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?

@Pollypocket89

I'd say read the disability discrimination act but it's longer than the guidelines that have gone unread...

It's the Equality Act and the problem is that these are competing rights. How are all disabled people protected under the EA when the two groups in this instance have competing rights?

@lockheart they have only expanded the list of places you need a mask, not removed any exemption. So for people who can't wear a mask, nothing has changed...

[quote Miniminiminimini]@GlummyMcGlummerson evidently she doesn’t but at least she had you. You should scream into the abyss for another 10 hours.[/quote]
So my friend doesn't know better than YOU, random unqualified internet person, about epilepsy and her own condition?

Right o

Seeing as you are the omnipotent decider of Who is A Dick and Who Isn't can you please regale us with the list of Non-Dicks who can't wear masks?

@LangClegsInSpace yes, but until we somehow develop telepathy, those who are not complying with the law will still need to be asked why they are not.

The police, shop staff, airport security and so forth are not mind readers, and they need to enforce mask wearing. The fact they have to ask is not a personal dig.

If you are exempt, it's no problem. If you are not exempt, you can either wear a mask or take a fine.

It's important for people who can't wear a face covering to know that the law is on their side

And for people who don't want to wear one to know that no one will challenge them. If however you are vulnerable due to a disability and therefore need people around you to wear a mask, or at the very least follow all of the other rules - ah, well, tough luck. However, take comfort in the fact that according to many on MN, you would have died soon anyway

Because the vulnerable group will be harmed by it more than the people shouting about masks will. Stay 2m away. Its that simple

Shop assistants seem to be loving this power. It's sick.

@Viviennemary

Everybody should wear a mask. It's the rule. I think she should shop online if she is unable to wear a mask. And shop workers should be wearing them too.

So everyone who can't wear masks - including some rape victims, some people with Down Syndrome - should just stay at home, yeah?

Nothing has changed in terms of ableism has it. There are people who think disabled people should be tucked away where they won't be a bother or hindrance.

Lockhart, why do you keep saying they need to enforce it etc? They don't. They literally aren't supposed to as written in the guidelines. It also puts them in a vulnerable position that they shouldn't he put in either

I know @IAmFleshIAmBone, but until you ask the question you have no way of knowing who is exempt.

The law is to wear a mask, unless you are exempt.

If you are not wearing a mask, it will need to be checked whether you are exempt or just flouting the rules.

If you don't check, then there's no point in anyone wearing a mask.

[quote Miniminiminimini]@LangClegsInSpace go back and read slowly.[/quote]
OK, done that and I stand by my previous post.

Could you maybe just say what point it is you are trying to make?

*The law is to wear a mask unless you are exempt.

People who are unable to wear a mask are still allowed in shops and they are still complying with the law if they go to the shop and don't wear one.

It's important for people who can't wear a face covering to know that the law is on their side*

This.

So funny people are saying iTs ThE LAw when they have no idea of the basic principles of the law

until you ask the question you have no way of knowing who is exempt.

But why do you need to know? What difference does it make?

But even if you ask someone, you still don't know if they are exempt or not, because there is no proof. None. So how exactly is it enforceable?

Also people saying "they need to check" - no, they don't. In fact government guidance is advising the Exact opposite. Why are people ignoring this fact?

@Pollypocket89 because if it is not enforced then there is no point to the law. If there is no enforcement then 100% of the population could refuse to wear a mask and not be challenged

If it is not to be enforced then why are fines in place?

As yellow star invites Godwins Law replies (though there ARE parallels, i recommend people hit back with "scarlet letter" instead.

e.g. Do you really expect people to wear a scarlet letter like in the book/film . Maybe instead of an A like in the story it should be a D for disabled or E for exempt.

That should stop the Godwins law replies.

There ARE historical connotations re badges like it or not.

Exactly. Query that with the government, but its not on retail workers to enforce

@Pollypocket89

Because the vulnerable group will be harmed by it more than the people shouting about masks will. Stay 2m away. Its that simple

Sorry, this makes no sense.

I'd like people to stay 2 m away but they aren't, they are leaning right into me, sticking money in their mouths and handing it to me, pulling their mask.off to speak to.me.

I can't go through metal detectors at airports and because of that I have to carry a letter from the surgeon who implanted me detailing everything about my condition, the make and model of the implant I have, the name of the surgeon, the hospital, the manufacturer. In future I shall refuse to carry it and just tell that my rights are being violated and I might just as well see a yellow star.on my.jumper. Why should I have to declare my condition to airport security and even to staff at the O2 when we went there and they wanted me to go through the metal detectors? Instead I said I couldn't and gave them.the.letter - problem solved, no.issues. Why is that so.hard now?

@Bluegrass

If the internet wasn’t full of cunts shouting about how no one was ever going to make them wear a mask because they didn’t like them, I expect people wouldn’t be so suspicious when they hear the words “I’m medically exempt”.

So true!

I agree there is a conflict of interest here. No wonder cases are rising. The rule should be wear a mask or stay at home. No point in having all these exemptions. It just makes all these extra lockdown a complete and utter waste of time.

@GlummyMcGlummerson I do not need to know anyone's personal situation, as a member of the public.

But in order to enforce the law, shop staff, police etc will need to ask.

Unless you're advocating the police start slapping fines on anyone who's not wearing a mask, or that shop staff refuse them service, without asking questions first.

@Lockheart lockdown - when people were only allowed out once a day and only essential shopping - wasn't especially enforced either. It was there because it's a given that about 90% of people will be compliant without any enforcement. And they were - it's not there to be a perfect system and fine every single person who breaks the rules. There's a huge amount of trust that people will obey the law, any law. You can't prevent every single person who won't obey the law from breaking the rules.

So your point is moot - because 100% of people WON'T break a law that isn't enforced by some snooty shop assistant who doesn't have a right to enforce it anyway.

There’s a difference between asking if someone is exempt and prying into why they’re exempt. It’s not difficult to understand why someone wouldn’t want to disclose their health needs to a non medical professional in a public place.

I’d also like to see where it says it the law that shop workers should be making enquiries into someone’s health. Reminding people to wear a mask/face covering? Absolutely. Asking for medical info? No bloody way!

I say this as someone who can and does wear a mask but I’m fed up of jumped up members of the public thinking they have a right to tell people what to do. The law says you must wear a face covering unless exempt. They have deemed no need for an official exemption letter or card. If you have a problem with the legislation, write to Boris Johnson or your MP, start a petition or contact the media. It is not the fault of the exempt person, so leave them alone, eh?!

That's your choice if you want to travel that way.

A rape survivor shouldn't have to disclose anything at all to the poor assistant on the door at Tesco.

Government guidelines say Do Not Challenge people.

It really is that simple