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?

[IrishMamaMia]

Masks aren't obligatory, a face covering is. There's a lot of options perhaps not in your friend's case but for others who find masks uncomfortable /suffocating. This is predicted to be with us for quite some time so a lanyard or alternative fave covering seems sensible.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Branleuse

now people are arguing about their right to go around spreading covid.

Its not ableist to not want to die of covid thanks

Are they? Can you point out that particular post please (except for the obvious "user163727261whatever" troll who luckily everyone has ignored)?

[LangClegsInSpace]

@mosquitofeast

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.

she is not REQUIRED to no, as I said. But she will be reminded constantly. So its up to her if she wants to have a response ready, in the form of a simple card, or not. She doesn't have to, she can go on responding verbally every time she is asked. And mask wearing is only going to become more widely and more strictly enforced.

What she cannot do is expect not to be asked to put a mask on. Constantly

This would probably amount to harassment. She should not be challenged constantly.

They just need someone at the door -
'Please wear a mask'
'I'm exempt'
'OK'

Job done, no further challenges or reminders necessary.

[Branleuse]

and no, i wouldnt confront someone, and id HATE to be in a job where i had to police this, but from here, and in all honesty, this is how i feel and its how a lot of people feel.

I think its good we do have an exemption scheme and lanyard system for those that really cant. A bit surprised that thats still not good enough for some

[goingtotown]

Overheard in the supermarket petrol station today the cashier to another colleague sarcastically saying “everyone without a mask today is asthmatic”.

[Lifeisabeach09]

All she needs to say is she is medically exempt and show her exemption-can she carry a print out? She can refuse to answer about her health condition, stating it's confidential.

[LadyofTheManners]

YANBU
I could be exempt but the bullshit Karen mask Stasi put me right off as I really don't need the aggro and considering people have been locked indoors for months you know there will be a few spoiling for a kick off (or at least where I live).
It's usually people in masks that show no consideration to social distancing, like they think a cheap shitty mask off Amazon that they're meant to wear once and chuck away but are wearing until it looks filthy will stop the proxy virus.
When we had the heatwave, I went to grab some shopping, my sandal snapped so I popped into New Look.
Bless the girl in there, I must have looked like I was about to faint as she said, take it off if you like, no one else is in here, I've already had Covid in May, stand near this fan! I could've hugged her!
It's awful for people with hidden disabilities and illnesses. DS won't even leave the house now as he physically can't wear one without feeling sick and faint.
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.

[LangClegsInSpace]

The government has made it quite clear that carrying a card, wearing a lanyard etc. is not required. Take it up with your MP if you're not happy about that.

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

I have read a lot of these threads and the so-called exemption 'scheme' (?) and lanyard 'system' don't seem to be working since bullies are being bullies regardless. Shocker, that one.

[kerfuffling]

@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

Hear hear.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

@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"

Are you honestly saying that ‘not wanting to strangle oneself with a lanyard during an epileptic fit’ is an unreasonable or spurious excuse, then, @LastTrainEast?

[countrygirl99]

If you think it's fine for you to ask someone why they aren't wearing a mask I hope you are fine with being told to fuck off. Because it's likely to happen and don't come crying to me, you'll get no sympathy.
And don't go assuming I don't wear a mask either, because you'd be wrong on that count too.

[Durgasarrow]

You are 100 percent correct, because they shouldn't have to see anyone IN the store without a mask.

[Chloemol]

The gob.uk website has badges she could print off

In the one hand I get she has an issue, but shop workers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. There are also a considerable amount of people claiming they cant wear masks when in fact they can, they are just choosing not to

By helping herself this should stop.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

There isn't a lanyard system or exemption scheme though is there. Lanyards have been made available as an option and it's been declared that some people will be medically exempt from wearing a mask and it's up to the individual to determine that for themselves (rather than needing any official form of exemption such as a doctors note).

[Branleuse]

do badges and cards also strangle you?


Have we just dreamed this entire pandemic?

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Durgasarrow

You are 100 percent correct, because they shouldn't have to see anyone IN the store without a mask.

?? I don't understand? Disabled people shouldn't be allowed on shops?

[IAmFleshIAmBone]

I think it's bloody hilarious that the people on this thread think a badge that you print off the Internet or a lanyard that anyone can buy will stop the bullies. Madness.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Branleuse

do badges and cards also strangle you?


Have we just dreamed this entire pandemic?

But why should she have to? She doesn't want to wear her condition on her chest. I don't blame her given how much ableism there is about. I have printed her a badge off, just need to find a plastic thingy to put it in but it's up to her if she wants to wear it. And if she doesn't then she doesn't owe a soul an explanation as to why not

[Bananabread8]

No I strongly disagree OP. People need to be challenged based on the fact that MOST of us can wear a mask. To be honest the shop workers are just doing their job yes they should ask nicely your friend could just carry her lanyard in her bag and present it to them. (When asked). If nothing is enforced nobody will adhere....

[Bananabread8]

@Chloemol

The gob.uk website has badges she could print off

In the one hand I get she has an issue, but shop workers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. There are also a considerable amount of people claiming they cant wear masks when in fact they can, they are just choosing not to

By helping herself this should stop.

I agree.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

@Branleuse - maybe you missed the OP’s earlier post where she said her friend’s necklace had twisted round her neck during a fit, and that has left her understandably nervous about it happening again.

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

@Bananabread8

No I strongly disagree OP. People need to be challenged based on the fact that MOST of us can wear a mask. To be honest the shop workers are just doing their job yes they should ask nicely your friend could just carry her lanyard in her bag and present it to them. (When asked). If nothing is enforced nobody will adhere....

Government guidance is that customers should NOT be challenged if they aren't wearing a mask. So assistants are not "just doing their job". And disabled people shouldn't have to flash someone an "I'm not faking it" badge in order to get service.

Why oh why does the ableism on MN always take me by surprise?

[Branleuse]

its not about disabled people. Its about people who wont wear a mask, wont wear a lanyard, wont wear a badge, wont carry a card, and wont explain to anyone why they arent wearing a mask.

Ok, so it pisses you off that we are supposed to wear masks
I dont really care. It really pisses me off that we have had lockdown, schools shut, education impacted, people dead of covid and another imminent second wave

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

[quote SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]@Branleuse - maybe you missed the OP’s earlier post where she said her friend’s necklace had twisted round her neck during a fit, and that has left her understandably nervous about it happening again.[/quote]
They did and responded sarcastically asking if a badge causes a fit (nice)