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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think daughter should wear face mask at job in takeaway restaurant.

69 replies

Immy76 · 04/07/2020 22:12

My daughter (17) has just returned to her part-time job today (4th July) in a pizza takeaway restaurant. She’s asthmatic so stopped working there during lockdown. When I picked her up tonight I asked if she had worn her face mask and she said no! She is serving customers at an open hatch and in the same inside space as the chefs and delivery drivers - none of them are wearing masks. I am worried but my daughter thinks I’m making a big deal over nothing. I know it’s not legal requirement to wear a mask but seems sensible thing to do? AIBU?

OP posts:
bestbrowsintown · 04/07/2020 22:17

If she's asthmatic she may actually struggle to breath wearing it. Especially if it's on for a long period of time.

Bargebill19 · 04/07/2020 22:18

The mask does not protect her. Wearing a mask protects others from the wearers exhalations.

Ideally everyone would wear a mask to protect everyone around them. But we don’t, and why we don’t is a whole other thread.

bestbrowsintown · 04/07/2020 22:20

Breathe*

PurpleDaisies · 04/07/2020 22:21

It’s not compulsory. I wish people would stop making up their own rules for everyone to adhere to.

RealBecca · 04/07/2020 22:25

Yabu. It doesn't protect her and if she's old enough to work she's old enough to decide for herself.

midnightstar66 · 04/07/2020 22:25

As pp said masks/face coverings available to and work by the general public only serve to protect others somewhat and not the wearer. You need a pretty high medical grade mask to be any use for that! As an asthmatic she's probably better without but should maybe be wearing it for her customers!

HermioneWeasley · 04/07/2020 22:26

Are they able to socially distance in the workplace? If not, they should all be wearing masks or visors. As others have said, the masks don’t protect you, they protect others from you. If everyone wears them, there’s a measure of protection

BananaPop2020 · 04/07/2020 22:29

She is old enough to make her own decision about this - YABU.

Rosebel · 04/07/2020 22:50

It won't protect her. My husband had to wear one when visiting me in hospital and as,he is asthmatic he struggled with it. I also had to wear one when my son was admitted to hospital. Breathing wasn't a problem but after 7 hours it was really uncomfortable so I wouldn't wear it if I had,the choice.

Blankiefan · 04/07/2020 22:52

Could you buy her a visor? These are less trouble to wear and offer the wearer more protection.

BogRollBOGOF · 04/07/2020 22:57

It won't protect her from her own illness that she hasn't got.
Masks and asthma are not a recommended combination anyway.
She's a young woman who is highly unlikely to be seriously ill even with asthma (unless it is specifically severe and badly controlled.)
Wearing masks for prolonged periods is sore and uncomfortable.
There is low previlence of the illness in the community and she is unlikely to be exposed to it for a significant enough period to fall ill.

BF888 · 04/07/2020 22:59

It’s absolutely not ok to encourage your daughter to wear a mask with asthma.. please research this as it will do her more harm.

corythatwas · 04/07/2020 23:41

It may be that her asthma makes her unable to wear it.

But those saying she shouldn't have to wear it because it won't protect her- does that mean her co-workers and customers are somehow not worth protecting?

My son works for KFC and has been wearing masks throughout.

DisobedientHamster · 04/07/2020 23:44

She is old enough to decide that for herself.

Jesus wept, this mask shit has become the new social stick to beat others with.

WhySoSexist · 04/07/2020 23:51

If she's asthmatic she may actually struggle to breath wearing it. Especially if it's on for a long period of time This

BananaPop2020 · 05/07/2020 00:03

@DisobedientHamster I am 100% with you on that. If you want to wear one, fine. If you don’t, also fine. For those that do wish to wear them, do it properly and stop making judgements about those that don’t wish to wear one.

theendoftheworldasweknowit · 05/07/2020 00:29

@RealBecca She may be old enough to work, but if she still lives with the OP (quite likely at 17), the OP is fair enough to express an opinion as picking up Covid-19 will affect both of them.

When it comes to how much risk you are/aren't taking, I think that's something for everyone within a bubble to discuss amongst themselves.

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 05/07/2020 00:37

If she's asthmatic she may actually struggle to breath wearing it
This.
You have to weigh up the pros and cons. If she's asthmatic, I'm no doctor, but surely that comes under exemptions of having to wear one?
You don't won't anything that could possibly interfere with your breathing.

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 05/07/2020 00:38

don't want that should read

Whichoneofyoudidthat · 05/07/2020 01:38

I’m convinced that countries who are doing well in this pandemic have largely compliant, considerate populations. They wear masks, they sanitise ALL day, they wash hands regularly and thoroughly, they no longer shake hands/kiss (or never did culturally). So yes I think she should wear one. As should her customers. And I think establishments should have the right to refuse entry to non compliant customers.

midnightstar66 · 05/07/2020 07:36

@*RealBecca She may be old enough to work, but if she still lives with the OP (quite likely at 17), the OP is fair enough to express an opinion as picking up Covid-19 will affect both of them.

When it comes to how much risk you are/aren't taking, I think that's something for everyone within a bubble to discuss amongst themselves.*

Again the mask will not protect OP and OP's daughter - the government and scientists have been very clear that the purpose of the masks are to limit spread to others around you should you be infected. If OP feels it is putting her at risk that the workplace isn't wearing masks she needs to take that up with the boss. OP's daughter is working at a hatch so could well be easy to remain 2m at all times.

thedancingbear · 05/07/2020 07:46

YABU. The face mask mainly protects other people, not the wearer. And it's not a legal requirement.

And if she's working, she's old enough to decide herself.

She may be old enough to work, but if she still lives with the OP (quite likely at 17), the OP is fair enough to express an opinion as picking up Covid-19 will affect both of them.

Except the reverse would never happen, though. The OP would never accept her kids insisting she wore a face mask to work/the shops/wherever, so this seems to me more of a parental control thing?

thedancingbear · 05/07/2020 07:47

If OP feels it is putting her at risk that the workplace isn't wearing masks she needs to take that up with the boss

Please, OP, whatever you do, do not go over your 17-year old's head and speak to her boss. She will be humiliated.

vanillandhoney · 05/07/2020 08:03

@Whichoneofyoudidthat

I’m convinced that countries who are doing well in this pandemic have largely compliant, considerate populations. They wear masks, they sanitise ALL day, they wash hands regularly and thoroughly, they no longer shake hands/kiss (or never did culturally). So yes I think she should wear one. As should her customers. And I think establishments should have the right to refuse entry to non compliant customers.
She's asthmatic - she absolutely should not be forced to wear a mask - it could be extremely dangerous for her.

There is so much ignorance about health conditions and mask wearing on here!

midnightstar66 · 05/07/2020 08:08

*If OP feels it is putting her at risk that the workplace isn't wearing masks she needs to take that up with the boss

Please, OP, whatever you do, do not go over your 17-year old's head and speak to her boss. She will be humiliated.*

To be clear I was not suggesting this. Just making the point that the dd is not putting her bubble at any risk by not wearing a mask.