Not wearing a face mask

[a chesters]

OH has COPD, and is under doctors orders to walk for 20-30 minutes every day. We walk in the local shopping centre, about 07:00, before the mass of shoppers are around.

When we go shopping, we were a mask for the time period we are in the shops, but when we get back to the car, we remove them, so we can breath properly.

AC

[majm]

Several of my family members are Asthmatics  and they have "raided,' our home made face guards that we originally made years ago .... to avoid splashing glue and etc from craft projects into eyes .... they cover similar surface area to the full face shields that nurses wear, so protect eyes, nose, mouth, chin, forehead, around to the ears.   We used clear "document wallets" from the local stationery shop,  but I now know that the big hardware house with the Buggings hammer or similar has the craft face shield for $3 each.

JM

[Guy Etchells]

The only way to enforce it is for some form of ID to be issued to those exempt.  It would give shops and other places the authority to ban people not wearing a mask and without ID.  It would also enable police to issue fines

Why not just imprison those exempt people, it would be for their own good!!!

Do you not realise how may times disabled people with hidden disabilities get challenged. They have to come to terms with their limited abilities but such challenges destroy what confidence they have.

Instead of demanding they prove they are exempt give them the benefit of the doubt and assume if they are not wearing a mask they are exempt and let them live their lives in peace.
If you are frightened of being infected by them keep away from them, you are possibly more dangerous to them than they are to you.

Do not forget in the UK a person is innocent until proved to be guilty by a court of law we do not prejudge people.
Cheers
Guy

[CaroleW]

Even libertarian's can contract Covid19 and pass it on to others

Whilst I am also not convinced of the benefit of masks I will abide by the rules and therefore expect others to do the same irrespective of their personal feelings or views.

In normal circumstances I would not expect anybody to "prove their illness"  but these are not normal times and people are quite deliberately pretending they are exempt because they think they are clever  and can get away with it. 

Failure to produce some form of ID would give staff justification to refuse admission and therefore protect other shoppers.   

Surely a genuine person would not object??

[Pheno]

How can you be sure that even those wearing face coverings are actually helping to stop the virus spreading?  Aren't they supposed to be washed or disposed of after use or they lose their effectiveness.  How may people do you think do this?  Most probably they are not effective at all in preventing someone with coronavirus spreading the disease even though wearing a face covering.

Pheno

[Guy Etchells]

Surely a genuine person would not object??

Turn the question round the other way would you object if you had to prove everywhere you go you did not have any illness any deodorant any perfume that could affect any person or anything you come into contact with?
I do not think you would last very long before it became very tiring and wearing on you, in fact I expect you may even object to me making such a suggestion, but that is how many disabled people feel every single day of their lives.
Some have to put up with such victimisation when they have invisible disabilities when they park, or their driver parks in a disabled bay even when they have a perfect right to do so.
My wife for instance has epilepsy and is entitled for a bus pass, she used to have one but when it came to renewal she was refused and told she would have to have a letter from her doctor to prove she had epilepsy. A letter from a specialist containing her details since 4 years old specifying her condition was long term and would not change was not enough for those jobsworths so my wife cancelled her application for a bus pass. That is the kind of effect you "Surely a genuine person would not object?" has.

Many disabled people do not apply for assistance because to that type of reaction.
Cheers
Guy

[Kiltpin]

If you go to the Asthma UK website there is a printable sheet which says "I am exempt from wearing a face covering, I have asthma". It also gives a link to the government site where there are 2 printable sheets. 

My wife has severe asthma, often triggered by a sudden change in temperature, pollen, dust, gust of wind in her face. I printed out all the down loads, trimmed and laminated them. Added a "stay-fresh clip" and she has a label large enough to be read at a distance of 6 feet.   

She has yet to be accused of anything, but we have had many enquiries. 

Regards   

Chas
 

[Caw1]

If you go to the Asthma UK website there is a printable sheet which says "I am exempt from wearing a face covering, I have asthma". It also gives a link to the government site where there are 2 printable sheets. 

My wife has severe asthma, often triggered by a sudden change in temperature, pollen, dust, gust of wind in her face. I printed out all the down loads, trimmed and laminated them. Added a "stay-fresh clip" and she has a label large enough to be read at a distance of 6 feet.   

She has yet to be accused of anything, but we have had many enquiries. 

Regards   

Chas

At last someone who accepts the situation isn't as normally and you've actually created what I suggested in my previous post.

It isn't labelling people as outcasts but does mean that those who can be quite accusatory will see straight away why a face covering is not being worn. I applaud you for putting your wife at ease.

Whilst this is a difficult situation for EVERYONE and is not necessarily going to prevent anyone contracting covid 19 perhaps it makes some feel more comfortable... what ever people's personal views are as to whether this is a good idea or not we have all been requested to do this for the good of us all.

It has been clear that those people who think the requests don't pertain to them and they can go about willy nilly, it's about time they gave some thought to the effects they are having on those who are more vulnerable in our society.

Caroline

[CaroleW]

Do you not realise how may times disabled people with hidden disabilities get challenged

From my earlier reply

In normal circumstances I would not expect anybody to "prove their illness"  but these are not normal times

How can you be sure that even those wearing face coverings are actually helping to stop the virus spreading?

From my reply above

Whilst I am also not convinced of the benefit of masks I will abide by the rules and therefore expect others to do the same irrespective of their personal feelings or views

If somebody has reused a face mask - I would think the problem is then on their own side of the mask as that is the part they have breathed/coughed into etc

Given the huge number of deaths & serious nature of this virus coupled with the current increase in cases etc - If I was exempt - I would have absolutely no objection to being asked to provide an exemption certificate as proof.   Everybody has a duty of care.

I know somebody who travels each day from Manchester by train to Preston.  He told me people get on the train wearing masks for show then take them off.   Other passengers are unwilling to confront them so they get away with it time and time again.

Remind me again of all the places currently in a second lockdown because people are not abiding by the rules?  Packed beaches - shoulder to shoulder etc etc etc

If genuinely exempt persons had to carry proof of exemption - stores would then be able to display notices re refusal to admit etc and it would soon stop those who deliberately flout the law.