Visiting Edinburgh - mask exemption

[whiteonesugar]

Hi all

I’m visiting Edinburgh in the next couple of weeks and have mask exemption in England.
Will I need to carry this with me and is it valid? I don’t tend to wear the lanyard (I carry in my bag) as I don’t like to draw attention to myself but not sure whether I’m likely to be challenged in Edinburgh.

Can anyone advise? I’m happy to show the lanyard / card but not a huge fan of wearing it on display as it tends to invite comment!

My DM visited us from England and had a sunflower lanyard and everyone was nice to her, although she didn't go out lots.

I do think a lot of people do know the sunflower lanyard now.

I live in Edinburgh and don’t wear a mask. Have never been challenged anywhere except my local vets and The White Company in George Street. A simple “I’m exempt” works without need to show exemption card.

I'm in Glasgow rather than Edinburgh but I do notice if someone isn't wearing their mask inside/on public transport and find myself looking for a lanyard or badge.

So personally, I think you'd be better just wearing the lanyard.

...but I wouldn't ever challenge anyone. I'm
just very uncomfortable in their vicinity and would quietly move away from them.

I agree, save yourself the hassle and just wear the lanyard. Masks still very much the norm here.

When we were in Scotland everyone was really great about always wearing masks indoors and in crowded places. Most places we went, if someone wasn't, they were firmly and politely asked to.

There are so many a**holes who claim exemption when they have none, that it makes those with real exemptions look bad. I would wear the lanyard. It will relieve you of being constantly asked and stop everyone else from scowling at you. People really do have sympathy for real exemptions!

I'd wear the lanyard or be prepared to be asked and say you're exempt. It is required in various settings here and people do get asked for their masks in some of those settings, though not everywhere.

Conductor on my train this evening was asking people to wear masks. My tall 11yr old has also been asked a few times to wear a mask (I think people must think he's older than he is).

Remember you are entirely entitled to self certify exemption and the lanyard is not a legal requirement.

The St James Quarter have been hot on security approaching people to put on masks as it opened just after England took away wearing masks and a lot of visitors didn't realise.

Wear your landyard to protect you from the mask police here. It’s really sad we’re still even having this discussion. I personally do not care if someone is or isn’t wearing a mask or a lanyard. What a shame you have to tag yourself with hidden disabilities. Enjoy your Edinburgh trip, most decent folk will make you feel very welcome.

There are so many aholes who claim exemption when they have none, that it makes those with real exemptions look bad

Not sure how you can tell a real exemption from ‘an asshole’ not wearing one, but you obviously do have that super power.

I wonder how many assholes were at the Cop26 dinners or in our Scottish Parliament every day, as they don’t wear masks?

@prettybird that's your problem, though isn't it? It's none of your business why someone's not wearing a mask. And they definitely don't need a sign around their neck for your benefit.

My daughter works in the St James and many of the outlets have struggled with outbreaks pissing off those that need the cash to pay Edinburgh rents. Her shop asks everyone without a mask/lanyard if they would like one. I would definitely pop on my lanyard for the St James. In fact I would flash it on entry everywhere so you get don't get treated like a bam.

I'm near Glasgow and wear a lanyard if I remember, which I frequently don't and have never been challenged anywhere.
I actually went for my 3rd vaccine today without it and no-one said a thing.
(I didn't have an appointment either but that's a whole different subject!)

Yes, I’ve seen those power happy security guys asking folk to pop on masks in the outdoor bit of St James. What a joke- the outbreaks are not to do with folk shopping, ffs. I’m pretty sure the St James centre management want to make money over and above anything else, so probably don’t care if mask on or off. I haven’t been there in a while, I won’t be dashing back if they have some sort of mask police patrol still going on.

Edinburgh tourism will be on its knees if this attitude continues.

Do people think that having an exemption and therefore not wearing a mask makes that person less likely to have covid than "arseholes who pretend?"

Surely if you feel uncomfortable being in the presence of someone not wearing a mask, the reason for them not wearing it is irrelevant?

Just sick of all this now. It should be optional and I think the time for the population playing amateur covid police and "challenging" people should never have started never mind still going on. It's utter madness.

[quote Mojoj]@prettybird that's your problem, though isn't it? It's none of your business why someone's not wearing a mask. And they definitely don't need a sign around their neck for your benefit.[/quote]
I dont recall @prettybird saying she wanted to know why people weren't wearing masks, she just said she's uncomfortable round about them and would choose to move away. And thats her perogative, not her problem.

@ssd she said she looked for the lanyard round the neck of the person not wearing a mask. Why would you do that unless you wanted to know what was wrong with them? I am beyond sick of the mask monitors. Mind your own business ffs.

[quote Mojoj]@ssd she said she looked for the lanyard round the neck of the person not wearing a mask. Why would you do that unless you wanted to know what was wrong with them? I am beyond sick of the mask monitors. Mind your own business ffs.[/quote]
Well, thats your problem, isnt it

I definitely look for a lanyard if no mask on public transport/cafe/restaurant not because I care about why they have an exemption but because I am making an quick assessment of the risk to me (mask/landyard=okay neither=not okay). No different from the usual assessment you make when choosing where to sit.

@ssd - you're right I specifically said that I wouldn't challenge but would just move away from maskless people.

And my concern was justified: having been to 3 large (mostly) maskless events last weekend, a large funeral in Newcastle, a Halloween Party and an even larger funeral (so big that a few hundred of us had to stand outside) followed by the crowded purvey, dh and I both now have Covid

.....After over 18 months of being careful and keeping ourselves safe

Personally when I’m looking for somewhere to sit, if not at a ticketed event, I find an empty seat.
Do you not sit next to people who ‘look’ a certain way either?

I hate what Covid has done to us on a society level.

I doubt most people choose their seat completely randomly covid or not. Most will choose an empty seat according to their previous experiences/preferences eg for me avoid being near anyone who looks pissed on the last home train home. Its not something I think about.

Anyway not to derail OP. I would recommend showing your lanyard.

Och thats rotten luck @prettybird