Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reported for not wearing a mask

266 replies

Lykkeli123 · 02/08/2021 08:40

By an Uber driver, I haven’t worn a mask since the 19th July, I was stupid to forget to take one in my Uber as I know they still require them.

The driver was friendly, he didn’t ask me to wear a mask at any point, then a few days later I got an email from Uber saying I had been reported by a driver for not wearing one.

I totally understand that i should have put one on as it’s their policy. However I don’t get why the driver didn’t just politely ask me in the task to wear one? Why be all laughing and joking and then report me.

OP posts:
knittingaddict · 02/08/2021 10:28

@spinningspaniels

People are on power trips with masks.

The only people who are wearing masks effectively are those who are in professional settings, mainly healthcare. They are nothing more than a placebo to appease the anxious.

The virtue signallers in their grubby fabric face masks can do one.

Charming. Hmm
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 02/08/2021 10:29

I think you can sense 'attitude' with some of the non-mask wearers. I have been around long enough to have a feel for people who just like flouting rules!

MakemeaCake · 02/08/2021 10:41

@spinningspaniels

Some points for you to consider

1 Not all masks are grubby. I wear mine once and wash it or use a disposable one, once.

2 Even if a mask is 'grubby' (your words) it still forms a barrier and prevents droplets from the wearer being propelled into the air and affecting other people.

3 'Virtue signalling' is a nonsensical term. (maybe if you are ever undergoing surgery or invasive dental treatment you can tell the drs or dentists that's how you regard their masks.)

Maybe replace virtue signalling with 'good manners and sensible behaviour to help prevent the spread of infection.'

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 02/08/2021 10:42

I'm asthmatic and wear a mask, in fact I did a 3 hour train journey with one on yesterday. The only problem I do have is after taking it off, I spent the whole evening coughing and had to take my Ventolin inhaler a few times, no issue when it's on though.

MakemeaCake · 02/08/2021 10:43

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Wearing Masks does not making asthma worse - nor do they trigger asthma attacks unless washed in something the person who is wearing them is allergic too.

I don't have asthma but masks make me cough. It's nothing to do with washing powder either as the disposable ones (which should be banned for general use) make it a lot worse

Why should disposable masks me banned @PinkSparklyPussyCat?

I am sure your cough which you get when wearing a mask for a short while is far less troublesome than being on a ventilator, for a vulnerable person if you were to infect them.

Lweji · 02/08/2021 10:44

Well... you were reported, and are less likely to forget it next time.

Even if you're happy that you don't have to wear one in general, my (and the experts') advice to you is to wear one in confined spaces with people who are not in your household, regardless.

You don't know who's been in that car, or if the driver is infectious.

Did the car have any windows open?

WildBurd · 02/08/2021 10:45

@chunderwunder

Waah. Waah. I contravened a company's policy and now I'm stamping my little foot. Waah waah.

Indeed.

Lweji · 02/08/2021 10:46

@WhenISnappedAndFarted

I'm asthmatic and wear a mask, in fact I did a 3 hour train journey with one on yesterday. The only problem I do have is after taking it off, I spent the whole evening coughing and had to take my Ventolin inhaler a few times, no issue when it's on though.
The mask probably filters whatever particles you're reacting to.
Amaterasux · 02/08/2021 10:49

I am sure your cough which you get when wearing a mask for a short while is far less troublesome than being on a ventilator, for a vulnerable person if you were to infect them.

It's sadly not vulnerable people on ventilators at the moment where we are; it's mostly young, under 40s, no underlying health conditions but not vaccinated people. It's so sad.

Doublestar · 02/08/2021 10:54

Er....he isnt obligated to refuse her journey.

Er....No, but you asked what my comment about him taking her money meant and I explained it to you?

He has a choice to fill it in how he wants.

Yes of course - and the Op has the right to ask the question "why take my money, say nothing about the lack of mask, laugh and joke with me during the journey and then report me afterwards?" I believe that was the original question? It's very strange and passive-aggressive.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/08/2021 10:55

@PinkSparklyPussyCat they really don't make you cough. What type are you using?

I think I'm more likely to know what makes me cough than a random on MN! The disposable ones definitely do, the cotton ones less so.

Why should disposable masks me banned @PinkSparklyPussyCat?

Because we don't really need to be putting more waste in landfill, and the amount of irresponsible fuckers who just throw them away and don't even break the straps.

I am sure your cough which you get when wearing a mask for a short while is far less troublesome than being on a ventilator, for a vulnerable person if you were to infect them.

I'm not sure where I said I don't wear a mask so don't worry, I'm doing my bit. Christ, talk about jump to conclusions!

Spidey66 · 02/08/2021 10:56

WRT asthma, I think it depends on the severity. One of my colleagues (actually a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist, so clearly has medical knowledge) has extremely brittle asthma leading to several hospital admissions in the past. His children also suffer, and his daughter died of it at 22. His is so severe he was shielding for much of the pandemic.

He is unable to tolerate a mask, however will use a shield instead.

Lweji · 02/08/2021 10:56

He was pleasant to you during the trip to get a good evaluation from you. It's a no brainer.

Xenia · 02/08/2021 10:57

You may be exempt anyway. Just say you are exempt as the exemption covers if you suffer severe distress in a mask. Only you know if you suffer that.

SlipperyDippery · 02/08/2021 11:04

or use a disposable one, once

I find this incredibly irresponsible.

I get that covid is a big deal and I continue to wear my mask, but climate change and trashing the environment matters too. Single use masks are really damaging. Everyone is so obsessed with covid that no one cares anymore about the environment and the human cost of what we are doing to it.

Even if a mask is 'grubby' (your words) it still forms a barrier and prevents droplets from the wearer being propelled into the air and affecting other people

This is true and as I say, I am still wearing my mask. All masks stop the bigger droplets. However as far as I’ve seen from the evidence, masks, even surgical disposable ones, do not stop the airborne covid particles from being exhaled. In a small confined area like a taxi, they will accumulate quickly mask or no mask. A mask might help but the most important thing in a taxi is open the window and ventilate. I rarely get taxis but when I do I always ask for the window down, despite my mask.

hyperbole001 · 02/08/2021 11:11

Wear a fucking mask then

Lweji · 02/08/2021 11:12

However as far as I’ve seen from the evidence, masks, even surgical disposable ones, do not stop the airborne covid particles from being exhaled.

If both people are wearing masks, the risk of transmission drops massively.

SlipperyDippery · 02/08/2021 11:16

@Lweji

However as far as I’ve seen from the evidence, masks, even surgical disposable ones, do not stop the airborne covid particles from being exhaled.

If both people are wearing masks, the risk of transmission drops massively.

I didn’t say masks did nothing, I said they were likely to be of less use in such a confined space than ventilating the car.

I’m not anti-mask, and wear one voluntarily because I want to do the right thing and understand that they might help, but where is the evidence it reduces transmission “massively”?

Cait73 · 02/08/2021 11:18

@Whatwouldscullydo they're not the law no but each establishment can make and enforce their own regulations, which the law would help them enforce

sailmeaway · 02/08/2021 11:19

You didnt wear a mask, you out him at risk, and he's warning other drivers. Just put the mask on and have some respect for someone who is constantly close to a lot of people in a small space.

LadyDanburysCane · 02/08/2021 11:20

@Lykkeli123

I can’t imagine many people would kick off for being politely asked to put a mask on? If they do then that’s awful really.
Trust me some do! I’ve been on the receiving end of it!
Lweji · 02/08/2021 11:20

I didn’t say masks did nothing, I said they were likely to be of less use in such a confined space than ventilating the car.

You should be more careful of your criticism of masks, because it certainly seemed like you were saying they basically did nothing.

Masks AND ventilation, for sure. But that's not quite what you wrote.

Cait73 · 02/08/2021 11:22

@Lykkeli123 you're legally obliged to wear one if the company or establishment says so, they're not mandatory in pubs any more but my local won't let you in without one

Weather I agree or not is irrelevant

Kazzyhoward · 02/08/2021 11:22

@Lykkeli123

I can’t imagine many people would kick off for being politely asked to put a mask on? If they do then that’s awful really.
Yes, they do. I was in the chemist a few days ago, and a woman was politely asked to wear a mask by the counter assistant and she kicked off big time about "her rights" not to wear one, how covid is a hoax, etc - she got very aggressive.

In the case of Uber, I think the point is to log it so that you can be "reminded" to wear one next time, and I suppose if a person doesn't wear one multiple times, their system can then refuse your booking.

Kazzyhoward · 02/08/2021 11:23

@sailmeaway

You didnt wear a mask, you out him at risk, and he's warning other drivers. Just put the mask on and have some respect for someone who is constantly close to a lot of people in a small space.
Well said.