Morrisons to ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks

[MrsMando]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55618408

This is not a change. The category of ‘medically exempt’ is utterly meaningless as it is a self identified medical need. Masks have been compulsory in shops for months.

Bit of a goady title by BBC (no surprise there then) They wont stop anyone exempt and you do not have to prove you are exempt so they cannot argue with someone not wearing a mask.

I work in Morrisons they wont be going against the law.
Its just another BBC scaremongouring article.

don't go in a shop if you can't/won't wear a mask.
this is why it is sky high, so many people want to continue as they always have.
this is an emergency.
everyone has to pull in their horns and make sacrifices, restrict activities, do without.
i am ashamed at how this country has shown itself to be so self-indulgent, arguing about rights, definitions etc.
just do the right thing.
so many others are, above and beyond.
but of those who carry on selfishly, i despair.

If you really are exempt then you should shop online only. Yes it’s a pain and you have to be organised like those who are shielding but you can’t put your self and others at risk. Maybe local covid groups could get involved for those who need it. Who can’t shop online or ask family or friends do it for them.

Maybe that person doesn't have the internet to shop on line.

The Covid police are alive and well on this thread too!

If you can’t wear a mask why don’t you wear a visor? Genuine question

@SymphonyofShadows

If you can’t wear a mask why don’t you wear a visor? Genuine question

Good question. Does anyone know?

If you can’t shop on line then ask family or friend. If you have no option then ask local covid group or get a food parcel. If I couldn’t medically wear a mask I would do everything in my power not to take any more risks.

Lol at just do internet shopping if you can't wear a mask

If no internet/ no slots please just curl up and die for the good of society, and the same goes for your kids.

Fabbo.

@SymphonyofShadows

If you can’t wear a mask why don’t you wear a visor? Genuine question

My son can't really tolerate those either - he's autistic.

He will wear mask or visor for 10 minutes when absolutely needed but it exhausts him.

But.... when numbers were very low he would come in shops with me (tier 2 days!) and when asked about mask he was always quite open about being autistic and finding it too difficult.

Since new evidence of new strain and transmissibility and lockdown I won't let him in shops because of risk. He doesn't need to come anyway to supermarket and guidance is one person but if we walk and stop at local shops for milk etc I make him stand way back from doorway and if he wants something like a chocolate or sweets he has to tell me what he wants.

I don't see the risk is worth it.

Shop online? Good luck with that. Our pickers start at 5am and the job continues all day and we have extra staff in to try to keep up with deliveries. We had 1200 orders to fill on friday! Plus we do individual vulnerable shopping.

I Bet those people shouting at everyone to get home deliveries never give a thought to those doing the shopping for them and are quick to moan when they can't get a slot

Why should people have to stay at home and never go out because they cannot wear a mask? Thousands of people with disabilities have worked throughout this past year including supermarket staff yet they arent good enough to go for thier shopping?
If you keep your distance and wear yours you have precious little chance of catching it from a non mask wearer or dont you trust your own mask?
Ableism still reigns on MN i see.

Exemptions need to be scrapped other than with confirmed medical need.

Exemptions need to be treated the same as the blue badg scheme and you should be required by law) to provide official proof of exemption. Failure to do so should result in a fine.

And no, it’s not ok to just say “I’m exempt” and be immmune from questioning. Far too many people are taking the piss that the laws around wearing masks have become pointless.

How do you think those shielding or caring for those who are shielding are managing? Some local shops even do a shop via phone for the elderly. How can one group of just as old/vulnerable manage not going in a shop. Yet another group totally can’t. Really?

@SymphonyofShadows

If you can’t wear a mask why don’t you wear a visor? Genuine question

I try, but sometimes it triggers me too. In as little time as it takes to collect a prescription from the pharmacy.

Some days I can cope with the visor.
Some days I can't.

I shop late in the evening when there's mimised chance of spreading infection and social distancing is a non-issue.
We have food intolerances in the household so online shopping does not work for us with minimum orders and buying specific items in specific shops.
I can't buy bread and "milk" in the same shop.

@AlternativePerspective Who is going to provide the proof? NHS clinicians have been told they're not allowed to. How long would it take to introduce a scheme to assess who is eligible and who is not, and who is going to staff this scheme?

Yep Nothing to do with ppl in rented housing being left without running water all weekend. No sireee This wont help to spread it at all.

I can see that itsgettingweird, it’s more the NT people who say it restricts their breathing etc. My lungs were damaged by chemo and a blood clot which nearly killed me. I wear a mask with no issues, although I don’t go in shops at the moment.

@AlternativePerspective

Exemptions need to be scrapped other than with confirmed medical need.

Exemptions need to be treated the same as the blue badg scheme and you should be required by law) to provide official proof of exemption. Failure to do so should result in a fine.

And no, it’s not ok to just say “I’m exempt” and be immmune from questioning. Far too many people are taking the piss that the laws around wearing masks have become pointless.

I've already hyperventilated/ panic attacked in shops. The supermarket staff have more experience of it than my GP! Fortunately staff were very kind, and it's better that I don't put them in a position of hyperventilating near them while they try to assist.

If you have a medical condition so severe that you are unable to wear a mask, then it stands to reason that you are likely too vulnerable to be going out anyway.

What an ignorant comment. How does that apply to people with autism?

Then scrap it altogether.

Even the major respiratory charities have said that masks do not cause any kind of damage.

Like PP I am exempt due to serious heart condition/pulmonary hypertension but as I’ve spent time on both a ventilator and oxygen I am not eager to repeat the experience.

No, they’re not pleasant, but everyone has to do it.

My best friend is unable to wear a mask as she was raped in her teens and he stuffed a piece of fabric in her mouth so she couldn't cry out. Anything on it nearing her face triggers panic attacks and flashbacks.

I strongly feel that this is something she shouldn't continually have to explain to strangers.

She tries to do online shopping but sometimes she needs to do top up shops. Not everyone who is unable to wear a mask can stay indoors all the time.

I do wonder whether some of the people who say they can't wear a mask would have a different attitude if covid had the same mortality rate across all age groups and/or one as high as Ebola.

@onlyreadingneverposting8 I can't wear a mask irrespective of the mortality rate. Those who are exempt (according to the given criteria) are not differently affected according to risk.

I don’t know why Morrison’s have announced this, it seems more for publicity and being seen to be doing something.
It’s not an actual change is it. “You have to wear a mask unless exempt”. Well, yes, that’s been the law for months. Hadn’t they noticed?
The people who are not really exempt have been happily ignoring the law for 6 months, I doubt a supermarket changing its policy will suddenly have them changing their minds. They’ll just say “I’m exempt” and walk right in won’t they?