Okay, so.....this is a bit of a rant...and it's all to do with Covid, so if this isn't something that you want to read, please, keep scrolling.
I am one of the countless other people in the world that have been advised by my doctor to not get the Covid vaccine due to the risk of complications. Some of you may disagree with my doctor's advice but as they are a health professional, I am following that advice. I am also one of countless other people in the world that have issues with wearing masks due to respiratory problems, amongst other health problems including PTSD and depression. It really annoys me to see so many people who are so closed minded that they cannot fathom the fact that not everyone is like them and can get the covid vaccine and wear masks all the time, to the point that people out there that are like me are vilified by others and bullied to the point that we just don't go out in the community at all.
Why do people think that it's okay to belittle, ridicule and bully someone, just because they can't be like others throughout the world? I wear a mask, even though it severely impacts my breathing, as well as my anxiety, which is a part of my PTSD, by making me feel claustrophobic because I actually fear that if I don't do this, I will have scores of angry people pointing the finger at me, going "Why aren't you wearing a mask? You should be wearing a mask!" or to have the police actually come up to me and fine me for not wearing a mask, without asking to see any exemption from my doctor. Why is it that people like me, have to put their own health at risk, just to pacify the masses?
I'm sorry that this is so long but I felt that this was a safe platform to express my frustration....
37 Replies
People who are anti mask and anti vax are just as judgemental. There opinions are all over the internet and when they don’t agree they pull out the insults.
No one is comfortable wearing a mask. The masses suck it up. Which is why they are frustrated when they see people without one. Most people will have empathy if you explain calmly without being defensive. You should also be willing to produce your exemption when asked by police or people coming in contact with you because you are putting them at greater risk.
The masses do this for you so you don’t have to you should also feel a little grateful!
Well said!!
Show police your exemption and you are fine. Ignore the others, but understand their gut reaction that you are putting them at risk. Honestly, we get more abuse at work from people who think covid is a conspiracy than anyone else. If you can't wear a mask or get the vaccine, we're all responsible for your safety by us doing the right thing in my opinion.
I completely agree the anti mask wearers and anti signing in wearers at my work are the most aggressive!
I'm one of countless of people who know that should I get COVID, it would be dire and I'm so grateful that people are doing their bit and are wearing masks/vaccinating. My MIL just had her 2nd dose and we are so relieved because she would not survive covid. We are so so grateful that people are doing their bit for herd immunity.
I hate wearing mask, especially if I'm already struggling to breathe. I minimise my time out and still wear it, to protect other people. Its not just about me, it's about those in the community for whom is not just a trifling matter.
May be have your exemption on hand if you are stopped by police etc. I have seen poor supermarket workers torn to shreds by people not checking in/wearing a mask.
I want to join in on your rant - how is it, that I have all vaccines, as do my kids, however I WILL NOT get the Covid vaccine without it being out of trial phase. I won’t be a part of an experiment and I’m now labelled an anti-vaxxer and will be stripped of rights because of it? Yet we have every other vaccination!?
So you feel that you should have the same rights as people who are vaccinated. Interesting.
Absolutely. I have had EVERY other vaccine offered to me but I won't be having the covid jab with such little information surrounding it.
Just because I won't have this one, does not mean I should be stripped of rights.
What rights have you been stripped of?
I don't watch the news.
Your outrage is premature really.
However if you won’t have this one you need to accept the consequences! We all have a choice to make however we also have to face the consequences to those choices when making a decision unfortunately in life you don’t get to have cake and eat it too.
I wasn't aware any rights were stripped. There are lots of Australians that aren't even eligible yet, not to mention those waiting for an appointment. I think what we'll find in time is that maybe fully vaccinated people might have some current requirements relaxed.... But if that happens and some people choose not to get the vaccine then they're making an informed decision to comply with the mandates required for everyone else
I have friends who rushed out to get their kids vaccinations when they gov was paying them too. Now they are against the covid vaccine. Go figure! I’d love to know how many would if they were paid to have it done. I think a vaccination is a vaccination. So if you choose to have the kids vaccinated what’s one more.? Saying that I’m not against or for the COVID one. I think it’s personal choice. I just don’t get it how some people carry on about it when their kids are vaccinated.
Please do some research from reputable sources or talk to a scientist and/or doctor with knowledge in the area. I appreciate your concerns but please know the following:
- Vaccines generally take years and years to develop because it takes a long time to perfect the technology, it is hard to access funding for studies and cut through government red tape, not so much for the need to complete longitudinal studies on possible side effects.
- This vaccine was completed quickly because the mRNA technology had been in development (including human trials) for over 10 years prior, and many countries across the world pooled their financial resources and removed a lot of the administrative barriers that hold up this research.
- The required human trials and research have been completed. This is not an experimental vaccine.
- The vaccine does not stay in your system. It is injected into your system, teaches your immune system how to attack the virus and is metabolised within a couple of days.
I’ve always been staunch pro vax. I’ve just had the Pfizer vaccine but I do worry about the vax for my children, not quite sure yet whether my worry for the vaccine outweighs my worry of one of them contracting covid though 😬
I don’t however believe the govt push for AZ is ethical 🤔 it’s killing people, but then again so is covid 🤔 quite difficult times to navigate ❤️
I am the author. I'd like to point out that, should I get an exemption from my doctor for not wearing a mask, I would happily produce it to the authorities, should that need arise. Until that point that I go to the doctor for the exemption though, I will wear a mask. Sure, I complain about it, because they are a pain in the backside as you all know, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
As for signing in, I do that religiously where ever I go, just in case. I am not against people getting the vaccine, wearing masks, etc. I agree that people should do it and you're all right, a lot of the people who are anti-mask and anti-vax are just as judgmental as the people who are doing the right thing. Other than not getting the vaccine on advice from my doctor, I am doing everything that I need to do and only going out when I have to (I live in Queensland, we are not in a lockdown but because I live in a house full of people who are immunocompromised, I limit my time out in public as much as possible.)
I'm sorry if you all felt like I was whinging and yeah, I was a bit, I'll admit, but I thought that this might have been a safer way to vent frustrations, rather than be attacked by friends and family if I were to post anything on social media, which seems to happen every single time I express an opinion, because apparently, it's always the wrong one. Sorry once again.
Reading through your reply here I get the sense that you feel you have been attacked here…
I actually think the responses are fair and reasonable certainly not attacking.
You seem to be quite sensitive- when people offer a different perspective- it’s not always negative or attacking because it differs from your own.
Well said. I wasn’t attacking her in my response and got attacked 🙄
I get like this wearing masks. I can’t breath but I wear it and get on with it. I deal with this by limiting my time out in public places where I would need one. I need to protect myself and others. As much as I can’t stand it, I will not go without one.
It’s got nothing to do with pacifying the masses. This is a pandemic so unless you want to spend the rest of the year in lockdown, either take the precautions or stay home.
Well aren’t you a stupid fuck. How about you start paying attention.
This is a really aggressive response? Are you sure you have put it in the right spot??
Gosh some people are filthy the way they comment. It actually says a lot about them. Very aggressive. I agree with this comment. Either if people don’t agree. No need to swear and be rude about it. We don’t have to agree with each other. We all have different views and that’s ok.
Well arent you a delight
Well arent you a little ray of sunshine
I agree with you in theory but some people literally can't wear masks and there will be times when they need to go other places at times. Friends, family and professional services can't attend medical appointments on their behalf in all instances and not all things can be telehealth. Most respiratory conditions can be managed with a mask on, assuming it isn't already very severe. But someone with extreme PTSD related to suffocation or something may be completely incapable of wearing a mask.
If our doctors are being responsible for considering who they give exemptions to and everyone else complies, we'll be fine. But everyone needs to understand that if someone has an exemption, we're not entitled to know why they have it. Their medical circumstances are private.
Am I the only one who likes the bit of anonymity the mask gives 😅
I’m loving it.. no make up, messy hair.. hello woollies no one cares hehe
Lol. I realised at my son's soccer last week that I'd forgotten to brush my teeth because it was a really early game and we just woke up, dressed and left. Was so happy I had a mask. Brushed my teeth as soon as I was home though
My brother lives in Melbourne, he was telling me recently that half the people he works with went and got a mask exemption for the most flimsy reasons. They work in the disability sector too, so they are the people who really need to be masking up to protect themselves and their vulnerable clientele.
My favorite being the girl who claimed masks gave her a rash and the 50 year old bloke who got an exemption due to his asthma, which would be reasonable if he wasn't a pack a day smoker! Like a mask impairs your breathing but 20 + cigarettes a day is fine? Make that make sense...
As others have mentioned, the anti-everything conspiracy theorists are far more vocal and aggressive about their opinions than the average compliant person. Just the other day some guy scoffed at me and told me the government would track me because I checked in at woolies. Calm down John, I'm pretty sure the government doesn't give a shit that I'm going to the supermarket 🙄😂
I also find it amusing that this time over a year ago people were begging for scientists to hurry up and create a vaccine so things could go back to normal, now we actually have several vaccine options and people are like "hmm, actually no thanks, a vaccine created that quickly can't be safe or tested properly. I ain't no guinea pig".
The effects of covid have been devastating. People have died, people have lost livelihoods, their homes, their battle with mental illness in some instances. Some people have been stranded in other countries, some have been isolated from their loved ones for extensive periods.
I'm not trying to diminish your fears or medical issues, I just think sometimes it's helpful to keep things in perspective.
Love this response
I know someone who claims to have bad ashtma attacks when she wears a mask yet she goes running every week 🤔
I think you need to let doctors be the ones making decisions re exemptions. Until I was in my 20's, my excema would have had around my mouth weeping, cracked and bleeding to the extent simple movement like talking, eating and drinking would split the skin open if I'd worn a mask for more than a few minutes.
I'm so pleased I don't have that issue now and can wear a mask. Back then though, ensuring my mouth was never covered was really important. The open wounds on my face led to me getting a number of significant health issues as a teenager.
If a doctor gives someone else an exemption, that's none of your business. And something that you might not have considered is that some exemptions will be for conditions people don't want others knowing about. So saying the exemption is due to a skin issue or asthma might be them just not wanting more personal conditions to be public knowledge.
Absolutely, skin rashes might sound harmless but can become very severe. I had an allergic reaction that lead to a rash, 3 weeks later I was in hospital with a very bad skin infection to parts of my face, both ears, part of my scalp and neck. I'm still healing 8 months later.
Repeated exposure to something that causes an allergy can cause the reaction to become more severe, it can also lower your bodies immune response to infections. If somebody has an exemption from a doctor then they have a legit reason for not wearing a mask or getting vaccinated.
I remember when controversial discussions were just religion and politics. Now it's religion, politics, and disease based conspiracists. I don't discuss any of these 3 things with anyone. Too many people get triggered so i never leave these 3 topics open for discussion. Weather i agree or not, it's left unsaid. I know what i think about all 3 for myself. It's a shame so many fights are caused by opinions.
I hear you. I'm getting the Vax next week but with masks there are sometimes I can't do it. I wear when I can which is most of the time but I just can't at other times. My C-ptsd is severe some days. People don't understand how hard simple things can actually be. I pulled my mask down briefly one time to help regulate me as was going into hyper state and got abused by a guy walking past. Did not help bring me down but elevated my hyperstate even further.
I'm feeling the covid anxiety that our society is currently going through and totally get your rant.
I too have been advised by doctors not to get the covid vaccine due to health reasons.
I also can not wear a mask due to trama and have an exception.
Unfortunately I've been questioned by strangers also. I simply apologize and explain that I have an exception.
I've been told I'm full of it and just need to get over it etc also.
It's all very raw for people, media also impacts a lot of people who are covid scared.
Just do what you have to, have the exception letter with you. Stand strong, we can't all be the same.
People need to learn to agree to disagree.
As somebody who suffers COPD I can understand where you are coming from, I also have allergies to lots of different things, some I'm still working out (severe reactions) so the thought of getting vaccination was scary.
BUT I'm also a healthcare worker, in aged care, so I can also completely understand why masks and vaccinations are being pushed and what the concern is surrounding covid.
It's not just those of us with medical conditions either, there was not one person in my work place that was comfortable with getting the vaccination done.. And none of us are happy about being in masks all day everyday, they get quite hard to breathe in, especially in a heated bathroom, I take toilet breaks regularly just so I can take my mask off for a minute and breathe properly.... Anyways we do it because although it feels uncomfortable it is nothing compared to the feeling we would get if we passed on covid to our vulnerable