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

[Viviennemary]

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.

[bobbojobbo]

No one has to prove their disability though - ships by and large and treading dangerous legal ground by booting out people they don't know for certain aren't disabled

Point still stands. You can't sue for being discriminated against due to
disability unless you show you have a disability.

[knittingaddict]

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@AwaAnBileYerHeid

WOW

What a thoughtful and compelling response. How intelligent you are

Do you understand the difference between being "anti mask" and "pro disability rights"? Do you understand that many people cannot wear masks for medical reasons? Can you comprehend that or shall I explain it more slowly?

Stop the fucking ableism. Disabled people SHOULD NOT have to stay indoors forever more and many do not have people to help them. [/quote]
My parents are both disabled. They both wear a mask because they aren't dicks. Not all disabled people, by any means, are incapable of wearing a mask.

[SpudsandGravy]

It does need to be sorted out (i.e. a clear rule introduced one way or the other), but what an absolute idiot that woman was. It seems clear to me that she'd gone out in the hope of having a fight - armed with a copy of part of the website and figures about fines. It doesn't sound like good faith to me at all.

[Watchingbehindmyhands]

I think if she can't produce proof of why she's exempt then she shouldn't be allowed in

What proof do you want people to produce?

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

@Hazelnutlatteplease

Yep let's isolate disabled people even more shall we?

The longer this pandemic goes on the more isolated anyone disabled and/or vulnerable is going to get.

The more it spreads the longer the pandemic lasts. The more people wear masks the harder it is for pandemic to spread.

Not Wearing masks is contributing to the isolation of those with disabilities.

Someone's medical history should not be up for scrutiny

Everytime I claim carers at an entry to a day out my sons diagnosis are under scrutiny.
Everytime I request a ride access pass at a theme park my DS' diagnosis is under scrutiny (evidence at my expense)
Everytime we park in a disabled bay his evidence has to be put in the window of the car for any passer by to scrutinise (and they do) (and I have to pay for this evidence too)
Everytime he requests DLA his entire medical history is under scrutiny.

Why on earth should mask wearing be any different?

But presumably you're requesting the discounts/certain requirements because it greatly accommodates him in his disability, it's not a prize or treat, it's to make his life easier. A bit like disabled people who can't wear face coverings going into a shop - the exemption is there to help them carry on a normal life, it's not a prize or a treat for anyone. It's what they have to do in order to do simple things.

[C8H10N4O2]

She would have to PROVE her disability in a court of law. If she is genuinely disabled and unable to wear a mask, then fair enough, let her have her day in court, but I think we all know that the chances are she has no legitimate disability preventing her from wearing a mask, so no court would give her the time of day (nor the ambulance chancing no win no fee lawyers either as they always check the facts before taking a case too!)


Yes lets put all the burden of managing this mess of badly drafted law onto the disabled, because we know they are the least likely to have the financial resources for a court case. And whilst we are at it lets demonise them as well.

Or we could point at the government for creating this fuck up in legislation rather than blame the disabled for the fact that twats like Fox want disabled "perks".

Neither the police nor stores have the right to know personal information, particularly demanded in public but its cheap to punish the disabled yet again for able bodied people taking advantage or incompetence in government.

[Watchingbehindmyhands]

My parents are both disabled. They both wear a mask because they aren't dicks. Not all disabled people, by any means, are incapable of wearing a mask

Your suggestion that a disabled person unable to wear a mask is a dick is abhorrent.

[kitcat15]

@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.

This ^ .....100%

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

I do wonder what, when people ask for a reason for a disability, they think makes them qualified to judge if they should be exempt or not?

If someone said "I was brutally raped, bound and my eyes covered so wearing a face covering sets of panic attacks and triggers my PTSD" - would these non-medically trained police officers say "ok" or tell them that's not good enough? I have a friend with epilepsy who can't wear one. Would they decide if she's worthy? Or did they just ask to try and wrong foot a potentially disabled person?

[user1497207191]

@Ihatefish

Yes let’s just shut everyone with a mental health issue who can’t wear a mask in their homes, let’s isolate them from society, let’s tell them they are not fit to mix with normal people. Yes let’s tell rape victims they have blood on their hands, let’s tell people with severe anxiety that they are selfish cunts. In fact why don’t we just reopen mental asylums and lock them up because let’s face it nothing exists now apart from covid.

The world is becoming more and more like the Third Reich. I’m seriously considering building a secret room behind a book case in my house. It’s becoming increasingly clear that mental health issues are not acceptable to the general public, it’s ok to vilify and ostracise people with mental health issues. Maybe consider suicide is far more deadly than most cases of covid. Sticking a sunflower lanyard round someone’s neck is not dissimilar to sticking a yellow star on someone. I bet all the do gooders that think people with mental illnesses should be kept away from the Uber menschen mask wearers never considered that they would turn into those people from the history books.

You do understand we have a deadly pandemic don't you?

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

@Watchingbehindmyhands

My parents are both disabled. They both wear a mask because they aren't dicks. Not all disabled people, by any means, are incapable of wearing a mask

Your suggestion that a disabled person unable to wear a mask is a dick is abhorrent.

Agree.

Just because some people and their relatives on this thread are disabled and can wear a mask it doesn't mean everyone can. Is it REALLY hard to comprehend that?

[RedMarauder]

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows they will simply say she was being abusive to their staff, so regardless of her undisclosed disability, had to remove her from the store.

Also people who tend to require help or can't do something will tell you and often in great detail.

[Samcro]

Stop the fucking ableism. Disabled people SHOULD NOT have to stay indoors forever more and many do not have people to help them.

trouble is disabled people are having to stay in because so many people won't wear a sodding mask.
yes there are genuine exempt people, but I doubt in the numbers that are claiming to be.

[TempsPerdu]

If you are genuinely exempt from wearing a mask, then don't go into shops where lots of other people are. Get someone to do your shopping for you or use home delivery or whatever. Just because you're exempt from mask wearing doesn't mean you won't spread COVID, have some thought for others

So given that you seem to want blanket mask-wearing I’m assuming you’d like under 11s banned from shops too? Which means that, given that DP is genuinely medically exempt (trigeminal neuralgia), I am the sole carer for our 3-year-old during the day, and we can’t get an online delivery slot, the only way we can get food is for me to go alone late at night or at peak weekend times?

Fortunately you’re not in charge, our current government, while dire, is a little more accommodating of those with disabilities and DP will continue to visit shops wearing his sunflower lanyard. I suppose if I were a single parent you’d be one of those telling me to leave my toddler outside or in the car?

[C8H10N4O2]

Everytime I claim carers at an entry to a day out my sons diagnosis are under scrutiny.
Everytime I request a ride access pass at a theme park my DS' diagnosis is under scrutiny (evidence at my expense)
Everytime we park in a disabled bay his evidence has to be put in the window of the car for any passer by to scrutinise (and they do) (and I have to pay for this evidence too)

You don't give medical details for any of these, you show the standard government approved ID such as a blue badge or evidence of carer's allowance.


Everytime he requests DLA his entire medical history is under scrutiny

That is justified by the need to assess need and entitlement. Not suggesting they do it well but its hardly the same has handing your medical records over to the manager of Sainsburys.

[GreenSlide]

@WanderingMilly

If you are genuinely exempt from wearing a mask, then don't go into shops where lots of other people are. Get someone to do your shopping for you or use home delivery or whatever. Just because you're exempt from mask wearing doesn't mean you won't spread COVID, have some thought for others.

For those who just don't want to wear a mask, I have no patience with you and your 'rights'. Why do your rights take priority over everyone else's to be safe? Go and exercise your right down a country lane where there's nobody around and you can walk around with no mask without causing danger. Don't parade it in shops where you are compromising the safety of others. And great that the shop will take issue and throw you out...

So disabled people who are exempt from mask wearing just have to stay in the house forever?

[Hazelnutlatteplease]

Yes let’s just shut everyone with a mental health.......

Or you could just run an exemption scheme where you apply to your GP/other health professionaland pay a small admin charge to obtain a letter that states you are exempt from mask wearing.

Then when challenged you can produce your exemption letter. Noone actually needs to know why.

There really is no need for hyperbole and drama

[DinosaurOfFire]

@IrmaFayLear

Frankly, who absolutely cannot wear a mask for five minutes? There may be a tiny number of traumatised-reason people, but if someone’s breathing is so bad they can’t breathe at all, then I question why they’re going round a supermarket.

I have breathing problems; at the hospital you betcha I wheezed and puffed in a mask. And go to a supermarket? No thanks! If someone has a bad-enough breathing problem to be mask exempt, then they will be on the shielding list and therefore can get a supermarket delivery.

IrmaFayLear I cannot wear one for even 5 minutes due to sensory issues caused by autism. I am not CEV, or in a vulnerable group. Being mask exempt doesn't mean that the person is extremely vulnerable to covid, just that they cannot wear a mask for whatever reason. And people still need to be able to shop for essentials in person which is why the shops are still open.

What happened to people's humanity and trusting your fellow human is doing what is right and legal rather than assuming everyone is out for themselves? So many divisive angry threads at the moment. And newspapers/ media reporting cases like this are making it worse for people who are mask exempt more than those people who aren't wearing masks when they could.

[WiltedDaffs]

I saw her post this video on Twitter.

Her Twitter header image says "Forced masking? Forced testing? Forced vaccine? Forced Microchip?"

[Bathroom12345]

I agree - no mask no entry. Yes, the policy is woolly but there was a women in front of me yesterday in the Co Op without a mask and a sign around her neck saying that she was exempt. Didnt stop her leaning right over to the cashier and I could see spit coming out of her mouth because she was effectively shouting.

Is that OK in anyone's view?

[MimiDaisy11]

I agree with others on the thread that there should be some recognised scheme for people with issues like this as it would give confidence to all concerned. And legal backup against discrimination etc.

I don't want to restrict people with disabilities but there are lots of organisations who could help with shopping etc and online services.

I get that I'm not disabled and don't want to be an ableist dick, but I sometimes find it hard to understand why if you're so sick that your health will suffer from having a little material covering your mouth that you would risk going into supermarkets, especially at peak times.

[Littlewhitedove2]

As face coverings are the law, there should be a better system in place to varify if you are exempt, not just printing something from the internet. Just not good enough.
Yes you should have to prove you have a disability or be assessed. You don’t just get a blue badge by downloading it from the internet do you?
I don’t agree with having to tell a shop worker about your issues, but the exception should be sorted out BEFORE you enter the store so that this isn’t an issue

[Peppafrig]

No one should have to disclose private medical information to someone untrained in a supermarket.

[SquirtleSquad]

@Peppafrig

No one should have to disclose private medical information to someone untrained in a supermarket.

And to the police?

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

Where the argument is vague is that shops and those who run them can revoke the right of service as they see fit.

Not on the basis of discrimination they can't.

They can no sooner say "no service because you're disabled" than they can say "no service because you're black"

But they can say no entry because you aren't wearing a mask and don't have a valid reason/act like a twat when asked.

She isn't disabled, she's an anti masker!

I've just come back from Tesco, went in behind a woman who wasn't wearing a mask, the member of staff at the door stopped her, I didn't hear what he said, he seemed to be being pleasant, he nodded and she went in... no proof was shown, she just replied to him, presumably saying " I don't wear one because..."!

And can I shout "Godwin"?