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Original poster

Verbally attacked for not wearing a mask

977 replies

8catsaremycoven · 21/10/2020 20:24

Wow, had a great experience in Lidl today - I was verbally abused and intimidated by a bloke in his 40s for not wearing a mask.

I'm minding my own business, choosing some fruit for DHS when random angry bloke walks past and hisses "You should be wearing a mask ". He doesn't stop and ask me directly why I'm not wearing a mask, just walks past me and says it in an undertone.

I catch up with him because he's browsing and tell him I'm exempt because I'm asthmatic. Apparently anyone can claim to be exempt and it's my personal fault that people are dying?! I told him that I wished that I was able to wear a mask to protect myself if nothing else, he just carried on ranting at me. No security guards in the store, other shoppers just stood and watched. I ended up crying in frustration and walking away.

I can't wear a mask because of my asthma but I also suffer from PTSD because an XH put a pillow over my face and raped me.

Am I expected to explain everything to anyone?

YABU - get over everything, risk a major asthma attack and wear a mask

YANBU - asthma is enough to excuse me from wearing a mask let alone my other reasons, which I don't feel I should have to explain to anyone

Bring it on, I'm sure someone is going to roast me but I truly hope that you're going to be behind me.

I left the shop shaking and in tears

OP posts:
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DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:16

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Why doesn't that happen to motorcyclists zooming up and down our major roads? Those helmets are far more enclosed than the plastic visors I've seen. My dentist wears a mask plus a visor. I don't buy that they starve you if oxygen.

......🌈🌈....
🖐️............🖐️

Magic

Again, I'm talking about those of us with Respiratory issues such as CF like me, Asthma, Lung disease etc. Jesus on a bike!
DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:17

@lemonsandlimes123

It doesn't take a genius to know that a visor is not going to change the air content around it as it is not a sealed unit regardless of whether you have CF or not. It's the droplets that get stopped, not the gasses.
Well you might want to tell the NHS this and also my transplanted lung when it caused me to faint in TKMaxx when they offered me one instead of a mask. Thanks for your medical revelation!!!! 🥳
MasksGlovesSoapScrubs · 22/10/2020 00:17

You're deluded DC. You copied and pasted so many times the same message. Calling people in sensitive because they're meant to magically guess your illness.
You don't like being called out in your BS then don't post.
As you said earlier.
' Do NOT tell me what to do'

PumpkinetChocolat · 22/10/2020 00:18

It's amazing how the entire population of some countries are completely immune of being "triggered"

whilst so many in the UK find wearing a mask triggering or physically impossible

The medical world should study this when the pandemic is over, maybe the famous great London Smog has weakened our entire population for centuries to come.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 22/10/2020 00:19

Having asthma in itself does not mean you cannot wear a mask .

Asthma UK even state that on their website, and suggest that there are ways to over come the uncomfortable feeling .

My DH has severe asthma and wears a mask because he sees the importance of it .

lemonsandlimes123 · 22/10/2020 00:19

DC3 - if what you say is true - that visors reflect back the carbon dioxide you breathe out into your airways again therefore preventing oxygen from getting in- that would be a problem for all of humanity regardless of respiratory issues!

BrummyMum1 · 22/10/2020 00:21

So sorry to hear what happened to you OP Flowers if I was in Lidl I’d have stuck up for you. It’s no one’s right to call others out on not wearing a mask. You were right to correct this guy and educate him.

lemonsandlimes123 · 22/10/2020 00:21

Fuck me! if I had a transplanted lung and we were in the midst of a pandemic of a respiratory disease I don't think I would be moseying around TKMAXX, but I guess everyone has their own priorities!

DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:22

@lemonsandlimes123

DC3 - if what you say is true - that visors reflect back the carbon dioxide you breathe out into your airways again therefore preventing oxygen from getting in- that would be a problem for all of humanity regardless of respiratory issues!
It does when worn for extended periods of time. For those like myself & OP, it's just intensified.
Rosebel · 22/10/2020 00:22

Tbh I wouldn't have bothered to catch up with him or try to explain. It's none of his business but unfortunately you will probably get people muttering and complaining a lot. People are still scared.
All you can do is ignore. I was called a negligent mother at the weekend because my daughter wasn't wearing a mask. Shes exempt and has a lanyard but I just rolled my eyes and ignored him.

DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:23

@lemonsandlimes123

Fuck me! if I had a transplanted lung and we were in the midst of a pandemic of a respiratory disease I don't think I would be moseying around TKMAXX, but I guess everyone has their own priorities!
This was right at the beginning. I'd only gone to get a click & collect order! The only family member I have was unable to go for me. I live alone. What was I meant to do. I'd waited 3 weeks for it to come and suddenly everyone was wearing masks!
lemonsandlimes123 · 22/10/2020 00:24

DC3 - So you are suggesting that all those doctors and nurses wearing PPE for full shifts are all in fact oxygen depleted! That's a pretty bold claim

AdoraBell · 22/10/2020 00:24

YANBU

In future just ignore anyone who does this.

A lady who works in a local coffee shop near my home has a card stating she is exempt from wearing a mask due to a hidden disability. Would you want the same? She has it on a lanyard. I don’t know where it’s from but I could ask her if you want to look into it.

lemonsandlimes123 · 22/10/2020 00:25

DC3 - I am surprised you weren't on the shielding list given the severity of your issues

DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:27

@MasksGlovesSoapScrubs

You're deluded DC. You copied and pasted so many times the same message. Calling people in sensitive because they're meant to magically guess your illness. You don't like being called out in your BS then don't post. As you said earlier. ' Do NOT tell me what to do'
Magically guess? Wow your mind works in an extremely strange way! Nobody needs to 'magically guess' my illness it's nobody's business! If you see someone not wearing a mask then all you need to 'magically guess' is that they're exempt for health reasons! Same with my comments on this thread. How many times did I say 'those of us with respiratory issues' only for comments like "Well doctors manage to wear them all day" "motorcyclists manage" etc 🤷🏼‍♀️
Cadent · 22/10/2020 00:28

This was right at the beginning. I'd only gone to get a click & collect order! The only family member I have was unable to go for me. I live alone. What was I meant to do. I'd waited 3 weeks for it to come and suddenly everyone was wearing masks!

I thought TK Maxx offered you the visor? What did you wait 3 weeks for to come?

MasksGlovesSoapScrubs · 22/10/2020 00:28

DC you're rambling about nothing. You could have an argument with yourself. 🥱

Sallydimebar · 22/10/2020 00:29

Have to blame government on this one . Unfortunately to many people now playing the exempt card which makes it hard for the few who are . Most other countries now it’s compulsory not advisable , I’ve no idea how people in China who have asthma go on . People get annoyed as wearing one is to protect others not ourselves. With cases rising now everywhere as uncomfortable as it Is I wouldn’t go near a supermarket without one . Maybe try a thin scarf as others have said .

DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:30

@lemonsandlimes123

DC3 - I am surprised you weren't on the shielding list given the severity of your issues
I am/was! But I have nobody. Literally nobody besides my 5yr old. My Mum is elderly and housebound. Friends live miles away. Nobody to get things for me (neighbours aren't chatty) As with many people put there, we have to just get what we need quick as we can
Cadent · 22/10/2020 00:30

Oh you waited for your C&C order, sorry.

Did shops give away visors in March? Not sure visors were even around then as there was no obligation to wear masks?

DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:31

@Cadent

Oh you waited for your C&C order, sorry.

Did shops give away visors in March? Not sure visors were even around then as there was no obligation to wear masks?

TKMaxx had trays of them at the door for customers to wear IF they chose. Some people were choosing to wear regular masks at this point. I was chatting to lady in the queue and was curious to see if it would be a solution. Wish I hadn't
DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:32

@Cadent

This was right at the beginning. I'd only gone to get a click & collect order! The only family member I have was unable to go for me. I live alone. What was I meant to do. I'd waited 3 weeks for it to come and suddenly everyone was wearing masks!

I thought TK Maxx offered you the visor? What did you wait 3 weeks for to come?

The bloody C&C parcel! Ffs
DC3Dakota · 22/10/2020 00:33

@MasksGlovesSoapScrubs

DC you're rambling about nothing. You could have an argument with yourself. 🥱
Wtf?! I'm responding to your antagonistic accusations. Ever thought of becoming a Barrister?!
Cadent · 22/10/2020 00:36

I am/was! But I have nobody. Literally nobody besides my 5yr old. My Mum is elderly and housebound. Friends live miles away. Nobody to get things for me (neighbours aren't chatty) As with many people put there, we have to just get what we need quick as we can

I'm sorry you're alone Dakota. It can't have been easy in lockdown Flowers

MasksGlovesSoapScrubs · 22/10/2020 00:36

Oh god. Still rambling.