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?

[incognitomum]

GlummyMcGlummerson it's like a free for all now where bullies are concerned. Some awful bastards on here. And in RL. At least it's disclosing the true nature of some.

[MissDollyMix]

Eh? How does carrying a card with an explanation help to protect shop workers? It might satisfy their curiosity but in itself it won’t ‘protect’ anyone. If someone can’t wear a mask they can’t wear a mask. Just leave it at that. Why does anyone need to know more?

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

'I'm exempt' is enough. No lanyards or badges needed. They don't prove anything anyway, nor should they have to. The bullies will always be bullies, especially to people who potentially can't defend themselves.

[UnfinishedSymphon]

I think shop workers have every right to ask why someone isn't wearing a mask, if they are then told they are exempt then no further questions should be asked. Until the original question is asked, how is the shop worker supposed to know they are exempt?

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

She doesn't have the right to expect shop assistants to make no comment. This is their lives on the line.

Actually she does

[LangClegsInSpace]

There are no 'automatically exempt' conditions. The rules are:

If you can wear a mask then you must.

If you cannot wear a mask then you don't have to and you are still allowed in shops and on public transport.

If you cannot wear a mask it's nobody else's business why not and you are not required to give details, provide evidence or wear a badge or lanyard.

[LangClegsInSpace]

I think it would be helpful if the self-appointed mask police wore a badge.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

Those who think that disabled people have to give reasons (or even just say "I'm medically exempt) for not wearing a mask - what happens when they give their reason? Does the shop assistant then have the power to decide if that reason is good enough?

[mosquitofeast]

That's fine, she doesn't need to carry an exemption card if she doesn't want to. She can expect to be reminded and questioned constantly. If she enters a shop without a mask and isn't reminded immediately that she should be, I would be contacting head office. I already have once, and have received a full apology, and a promise it would never happen again.

Its her choice, isn't it. If she doesn't want to be constantly reminded to put a mask on, she needs to say she is exempt, or carry a card to say so, if she wants to save her voice.

[Gogogadgetarms]

I mean the amount of people I’ve seen asked why they’re not wearing a mask and they said ‘ops sorry I forgot’ or ‘do we need to in here’ or ‘has that come in already’ etc. And then proceed to wear one.
I don’t blame the shop assistants for reminding people. It’s still quite new and not everyone is up to speed on where and when they should be wearing them.

[DominaShantotto]

@GlummyMcGlummerson it's horrendous on here and in society at the moment - it's like a free pass for anyone who thinks certain diseases or disorders are fabricated, that mental health is just for snowflakes (I nearly typed sunflowers FFS) and who just want to tag the disabled in the same way Nazi fucking Germany did.

I'm not going out now because I can't wear a mask - and for the MN derided panic attacks and PTSD reasons as well (I managed about 30 seconds the other day and felt awful for hours after - and I'm sorry, I'm not going to push it when my MH is already rock bottom at the moment). I've got a sunflower lanyard - but it didn't stop the glares from random members of the public on the one time I had to venture out to the pharmacy in the local supermarket. The store staff were lovely - could see I was fighting through a panic attack (lots of them know I have them as I've had them in the store before and I was one of their very regulars before all of this) - but the self-appointed mask police were horrendous and I'm not going back out again.

I've been wearing a lanyard when I do need to venture out (to have a pee in the service station on the motorway is about as exciting as life is for me at the moment) - but I do have another hidden disabilities card that I've tucked in the back of my mobile phone case as well so I have a duplicate to hand if I'm caught without it - would that work (not that it should need to do so)?

We had one arsehole around here shove someone wearing a lanyard out of the queue in Boots because "you shouldn't be IN here" the other day.

[Vivana]

Stop bashing shop workers it's there job been forced down upon them by head office to ask it's not like they enjoy it. And yes I work in retail to. People long forget what crap super market workers have had to put up with and now this. It's been a shite time for shop workers

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

@mosquitofeast

Of course she has to expect to be asked constantly, and when mask wearing is further enforced, then even more so.

She should be carrying a card, or badge, or anything, and show it at the door.

She doesn't have the right to expect shop assistants to make no comment. This is their lives on the line.

No, there is no requirement for her to carry or show anything - I think you've misread or misunderstood the government's stipulations here. And she does have precisely the right to expect shop assistants to make no comment.

[Branleuse]

if she cant wear a lanyard or a badge or a facemask, then im afraid shes going to have to tell people why she cant wear a mask using her words.

We are trying to fight a pandemic here, not trying to be ablist. People just dont want other peoples covid breath all over stuff

[Frazzled13]

The trouble is that there are some people who are just not prepared to wear a mask, and they make it tricky for the truly exempt. If a proper card had been issued to those people for them to show on entry to shops, other people wouldn't have a reason to get annoyed.

This is true, but that should not become the problem of the genuinely exempt - they didn't make the law, nor are they the ones exploiting it.

[ifeellikeanidiot]

Your poor friend. I hope she finds a solution. My dad has severe epilepsy - he's actually fine with a mask, but I do understand that worry of bringing on an unnecessary fit.

As PP's have said, its unfortunate that so many people just wont wear them on principle. It makes it so much harder for those who really cant wear them. The resistance has been crazy. Every time I see the word muzzle on mumsnet I cringe a little and am so embarrassed. Then you get offensive yellow star type comments from the anti maskers like the PP above. And then there are the lazy, the selfish and the oblivious

Really, really hard for those who cant wear masks for medical reasons. You mention your friend has been advised to stay at home as much as possible? Hopefully when she does shop she can do so without judgement or comment about masks. I also hope that she also feels protected by those many people who are wearing masks.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

So sorry to all of those who've experienced mask bullies. It's awful and I'm actually seething. My friend is so lovely and she's being treated like some criminal al for protecting herself.

For those who may not know - having an epileptic fit isn't something you can stand up and easily walk away from. It can require hospitalisation, there's even a risk of death or serious injury. She has only just got her drivers licence back (if you've fitted in the last year you cannot drive) which has given her a huge amount of freedom and a fit means she'll have to go back to not driving. It's imperative she's reduces the risk of having a fit, not just for physical reasons but MH reasons too. Shop workers aren't completely immune from COVID because other people wear masks. If we are having to "choose" which one is riskier I do think it's far riskier my friend wearing a mask than it is for a shop assistant to serve one person with no mask from behind a plastic screen or visor.

[TheBitchOfTheVicar]

@longwayoff

Shop workers have human rights too, including the right to protect themselves from potential infection. Like your friend has.

This.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Vivana

Stop bashing shop workers it's there job been forced down upon them by head office to ask it's not like they enjoy it. And yes I work in retail to. People long forget what crap super market workers have had to put up with and now this. It's been a shite time for shop workers

Your employer should not be advising you to challenge people. As per government guidance.

[LucilleBluth]

It’s really no one’s business if people aren’t wearing masks. I’m 40 and I’ve had actual diagnosed and have been medicated for GAD since I was 15. Part of my anxiety is feeling like I can’t get a breath.

I’ve been like this for 25 years and the mask is a huge massive trigger. I do wear it but I can feel myself getting tingly and short of breath halfway round Sainsbury’s. This is no one’s business but my own, if I have to take it off then I will until I maintain my composure then I’ll put it back on.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Branleuse

if she cant wear a lanyard or a badge or a facemask, then im afraid shes going to have to tell people why she cant wear a mask using her words.

We are trying to fight a pandemic here, not trying to be ablist. People just dont want other peoples covid breath all over stuff

Do you think the poster who came on to say that she can't wear a mask because the mask-related rape she endured triggers her PTSD should have to explain to everyone that she was raped? Will the Stasi wannabes be happy then?

[cantstopsinginglittlebabybum]

My son is exempt and hates wearing his sunflower lanyard. He also doesn't want a badge with autism and adhd written on it as it's up to him if he wants to tell people what he has and not have it displayed for everyone he passes.

[countrygirl99]

All you who are so self righteous about following the rules bloddy well read them first. Because if you think anyone has the right to challenge or should expect to be challenged you are very wrong. Get it into your heads that you or random shop workers should not be challenging people and stop being nosey busybodies.

[user1471500037]

I will never wear a mask - Keep Britain Free!

[Gogogadgetarms]

The governments own guidance states and I quote:
“Shops, supermarkets and other premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption.“
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
required and encouraged
You therefore can’t blame the people who do remind customers to wear a mask.