Masks Again

FatCat

Well-known member
I know some of us like mask debating more than others but can someone give an opinion.

I know it shouldn’t but it really riles me when I see people saying “I am exempt but I wear one to protect others” as if they are some kind of modern day hero.
Maybe I don’t understand but currently I think these people are misunderstanding the rules! To me the rules state that you dont have to wear a mask if for example you have a condition And importantly For my argument that condition prevents you from wearing a mask.

For example Dave has asthma and wearing a mask makes it difficult for him to breathe and could trigger an asthma attack therefore he is exempt from wearing a mask.
Karen has asthma she can wear a mask, she can breathe normally and it does not trigger her condition in any way shape or form.

karen then goes around telling anybody who will listed she is exempt But wears a mask to protect others.

Below are the rules from the government website, for me it is very clear, it is quite black or white, you either are or are not exempt, as you can see I am overly invested in this but it just winds me up and wanted a second opinion?
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
  • children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
  • police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
 
Not sure why that reason should bother you? I am more bothered by the ones that pretend they have a condition but don’t, just because they can, think its clever, and nobody can disprove it, they are simply far to smart to give a fig about their fellow human beings. The rules are far too vague and easily excused. I choose to stay as clear as I can from a non mask wearer, and, frankly mask wearers too. It is easier and less fraught.
 
I know some of us like mask debating more than others but can someone give an opinion.

I know it shouldn’t but it really riles me when I see people saying “I am exempt but I wear one to protect others” as if they are some kind of modern day hero.
Maybe I don’t understand but currently I think these people are misunderstanding the rules! To me the rules state that you dont have to wear a mask if for example you have a condition And importantly For my argument that condition prevents you from wearing a mask.

For example Dave has asthma and wearing a mask makes it difficult for him to breathe and could trigger an asthma attack therefore he is exempt from wearing a mask.
Karen has asthma she can wear a mask, she can breathe normally and it does not trigger her condition in any way shape or form.

karen then goes around telling anybody who will listed she is exempt But wears a mask to protect others.

Below are the rules from the government website, for me it is very clear, it is quite black or white, you either are or are not exempt, as you can see I am overly invested in this but it just winds me up and wanted a second opinion?
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):

  • children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
  • police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public


It isn’t as you say ‘black and white’ I’m afraid.
The key phrase ‘this includes but isn’t limited to’
And, as a reminder anyone can say they are exempt and they do not have to give a reason.
 
I know some of us like mask debating more than others but can someone give an opinion.

I know it shouldn’t but it really riles me when I see people saying “I am exempt but I wear one to protect others” as if they are some kind of modern day hero.
Maybe I don’t understand but currently I think these people are misunderstanding the rules! To me the rules state that you dont have to wear a mask if for example you have a condition And importantly For my argument that condition prevents you from wearing a mask.

For example Dave has asthma and wearing a mask makes it difficult for him to breathe and could trigger an asthma attack therefore he is exempt from wearing a mask.
Karen has asthma she can wear a mask, she can breathe normally and it does not trigger her condition in any way shape or form.

karen then goes around telling anybody who will listed she is exempt But wears a mask to protect others.

Below are the rules from the government website, for me it is very clear, it is quite black or white, you either are or are not exempt, as you can see I am overly invested in this but it just winds me up and wanted a second opinion?
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):

  • children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
  • police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
People called Karen get a bad rap these days.
 
I like Coluka fail to understand why it should bother you. I am asthmatic and wear a mask normally without incidence. A couple of times it causes me to have coughing fits and others I need to use my inhaler more often than normal. I don't know anyone who tells people they are exempt and wear them to protect other. I just wear it and get on with it. It saves me from getting abuse from the Mask Police in pubs etc if I so much as move my little finger.
 
In theory because I have a physical condition I am exempt from wearing a mask because wearing a mask can causes breathing difficulties.

The "cannot" in the guidance applies to me but not all the time.

Most of the time I can manage so I choose to wear a mask, both to protect myself & others though I would never boast about it as quoted in the op.

The rules give no guidance on my position but then again realistically they can't be expected to cover every single scenario.
 
I have asthma and wear a mask when I have to, it’s less aggro than having to tell some busybody to **** off. I don’t wear it outside or when I don’t have to and I’ll take it off at work when I’m inside a aircraft as it’s too hot and not practical for a lot of my jobs. I don’t fear the virus and I’m pretty certain I’ve had it already. I can see why people are pushing back, some of the rules lack any common sense or rationale what so ever, I have to wear a mask to walk into my gym but not whilst working out even though I have to take the same path in and out the changing rooms 🤷🏼‍♂️
 
Just wear the mask, yes it might be a slight pain, but it's painful to lose loved ones or be in a hospital yourself

People that shop/mixing in public places without wearing a mask (unless allowed for medical reasons), look like idiots.... they may think they look intelligent and edgy going against the mainstream / government advice - but no, pure idiots in my book
 
Has anyone else noticed how the recent "2nd wave" increase in Covid cases has coincided with a huge increase in mask wearing among the public................. mmmmmmmmmm :unsure:
 
Schools and Universities. You have hit the nail on the head there Cardiff. Just watching Look North tonight and it was reporting on Stockton. Since the start of new term in September 3292 children and staff have been told to self isolate. 63 nurseries, schools and colleges have been affected. Sometimes the whole school has had to close. As I said this is just Stockton but it's an incredible amount of people.
 
Schools and Universities. You have hit the nail on the head there Cardiff. Just watching Look North tonight and it was reporting on Stockton. Since the start of new term in September 3292 children and staff have been told to self isolate. 63 nurseries, schools and colleges have been affected. Sometimes the whole school has had to close. As I said this is just Stockton but it's an incredible amount of people.

Yes take Poland as a perfect example. They were doing very well controlling the virus with cafes and restaurants open. And then they opened schools and colleges again, late, and lo and behold, and its no coincidence, their figures soared in the adult population.
 
???

Mask wearing thats it. Nothing to do with Universities and schools back open, disregard for social distancing in supermarkets, pubs and restaurants and outside for that matter.
Pubs and restaurants been open since 4th July. I know it's easy to use the industry as a scapegoat but you'll be actually be doing Wancock a favour blaming us.
 
I know some of us like mask debating more than others but can someone give an opinion.

I know it shouldn’t but it really riles me when I see people saying “I am exempt but I wear one to protect others” as if they are some kind of modern day hero.
Maybe I don’t understand but currently I think these people are misunderstanding the rules! To me the rules state that you dont have to wear a mask if for example you have a condition And importantly For my argument that condition prevents you from wearing a mask.

For example Dave has asthma and wearing a mask makes it difficult for him to breathe and could trigger an asthma attack therefore he is exempt from wearing a mask.
Karen has asthma she can wear a mask, she can breathe normally and it does not trigger her condition in any way shape or form.

karen then goes around telling anybody who will listed she is exempt But wears a mask to protect others.

Below are the rules from the government website, for me it is very clear, it is quite black or white, you either are or are not exempt, as you can see I am overly invested in this but it just winds me up and wanted a second opinion?
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):

  • children under the age of 11 (Public Health England does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others ‒ including if it would negatively impact on your ability to exercise or participate in a strenuous activity
  • police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
You do realise you can be exempt from an activity but still partake in that activity? Exemption isn't exclusion.

I thought this had been made clear but masks help slow down the spread of the virus, I think they do little to protect the wearer. So, yes, people who are exempt from wearing masks are doing a really good thing. They are doing something they don't have to do, because it may be beneficial to others. It's a really selfless act.
 
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