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?

I think people who are exempt from wearing a mask should be required to carry some sort of proof, otherwise anyone can say they are exempt.

@IAmFleshIAmBone

If you can wear a mask you are not exempt. Read the guidelines.

I think you've misunderstood this rule - it doesn't mean "if you physically can put one on, wear a mask".

The lanyards that a lot of support workers and caters wear are designed to break away if pulled on for safety reasons. I would be surprised if exemption lanyards weren't available with that option.

@WhoWants2Know

The lanyards that a lot of support workers and caters wear are designed to break away if pulled on for safety reasons. I would be surprised if exemption lanyards weren't available with that option.

They probably are but if my friend had a fit she would be unable to pull it off herself and if no one else was around or had the nouse to pull it off she could be in danger

@IAmFleshIAmBone

If you can wear a mask you are not exempt. Read the guidelines.

I've read them. I could be exempt but choose not to be. Thought that would be obvious, but apparently not.

Op, that wasn't what I meant, a pp had said that they are able to wear a mask when around others so I was saying they aren't exempt, according to the guidelines. People like your friend (and myself) may be able to put it on but cannot wear it for various reasons so they're exempt. Hope that clears it up.

Why are we not all printing off exemption certificates/badges which apparently do not need to have any medical verification?? What's the point of a rule if it's so easy to get round for those who feel, for no valid reason, that it's beneath their dignity to wear a mask? Any exemption should have to carry some kind of validation, no details needed.
The shop staff seem to be on a hiding to nothing though.

If you can 'choose not to be' then you're not exempt...

@IAmFleshIAmBone

Op, that wasn't what I meant, a pp had said that they are able to wear a mask when around others so I was saying they aren't exempt, according to the guidelines. People like your friend (and myself) may be able to put it on but cannot wear it for various reasons so they're exempt. Hope that clears it up.

Ah I see yes it does

Your poor friend, I’m so concerned how this whole thing is making life even harder for the disabled 😡

I know what a bitch wanting a steak bake, medicine and some shopping hmm this is how the Nazi movement started - local busybodies, regular nobodies trying to micromanage other people's behaviour and reporting on it.

Don't be ridiculous. You lose the argument right there.

Godwin's Law applies.

I'm sure she could put one on (well I know she physically could she has ears afterall) but the repercussions for if she fits are drastic. It affects everything from her ability to drive, to her ability to work, and above all her mental health would take a huge nose dive. She hasn't fitted for 14 months and for her that's huge.

But it seems plenty of people are waiting in the wings ready To knock her spirits because they think a flashing of a card is the only way to believe that she's right in not wearing a mask

@banleuse actually you are wrong again (getting to be a habit) it's the dread of people challenging him that is making his experience worse. But as @IAmFleshIAmBone pointed out it's pointless expecting empathy from the mask stasi. Lets just put special badges on people to completely other those with disabilities and mental health issues, they can flash then to everybody as they go round the supermarket. Then, if you are lucky, they will be too humiliated to go out and you won't have to worry about them.

You lose the argument right there.

No I don't.

Implying someone "isn't taking it seriously" because they visit three shops in two days is the most alarming of interfering busybodies.they must positively froth at the thought of the eat out help out scheme

But OP doesn't she know about the magical lanyards and handy little cards that magically prove exemption? A simple flash of the wee card will send those bullies running for the hills

I work behind a counter in a small retail pharmacist. If someone comes in without a face covering I just ask "Hi, are you exempt?" - "Yes" suffices.

People may take advantage and not wear face masks. Life is too short to be bothered. Takes longer to remonstrate than to let them carry on round - we only have one customer in the shop anyhow and I am behind a screen.

@countrygirl99 have you not considered if he can’t cope with a mask for protection of himself and others, that if he gets covid he will not be able to wear an oxygen mask?

I genuinely feel for people with PTSD in this way, but I don’t think going out and about without a mask is the way forward for them, for the reason being above. If they catch covid they will struggle to be treated.

Masks help the prevention of spread, they don’t defeat it.
But it’s better than nothing.

I've read them. I could be exempt but choose not to be. Thought that would be obvious, but apparently not.

Then you need to read them again because you have not understood them.

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

and the people that are extra vulnerable to dying of Covid OP? Fuck em eh, because you happen to have a mate who is epileptic and therefore get to accuse disabled people of being ableist because they have anxiety about the amount of people trying to not wear masks and just go shopping without one to 3 different shops in 2 days.

Almost as if there isnt a pandemic and there isnt an entire movement going on to try and tell people that wearing a mask is commie or nazi or removing our freedoms etc etc.

Fed up of it.
We are lucky we have a system that allows exemptions for quite a lot of reasons. If you think you should not have to get one, or ever explain yourself, then thats too far.

@countrygirl99 I think vulnerable people and disabled people have become so dehumanised by the general public people forget you're talking about a person with feelings. Why the fuck should an elderley man who suffered sexual abuse as a child have to be reminded of that constantly in order to placate other people's bigoted little power trips? If I see someone without a mask, I assume there's a reason for not having one. I feel genuinely sorry for people who have such a poor outlook in life that they think "that person probably doesn't have a good enough reason, I hope they have a magical flower badge to prove their worthiness."

Yes you'll get the odd fool who is anti-mask and is refusing to wear one out of badness - but like anything in life you don't let a rabid minority affect your thinking about the wider group. It's like when lockdown first happened there were a few selfish pricks taking the family in the Volvo from London to the Lakes for the weekend. Most of us somehow magically managed to not think all families/Volvo owners/people from London were piss takers. Yet it's apparently SO HARD not to do the same for disabled people

I work in retail and I am not prepared to challenge or even ask anyone if they come in my shop without a mask, in fact someone wearing a mask was clearly struggling the other day and I quietly suggested they remove their mask ... they were so grateful.

[quote LangClegsInSpace]I've read them. I could be exempt but choose not to be. Thought that would be obvious, but apparently not.

Then you need to read them again because you have not understood them.

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[/quote]
Read them again. Still exempt if I choose to be. But I choose to wear a mask in certain situations despite my health condition. To protect others.

Not sure why you're so determined that I shouldn't. Weird.

@Branleuse

and the people that are extra vulnerable to dying of Covid OP? Fuck em eh, because you happen to have a mate who is epileptic and therefore get to accuse disabled people of being ableist because they have anxiety about the amount of people trying to not wear masks and just go shopping without one to 3 different shops in 2 days.

Almost as if there isnt a pandemic and there isnt an entire movement going on to try and tell people that wearing a mask is commie or nazi or removing our freedoms etc etc.

Fed up of it.
We are lucky we have a system that allows exemptions for quite a lot of reasons. If you think you should not have to get one, or ever explain yourself, then thats too far.

So what's the solution that doesn't require disabled people being holed in like the great unwashed?

How come no one was so rabidly furious about this until 12 days ago when it became mandatory anyway?

@Jellybeansincognito and how is being challenged in a supermarket is going to help that? Besides wearing a mask doesn't protect him does it.

‘ I think vulnerable people and disabled people have become so dehumanised by the general public people forget you're talking about a person with feelings. Why the fuck should an elderley man who suffered sexual abuse as a child have to be reminded of that constantly in order to placate other people's bigoted little power trips? If I see someone without a mask, I assume there's a reason for not having one. I feel genuinely sorry for people who have such a poor outlook in life that they think "that person probably doesn't have a good enough reason, I hope they have a magical flower badge to prove their worthiness."‘

^ wow op.
I am pro mask but I do not feel this way.
I do feel however if someone is medically exempt, especially for the reason above- they probably shouldn’t be trying to get back to normality yet, because we are still mid pandemic and the result of getting covid for these people will be a lot worse than for others.

Yes he is exempt from wearing a mask in a shop, but if he needed it to stay alive (oxygen mask) , I would imagine the effect of that would be massive.

Can you not see this?

None of it is ideal, but the sooner we beat the virus the faster we can get back to normality. We can’t do this whilst it’s still spreading.