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?

@HeIenaDove

"It didn't help with the Doctor with no health issues doing that silly oxygen monitor with and without a mask. Of course he wasn't affected, he doesn't have a bloody medical condition"

Im curious about NHS social media policy and whether or not there is one. Ive been discussing this on another thread, Because the mask shaming is contributing to the abuse disabled people have been getting, The friend i mentioned earlier used to work for a supermarket and there was social media policy there.

My oxygen saturation is 89 - 90% (normal is 98%+).I have a heart and lung condition. I've checked my sats with a mask on - makes no difference to my oxygen readings.

Thats YOU though.

What makes me laugh is the ones who have voted for individualism for the past ten years rejecting it now there is a pandemic on, Couldnt give a fuck about disabled people dying after being refused benefits, Post Grenfell where people died STILL saying that social housing tenants should be grateful for what they get and now all of a sudden expect people from these groups to give a shit about THEM

Well your views dont match up. Because if you cared about people dying you would have cared about that LONG before Covid!!!!

@TheGreatWave

Competing rights is always an issue, but in this case it is possible for both to be accommodated - non mask wearers keep to stringent SD measures, clinically vulnerable wear a suitable mask and keep to stringent SD measures.

People being disgusting and dirty is not a mask issue, Hooves ask your colleagues as I bet all the ones who have worked throughout have had the money in mouth etc issues. It is, however as a pp pointed out, a situation your manager needs to deal with.

Apart from having to deal with the great unwashed public, I do hope your return to work hasn't been quite as bad as you feared.

Are you kidding? I was hoping that people on here telling me that SD was happening and that the majority of people were wearing masks were right - not a chance. At least 50% aren't wearing a mask or aren't wearing it properly, SD is clearly old hat now and I never dreamt that people would hold money in their mouth and hand it to me, or as happened yesterday, a man pulled down his mask, blew his nose and then handed me his money. What should the store manager do?

@HeIenaDove

Thats YOU though.

Yes. Your post though said that the drs sats didn't change because he has no breathing difficulties. I was giving an example of someone who does have breathing difficulties and the sats still didn't change. I'm.not saying it applies to everyone but your post implied that sats would change in someone with breathing difficulties - that isn't necessarily the case.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Are you going to make another thread all about you again?

Oh I'm sorry, is it only people you approve of who are allowed to post?

I have a disability and I work in a shop - why can't I post on a thread about those issues, simply because I have a different view to yours?

No, post where you like.

It's just that this thread is about people who are unable to wear a face covering and their ability to access ordinary things like going in a shop or getting on a bus.

This isn't you though, is it? Just like it wasn't you on the other threads about people who are unable to wear masks, but which nevertheless ended up being all about you.

I do appreciate that you face your own challenges and it would be worth starting your own thread about people who have been shielding but are now required to go back to work in situations that may not be safe. I'm sure you'd get lots of useful suggestions and I'm equally sure you'd have a reason why every single suggestion would not help you.

I saw a girl pay for clothing with cash take her change before noticing her tiny babies soother fell out, she put her hand in the pram young baby still laying on it's back probably 3 months she put it back in the baby's mouth.
@Hearhoovesthinkzebras I can only imagine your frustration watching the madness all day.

@DeeTractor

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

Fuck off. No we're not "loving it", infact I'd wager that the vast majority HATE it because of people spouting the usual "jobsworth/ power trip" shite on here, but the Government insist that we DO ask because amongst everything else retail staff have been expected to put up with during a pandemic, it's now somehow become our job to make sure this mask rule is being obeyed.

I do not give a shit why you do/ do not wear a mask.

The rules will be enforced by the police, not shop workers, the Government says.

The big retailers have made it clear that they will not expect staff to challenge customers. That isn't thier job.

Some people here have no idea what goes on in shops specially supermarkets. It's really not easy and shop workers have every right to be protected and now wearing a mask is law it's a good thing.

Except for disabled people who are exempt. But a card must be made available to show shop assistants specially security. They want shops to uphold the law more needs to be done to help disabled people not have to feel anxiety about being exempt from wearing a mask.

Social distancing is still not happening. Customers still going right up to staff and asking where something is. They dont like to be asked to move back nicely and get all stupid about it

I work in a little shop and the majority of customers have worn masks. On the occasion when someone hasn't had a mask, i have asked if they are able to wear a mask rather than where is their mask. All but 1 had just forgotten to put it on or hadn't got it with them so I just said it was fine and they then covered their face with their t shirts by choice. One customer today did say she had discussed it with her doctor and I said that's all I needed to know and she didn't need to explain any further. I hope she was reassured I wasn't judging her or being nosey.

@Bananabread8 er, the difference being it's NOT required though, whereas it is in some workplaces. You choose to work there and have clearance. I do not choose to have a disability. Every time a disabled person is asked it's essentially assuming that they do not have a valid reason. We KNOW it's a rule. We KNOW if we are exempt. My disability IS personal and it's not something I want every nosy fucker to know about just because they can get away with being nosy. It's not up to shop assistants to enforce or to pry. I'd much rather protect myself and others but I physically and practically cannot wear a mask. I do not think that means I should have to be locked away like some kind of animal because people who don't even know me disapprove.

[quote MummytoCSJH]@Bananabread8 er, the difference being it's NOT required though, whereas it is in some workplaces. You choose to work there and have clearance. I do not choose to have a disability. Every time a disabled person is asked it's essentially assuming that they do not have a valid reason. We KNOW it's a rule. We KNOW if we are exempt. My disability IS personal and it's not something I want every nosy fucker to know about just because they can get away with being nosy. It's not up to shop assistants to enforce or to pry. I'd much rather protect myself and others but I physically and practically cannot wear a mask. I do not think that means I should have to be locked away like some kind of animal because people who don't even know me disapprove.[/quote]
Your attitude stinks.

No you are right you should not have to be locked away utterly ridiculous.
Your taking it way too personal everybody gets asked it’s not just you is it?!. Far too self absorbed!!

No it’s not assumed... not all disabilities as visible hence the person asking.

those who believe there should be exemptions to mask-wearing

What a sinister sinister post.

You obviously think there shouldnt be any exemptions.

Ugh

Anonmouse1 Thu 26-Mar-20 04:42:39
Isolation is really bringing out a lovely, kind side of society

Isn"t it just!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Anonmouse1

Your friend/those who believe there should be exemptions to mask-wearing - can you please inform your doctors/loved ones that you would also not like a ventilator? It's much more hassle than wearing a mask so you probably wouldn't be comfortable with one anyway. Don't worry - I think I read that COVID doesn't impact those who can't wear a mask for a ReAlLy good reason

Can you stop this ventilator nonsense? It's just a really lazy irrelevant sound bite.

People ARE exempt for very valid reasons its not for some SM stazi to decide who get a health care and who doesnt. It's quite sickening what is happening in this country with all the bile and hate spewed out in the name of 'protecting' people.
Telling people who already have a disability or another reason why they cannot wear a mask that they do not deserve life saving health care is sick and twisted. I hope everyone who has used this crap is proud of themselves.

People are in ICU for many reasons. Covid is not the only thing in the entire world which causes health problems although to hear some people you would think it was.

Not everyone who has tested +ve needs a bloody ventilator.
And in case you didn't know you are sedated and unaware of having the tube put down nor the ventilator working so it's nothing like being aware of a mask. Are people really that thick that they see a really badly thought out meme on SM and think that's a great thing to use to get my pov across?

Interesting thread. The country where I live there's absolutely no exceptions to the rules. Non at all. I genuinely hadn't heard of the sunflowers or lanyards in the UK until I'd read this. Those unmasked here are given on the spot fines by police. It's really got me thinking...

The state I am in does have signs up stating there are exceptions to having to wear a mask.
I haven't seen one person not wearing a mask in the supermarket for weeks now.
So people who cannot wear a mask must be choosing other ways to shop at present.

How do the countries who don't have exemptions treat disabled people generally? Who helps these people to get their shopping etc if they can't go anywhere?

Your friend/those who believe there should be exemptions to mask-wearing - can you please inform your doctors/loved ones that you would also not like a ventilator? It's much more hassle than wearing a mask so you probably wouldn't be comfortable with one anyway. Don't worry - I think I read that COVID doesn't impact those who can't wear a mask for a ReAlLy good reason

This is just nasty bullying, plain and simple. What a vile person.

Cards, badges all sorts of alternatives. No need to make a big fuss. This subject has been done to death!

Cards, badges, that anyone can print off/buy? Very useful.

It's funny how, before it was mandatory less than 2 weeks ago, barely anyone wore a mask in shops and now there's the bully Mask Police everywhere - it's almost like people enjoy the little power trips and aren't actually bothered about other people's health at all

ITA - we have been wearing N99 masks in shops, since before the lockdown, on the advice of a doctor in the family, as DH has cardiovascular disease. We have had everything delivered as far as possible. He and DD1 have self isolated at home for 15 weeks, except for walks in the country and he picked up prescriptions from the pharmacy. A handful of times we have run out of an essential and I have had to go in a shop for it. I can honestly say, every time shop assistants and other customers, not wearing masks have come within inches of me, looking at something on a shelf for 30 seconds - no social distancing per the law at all nor consideration that they might be putting vulnerable people’s lives at risk; and now after 4 months of it, they are complaining how their lives are put at risk because a handful of disabled people can’t wear a mask!

Why is it ok for people to break the law by not observing social distancing; then they complain about other (disabled) people acting within the law?

Sainsbury’s are really good . They have an announcement over tannoy every 20 minutes or so saying please respect that some staff and customers cannot wear masks etc
I thought it would be good And other places should be Similar . Just reminds people politely

I would rather they have announcements to say #wear a fucking mask (but don’t challenge those who don’t)