Morrisons to ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks

[MrsMando]

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

Maybe lots of people recall the first 6 months of 2020 when we were bombarded with messages tell us how pointless masks are, as soon as you touch them they become a danger etc.

It's not that long ago.

Uk govt has fucked up public messaging during this crisis at every opportunity.

I have a condition that would make me exempt. But I wear a mask whenever I'm around people because it's the right thing to do.

When is MNHQ going to say something about the disgusting disablist views being espoused here and on other threads? They have, a few times.

The problem is there is a very real outcome to this theoretical debate!

Not all disabled people will be mask exemt - I am not, for example

Not all disabled peple are visibly disabled - I am not, for example

It is not ableist, discriminatory or illegal to ask anyone, at the entrance of a shop "Have you got your mask?"

It IS to ask to see proof of a disability!

But that isn't being done.

Supermarkets are now actively asking people without masks if they have a mask rather than glaring and saing nothing. The poor woman or man stood in the freezing doorway for hours, already being sworn at by twats, is now going to have to put themselves in the firing line for yet more idiots screeching about their human fucking rights!

The bottom line is wear your mask. If you have a truly legitimate reason not to then expect to be asked if you have our mask and to muster the patience, couarge, whatever to reply, that you are exempt!

And don't move to any of those much vaunted Asian countries who 'got it right' .. they don't have exemptions!

I imagine some are rubbing their hands in glee at this as it was something many have been campaigning for.
When I read last nights daily update I groaned in despair at the suggestion of all stores implementing this.
Was nice to occasionally leave the house and do something "normal" once every 4/6 weeks.

Really. I cannot wear a mask/shield. My local hospital has had the wear a mask policy since last year. Found this out at a&e and had to be sedated, and straight back under mh services. So annoyed (at myself) as I had been discharged weeks before,after several months of needing support.

And yea I know what it's like to breathe with CV. I also know what it's like to be intubated, isolation, hdu, icu and all the rest before the bright sparks pop up again.

And yes if I worked nhs I would have to suck it up. Hence I have never worked anywhere that required any type of face covering. If I was working around people I would have to quit last year.

I’m afraid I think most of the people who claim they can’t wear one just don’t want to wear them. I saw a former work colleague in Aldi before Christmas with a sunflower lanyard around her neck, but I know for a fact there’s bugger all wrong with her other than being morbidly obese and having an all round victim complex.

If you spread covid around because you don't want to wear a mask, you could be causing disabilities in others. And deaths.

It's not disablist to point out most of the people not wearing masks are not actually disabled or medically exempt. Mainly they are just assholes.

Loads of people don't wear masks out in shops. Loads. Because they know that they won't be challenged

I don't particularly like it either but just get on with it for the brief time in a shop

As for medical conditions; it's hard to believe that there are such a high number of people
Who can't wear masks.

if you can't wear a mask (not 'won't wear it because you are a thick or entitled fuckwit' but can't because there are some real reasons) then that is a good reason to ask one of the many volunteers to do your shopping for you. most places have a FB or similar group of people willing to help.

@murbblurb

if you can't wear a mask (not 'won't wear it because you are a thick or entitled fuckwit' but can't because there are some real reasons) then that is a good reason to ask one of the many volunteers to do your shopping for you. most places have a FB or similar group of people willing to help.

Those services are normally offered to those in need on a weekly basis (so no use if they run out of milk or other essential midweek), and there may be other conditions attached (transferring money online, using a specific supermarket) which may make it difficult or impossible for the person needing assistance.

And again, as I have said upthread, there are people working in supermarkets and other retailers who are unable to wear a face covering. Is it suggested they remain indoors too?

Well, it's made a change already! Just back from a supermarket and EVERYONE was wearing a mask, mouth and nose fully covered. I haven't seen that before!

And don't move to any of those much vaunted Asian countries who 'got it right' .. they don't have exemptions

www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3048208/left-home-six-days-disabled-chinese-boy-dies-after-carer-dad-and

Yep Definately something to be proud of and aspire to

It's not the exempt, it's the idiots
Prime example today. Hospital waiting room, a department that is likely to be full with immunocompromised people at 9am this morning. Man has removed his mask to sit with it over one ear and eat a packet of crisps
I mean... go out in the seating area outside the door from the waiting room and eat there!

If people are unable to wear masks , then they should stick to shopping at less busy times.

I don't understand the "it triggers me" comments - how do people deal with their other triggers? I have multiple triggers a day that are outside my control but I have had to find a way to cope with them because I cannot stop them.

I am exempt from wearing a mask, and I have an NHS letter to state that I am exempt, however, I wear it whenever I leave the house - I am far more triggered by the anxieties of potentially spreading the virus.

I heard on the news today that more supermarkets will be upping their game on mask wearing including Asda and Waitrose I think.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55633843

@Grenlei

I'm concerned at the levels of ignorance and othering being demonstrated on this thread.

No wonder MN is getting a reputation for being disablist.

It’s absolutely bloody horrifying, it really is. How dare all of you just pretend disabled people don’t exist like this?

My twins are fortunately too young to need to wear masks - they are severely autistic and don’t understand what a mask is and would remove it instantly. I know many others who are older but with a similar level of understanding.

We have stayed at home and shopped online wherever possible since March, only going out for genuine emergencies, medical appointments etc. I’ve had online shopping slots booked two weeks in advance since about August - prior to that DH was having to go.

There will be carers for those with similar needs who need to go and get something or can’t get an online shopping slot despite being organised and have to take them with them. The idea that people with such disabilities should just be locked indoors indefinitely because some people are taking the piss is an absolute disgrace.

The fact that people can’t comprehend why someone can’t wear a mask or a visor just shows how ignorant they are of the myriad reasons one may not be able to do so.

As for volunteers helping out those shielding, what do you think would happen if everyone mask exempt also needed to shield? Do you think there’s sufficient infrastructure in place?

As for this... I have no words.

• Strangely though, if those same two girls worked in a job that required masks on a daily basis they would just have to get on with it and wear them, or choose a different job.

I am exempt from wearing a mask, and I have an NHS letter to state that I am exempt, however, I wear it whenever I leave the house - I am far more triggered by the anxieties of potentially spreading the virus.

How did you get this letter? I don’t know anyone who has such a letter. And just because you personally can manage you think everyone else should be able to?

What about those with severe learning disabilities plus sensory issues who don’t understand what a mask is, what COVID is etc? If their parent is a single parent, how will that person buy food if they can’t get a delivery slot?

So much unbelievable ignorance.

It’s incredible how many people say they are exempt but wear one anyway and seem to think this must apply to everyone.

I think it's about time supermarkets started enforcing wearing masks. I think anybody without a lanyard/badge or whatever should be challenged.

Some people might just forget, or be hoping they don't get pulled up, and if someone reminds them at the door to put it on that's one less person potentially spreading it.

Of course some people are medically exempt and could not tolerate wearing one for any number of reasons, however, not everyone who is exempt is actually physically unable to wear a mask.

I know people who have asthma, vertigo, anxiety, I have a grandparent with a serious lung condition that affects her breathing. They are all able to wear a mask at least some of the time and so wear one when they feel ok to despite being 'excempt'.

Some times they may feel unable to and that's obviously absolutely their call, but they don't flounce about here there and everywhere never wearing to mask solely because they are on a list.

Obviously this can't be policed, but exempt people could maybe think about whether they are unable to or whether they could actually wear one with little to no discomfort sometimes.

I think people who are exempt should wear a face shield where possible to at least offer some kind of barrier. But anybody with a clear sign that they are exempt shouldn't be approached.

As for volunteers helping out those shielding, what do you think would happen if everyone mask exempt also needed to shield? Do you think there’s sufficient infrastructure in place?

Yes I do actually. I am part of volunteering group where I live. We have loads of volunteers probably more than are needed. There are countless groups on FB and elsewhere.

not everyone who is exempt is actually physically unable to wear a mask

If you can wear a mask you are not medically exempt. There is no list of exempt conditions. Where is everyone getting this from?

@CrochetOrBust

not everyone who is exempt is actually physically unable to wear a mask

If you can wear a mask you are not medically exempt. There is no list of exempt conditions. Where is everyone getting this from?

?

I am exempt from wearing a mask, and I have an NHS letter to state that I am exempt, however, I wear it whenever I leave the house - I am far more triggered by the anxieties of potentially spreading the virus

I know people who have asthma, vertigo, anxiety, I have a grandparent with a serious lung condition that affects her breathing. They are all able to wear a mask at least some of the time and so wear one when they feel ok to despite being 'excempt'

If someone can safely tolerate a face covering, and put it on and take it off themselves, they are NOT exempt, regardless of what conditions they have. How do people still not understand this after all these months?! Even more worrying if an NHS healthcare professional writes a letter confirming the exemption of a person who demonstrates that they aren't exempt at all every time they leave the house, when genuinely exempt people can't get one because their doctors etc are following the guidance and not issuing them.

Doesn’t say that in the formal guidance

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Or the legislation.

As usual, seems as though communication from the government is not entirely clear. And if they clarified it more then that may avoid a lot of people claiming they’re exempt when legally they are not.

@ToadsThePeanutButterSnob

If you don't know who the piss takers are then you must be fortunate enough to live in an area with high compliance.

Like I said before, I don't know anyone who isn't wearing a mask.

99% of people I see in shops are wearing masks. Yet everyone else seems to know loads of people who running around the supermarket maskless and killing people...

Lots of people in London (tubes and bus) weren't wearing masks when I last went into the office a few weeks ago. I live in Surrey and much more compliancy here (not that I go out much).