Experience of not wearing a face covering

Plastic, that's a good response. However, my worry is that they would reply that people in wheelchairs or the blind can still wear masks. Some people have no idea how awful it is for some to have their face covered - they have no concept of what anxiety or sensory issues are like.

I have decided that if anyone tries to challenge me I will just state I'm exempt and show them my badge - if that's not enough to shut them up I'll state that I'm not required to explain myself further and advise them to look on the Gov.UK website. No point in me trying to debate with them as I'm useless at thinking of things to say in reply to people in that sort of situation.

I'm over 6' and quite big so Ken or Karen would have to be brave to start on me - but I'd just video them for youtube and ask them why they are so disgusted by disabled people?    Do they feel the same way about people in wheelchairs or blind people?    Should they be kicked out of a shop too?    Cringe them to death  

Karen-free Zone then.

My 2nd experience yesterday - went to local M&S to return an item bought online. All customers (except 2 children) wearing masks, but nobody took any notice of us. Guy at the collection/returns counter was friendly and helpful. Lady on the door too enthralled with a puppy she was holding for someone while they shopped to even notice us.

I think most people dislike wearing masks and so just focus on getting their shopping so they can get out and take it off. Staff in shops have hopefully all been given information about mask exemption, and just seem happy to see customers. After all, if we all avoid shops they won't have a job, and I think it's important we support them when we can.

You must be blessed.

Just been to hospital without a mask - had to have an x-ray because I can't breathe properly - unfortunately, the drop-in x-ray dept was at the other end of the hospital to the car park so I was totally breathless and in a bad way by the time I got there - and completely lost due to my short-term memory problems - luckily, they got me a porter and wheelchair to get me back to the car park at the top of the hill.

No problems from anyone - I had my lanyard - everyone seemed to understand.

I agree, you can't win, but I'm not willing to take the risk of getting the virus.

"Guerrilla Aspie" I like that, but I would say I'm a Ninja Aspie, no one even knows until I have a massive melt down, but then people assume I'm just abit stressed and weird.

The Police, really are doing the best they can, I support them. 

Hi PaulT,

I'm just to letting you know, I agree with you.

Sometimes the reason we do things that we don't like, is to protect other people are vulnerable.

I guess everyone here can take, but few can give back?

Did Sainsburys again without the muzzle - we were the only people without but no-one gave us any hassle.     

Decided to have an eat-in at McD after (had a voucher to use) and the people on the door saw our lanyards and were very accommodating - perfect response!     It was nice to be sitting down inside eating for a change rather that using the drive-through.

You can't win as whenever I wear one, others aren't and look at me as if I'm a scared sheep and if I don't wear it then everyone else is and look at me like I should have one on

I just wear one as the norm and it doesn't phase me at all. But I'm baffled, many who aren't wearing them outdoors look at me like I'm about to pounce on them!!!!

Several years ago, I was asked by a supermarket cashier to remove my woolly hat to prove I was old enough to buy alcohol.  As I was aged about 55 at the time, I felt quite flattered... until the next week my barber asked if I qualified for the OAP discount!

My 3rd experience, I wore my mask in Tesco and had to touch the handle on the basket then when I went to pay for my items the person wanted to check my ID to buy energy drinks (I'm 28 and the age is 16). They asked me to take my mask off so they could check

I feel like there was an inevitible financial crash due and this was the perfect reason, a virus which leaves 99.99% of people under 70 alive. The finest example of an availability cascade I have ever seen where the overreaction is much worse than the problem itself. It is quite clear that the middle class are taking most of the impact here with those at the bottom being offered support to prevent riots over food and those at the top being clever with their investments into pharma etc

The police I encounter are polite, even when they're wrong. They're trying to do a difficult job, and getting little support from their senior management.

Your hatred is uncalled for, towards the police and towards the Government.

Just look at what is happening in NZ and Auz - total destruction of their economy over a ridiculously small number of  cases (4)  - not even deaths!    This is the big global reset - wave goodbye to your freedoms.   

BTW - I'm fascinated - what were your symptoms at the time and what after effects have you been left with - and what actual treatment did you receive under the NHS?

I'm a physically fit 36 year old and I was hospitalised with COVID in March, I can tell you for certain it's not a scam. I'm still suffering with the lingering after effects today.

I totally understand the issue some people have with face masks, it's not comfortable at all. My view is if you can wear them comfortably then do so, if it causes anxiety or physical issues (breathing difficulties) then don't wear them, but use other mitigations to reduce risk (physical distance, shopping at quieter times etc).

Conspiracy theories about the virus are rife - the idea that the middle classes are being targeted by a global effort though is laughable. Unless you have some good sources on it, which of course I'd be open to reading...