Everything went swimmingly. I was expecting to be challenged by the British Transport Police in the railway station or tube station, but absolutely nothing. I just went on my merry way everywhere! In the shops the same. Nobody batted an eyelid. The security guard at the door of M&S in Euston was mentioning masks to people as they entered, but I just said no, and walked in. They wouldn't take cash, so I dumped my shopping on them and went to Little Waitrose at Kings Cross. They were absolutely lovely, and welcomed me with open arms. There was a really nice chap at the till. He said 'card or cash madam?' He even brought me a knife and fork and some serviettes for my salad! You just have to get out there and see what happens. The only 'Karens' I have encountered are those on-line, who hide behind the safety of the Internet. I hope one day you might try the supermarkets. Go when it's a quiet time. I go to Sainsburys and Waitrose if there is one. I avoid Tesco like the plague, but then I always have done. Good luck! ❤️
Anonymous person - Do let us know how you get on. I'm off to London on my own for the Trafalgar Square Rally. I will be going into uncharted territory by train and tube. I'm lucky to live in a very easy going area, but London may be totally different. I too will let you know how I got on. Best of luck!
Wore the visor in shops and took it off when outside- no one even seemed to notice! 😀 I did try to give people their 2m just out of courtesy but most people don't seem bothered about that either- they just keep walking towards you in groups so you can't give them space- a minority of people were openly thankful for it though. Also a few (maybe 10-15%) people not wearing any covering and no one seemed bothered about that either. Wish I had gone out sooner tbh. My faith in humanity has been restored a little (didn't have much to begin with). I think it's just about mutual respect and 'live and let live' really. If people are genuinely worried about catching the virus (as stupid as I might think that is given it's absolutely tiny mortality rate) that's their prerogative, so long as I leave them alone, they seem to tend to leave me alone too.
I'll probably still avoid supermarkets though- I've heard they have the highest compliance and also tend to be where Karens congregate.
I've already got an exemption card, 'hidden disabilities sunflower' lanyard, visor and carry my friends' asthmatic inhaler (so I can pretend that's the reason rather than explaining the real reason I find them intolerable which is extremely personal) but I still feel so scared going anywhere indoors.
The only places I've been are work (to an empty office that's 'covid secure' so only need a mask when stood next to someone and no one there most of the time anyway), a climbing centre which I only stayed in for 15 minutes as I was too uncomfortable and the pharmacy as they won't deliver unless you're literally housebound :L And of course I've been going to friend's and families houses but terrified of public harassment if I go to anywhere else.
Good thing about the pharmacy is only about 25% of people in there wear anything because, as expected, a lot obviously have health problems hence needing to collect medicine. Not had any problems there but doubt other places will be as understanding.
Have you found the exemption cards deter the idiots or do you still get harassed/ see others with them getting harassed?
Anonymous person - I don't wear an exemption lanyard and I haven't been harassed or challenged anywhere by anybody, either in shops or on public transport. But maybe I've been lucky. However, if an exemption card gives you some feeling of security, then I say use it. When you go out and about and people don't bother, then eventually you might think 'what was I so worried about?' You won't know until you try. Also is there anybody who can go out there with you to give you a bit of moral support?
@Grumpy Cat Thanks, I've got a friend coming over on Saturday so we're going to head out together. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I imagined.
Thing is, avoiding almost all public indoor space since July has meant I've not seen how many people wear the masks and don't etc. but I've had plenty of time to watch videos, read sensationalised news articles and ruminate so it's made my fear worse than it probably should be.
When I talk to people about it (over the phone as I've barely left my flat), they all say that loads of people (one even told me about 50%) don't wear anything and no one seems outwardly bothered so maybe I really am just catastrophising- I hope so. 🙂
I've got a plan for the Karens though: I have a literal rape alarm attached to my handbag which I got as a freebie when I was a volunteer for Victim Support. If a Karen attempts to make a scene, I will pull the alarm and shout really loud 'get out of my 2 meters! This person's trying to infect me! Help!' Should make her back off. 🤣 Doubt I'll have to use it but part of me actually wants to just to expose the hypocrisy of such people.
David Evans - I agree to a point. But some people are not so brave as yourself. For those that are really fearful about getting bullied or harassed, I feel that no mask with an exemption is better than mask.
Anonymous Person
Everything went swimmingly. I was expecting to be challenged by the British Transport Police in the railway station or tube station, but absolutely nothing. I just went on my merry way everywhere! In the shops the same. Nobody batted an eyelid. The security guard at the door of M&S in Euston was mentioning masks to people as they entered, but I just said no, and walked in. They wouldn't take cash, so I dumped my shopping on them and went to Little Waitrose at Kings Cross. They were absolutely lovely, and welcomed me with open arms. There was a really nice chap at the till. He said 'card or cash madam?' He even brought me a knife and fork and some serviettes for my salad! You just have to get out there and see what happens. The only 'Karens' I have encountered are those on-line, who hide behind the safety of the Internet. I hope one day you might try the supermarkets. Go when it's a quiet time. I go to Sainsburys and Waitrose if there is one. I avoid Tesco like the plague, but then I always have done. Good luck! ❤️
Anonymous person - Do let us know how you get on. I'm off to London on my own for the Trafalgar Square Rally. I will be going into uncharted territory by train and tube. I'm lucky to live in a very easy going area, but London may be totally different. I too will let you know how I got on. Best of luck!
I've already got an exemption card, 'hidden disabilities sunflower' lanyard, visor and carry my friends' asthmatic inhaler (so I can pretend that's the reason rather than explaining the real reason I find them intolerable which is extremely personal) but I still feel so scared going anywhere indoors.
The only places I've been are work (to an empty office that's 'covid secure' so only need a mask when stood next to someone and no one there most of the time anyway), a climbing centre which I only stayed in for 15 minutes as I was too uncomfortable and the pharmacy as they won't deliver unless you're literally housebound :L And of course I've been going to friend's and families houses but terrified of public harassment if I go to anywhere else.
Good thing about the pharmacy is only about 25% of people in there wear anything because, as expected, a lot obviously have health problems hence needing to collect medicine. Not had any problems there but doubt other places will be as understanding.
Have you found the exemption cards deter the idiots or do you still get harassed/ see others with them getting harassed?
Using officially recognised exemptions is acquiescing to the tyranny.
Refuse the mask on grounds of freedom and liberty (and the flawed science and lack of logic).