I'm exempt from wearing a mask. I was stopped by police in the supermarket, and told I may be fined.

Hi everyone, I just want to share my experience, yesterday late evening I went to my local supermarket. I don't wear a mask as I have Asthma, Sleep Apnoea, Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, and hearing impairments in both ears . I have tried previously to wear a mask and visor, but unfortunately theses had an adverse effect on my Asthma and I ended up having a huge asthma attack and ended up on steroid tablets. So, I went to my local supermarket there were not many people in due to the time of night, I was stopped by two Police men who asked why I didn’t have a mask on. I explained why and also showed them my except card. The first 2 Police in encountered said okay. However, I went down the next isle and there were two more Police men. One of which asked me why I had no mask on, I explained that I had just spoken to his colleagues however, I then had to go through my disabilities again. The Police officer then read me my rights whilst I was stood in the isle and other shoppers were going by. I was so upset, about this as it was embarrassing /humiliating as shoppers where watching as though I was a criminal. The whole process has left me a bit shaken. The Police officer then informed me that my information will be given to someone else who will make a decision as to whether I will be issued a fine etc. What is the point of having an except card if this is being allowed to happen. sorry, but this has totally shook me up. Maria
Replies
You're right in thinking that:
- you do not need show an exemption card
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.However, some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.
Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and is not required by law.
(The above information was taken from the gov.uk page on 'Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own')
I'm very much hoping that you won't be fined. Did they give an indication of how long you might have to wait to hear? Did you take their names?
I hope that this won't stop you from going out again. How are you feeling about it now?
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I would also be tempted to speak to the local newspaper.
but now supper markers have security and police in them which is a waste of police time having like 4 plus officers standing at super market doors . From what I have told it’s down to whether the police believe you or not to whether you get fined . I appreciate there’s a lot of people who are just anti government and don’t want to wear a mask but there are a lot of genuine people who can’t wear one and it’s horrible what’s happening to people who can’t wear one .
Many countries do not allow people to smoke cigarettes outside their homes, because it is unfair to contaminate others by exposing them to smoke. By logic, exposing others to potentially death-carrying unmasked breath is worse than smoke.
There are numerous variants of virus, each more easily transmitted than the last. All of these variants will be delighted to encounter and to infect anyone who is not wearing a mask. They will not politely stand aside, because the person has a bit of paper declaring they are 'exempt from masks' Viruses don't care. They will eagerly and easily get into those unmasked nostrils. After infecting the owner, they may kill, again, not politely declining to spare them the hideous death by not being able to breathe, and the crushing and the mask wearing involved in the attempt to treat.
But in the majority of cases viruses infect without even giving symptoms. Viruses then have the delightful opportunity to use any unmasked person as their carrier. Unmasked faces go around, freely breathing viruses out into the air as micro particles, which can remain suspended for days, landing at random over others, entering their eyes, landing anywhere on them. It could be argued that other countries are right, in not allowing anyone to be 'exempt from face covering' because they are certainly not 'exempt from virus carrying.'
P.P.S. Other countries do not even permit bare nostrils anywhere outside. U.K has just the same risk, or, in fact, higher, because our death rate is highest. I have to admit being puzzled why people think they are virus-exempt. Those people I know with breathing problems, mental health problems and numerous other conditions do not claim to be exempt from face covering, because they know they are better off either forcing themselves to use masks, or else staying indoors, rather than catching Covid19 and all the variants.