To think shop workers shouldn't be asking people why they aren't wearing a mask?

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

My friend is epileptic. She can't wear a mask because it takes very little to trigger a fit, and wearing a mask creates too much of a risk. Over the last 2 days she's been asked in 3 different places (Greggs, Morrison's and the Co-Op) in an abrupt and snotty way "Where is your mask?" By staff. This is with lots of other customers around. She responded "I'm medically exempt" and has been asked why she's exempt in two of those places. She's also been told (online) that she should stay in to protect others and get someone else to do her shopping etc.

AIBU to think this is appalling ableist behaviour to put someone on the spot in front of others? She doesn't owe anyone her medical history. Yes there's sunflower lanyards she can pick up but she's apprehensive about wearing anything around her neck for obvious reasons. Why can't we just trust others that they're doing it in their best interests?

When we were all told that we should be wearing masks in shops , there was a large number of threads in here about it and so many were saying why should they/they weren't going to/their rights were being infringed etc.

If this is mirrored in real life OP , then unfortunately , people such as your friend with a genuine reason , are bearing the brunt of others being selfish and could be why they are questioned.

@DomDoesWotHeWants clearly he hasn't read the government guidelines. Very unimpressive.

@Jellybeansincognito

Yes, the risks are so minimal despite all of this advice we are still in the middle of a pandemic this August when it begun in March. 😏

(I also said previously, masks reduce the risk of transmission, not prevent it. Paired with the rest, it is better than nothing).

How about, rather than ostracising disabled people, you don't worry why other people won't wear masks and just abide to the 2m rule and wash your hands regularly, you'll have nothing to worry about 👍🏽

Well when you said "he" I assumed you were talking about the man who's been the subject of the last few posts. My friend is a woman. Funnily enough I didn't ask her to give me a breakdown of exactly why something triggers her fits. I trust that she knows her condition and it's triggers, and didn't require further explanation. Do your own research if you want to k ow the answer

Sorry, I must have missed the letter ‘s’.

I was only curious because I have epilepsy and I didn’t know if I was unaware of something regarding masks triggering seizures and so as a group we are exempt from wearing masks.

I do think they should be checking yes. But there should be exemption cards issued by the GP in case of medical conditions, otherwise anyone could say they're exempt.

@QueenofmyPrinces no one is officially "exempt" but as you will know one person's condition will differ from the next person's and it's down to the individual to decide if mask wearing is in the interest of their condition.
There's a list somewhere of possible exemptions...I'll find it

@AlwaysLatte

I do think they should be checking yes. But there should be exemption cards issued by the GP in case of medical conditions, otherwise anyone could say they're exempt.

The government has already announced that GP letters or card aren't needed for non-mask wearers.

@GlummyMcGlummerson

It is the responsibility of the individual person with the "Hidden disability" to make people aware of their situati

I totally disagree. This is harmful and ableist. Why do people NEED to know why someone else isn't wearing a mask? Why is it the responsibility of people with disabilities to let everyone know they're disabled?

It's sails too close to the "they don't look like they need a disabled parking space" rhetoric.

how can people be more understanding if they dont know though - sure we should all be nicer to each other, but we're not. Humans are horrible, thats why we have wars, and crimes and rapes.

If you need more help, then its not a crime or anything to be ashamed about asking

Don't think your right to be protected from something that a mask doesn't even prevent anyway is more important than their reason for not wearing one

But masks do help prevent infection. That is why we are being asked to wear them.

Sadly, the virus doesn't care about what legitimate or otherwise reasons people have for not wearing a mask in busy indoor spaces. Hence why I believe that all should be wearing them unless the have a medical condition that makes that impossible. Unfortunately people in that category are just going to have to get used to being challenged thanks to the large numbers of people who just don't give a shit and think the rules don't apply to them.

If shop workers don't ask people to wear masks unless absolutely not possible we will need police officers in shops to do it instead. Would people prefer to be askedby a shop worker or a police officer?

Can she wear a face shield, or does that trigger epilepsy too?
I must admit i find it hard to talk whilst wearing one as my voice is quiet due to throat surgery. However, I would much rather wear one than end up on a ventilator in intensive care again. I feel sorry for the shop workers.

She once had a long necklace on and had a fit and it twisted around her neck during the fit so she's very nervous about wearing anything round her neck, understandably.
She can show it in a bus pass type wallet, which would be fairly discreet.

We’ve all been excluded in some way in all of this op.

Unfortunately people who cannot wear a mask will more than likely struggle more with covid.
Not being pulled up on not wearing a mask in a shop will give people an opportunity to not wear one when they have to, because how can it be proved?

I actually wish the government would have presented a special card or something for people who are exempt so it can be visible if asked for and would take away the ability for others to take advantage of the situation- it would stop shop staff from having to ask more questions too.

Nothing about this pandemic has been ideal though op. It’s like you’re focusing on a small section of the bigger picture.

I keep hearing again and again that there are people that don't want to be muzzled, and to blame them when people because suspicious about all non mask wearers. Where are these people? Everytime I go shopping etc 99 percent of the customers are wearing masks. I don't wear a mask. I don't have a health condition, and technically I could wear one but I have a valid reason not too. I don't need to explain this to anyone. None of anyone's business. Bloody busybodies.

[quote countrygirl99]@DomDoesWotHeWants clearly he hasn't read the government guidelines. Very unimpressive.[/quote]
Still, he knows my health and you don't. So your opinion is worthless.

I suggest you read the guidelines again. I'm in there. Or just carry on pretending you know best.

@AlwaysLatte

I do think they should be checking yes. But there should be exemption cards issued by the GP in case of medical conditions, otherwise anyone could say they're exempt.

Oh god these threads do my head in.

Nobody reads the fucking guidelines, nobody reads the fucking thread. Everyone just comes on and spouts what they reckon.

Round and round we go.

But there should be exemption cards issued by the GP in case of medical conditions, otherwise anyone could say they're exempt.

I definitely agree with this.

Without a nurse/doctor confirming the individual is exempt, with an official exemption card, then of course people are going to be sceptical by those who claim to be exempt.

Anyone can say they’re medically exempt.
Anyone can buy a lanyard.

I’m not saying people who don’t want to wear masks purely for the fact they don’t like them, will simply go around telling people they’re exempt - but the fact that it can be done, I think, is what makes people not take it seriously.

@butterpuffed. Most people who were complaining are like me and said they would but it would make them less inclined to shop. Which is perfectly within their rights and poses no additional risk to anyone, actually the opposite. In the minds of the mask stasi this is a selfish disregard for anyone else and a refusal to wear masks. Now I'm sure there will be local variation in mask wearing. For example, less well off areas will have proportionately more people living on disability benefits just because they are cheaper to live in. Therefore there will be perfectly valid reason that some areas have a lower proportion of mask wearers. But wear I am I see 1, if any, shoppers not wearing a mask but the mask stasi see things differently and see loads of people not wearing masks. I suspect exaggeration.

People are scared. A simple thing as wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing can help save lives.

There’s many covidiots out there refusing to wear masks because if their ”rights” (Yet depriving others of their right to life by infecting them).

I’m actually pleased to hear shop assistants trying to keep their customers and staff safe by challenging non mask wearers. The badge or lanyard are easily identifiable and will be acknowledged so to solve any issue, people exempt just simply wear one

Your friend should wear the badge illustrating she’s medically exempt then no one will challenge her why she’s not following the law. Simple. She doesn’t have to explain. She should, however, be sure for her own safety and others to socially distance herself from others

Printing out a few badges for her is a great idea. Good of you to find that for her.

The government has already announced that GP letters or card aren't needed for non-mask wearers.
I know, but what I meant was that I think they SHOULD do this - it would be more helpful to those who aren't able to wear them and stop all the idiots who pretend they can't (I've seen some people do this).

@mornington27

This ought to be the role of the police, but they are so few in number that shops are expected to ask. Though it can be done in a better way than seems to have been the case.

Nope we are not expected to ask in fact we are expressly told not to.

‘ There’s many covidiots out there refusing to wear masks because if their ”rights” (Yet depriving others of their right to life by infecting them). ’

Busybodies apparently... 😏

I do agree though. defeating covid is the responsibility of all of us, I think the positive is that the government have given people a choice to be exempt and not just taken their independence away.

The skeptics who think anyone who isn't wearing a mask is taking the piss, but believe the lanyards 'will be acknowledged'... Well I needed a laugh

LangClegsInSpace
Don't read them then.

I don't get this, what difference does it make to anyone if someone explains their medical history to you. Does it protect you more? Or does it just satisfy your nosey curiosity.

No one should have to be made to walk around with a badge or sticker telling the whole shop that they suffer from a hidden disability. It really surprises me how many people seem to think that they should. It's no one's business.

Funny how none of us were wearing masks a month ago or during the peak and yet now it's all 'BUT WHAT ABOUT COVID, WHAT ABOUT MY SAFETY'.

Your friend doesn't have to explain her disability to anyone OP. The law is quite clear on this. She should not be bullied into providing strangers with a detailed account of her private medical history.

What is it with some people at the moment. It's like they've gone crazy, reporting neighbours, curtain twitching, demanding to know people's private information. Fucking ridiculous.

There is no official way for people who are exempt to 'prove' that they are exempt. Hence proof is not required.

Some charities have produced badges/lanyards/downloadable graphics people can use if they want to. The government has also produced a graphic for those who want to use it, however anyone can download it so it doesn't constitute proof.

It is clear from reports on social media, including on this thread, that people are still being challenged despite a sunflower lanyard. Some are showing the 'I'm exempt' graphic, or showing their sunflower or mask exempt lanyards and are then being asked for details of their medical condition by shop workers. Others are being challenged by members of the public. One poster on this thread described a member of the public pushing someone with a lanyard out of a queue!

A sunflower lanyard, or badge isn't going to ensure that no-one exempt is challenged. The government rules are clear that a person does not have to prove they are exempt, and should not be asked to disclose their medical condition.

Despite Covid-19 people still have the right to medical privacy and disability discrimination laws still apply. If a disabled person's disability prevents them from wearing a mask, and they are refused access to services as a result, that is disability discrimination.

I have a number of disabling medical conditions, some of which in combination mean I can't safely wear a mask. I would much much rather I didn't have said conditions at all so that I could wear a mask. As it is, I don't feel I can go anywhere which requires a mask as I am worried about being challenged or harassed.