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Experience of not wearing a face covering

Lotus

Hi, I would like to share experiences of not wearing a face covering in shops since they became 'mandatory ' with others who have also done this, or are considering it.

I was rather nervous about going into a shop because I thought that if I didn't wear a mask people might challenge me, and possibly not understand and be unsympathetic. I had looked at getting an exemption badge and lanyard for me & my partner but the ones I initially found seemed expensive. We get a weekly groceries delivery, so only need to go into a shop occasionally, but did miss being able to go in and get things if we wanted to.

Then I saw a comment on an online newspaper article which mentioned there were free downloadable and printable badges /cards on the Gov.UK website, which they have provided for people who feel more comfortable using them (even though they are not actually required) I printed two off and put them into 2 badge holders on lanyards, which I bought from Amazon for £4.99 (for a pack of 2)

So we went to our local Iceland store today - rather nervously - and it was ok. A girl stacking shelves (without a mask on) looked at us a bit strangely (we weren't sure what her expression meant - but then we're not good at reading faces of course) but nobody challenged us and after picking up the few items we needed we queued at a distance behind an elderly couple checking out - they were wearing masks but not paying any attention to us, and a young male store assistant was packing their shopping for them and chatting with no mask on. When it was our turn to be served, the friendly lady on the till greeted us and then asked where we got our badges from. I told her it was the government website and she said she needed to get some so would look on there.

Have you had good or bad experiences when not wearing a face covering? Do you wear a badge or not? If you do, perhaps you could also share where you got yours and how much it cost. I just thought it would be nice to be supportive to others who may be worried about this - hopefully if many start wearing them it will make people aware that it is ok for some people not to wear them and reduce negative reactions.

Parents

  • I don't wear the compliance muzzle - I have my sunflower lanyard with an exemption card - not had any problems in Sainsburys - no-one has said anything - only had a couple of people panic and reverse out of an aisle that I was in.  Smiley

    Most other places I go are builder's merchants - lots of people not bothering with them there  - no-one cares in those places - they're too busy getting on with the real world.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Hi Plastic, where did you get your sunflower lanyard and badge from, and how much did it cost?

  • in reply to Lotus

    Sunflower lanyards are available from lots of places and they should be free unless you get one from the hidden disabilities store on post.  Do not buy one from Amazon though as they are not official ones.

    Sainsburys, Marks and Spencers, Argos, Tesco, some main Railway Stations, Airports, Nationwide bs (trialing in some branches), Lloyds Bank all have them but as they give them away they may be out of stock.  You might also find some other sunflower items at some of the places, such as the wallets, card holders, wristbands etc.

    I put my keys on mine and a clear wallet which I think was meant for a mobile phone (watertight) which I put my 'government' face mask exemption card in (printed from government website).  No real need to pay for any of the stuff unless you are desparate for a lanyard and cannot get hold of one locally, when the hidden disabilities store should be able to oblige you.  The postage though is quite steep.for one or two items

    https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/

Reply
  • in reply to Lotus

    Sunflower lanyards are available from lots of places and they should be free unless you get one from the hidden disabilities store on post.  Do not buy one from Amazon though as they are not official ones.

    Sainsburys, Marks and Spencers, Argos, Tesco, some main Railway Stations, Airports, Nationwide bs (trialing in some branches), Lloyds Bank all have them but as they give them away they may be out of stock.  You might also find some other sunflower items at some of the places, such as the wallets, card holders, wristbands etc.

    I put my keys on mine and a clear wallet which I think was meant for a mobile phone (watertight) which I put my 'government' face mask exemption card in (printed from government website).  No real need to pay for any of the stuff unless you are desparate for a lanyard and cannot get hold of one locally, when the hidden disabilities store should be able to oblige you.  The postage though is quite steep.for one or two items

    https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/

Children
  • in reply to Trainspotter

    Hi Trainspotter, thank you for your informative reply.

    I have just had a look at the sunflower lanyards on the hidden disabilities website you provided a link to, but it appears they are out of stock. M&S website gives an email address to request one and says they will send it for free, but it doesn't show if they have any left in stock. I assume there has been a lot of demand for them.

    If anyone wants to use an exemption badge and can't get hold of a sunflower lanyard, or isn't bothered about having the sunflower one specifically, it is fine to use any lanyard / badge holder. I bought plain black lanyards, with badge holders which have a black back with a clear window on the front edged in black, and they snap securely shut. I think the government website should really offer free or low cost lanyards / badge holders / printed badges with delivery, as many people with hidden disabilities are on low incomes - but I doubt that's ever going to happen.