Everything to do with masks / face coverings

[mapman]

DfE have released new guidance for face coverings in schools:

 

Quote

Face coverings

In primary schools and education settings teaching year 6 and below, there is no change to the existing position. It is not mandatory for staff and visitors to wear face coverings. In situations where social distancing between adults in settings is not possible (for example when moving around in corridors and communal areas), settings have the discretion to recommend the use of face coverings for adults on site, for both staff and visitors.

In schools where pupils in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained. This was already the case for pupils in year 7 and above, and staff and visitors for those schools that were in areas where local alert level ‘high’ and ‘very high’.

Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings and we expect adults and pupils to be sensitive to those needs.

 

Face coverings should also be worn by pupils in year 7 and above when travelling on dedicated school transport to secondary school or college.

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020

 

They make it perfectly clear that at primary schools "It is not mandatory for staff and visitors to wear face coverings. In situations where social distancing between adults in settings is not possible (for example when moving around in corridors and communal areas), settings have the discretion to recommend the use of face coverings for adults on site, for both staff and visitors." 

 

So why is it that many primary schools today tweeted that it is mandatory for all parents to wear them when dropping off kids in playgrounds? It feels like it was almost coordinated - the government says one thing and the schools say something else to confuse the matter. I walked straight past the teacher on  gate duty without mine on and nothing was said to me but I'll bet I get some sort of snotty letter. Some schools are even encouraging parents to report other parents if they aren't wearing them so that the head teacher can investigate and determine if the person is exempt...

 

[Ozymandias]

Didn't France recently mandate that six year olds wear masks at school for their new lockdown? I guarantee primary aged children in the UK will be next. Isn't it six or seven year old children in Scotland have to wear masks in supermarkets or some similar stipulation, at least they did during the first lockdown?

 

[White_Raven]

Surgical masks recommended by Public Health England for NHS staff dealing with undiagnosed patients do not protect against coronavirus:

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/surgical-mask-fails-to-shield-from-coronavirus-infection-vm0b9ts32

[zArk]

14 hours ago, Ozymandias said:

Didn't France recently mandate that six year olds wear masks at school for their new lockdown? I guarantee primary aged children in the UK will be next. Isn't it six or seven year old children in Scotland have to wear masks in supermarkets or some similar stipulation, at least they did during the first lockdown?

 

ahh the joys

Edited November 6, 2020 by zArk

[SuperstarNeilC]

[Mr H]

It's pretty simples really. If masks worked then the virus wouldn't be spreading...........

 

No need to overcomplicate things with theories and papers when the proof is in the pudding.

[DarianF]

On 11/5/2020 at 9:56 PM, vinny79 said:

Anyone have any advice please

 

my son is at secondary school in uk and they have imposed mandatory mask wearing

 

he has refused today and they are going to call me

 

he has asthma and struggles with Tourette’s (not swearing ) and I said if you are not comfortable with it on say no

 

what is the legal standpoint here

 

still the same

 

eg severe distress etc etc

 

thank you

 

When you do not need to wear a face covering – Exemption cards ( see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions )

[TheAwakened]

I read that article from the .Gov website and it states that wearing of masks is compulsory then it says however unless you are exempt. 

 

The exemptions are basically endless you can make it up and no one can judge you upon this. I mean what?

 

Its compulsory unless you feel you are exempt? You can print off a badge online and no doctor's note is needed?

 

How are people getting fined can they not read the advice FROM THE WEBSITE? 

 

I was BULLIED earlier by the militant zombie manager to wear one unless I'm exempt. She said I have to get a doctor's note. I argued and said I don't need to and this is discrimination.

 

Honestly. This is how I battle people.

 

I shall not comply. 

 

Fuck off cunts.

[mapman]

On 11/6/2020 at 5:54 PM, TheAwakened said:

I read that article from the .Gov website and it states that wearing of masks is compulsory then it says however unless you are exempt. 

 

The exemptions are basically endless you can make it up and no one can judge you upon this. I mean what?

 

Its compulsory unless you feel you are exempt? You can print off a badge online and no doctor's note is needed?

 

How are people getting fined can they not read the advice FROM THE WEBSITE? 

 

I was BULLIED earlier by the militant zombie manager to wear one unless I'm exempt. She said I have to get a doctor's note. I argued and said I don't need to and this is discrimination.

 

Honestly. This is how I battle people.

 

I shall not comply. 

 

Fuck off cunts.

They are only mandatory in certain places

[DarianF]

16 minutes ago, mapman said:

They are only mandatory in certain places

 

On private property, management has the right to refuse entry. This has always been the case. Private property/business has always had the right to set conditions of entry to a premises. So I guess if they set their condition of entry as you must wear a mask, they have the right to refuse. In other words, they have the right to be idiots.

 

https://business.gov.au/People/Customers/Refusing-service

Edited November 7, 2020 by DarianF

[mapman]

3 hours ago, DarianF said:

 

On private property, management has the right to refuse entry. This has always been the case. Private property/business has always had the right to set conditions of entry to a premises. So I guess if they set their condition of entry as you must wear a mask, they have the right to refuse. In other words, they have the right to be idiots.

 

https://business.gov.au/People/Customers/Refusing-service

Ok, I thought he was referring to English law. 
 

For English law, you can be exempt if the requirement to wear one is in breach of the equality act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/pdfs/uksi_20200791_en.pdf

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by mapman

[DarianF]

5 hours ago, mapman said:

Ok, I thought he was referring to English law. 
 

For English law, you can be exempt if the requirement to wear one is in breach of the equality act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/pdfs/uksi_20200791_en.pdf

 

 

I think generally the rule is you can refuse entry, as long as you are not discriminating against someone. I imagined Australia and UK would be similar. But I would say it easily be argued that by forcing someone to put a facemask on could be discrimination, if they are claiming a medical exemption. I would like to see if some people have tested this legally yet, in court. i.e. Suing a business for discrimination. Some case studies would be interesting.

[mapman]

3 hours ago, DarianF said:

 

I think generally the rule is you can refuse entry, as long as you are not discriminating against someone. I imagined Australia and UK would be similar. But I would say it easily be argued that by forcing someone to put a facemask on could be discrimination, if they are claiming a medical exemption. I would like to see if some people have tested this legally yet, in court. i.e. Suing a business for discrimination. Some case studies would be interesting.

The refusal has to be discriminatory under the Equality Act (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents) for it to be unlawful. For example, discrimination based on one of the acts protected characteristics (race, religion, disability etc.). I’m sure there are many many cases of refusal of entry based on disability because the act has been around a long time. 
 

What hasn’t been tested in court as far as I know is the face mask exemption in the Coronavirus legislation (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/pdfs/uksi_20200791_en.pdf) because that is too new. It would have to be a private prosecution I think and I expect that most people of refused just wouldn’t be bothered.
 

They could try calling the police but I expect that the police just wouldn’t attend - we all know whose side they will be on!

Edited November 8, 2020 by mapman

[John Connor]

You don't need a badge or a card to prove you have the human right breath fresh air.

[vinny79]

And it continues 

 

in in my workplace of about 200

 

masks will be mandatory of of next week

 

anyone have any further advice

 

i know for sure someone has already been told they need to prove exemption

 

madness

 

this is a big company.  Known across the uk and the world

[TheAwakened]

29 minutes ago, vinny79 said:

And it continues 

 

in in my workplace of about 200

 

masks will be mandatory of of next week

 

anyone have any further advice

 

i know for sure someone has already been told they need to prove exemption

 

madness

 

this is a big company.  Known across the uk and the world

Get a letter from your GP. Alongside printing out an exemption card. You can buy them online.

[vinny79]

Many thanks

 

oddly also been told if no mask then we wear those silly face shields

 

 

so so the magic virus just slides down the inside of it and away

 

how can people not see what this is

[TheAwakened]

3 minutes ago, vinny79 said:

Many thanks

 

oddly also been told if no mask then we wear those silly face shields

 

 

so so the magic virus just slides down the inside of it and away

 

how can people not see what this is

I saw someone wear those face shields the other day. Its retarded. 

 

All these companies are making a massive profit off of false "science" its more of a belief system now than anything "real"

 

 

[zArk]

2 hours ago, vinny79 said:

Many thanks

 

oddly also been told if no mask then we wear those silly face shields

 

 

so so the magic virus just slides down the inside of it and away

 

how can people not see what this is

Because they are unconsciously 'playing their part'. 

They are followers of the cult

 

The face shields are awesome protection lol but strangely more culty and seem to worn by the true believers more than the followers

Edited November 8, 2020 by zArk

[mapman]

3 hours ago, vinny79 said:

And it continues 

 

in in my workplace of about 200

 

masks will be mandatory of of next week

 

anyone have any further advice

 

i know for sure someone has already been told they need to prove exemption

 

madness

 

this is a big company.  Known across the uk and the world

 

Just read the legislation links I’ve provided above. It’s crystal clear that you aren’t required to prove exemption or use those stupid sunflower lanyards or print off those even stupider cards. All you have to do is say “I am exempt from wearing a face mask and you cannot discriminate against me under the Equality Act”. No proof is required. 

[The Illuminator]

3 hours ago, vinny79 said:

And it continues 

 

in in my workplace of about 200

 

masks will be mandatory of of next week

 

anyone have any further advice

 

i know for sure someone has already been told they need to prove exemption

 

madness

 

this is a big company.  Known across the uk and the world

 

Vinny. It's all about how much you can be arsed to dig your heels in and fight your just corner. They have made it very difficult to do so. Threats of job security and becoming a social outcast to name but two. 

 

Not many are in a position where they dont have to acquiesce to a certain degree to get on with life. 

 

Today I was tesco and for the 1st time since this bullshit started I was accosted by a elderly muzzled man for not wearing a mask. ( I'm not counting the times when stopped by people at entrances for not wearing one. I'm exempt mate lol)

 

So while looking for cheap cheese and onion crisps, someone invaded my space....

 

Him. Where's you mask?

 

Me. Excuse me?

 

H.  Where's your mask? Why are you not wearing a mask?

 

M. I beg your pardon. What gives you the right to come up to me and ask that question?

 

H. (Getting a bit flustered). Errr err theres a pandemic going on you know. We all have to do our part.

 

M. I am exercising my god given right to not wear a mask. There are exemptions in place for people who are exempt from having to wear one.

 

H. So you're exempt?

 

M. I am indeed.

 

H. Well I dont believe you. You look fit as a fiddle.

 

M. Sigh. I suggest you walk away and turn off your television.

[zArk]

15 minutes ago, mapman said:

 

Just read the legislation links I’ve provided above. It’s crystal clear that you aren’t required to prove exemption or use those stupid sunflower lanyards or print off those even stupider cards. All you have to do is say “I am exempt from wearing a face mask and you cannot discriminate against me under the Equality Act”. No proof is required. 

Like the amendments to covid grants and financial support they will change the face covering rules defining the exemption with more specifics i.e an exemption card issued by GP surgury only

 

 

[The Illuminator]

2 minutes ago, zArk said:

Like the amendments to covid grants and financial support they will change the face covering rules defining the exemption with more specifics i.e an exemption card issued by GP surgury only

 

 

 

Not sure Zark mate. GPs are lazy sods. They dont want the extra work.

 

I'm not sure they can fuck about with the exemption status.

[vinny79]

Many thanks everyone

 

my work are saying no mask no problem

 

have this silly shield instead

[Chaos]

I genuinely can’t wear one because I have respiratory problems and the dirty looks I get when I share this with staff/police/security make me feel like a criminal.