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?

[Clockworkprincess]

I work in a shop and we ask people if they have a mask as they walk in. If they say they're exempt we leave them to it but the amount of people who say they don't believe in them is disgusting. We all wear masks ourselves as we feel you cannot ask a customer if you aren't.
I do understand the point being made but 50% of customers weren't wearing a mask because they had forgotten. I wish people would stop having a go at us about it, the names we've been called etc is wrong

[catnidge]

I've just been to France where wearing masks is compulsory in public. Wearing enforced by police officers.
Only a very small number of people were mask free and I would imagine these are those who genuinely need to be exempted.
Back in the UK, tube and train about half the young people (20 to 30) age bracket not wearing one. Highly unlikely to all be exempt. Its the selfish people not compiling that means we have people like the friend of the Op put in a difficult position.

I wish we had more police to enforce like they do in France. The police there were in large groups with dogs and the one person I saw who needed to be spoken immediately complied and put their marks on.