Face coverings-my experience

[HarryB]

Dear all

I thought it might be helpful to tell you about my personal experience of wearing a face covering.

As you may know I have an idiopathic cerebellar ataxia. I walk with a stick when outside my flat and use a wheelchair for longer distances and times when I know I am going to have to stand for a long time. Since March 23rd when lockdown started I have been going to the supermarket once per week to do my grocery shopping. This remains the situation at the moment.

Before face coverings became mandatory in England I had an appointment at the hairdresser's for which I was required to wear a mask. When I walk I have to look at the ground to see where I am placing my feet. As well as my glasses steaming up rendering me unable to see, the mask obscured my ability to see the ground hence making making my balance worse and putting me at greater risk of falling. It was only after this experience (which I have to say was horrible, I felt frankly unsafe) that I read the government's exemption list for not wearing a mask. I decided I was exempt under the criteria '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'

Since face coverings became mandatory in England I have been wearing a lanyard stating I am exempt. I have only had positive feedback from wearing this, all from shop staff. I am surprised how much more confident it has made me feel going into a supermarket, particularly as it avoids any awkward conversations. I obviously adhere to hand washing/using sanitiser and social distancing.

I thought very carefully about this. Whilst I do not want to catch or spread coronavirus, I equally do not want to hurt myself or others by falling. I believe the latter carries a significant risk for me if I wear a face covering while walking.

I have seen comments, particularly on social media, containing strong opinions towards anyone who doesn't wear a face covering, including the word 'selfish'. I am afraid this makes me very angry as it is bullying. As Sue said in her message to Friends we have to respect each other's opinion. I believe my position and actions are very well thought through, and adhere to government guidance.

Best wishes

Harriet

[Marigold12]

I have had a similar experience Harriet. If you remember we met in Stirling at the Scottish conference. I have posterior column ataxia with retinitis pigmentosa. So the mask obscures my useful downward visual field as well as making the ataxia balance issues worse. I too have got a lanyard and have had no issues. In fact I have found shop staff more helpful asking if I need assistance. I don’t go out much yet but my initial outings to shops without the mask have been fine.

Marisa

[HarryB Administrator in reply to Marigold12]

Hi Marisa

I absolutely remember! I hope you are well.

Our face covering experiences sound very similar indeed. I am so pleased they have both been positive.

Harriet

[coat2003]

why don't you use a visor? still haven't worked out how NOT TO steam up my glasses esp. winter.It is awkward wearing one, I am more prone to a panic attack from visiting my post office...slightly up hill, panting like a 90 year old woman...My eyesight generally affected and the allergy doesn't help....my experience is re wearing a facemask.

[HarryB Administrator in reply to coat2003]

Dear coat2003

So far, in England, there has been no official guidance on whether a face shield or visor can be worn instead of a covering, or if it offers better protection.

Best wishes

Harriet

[coat2003 in reply to HarryB]

no official idiotic British so called scientific guidance is gonna tell me what's what, just look at how many people perished, in my view enough. It is NOT a joke. My family member had covid 19 as he is a carer, it took him months to get his short breathlessness back.I am sorry UNTIL they get their act together, no wonder there is a resurgence of it if SOME irresponsible twits are refusing wearing a face masks in shops...ONLY for such pondlife the rest of us suffer.I mean our government, such ambiguity, and police don't wanna know.Until a strict backing of authorities. I am originally from an ex communist country, but all this la de da freedom doesn't work. There is no time for such luxuries...I am gonna wear one regardless.At least protecting myself...NOT SOME selfish so and soes.If sbdy coughssneezes, god forbid crucified on the spot, at least INDIRECT CONTACT. I am not saying a facemask can protect anybody. A package of measures, distancing, avoiding people full stop and handwashing.and don't start me in my local Lidl even managers didn;t wear and, it was after 8pmBUT full shop, apart from 2 people in there NOBODY ELSE BOTHERED.

[HarryB Administrator in reply to coat2003]

Dear coat2003

I am sorry to read that your family member had Covid-19 but pleased that he has now recovered. I am fortunate to not know of anyone who has had the virus. However some of my friends are doctors and nurses and I have a good friend who owns a number of residential and nursing homes. After speaking with them I am under no illusion of how serious this is and that it is not a ‘joke’.

I am not refusing to wear a face mask. I have a legitimate reason not to. If face coverings become mandatory for everyone with no exemptions I would either wear one or simply not go out of my house.

I absolutely respect your opinion to wear a face covering, irrespective of how it may affect you. However I would ask that you respect my opinion and those of others too. Those that don’t wear face coverings because they have legitimate reasons not to are most certainly not ‘pondlife’ or ‘selfish so and soes’, as you put it.

I shared my personal experience to hopefully help others. Of course not everyone will agree with my opinion but I would hope they can respect it. I am afraid I found your reply critical and aggressive. I certainly hope it doesn’t deter others from sharing their experiences in the future.

Harriet

[coat2003 in reply to HarryB]

I am sorry to come across as you put it aggressive, but sometimes it seems to me that some people take liberties in situations which are pretty straight forward. Nothing is black and white in life, all shades of grey, but sometimes life requires one to be tough regardless. All this pussy footing around hot porridge, many should start accepting we only have one life, especially if one is dealing with more health issues. I am not ONLY ATAXIAN, I have other health issues to attend to, so if I came across as highly frustrated, headstrong there is a reason for it.

[coat2003 in reply to HarryB]

I would in no way NOT respect your opinion. Perhaps your experience is not so harsh as mine, I am merely describing what I can see and it is not GOOD. I admit my contribution is critical, but I hope, it is taken as constructive criticism. and if one reader gets the seriousness of covid 19 reinforced job well done. Sometimes it seemas to me, that some people are apathetic to it all, as if it has never existed. But I am afraid, people who read this site are knowledgably enough, and those who are not interested in protecting others and themselves are out of my reach altogether.So all in all I am barking on a wrong tree, completely.

[HarryB Administrator in reply to coat2003]

Dear coat2003

My post was in no way a reflection of the seriousness of the pandemic. The main point of my post and this thread is to ensure that people who are exempt from wearing a face covering as per government guidelines and so have a legitimate reason not to wear one, do not feel any pressure from the wider public to wear one if they choose not to. I completely agree with you that it is essential that everyone who can wear a face covering does so when required. However those who have a genuine reason not to must not feel pressurised or bullied into doing so, or worry that they will feel judged if they don't.

Harriet

[pinjem]

I have no problems but only because I cannot go anywhere on my own and have to be pushed in a wheelchair anyway. Where can people who do have a problem get a lanyard? A clear visible badge/lanyard may help thwart aggression. For many there are clues that they are compromised in some way, with others there is no visible clue.

[HarryB Administrator in reply to pinjem]

Hi pinjem

I will wear a face covering when using a wheelchair, just not when walking.

With regard the lanyard I already had the plastic pocket but downloaded the paper to put in it from-

euansguide.com/news/face-ma...

You can make badges as well.

Harriet

[MaryRH]

Thank you for willing to be open about this Harriet. I find it very helpful as you’ve articulated the difficulties well. For myself, I plan to wear one when I can, but also wear a sunflower and carry an exemption card for when it gets too much. I find supermarkets the worst, but other places ok for the moment. All the best to you.

[HarryB Administrator in reply to MaryRH]

Hi MaryRH

Thank you for your reply. All the best to you too!

Harriet

[ninotchka]

I believe that these posts should most definitely NOT be blocked. This is a safe sounding board for ALL opinions.

[Driven1]

Hi, I use a proper industrial mask. No fogging of goggles, can wear all day with no problem. It may prevent you catching the virus. Its is contagious through the eyes as well as hospitals have found. Check it out on eBay tinyurl.com/y3bhesof

Fogging of goggles can also be rectified with lite smear of dishwashing liquid wiped off or the old fashioned spit divers have used for many years.

[PatsyIpswich]

I dont have any problem wearing a face mask, using my four-wheeled rollator and feel I am protecting myself. A face shield sounds good but not easily available. The feedback on ebay says they get damaged in post.

Thanks for posting your experience .. it's interesting to read all views. I find that the 30-50 age group dont take this seriously enough. take care, Patsy x

[nigelrheath]

I have used my face shield, which I use to keep sawdust out of my eyes when diying, no one has commented on this in shops or out walking. I think wearing something, even a badge, reminds us about social distancing and helps to keep us alert.

Remember to stay alert, Britain needs more Lerts!

Nigel

[Sailor_Girl]

I've used a mask but I can envisage times when I might find it restrictive and dangerous to my health and well being so I will make myself an exemption badge to wear in a plastic lanyard and I will also write Ataxia on it perhaps copying one of the logos I've seen as an explanation of my disability.