Would you comment on a non-mask wearer when in public?

[92miles]

If you passed a fit young person coming into a busy venue as you were exiting, and that person wasn't wearing a mask, would you say anything to them?

I wouldn't because you've got no way of knowing if that person is exempt. It is also possible the person does have a mask and had simply forgotten to slip it on. I think they will pretty soon notice others wearing masks and it will remind them if that's the case.

I've witnessed other people making comments to non mask wearers when in public though.

No, Because they are either exempt who needs no harassment, or anti masker who is better to stay away from.

No I would never say anything. I do feel that it should be somebody’s job to challenge them though. Surely there are non mask wearers who could be wearing visors instead, especially shop workers. If they are exempt, could they wear a badge to say so? I find it stressful to shop around non mask wearers, especially when they’re coughing. The more eyebrows raised the more they cough. I wish they’d employ people to make checks or to check their exemption documentation before entering a public place. It’s worrying to see vulnerable looking people having to shop amongst these types of people. I have vulnerable relatives and work with vulnerable people, to put my concerns into the context of my life.

Possibly, but then the most dangerous person in my town is quite a small, skinny bloke who looks like the last person you’d expect to be extremely violent. A woman I used to babysit for, who again looks like butter wouldn’t melt, was also very violent and could start a fight in a empty phone box. The point is that you just don’t know, not for definite, and I’m not starting something with a random stranger just because they don’t have a mask on.

All this middle class “hard staring” is bollocks in the real world. And the point is that you wouldn’t do it if you thought there was a risk of bring beaten up or worse, so why do it at all? If you’re only picking on a soft target then you’re a bully and your principles only apply when you think you can get away with it.

All this middle class “hard staring” is bollocks in the real world. And the point is that you wouldn’t do it if you thought there was a risk of bring beaten up or worse, so why do it at all? If you’re only picking on a soft target then you’re a bully and your principles only apply when you think you can get away with it.

Bingo.

" If they are exempt, could they wear a badge to say so? "

Why? Lanyards etc are available for those who prefer to wear them but they are intended for the benefit of the wearer not other people.
The best thing to do is to avoid places where you are not comfortable with level of social distancing and mask wearing. That's what I do.

@Metropolismoon

No I would never say anything. I do feel that it should be somebody’s job to challenge them though. Surely there are non mask wearers who could be wearing visors instead, especially shop workers. If they are exempt, could they wear a badge to say so? I find it stressful to shop around non mask wearers, especially when they’re coughing. The more eyebrows raised the more they cough. I wish they’d employ people to make checks or to check their exemption documentation before entering a public place. It’s worrying to see vulnerable looking people having to shop amongst these types of people. I have vulnerable relatives and work with vulnerable people, to put my concerns into the context of my life.

Exemption documentation isn't a thing, so that's not a very practical suggestion.

Even if it were, who you think would be paying for these checkers? The already battered retail and hospitality industries?!

@CoffeeWithCheese

I thought MNers were all equipped with precocious children who would loudly comment that "that man isn't very caring as he's not wearing a mask and that means he doesn't want to keep other people safe mummy and I know I must always wear a mask and have been since I emerged from the birth canal mummy"

Reminds me of when I parked in a P&C space and a woman got the child with her to comment that I "seemed to have forgotten my children". I told her it was because the shop they were going into was for taking children back that you didn't want anymore

@Metropolismoon

No I would never say anything. I do feel that it should be somebody’s job to challenge them though. Surely there are non mask wearers who could be wearing visors instead, especially shop workers. If they are exempt, could they wear a badge to say so? I find it stressful to shop around non mask wearers, especially when they’re coughing. The more eyebrows raised the more they cough. I wish they’d employ people to make checks or to check their exemption documentation before entering a public place. It’s worrying to see vulnerable looking people having to shop amongst these types of people. I have vulnerable relatives and work with vulnerable people, to put my concerns into the context of my life.

Visors are completely useless and many governments (and hospitals, including mine) don't allow them to be worn without masks underneath. They are open on all sides and do nothing to protect either the wearer or others. Also, many exempt people cannot wear visors anyway.

Most exempt people wear lanyards, although they are under no obligation whatsoever to do so. Lanyards can be purchased by anyone and prove nothing.

There is no such thing as 'exemption documentation'. Why on earth are you under the impression that there is?

From all you've said, it seems clear that you've not actually read government rules around mask wearing/exemption. Perhaps familiarise yourself with them, then respect them.

I don't think most exempt people wear lanyards. I've seen two in total! Maybe it depends on the area. Its definitely not a thing around here.

No. I don’t even comment at work on the rare occasion that someone comes in without one (place where they’re legally required).

DH got told off for not wearing a mask OUTSIDE (on a walk along a tow path near us, not a crowded city centre). Absolutely mental 😂😂

It annoys the fuck out of me.

I am medically exempt from wearing a mask. I have a severe condition.

However, I choose to wear one.

For others and myself. I don't want a badge for it but I do find myself getting really annoyed when I see other people, especially groups of people together, not wearing a mask.

Sure there are some people exempt, but whole entire families? I don't think so.

I find it extremely arrogant and ignorant.

It's almost like some people do it to a ' prove a point', yet we are in a global pandemic.

It's fucking crazy really as these people are the first to complain when we get locked down or heavier restrictions are put into place

If you can wear a mask then you are not exempt.

I wish they’d employ people to make checks or to check their exemption documentation before entering a public place.

If you could let me know where I can get that, I'll happily show "my papers" when required.

I wish they’d employ people to make checks or to check their exemption documentation before entering a public place

Exemption documentation doesn't exist, besides which, what would they put "X is exempt from wearing a mask as they are asthmatic"...which could then prompt the checker to say "well my DS is asthmatic and she can wear one so put on a mask!!" Unless the document goes into detail, which would mean nothing to anyone unless they are a HCP there would really be no point to them.

@BananaPant

It annoys the fuck out of me.

I am medically exempt from wearing a mask. I have a severe condition.

However, I choose to wear one.

For others and myself. I don't want a badge for it but I do find myself getting really annoyed when I see other people, especially groups of people together, not wearing a mask.

Sure there are some people exempt, but whole entire families? I don't think so.

I find it extremely arrogant and ignorant.

It's almost like some people do it to a ' prove a point', yet we are in a global pandemic.

It's fucking crazy really as these people are the first to complain when we get locked down or heavier restrictions are put into place

Exemption is defined as an inability to put on, take off or wear a mask. If you can put one on and wear one and take one off, which you can if you're wearing one, you're not exempt. There is no list of conditions which confer exemption. Of course I understand that some conditions fluctuate and you may be able to wear one one day, but not another - however, that's not what you're saying. You're saying you're exempt but you 'choose' to wear one. Exempt people don't have that choice - they can't.

Posts like yours are unhelpful because they perpetuate the idea that exempt people aren't trying hard enough, that they could wear a mask if they wanted to. I would love to. I've spent a small fortune on trying to find a solution - there isn't one. My consultant has said not to put myself through it, I'm exempt and that's that.

K

Posted too soon - also meant to say that it's perfectly reasonable that some families may be exempt. Some conditions are hereditary. There may be a SEN child who cannot wear a mask and needs to see the faces of their parents clearly. There are several families like this at the school DD teaches at, for example.

It's rather ironic that you call exempt people (genuinely exempt people, not people who are able to choose to wear a mask) 'ignorant'. It really, really is.

My point is not about exempt people, it's about people pretending to be exempt.

Literally that. Like I said in my previous post, I find it hugely unlikely entire families are exempt that are not wearing masks . I see these people regularly; as if it's some kind of thing to ' prove ' they won't comply with regulations.

Jeez, I have the severest of mental health. I was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when it came to wearing a mask and for all the panic attacks wearing one brings as well as claustrophobia, I still wear it as I feel safer.

This has nothing to do with genuinely exempt non mask wearers but more about those that blatantly take the piss.

@TheVampiresWife

Posted too soon - also meant to say that it's perfectly reasonable that some families may be exempt. Some conditions are hereditary. There may be a SEN child who cannot wear a mask and needs to see the faces of their parents clearly. There are several families like this at the school DD teaches at, for example.

It's rather ironic that you call exempt people (genuinely exempt people, not people who are able to choose to wear a mask) 'ignorant'. It really, really is.

I'm not buying that. I myself work with SEN families . In a school.

No because either they’re genuinely exempt which means I would be an arsehole for challenging them, or they’re a selfish ignorant arsehole who wouldn’t take kindly to being challenged.

It’s very frustrating seeing groups of young people together on public transport and not a single one is wearing a mask though (I see this every single day while commuting). Highly unlikely they’re all exempt, very likely they’re all selfish arseholes.

I'm not buying that. I myself work with SEN families . In a school.

Ah, the old Mumsnet 'I've no experience of a thing so it can't be true' line

I have been wondering, if you are someone who doesn't wear a mask because you are exempt, are you at all concerned when you are surrounded by others not wearing masks, potentially infecting you?

@whiteroseredrose

I have been wondering, if you are someone who doesn't wear a mask because you are exempt, are you at all concerned when you are surrounded by others not wearing masks, potentially infecting you?

I wear a mask, my daughter can’t. Yes I am very worried about this and try hard to encourage her to socially distance at all possible times and I avoid taking her to crowded places.

@whiteroseredrose

I have been wondering, if you are someone who doesn't wear a mask because you are exempt, are you at all concerned when you are surrounded by others not wearing masks, potentially infecting you?

I'm CEV so worried about being in places where there are lots of people, masked or unmasked. I try not to be in situations like that as much as I can, though it's not always possible.

When I caught Covid I had no idea whether it was an unmasked or masked person who 'gave' it to me. If you're out and about in a pandemic there's a chance you'll catch it and it's nobody's fault if you do - the blame game re covid is just bonkers.

Incidentally the only place I'd been for over a week when I caught it was a supermarket, for about ten minutes at a quiet time - and I didn't see anyone in there without a mask. So you see, it could just have easily been my unmasked postman, or Amazon delivery driver, or yes - a masked person at Aldi. Who knows?

I work in a shop which attracts both elderly/sick people and tourists/hen party groups.i want all my customers to feel safe. If I see someone without a mask or exemption lanyard, I politely remind them that masks are now required unless they are exempt. In the vast majority of cases, the person has a mask in their pocket and had just forgotten to put it on, or just needed a nudge to wear it. The rest are split evenly between people who are exempt, and people who claim to be exempt with a smirk but who are clearly lying. I leave it as a single reminder.

I