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Original poster

Jury duty, panicking as not allowed to wear mask

69 replies

KatyS36 · 21/12/2020 22:00

Hello,

I've just been summoned for jury duty. Reading the information we're not allowed to wear masks in the court room.
I'm in a total panic, this sounds like absolute madness. We're about to go into lock down, there's a new mutation with increased transmission risk, and I have to be inside with strangers and not wear a mask.
I'm suffered massively with anxiety since the start of covid. I'm coped with the help of a therapist and by being very cautious as to where I go, I can work from home and have introvert tendencies, so this has been okay.
This has thrown me though and I simply don't think I can cope.

OP posts:
2bazookas · 21/12/2020 23:08

I've been excused Jury service twice (once because had no childcare and once because of ferry timetable); no trouble at all. Shame because I wanted to do it.

Fieldofyellowflowers · 21/12/2020 23:12

It is a pain in the arse, being called up and needing permission to opt out. I wish there was a way they could implement a volunteering aspect to it because I know plenty of people who would willingly do it of their own accord.

Em777 · 21/12/2020 23:12

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Legal issues
SofiaMichelle · 21/12/2020 23:15

@Sway19

That’s a piss take OP! Just tell them no!
There is a process to follow to apply for a deferment or to be excused. Jury service is not something you can just choose to refuse.

'Just tell them no!' is really not how it works.

jessstan1 · 21/12/2020 23:15

Get out of it, Katy; write them a letter saying you have panic attacks, you need access to a toilet at all times, the travelling to and from terrifies you.

BananaPop2020 · 21/12/2020 23:19

Some people on here are talking absolute rubbish. Has anyone actually bothered to consider the more sensible responses?

Nomorepies · 21/12/2020 23:19

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

Fieldofyellowflowers · 21/12/2020 23:20

@Sway19

You are not allowed to just say no. You can get it deferred or you can be excused, but you can't flat out say that you are not doing it.

LadyJaye · 21/12/2020 23:20

Bear in mind you might not even be called to serve: I was called to attend twice in short succession a couple of years ago (I believe it's done alphabetically, at least in Scotland, and I'm at the arse end of the alphabet), sat for a couple of hours as they selected, then went home (and I promise I don't have any dodgy connections).

Strawberrypancakes · 21/12/2020 23:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fieldofyellowflowers · 21/12/2020 23:25

@Nomorepies

I know that logistically mass volunteering wouldn't work, but it is a big undertaking and they expect you to just drop everything and do it. A 'you can only volunteer once' rule would stop repeat volunteering but even then there would be other problems.

Original poster
KatyS36 · 21/12/2020 23:37

You are amazing, thank you so much. Up to now, with support and lots of organisation, I've coped, without excessively affecting my family.
This is just too much for me though and I really appreciate all of you being so supportive xx

OP posts:
Nomorepies · 21/12/2020 23:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

AHobbyaweek · 21/12/2020 23:41

Literally just finished jury duty. You are allowed to wear masks in the court room. They have screens around each person and you can choose to take your mask off or leave it. Someone left theirs own the whole time.

AHobbyaweek · 21/12/2020 23:42

Also if you want to talk it though let me know. Finished today and spent 2 weeks one day doing it

DannyWotty1 · 21/12/2020 23:43

I don't know which court you are called to, but on my recent jury duty (early December) we had the option to wear masks or not to wear masks - completely up to us, plus other covid-secure measures (screens between jurors etc). Lots of social distancing.

Frazzled2207 · 21/12/2020 23:46

I’d really like to know the rationale behind being “not allowed” to wear masks though am pleased to hear they are taking SD seriously

QueenieButcher · 21/12/2020 23:46

@rollinggreenhills

I've just had a look on the Gov website under jury service, and on there they say that all the buildings are covid secure and social distancing measures are being maintained.

There's loads of information on how they are actually achieving it, so have a look.

But if you've barely sat inside with people outside your household since March, it's quite a stretch to suddenly have to do it with many people and for extended periods. I would find this really hard too OP. The only person I spend any time indoors with (apart from my family) is one colleague for an hour or so twice a week (start of her shift and end of mine). I can't get out that room fast enough to be honest. Also it's the travelling to the court (where I live, it would have to be on public transport). I would really struggle with that too.
TeachesOfPeaches · 21/12/2020 23:47

Just say you've caught COVID so have to isolate.

BananaPop2020 · 21/12/2020 23:55

@TeachesOfPeaches that’s really not on is it?

DustingMyselfOff · 21/12/2020 23:57

I have done jury duty recently (end of September). The courts take being covid safe very seriously. We didnt wear masks in the actual court room but we were all socially distanced and masks had to be worn everywhere else. Masks were worn on entering the courtroom and we were asked to put them back on before leaving. We were spread out as much as practically possible. The courtroom was also closed to the public and people were there only in there on a needs must basis. I was really nervous about the whole situation but I'm so glad now that I did it. I felt it was one of the safest places I have been in regards to covid. Hand gel everywhere and cleaners wiping down all contact surfaces at regular intervals. You could try to defer but from what I learnt from those who did defer it only gave them 3 or 4 months grace.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 21/12/2020 23:58

I've just had a look on the Gov website under jury service, and on there they say that all the buildings are covid secure and social distancing measures are being maintained.

There are lawyers all over Twitter saying this is a fiction.

DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 22/12/2020 00:02

Ask for an excusal on health grounds and also as a full time carer - you are being treated for anxiety so it's likely to be accepted for the health alone, but being a carer for your child should also do it.

DustingMyselfOff · 22/12/2020 00:04

Just saw your comment about having a special needs child - this might get you excused depending on the circumstances. Contact the court as soon as you can and talk to them about it.

BananaPop2020 · 22/12/2020 00:07

@MaryLeeOnHigh at the Crown Court I was in today, compliance was mandatory and well observed.

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