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Original poster

Woman thrown out of Sainsbury's for not wearing a mask.

564 replies

Viviennemary · 18/01/2021 10:01

When asked why she wasn't wearing one she told the police they were not allowed to challenge her or ask about her disability. (wrong apparently). She said she'd be taking them to court. Police have criticised ministers for giving conflicting advice. I think it's time this was cleared up. It's far too vague. So seems like people do need some proof of the reasons they can't wear a mask.

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 18/01/2021 13:38

how do you know all of those people are genuinely exempt?

I'd be interested to see how many anti maskers took advantage of this hour, once they realised 'oh shit, no one's wearing a mask and I could actually catch this thing!'

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 18/01/2021 13:39

and I think the argument was the poor staff being exposed to a shop full of non mask wearers.

I saw it too I think. One argument was for the shop staff, but I think another one was that exposing people who can't wear a mask to other people who can't wear a mask was unfair and increased their risk.

Becca19962014 · 18/01/2021 13:39

[quote Sparklfairy]@Becca19962014 I had no idea. I didn't take much notice as it didn't apply to me, but I thought you had to show proof you were actually NHS all along, maybe I only noticed when it was finally brought in because of the piss takers.

Fucksake. People are arseholes.[/quote]
@Sparklfairy

I'm sorry for coming across so defensive! But yes people were doing it, it took weeks before the signs went up saying people needed their ID.

Theunamedcat · 18/01/2021 13:40

@GuyFawkesDay

Having PTSD doesn't mean you won't wear a mask.

It might do if you had asphyxia as part of your trauma. In which case you should have a letter from a doctor explaining your particular issue.

Shops can refuse entry on basis of safety for workers I think (rather than as they used to for racist reasons) as unmasked shoppers present a potential health risk. Same as disability dogs etc?

Doctors do not provide notes to prove exemption
BuntysTwinkle · 18/01/2021 13:40

This morning in my local supermarket a woman barged past door security without a mask, pulled her jumper over her mouth and then stood there making a scene about her rights. She was so obviously spoiling for an argument. It's selfish knobs like her who cause problems for genuine cases - though I found it interesting when a MNer from another country (Italy? France?) was baffled that we need to have exemptions, she said it wasn't a thing in her country, everyone just wears one.

I have sensory processing issues, there are some fabrics I can't stand, I often get rashes from neck tags etc, but a mask is such a non issue once you've found a style that suits you and had a few practice wears around the house. The loose ones that cover your nostrils when you inhale made me feel a bit erk, but the smooth ones are fine. Actually it's quite pleasant to wear one in this weather, you don't lose all feeling in the face Grin

wonkylegs · 18/01/2021 13:41

@Heartlantern2 I have a similar relative basically once they are told something they must rebel
They are currently going down the route of telling everybody that "choose not to believe in Covid, as is their right" and say I obviously "choose to believe in it" when I point out DH is a frontline dr that has treated patients in an overrun hospital and has sadly lost colleagues to Covid , I'm told that is what "I choose to believe"
I don't fucking "choose to believe" the bloody evidence is that those people have been very very ill or have died. ICU provision at DHs hospital is currently running at 250% of normal capacity and they nearly all have Covid. It's not bloody belief it's actually happening.

CuppaZa · 18/01/2021 13:42

Good

GabsAlot · 18/01/2021 13:42

i give up what are they supposed to do then-not fine anyone not say a word

doesnt a shop have the right not to let people in whatever their reason

Sparklfairy · 18/01/2021 13:43

@Becca19962014 you didn't Smile I'm astounded by the selfishness of the general public that make life harder for everyone else. I can't imagine how stressful it must be to try and get through this pandemic as best you can and have to circumnavigate arseholes and the way they find loopholes to indulge their selfishness Flowers

JamieLeeCurtains · 18/01/2021 13:43

I feel really sorry for shop workers and police officers having to put up with all this crap.

skodadoda · 18/01/2021 13:44

@AwaAnBileYerHeid

Good, she was a massive twat. She sounded like the sort that just wants to screech about her 'rights' and screw everyone else. Good on the police officers. I have the right to not get sick because of idiots like this and I thank the police and sainsbury's for standing up for me.
I agree.
GabsAlot · 18/01/2021 13:45

then theres laurence fox buying the exemtpn badge to stick it to the goverment

JamieLeeCurtains · 18/01/2021 13:46

Laurence Fox has self-identified as a massive tit for some time.

Bathroom12345 · 18/01/2021 13:47

Sons supermarket always asked for ID right from the start but masks were something that needed to be worn at the beginning. And no one had an issue with showing an NHS pass. They werent at the beginning actually offering any discounts, just access to products that selfish twits were stockpiling.

It didnt stop others saying that their need was equally as important. I think something similar is happening here.

NikeDeLaSwoosh · 18/01/2021 13:47

@GuyFawkesDay

Having PTSD doesn't mean you won't wear a mask.

It might do if you had asphyxia as part of your trauma. In which case you should have a letter from a doctor explaining your particular issue.

Shops can refuse entry on basis of safety for workers I think (rather than as they used to for racist reasons) as unmasked shoppers present a potential health risk. Same as disability dogs etc?

Seriously, which part of it are you not getting?

Mask wearing cannot be made a requirement for entry. It is unlawful for it to be so.

Discrimination on the grounds of disability is unlawful.

How hard is it to get this?

Tiktokersmiracle · 18/01/2021 13:47

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

I am so fucking sick of this

Little Stasi wannabes picking on women (it's always women) and people backing them up!!

She's right - she has NO obligation to share her information. I thought she behaved brilliantly. She was calm, she knew her rights, and the prick police officers refused to even look at the law she was presenting them (doesn't surprise me as they seem to like to make it up). I hope she does sue them.

The sad thing is there was probably a battered wife or a mugging victim who didn't get an audience with police after their attack because they're too busy implementing 1984 in Sainsbury's. Awful. I'm genuinely terrified with the way the world is going.

And shame on those of you who think this is OK.

I have noticed that where I live Not so much with masks but certainly with pulling people up over essential journeys. Just this weekend a woman asked for advice on a group as her 18 year old daughter had been walking back from her college home, she had said to her tutor she was waiting on some art materials but the tutor said he was at the college sorting some online stuff out and she could pop in and grab what she needed to save her money. On her way home, 2 male officers pulled over and stopped her, there were two males way in front of her and they accused her of being with them-theu didn't stop the males though, just the girl. She explained where she had been and they said in their view she was exercising in a group so they gave her a penalty notice. Her mum was asking if they could argue it. I myself was stopped several times during the first Lockdown, literally walking in the area near my home, getting some fresh air, or popping to our nearest, 3 minutes walk, shop for milk. Always older, male officers who would be needlessly rude every time. Got told by one of he saw me again that week he would fine me as in his view I was breaking rules (this after I politely told him I was not breaking rules and in fact he was making my journey take longer). Some police-not all but some- like to be in the right and think a badge number means they can pick and choose what the rule is. Personally I hope she does complain

To those saying if she is exempt she should be avoiding stores- we'd all like to do that but with some shopping delivery slots being booked up for a month it's not practical. It's also not practical to those on disability benefits who get paid sporadically.

trulydelicious · 18/01/2021 13:48

A lot of people enjoy taking the piss.

Most people who are genuinely exempt should be able to produce some kind of proof. Sainsbury was right to challenge this woman.

itwaseverthus · 18/01/2021 13:48

If doctors are not providing exemption letters then the police shouldn't be asking people in such a public place why they are exempt, other than to confirm they are indeed exempt. The lack of mask should suffice, or even to glance at the Gov guidance the woman printed and carried. The Gov made the law, no one has to explain their disability.

Papers and stars next ffs.

NikeDeLaSwoosh · 18/01/2021 13:48

@GabsAlot

i give up what are they supposed to do then-not fine anyone not say a word

doesnt a shop have the right not to let people in whatever their reason

The law forbids them from ‘saying a word’

And no, for about the 5th time, discrimination on the grounds of disability is unlawful.

hansgrueber · 18/01/2021 13:49

I think they're more likely to be like Laurence Fox and buy an unofficial badge.

I know he's on the bad-boys list for not toeing the various party lines but I do think he was making the point of how riduculous it is to accept a noddy 'exemption' certificate. If you think you are exempt then stay at home where you can be as exempt as you claim.

Lycanthropology · 18/01/2021 13:49

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

I am so fucking sick of this

Little Stasi wannabes picking on women (it's always women) and people backing them up!!

She's right - she has NO obligation to share her information. I thought she behaved brilliantly. She was calm, she knew her rights, and the prick police officers refused to even look at the law she was presenting them (doesn't surprise me as they seem to like to make it up). I hope she does sue them.

The sad thing is there was probably a battered wife or a mugging victim who didn't get an audience with police after their attack because they're too busy implementing 1984 in Sainsbury's. Awful. I'm genuinely terrified with the way the world is going.

And shame on those of you who think this is OK.

It's pretty silly to call disablism when someone isn't actually disabled. This twit is putting genuinely vulnerable people at risk with her stupidity. She'll be laughed out of court if she does try to sue.
Feedingthebirds1 · 18/01/2021 13:49

@JamieLeeCurtains

Laurence Fox has self-identified as a massive tit for some time.
But you have to admire his tenacity in collecting evidence to prove it.
trulydelicious · 18/01/2021 13:49

@Theunamedcat

Doctors do not provide notes to prove exemption

They should

AuntyPasta · 18/01/2021 13:50

If you read the article it wasn’t a lone woman.

’Regarding the Sainsbury's video, Kent Police said: 'At 10.55am on Saturday 16 January 2021 Kent Police was called to Sainsburys in Dartford to assist staff, who had asked a man and a woman to leave due to them not wearing a face mask.’

'Officers attended and spoke to the couple, who were then escorted from the shop. No further action will be taken.'

So a couple, neither of whom were wearing masks, were asked to leave Sainsbury’s and refused to do so. Then the police were called.

Tiramisuzie · 18/01/2021 13:50

Surely if you cannot wear a mask for any reason you would rock up to Sainsbury's with your daisy lanyard and/or a thing in your bag saying you are exempt from wearing one?

No one goes to the shops looking for a fight armed with all the info on your rights etc. She had no documentation on why she wasn't wearing a mask but did have a print off of her rights to show the policeman.

She is just a stupid bitch looking for an argument.