondragon you're actually really funny - I don't know if it's intentional or not but you've given me a much needed laugh this morning!

Draggondragon · 17/12/2021 08:33

Ditto. I genuinely enjoy it, we love your QV posts in my office so no point in trying the usual bullying crap. See ya babes Wink

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:46

@Draggondragon

Ditto. I genuinely enjoy it, we love your QV posts in my office so no point in trying the usual bullying crap. See ya babes Wink
Calling people who may be disabled 'clearly twats' is bullying.

What was that you said about hypocrisy, babes?

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 08:53

@draggondragon

So you do see people without masks where you are and they 'have good reasons' for not doing so.

Are these the people who had their fines waived, a thing which 'never happens'?

Grin
Is anyone exempt from wearing a mask but feels that they should try their best to wear one?
Draggondragon · 17/12/2021 09:06

Not really. Because people generally do. And because people are generally happy to follow the rules, it's pretty obvious they can't wear one. Being an angry sixth former just isn't a thing.

herecomesthsun · 17/12/2021 09:11

I have chronic lung disease. I could argue for being exempt, but actually I wear a FFP2 level mask in any crowded indoor situation etc.

My son has asthma and is going through assessment for autism - but he also wears a FFP2 mask in any situation of increased risk.

So we have reasons for exemption, but we're able to wear masks so we do.

I appreciate some people can't wear masks for other sorts of reasons, and I don't judge people who don't.

If enough of us are careful that will help everybody.

WeatherwaxOn · 17/12/2021 09:14

Two of my friends. One with asthma, the other with a raft of medical issues. The latter has been isolating as much as possible for several weeks.

Scottishskifun · 17/12/2021 09:15

@Somebodylikeyew

Genuine question OP, have you tried different types of mask? I’m just wondering what hospital staff, especially theatre staff have done all these years, there MUST statistically be lots of them with asthma, so wondering if the masks they wear are easier somehow?
There are different levels of medical mask surgical masks used to tie rather then ear loops in many cases but also depended on what the hospital provided.

I think people forget that asthma is a sliding scale from mild to severe and also dependent on the season. Someone with severe asthma is unlikely to have managed a whole day in one etc.

There are thousands of asthmatics who are able to tolerate masks for periods but this may change with seasons. I was able to tolerate them for example as mine was mild before I got covid.
But since my asthma has got worse and breathlessness can be very bad and Winter makes that a lot worse. I have had bronchitis for over a month I have never had this before my body just can't shift it off my chest and lungs I'm mid 30s!

maddy68 · 17/12/2021 09:17

In the country I live in there are no such thing as mask exemptions. Everyone manages

pianolessons1 · 17/12/2021 09:17

@girlbaby85

I'm asthmatic and take two different coloured asthma pumps making me exempt from wearing a mask. When the mask wearing rule came into effect, I tried so hard to wear a mask even though I could barely breathe. I tried the fabric ones and the medical ones and neither worked for me. I then got pregnant and eventually gave up because I was constantly out of breath😂

When I had my baby I was very cautious of my surroundings so tried to wear my mask again as I didn't want to get ill. Some days were easier than others but I eventually gave up yet again. Fast forward to now and I'm pregnant again and with the new variant I've tried so hard to keep wearing a mask but it's literally hell!

DP says he doesn't know why I keep putting myself in this position of doing this when I know it makes it harder to breathe but I wondered if there's anyone else about that shares my pain? I think the reason why I keep trying to wear the mask is because I want to feel as if I'm doing my bit by keeping myself safe and other people. I find it so annoying that I can't wear one even though there's nothing I can do about it!

(I know there's bigger things to worry about so this is kind of lighthearted)

Asthma does make you exempt and you're a decent human being to wear one despite it being uncomfortable..I wish more would do the same.
ElectraBlue · 17/12/2021 09:18

Why should you 'try your hardest' if wearing a mask is clearly impacting your health?

If I try to wear a mask, my breathing is invariably affected within 5 minutes and I start feeling dizzy and my ability to see and walk are affected. I almost passed out in a shop when I tried to wear a mask at the very beginning of the pandemic.

The idea of not being able to breathe, falling over and cracking my head on a shop's shelf is not exactly appealing and frankly it is dangerous.

So no I don't wear a mask and have no intention of ever doing so because I cannot control the above adverse reaction.

I think you should not listen too the self-righteous people who are suggesting that all you have to do is 'make an effort'.

Exemptions are here for very valid reasons.

pianolessons1 · 17/12/2021 09:19

Sorry that should say asthma doesn't make you exempt. From an asthmatic GP on 2 inhalers who hates masks but wears them anyway.

ElectraBlue · 17/12/2021 09:23

maddy68 ''In the country I live in there are no such thing as mask exemptions. Everyone manages''

Which is absolute nonsense. I have worked with people with disabilities who were using feeding tubes, breathing apparatus and other devices on a daily basis and they could not bloody 'manage' with a mask on their face. Or do you suggest they never live their homes?

They are many people who are affected and cannot wear masks for very good reason, often psychological.

I read a heart-wrenching account recently of someone who was raped during which her attacker restricted her breathing and putting a mask on brings back the trauma she suffered every time. So she could not wear one. Telling her to 'just manage' is frankly offensive.

Common sense please...

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 09:38

@maddy68

In the country I live in there are no such thing as mask exemptions. Everyone manages
Which country, if you don't mind me asking?

And if this is true (most countries do have exemptions), I'm afraid that no, not everyone is managing. People who can't wear masks won't have access to employment, medical care, education, shopping for necessities, public transport, and so on.

What you mean is, people who can wear masks are managing. Everyone else is unable to leave their homes.

Srirachachacha · 17/12/2021 10:06

I think the issue with exemptions here is that anyone can say they're exempt. There's no official way of monitoring and people take the piss.

changingstages · 17/12/2021 10:14

I think, probably, I'd be exempt, but for mental health rather than a physical health reason (to do with extended sexual abuse and CPTSD). I did find it difficult at first but it doesn't bother me at all now, so I'm actually really pleased about that. And I suppose that means I'm not exempt any more (sorry, thinking this through while writing this post!)

I really feel for those who can't, though. I read some accounts of people with TN and that sounds like a nightmare; or those who can't get past a psychological barrier. It's very difficult and I'd never challenge anyone for not wearing a mask. But I do feel angry at those who wang on about how they've bought their sunflower lanyard on eBay so they can go without even though they don't have an exemption, etc.

Ideally we should have had a proper exemption process like in other countries, but given the state of GP services I can't see how it would have worked without running them more into the ground with exhaustion...

alloalloallo · 17/12/2021 10:19

@maddy68

In the country I live in there are no such thing as mask exemptions. Everyone manages
If there are, genuinely no exemptions in your country and, then everyone who may have a disability which means they can’t wear a mask isn’t managing.

They’re simply unable to go to work, access education or medical attention, shop for food and necessities.

If you’re ok with that 🤷‍♀️

RachC2021 · 17/12/2021 10:21

Exempt but wear one.