Can we please have something done about the ableism and mask exemption hatred on here.

[HeIenaDove]

@MNHQ Its been running rampant on the AIBU and Coronavirus boards on here for months and is now starting to leak into Chat too.

Its getting ridiculous. There needs to be a zero tolerance with this as there is with racism. I got banned for a week last month for losing a rag and name calling but this was after months of this discrimination on here.

It needs to be treated in the same way racism is. Which is just as abhorrent But it isnt.

@DeeCeeCherry That is NOT what this thread is about Its about those who CANT wear them.

Its like saying that its because of the "scroungers" that people cant get DLA or PIP.

@MaxNormal

That was to DeeCee obvs.

That's right - It's not about racism. So stating racism isn't tolerated here when blatantly, it is, needed correction.

Mercy booth You are not my subtitle. It's fine to contribute to thread without referencing me several times and I've no idea what (or why) you're even talking about background of poster at all. You mentioned it - I didn't. If you're bothered about me referencing casual racism that's on you, doesn't change what I see and think at all.

Sorry @DeeCeeCherry I havent been on the same threads as you I didnt mean to upset anyone

Are you in the States. Ive seen a lot of anti mask selfies taken in stores on the news but the ones ive seen seem to be happening in America. Not saying it doesnt happen here (im sure it does) but the news items about maskless selfies in stores that ive seen are in the States.

Not bothered about you referencing casual racism at all. It has to be called out

Given exemptions only exist in the UK

Mask exemptions do not only exist in the U.K. A quick Google shows that there are exemptions in U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. I'm sure there are others.

France, Spain and Germany too also have exemptions.

There is absolutely a fairly strong anti-mask minority in the UK. I've seen it on local Facebook groups and other groups as well as twitter. As a parent to a child with a disability, I'm extremely angry that these groups have appropriated disability legislation - they are constantly misinterpreting the Equalities Act. Some are claiming to their schools that their kids are exempt and threatening to sue the school for enquiring what disability the child has that makes them exempt. If you genuinely have a child in school who has a disability, you will have a much better understanding of how this works, you will have argued the toss for years about reasonable adjustments and what is "reasonable". You will have encountered ablism. You will have had to go to great lengths to educate the school about what your child's disability is and why that means they need the adjustments. I think we do best to direct our anger at these people. On the other hand, I don't think there is anyone who likes wearing a mask. Neither do clinically vulnerable, many of whom may be disabled, enjoy having to lock themselves away because of the pandemic. I suggest we all direct our anger towards people who aren't exempt who refuse to wear a mask because of their own pathological selfishness (which they justify to themselves with false science).

@frazzledquaver, very well said.

I'm not sure if it was this resurrected thread, or another more recent, but the people who simply don't want to wear one, and know that they aren't going to be challenged, are doing a huge huge disservice to those who genuinely can't. The appropriation (almost) of disability by these people is appalling.

There is exemption written into the legislation of most countries I imagine. Here in Italy if you can't wear one, you can't. It's written in the government DPCMs. (emergency legislation) I'm not sure it's being abused as much as in the UK though.

@nimnnimntypl

There's lots of people saying not to do anything about coronavirus and everyone who's vulnerable should stay at home or just maybe die. I feel like that's more anti disabled.

Spot on

and

@BingIsAMassiveTwat

Totally agree, OP. If masks had any positive effect then I could understand the vitriol those exempt are getting on this site, but given their complete ineffectiveness against anything it is so out of proportion.

So the WHO, CDC etc etc have it wrong ?

I agree..some people have been vile.

There's lots of people saying not to do anything about coronavirus and everyone who's vulnerable should stay at home or just maybe die. I feel like that's more anti disabled.

I would have thought that saying that vulnerable people should stay at home, ie shield, is the exact opposite of wanting them to die.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4132841-How-should-masks-be-enforced-in-public

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4132982-morrisons-to-ban-shoppers-who-refuse-to-wear-face-masks

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4133141-Sainsburys-and-Morrisons

Was just coming here to make this thread. It's not only on threads it's spilling into PMs as well. It's disabalism. Again

You have had PMs @Becca19962014?

Hello, @MercyBooth and @Becca19962014 - thanks for flagging these threads up; we'll take a look at them now.

Also, if you've had any PMs, please would you report them to us directly so we can look at them and take the necessary action?

Thanks so much.

I deleted them. But if I get more I will report. I know others have had PMs as I've contacted them to offer support and got a reply days later apologising for not replying before because they were too afraid to open them having had nasty PMs.

Thank you.