A 17-year-old has taken to social media to remind people to be kind after seeing a woman was 'screamed at' for not wearing a face-covering on a train, and it turns out she was exempt.
It is the law to wear a face-covering in public places, including on public transport, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
However, some people are exempt from wearing face coverings including those with certain disabilities, mental/physical illnesses, or impairments.
And 17-year-old Chloe Wilson has reminded people that not every condition is visible.
Chloe, who regularly travels to the Brit School in London by train, shared the important reminder on Monday evening (14/9). She wrote: "I understand that these times are really hard right now. And they're uncertain and people are scared. But can we please be nicer to eachother. Some woman literally got screamed at by another woman on the train because she wasn't wearing a mask and it turns out she's exempt.
"She was sat opposite me and literally left crying. People shouldn't have to deal with this just because they have something you can't see. Not every disability, mental illness is visible. Please be kind."
Hundreds of messages of agreement have since rolled in, with people adding they believe it isn't their "place" to ask somebody why they are not wearing a covering.
Businesses are responsible for ensuring that people wear masks, and people who are not required to wear one may be asked to show a "face-covering exemption" of some sort whether it be a sunflower lanyard, homemade card, or badge. This is voluntary and not the law.
Transport For London has created an exemption card which can be printed off or shown to workers (access it here). The Government has also shared an exemption badge that can be used in all settings - it reads "I am exempt from wearing a face covering. Be kind. Keep your distance. Thank you for understanding." Click here to download it.
The Government has released a list of people who are exempt from wearing a face covering. This includes (but is not limited to):
- children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- employees of indoor settings (or people acting on their behalf, such as someone leading part of a prayer service) or transport workers - although employers may consider their use where appropriate and where other mitigations are not in place, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidelines
- police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
- where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- if you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
- 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
