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?

[Sportysporty]

Its not actually the responsablity of the disabled person the guide lines are clear that challenging people is not on!

[User87471643901065319]

I don't think anyone should ask in a snotty way but I cannot see why a shop worker shouldn't be allowed to ask someone why they aren't wearing a mask. All they see is a person who is not protecting them from Covid-19. I think it is understandable that a shop worker might feel anxious and worried enough to question someone. The person being questioned can just politely say or show they are exempt.

Just because someone is exempt (and epilepsy is not an automatic exempt condition) it doesn't stop them being an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19. People who are asthmatic or who have COPD can still transmit the disease to others without knowing they have it.

It is madness to expect shop workers to put themselves at risk and not even be able to question who isn't wearing z mask. We could eliminate the disease more easily if there aren't any exemptions to the rule.

[Choconuttolata]

This was posted on another someone linked above thread and may be of help to your friend.

It is not ok. DH has been challenged and threatened with non entry into buses even with his sunflower lanyard and badge despite explaining why he is exempt because the bus drivers didn't believe him.

www.laworfiction.com/2020/07/face-covering-litigation-threats-and-administrative-headache/

[LangClegsInSpace]

That's awful. It's a shame she does not feel up to complaining. Clearly some shop staff need better training on this.

The government guidance says:

Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering.This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#when-you-do-not-need-to-wear-a-face-covering

There's a link on that page to the government exemption card, including a version she can show on her phone, if she would feel more confident having that. The guidance is clear though - the shop staff were wrong.

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

Maybe the shop workers should consider not making disabled people's lives harder than they already are right now? And mind their own business.

[MzHz]

Would a visor be a better option for those who can’t wear masks over their mouths?

[SimplySteveRedux]

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

Yes, yes it is. Saying I am medically exempt satisfies the requirement and anyone wanting more detail can fuck right off.

[Heatherjayne1972]

My sister and nephew are exempt
They have badges to support this. And still this isn’t enough to ‘prove’ the exemption in certain shops

What else are they supposed to do

[SimplySteveRedux]

Being exempt isn’t enough

Er, actually in law, you know the shit that matters, it IS enough. Offering the words "I'm exempt " is a nicety NOT a requirement.

I really hope some power-hungry twat gets personally sued and their ass handed to them.

[LastTrainEast]

Once you start coming up with reasons why not a lanyard, not a badge and not a card then I think we know this is actually about "me 'uman rights"

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

A sticker is a good idea. “I am unable to wear a mask for medical reasons and so have an exemption”.

Alternatively some lanyards come with a clip and so can be attached to trousers. (At work quite a few men wear them like that. Which is fine - until they come over and ask if I can send them blah blah blah. I’m unfortunately a bit face blind so I have to do subtle staring at their crotch to check their name. )

[CaffiSaliMali]

People who are exempt from wearing a mask do not have to tell anyone why. They don't have to produce a medical letter (GPs have said they won't provide these). Nor do they have to wear any sort of badge or lanyard, or show a downloaded or printed exemption badge.

No-one has a right to know an exempt person's reason for being exempt.

It's up to the individual person whether they wear a lanyard or not. I have downloaded the government's exempt graphic to my phone. I am WFH and haven't been in a shop since 15 March. I haven't bought myself a lanyard because I don't expect to need to go anywhere for months yet. If I need to seek emergency medical care I will show the graphic.

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

I have such bad anxiety about even going in a shop over this that I haven't bothered in weeks. I am relying on my partner which is ridiculous. These rude people don't care how they make others feel. People with severe anxiety, or autism, to give some examples, can feel very scared when challenged like that in public. Hence the government's guidelines NOT to challenge people. If the sanctimonious arseholes are following the rules so well, they would know this.

[starsparkle08]

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

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

As pp have pointed out, lanyards and badges do nothing, as people still think it's their right to be rude and discriminatory regardless.

[CelestialSpanking]

YANBU. I think that those who can wear a mask should do so, but it’s not anyone else’s business if someone isn’t wearing one. I doubt the majority of shop staff want to police mask wearing- even the actual police don’t want to do that.

Personally my biggest concern with mask wearing is random people picking fights with others who aren’t wearing a mask for whatever reason. These people are sanctimonious arseholes and just want anything at all to use as a weapon to bully people- usually people not in a position to fight back effectively.

[incognitomum]

Whichoneofyoudidthat took me less than 3 seconds to get the measure of you.

[Whichoneofyoudidthat]

@SimplySteveRedux

Being exempt isn’t enough

Er, actually in law, you know the shit that matters, it IS enough. Offering the words "I'm exempt " is a nicety NOT a requirement.

I really hope some power-hungry twat gets personally sued and their ass handed to them.

A shop assistant you mean?

[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”.

[wanderings]

Some shops have the following sign:

"Please REMOVE your mask, for security reasons."

Interesting.

[incognitomum]

So people are cunts now for not wanting to wear a mask? Nice.

[incognitomum]

wanderings I haven't seen that? I did read about the takeaway guy in Scarborough who had to take his sign down

[fantasmasgoria1]

You can buy the plastic wallets that have a metal clip on the like an Id badge. I have the sunflower badge and my own lanyard.