Reported for not wearing a mask

[Lykkeli123]

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.

@Lweji

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.

I think you need to read what I wrote more carefully.

I said it was “true” that masks stopped larger particles, as suggested in the quote. I said masks “stop bigger droplets”. I said masks might help but ventilation more important in a small confined space such as a car.

I cannot understand how you’ve read that to mean I think masks do nothing given I have specifically said otherwise.

It’s important people talk about masks and their relative use and limitations because otherwise some might think I’m wearing my mask, that’s enough, and actually they’re still risking the spread by having the windows closed. That’s not being anti-mask. It’s being realistic in the hope that we as a society we can ensure we take the most useful steps to prevent the spread of covid, and not think masks are enough.

Taxi drivers have one of the highest death rates, it's right that he flags this.

@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.

The sort of person who would get in an uber without a mask is exactly the sort of person who would kick off if asked to put it on.

Op I think because we are talking about covid here which people are still extremely scared of I don't think you will get a level response

I do think the driver was wrong to report you. If he was all chatting joking with you etc I guess he was not that scared or annoyed if he was chatting with you . If he had been that worried he could have refused to take you . But he did not. I don't think it was a case that he did not want to risk aggression if he felt there would be aggression I doubt he would want to be having a good chit chat with you.

On the other hand did he actually report you ? Could it be there's a tick box thing and he ticks no mask worn. And you automatically get a reminder email/messages to wear one ?

maybe you came across aggressive

@Lykkeli123

Masks are no longer mandatory in most places, people who choose not to wear them are not necessarily people who don’t care about protecting others. We all forget stuff sometimes, it’s part of being human.

When you book an Uber, a message pops up on screen saying you need to confirm you will be wearing a mask as they are mandatory and you have to click that you agree to that condition - during the booking process - so you did know...

@MondayYogurt

Because he can't risk his feedback rating.

Quite a few people on this thread don’t seem to understand how Uber works. If the driver refused to take the OP, she wouldn’t have been able to rate him - you can’t give a rating for a cancelled journey. Because he DID choose to take her, then report her, she now can leave a rating - and my guess is it’s not going to be five stars.

I have only once since lockdown forgotten to take my mask out with me. I went out one day a few weeks ago (before the mask-wearing free-for-all) in a bit of a rush and realised ten minutes into my walk that I'd overlooked taking a mask. I was in a hurry so didn't want to have to go back home. Luckily we have a pharmacy en route to where I was going (indoors and on public transport), so I used my fabric reusable shopping bag to cover my face to go in and buy some disposable masks. It is a bit of an issue as you can get stuck in a Catch-22 situation (no mask but challenged going into a shop to buy one!).

I think there is a generational and class aspect to the non-mask wearing subversives too. That would be my observation. I am a very 'noticing' person so almost do a 'tally' when I'm on public transport/out and about shopping.

And why can't non-mask wearers keep their distance and go and find some 'space' on the bus into which to spread their possible germs?

I usually put my mask round my wrist when I'm in the process of getting ready to go out so that I don't forget it.

Presumably though if he'd commented as you'd got into the Uber, you could have gone back and got your mask?

Mask issue aside (I sometimes wear one, sometimes don’t depending on where I am) I do find that Uber drivers are perfectly nice to your face and then rate you (or report you, in your case) badly.
I have a rating of 4.5 which I guess implies I’m getting as many 4s as 5s and I have no idea why. I only order the Uber when I’m outside so I never keep them waiting. I’ve never been drunk in an Uber. I do try to pick a main road or an obvious place for pick up… Who knows. I wish they’d say rather than just rating you badly after because at some point a driver might well decline to take me just based on my rating.

Stop deflecting, this is totally your fault. Whether he asked you to or not is irrelevant - you knew the rules

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.

But what is the environmental difference between throwing away a paper mask, or washing a fabric one using water, power, detergent?

Unless you have proper research and stats on the difference to the environment, you are only speculating and it's your opinion.

I think you need to read what I wrote more carefully.

I think you need to write more carefully.

@MakemeaCake

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.

But what is the environmental difference between throwing away a paper mask, or washing a fabric one using water, power, detergent?

Unless you have proper research and stats on the difference to the environment, you are only speculating and it's your opinion.

No it’s not just my opinion, there’s loads of stuff about it. A recent study from MIT came out this week, and there’s lots of articles like this about:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/science/face-masks-coronavirus-plastic-pollution-b1815823.html%3famp

I think the point about washing powder and water doesn’t really hold as masks are small and presumably included in laundry which you’re doing anyway. They don’t use extra powder or detergent.

The Mask Police are out in force today.

Hope you've all got your shiny MP badges on and get bountiful rewards for your moral superiority.

I work in a “family” restaurant… the levels of abuse, threats of violence, foul language and general entitled behaviour has gone through the roof!! It is all concerning social distancing, and mask wearing (or not…)
My boss was invited outside “for a battering” by a man with a toddler in his arms!! My boss (the loveliest soft-spoken man) had asked him to just step to one side to allow an elderly couple to get past!!
People have gone mad!!

Quite a few people on this thread don’t seem to understand how Uber works. If the driver refused to take the OP, she wouldn’t have been able to rate him - you can’t give a rating for a cancelled journey. Because he DID choose to take her, then report her, she now can leave a rating - and my guess is it’s not going to be five stars.

@WomanStanleyWoman UP said she only got the mask reprimand email a few days later. The vast majority of people submit their ratings within minutes of completing the journey, to get rid of the pop up alert. Highly likely her rating of the driver was already in.

So it’s not ok for non mask wearers to be abusive, yet apparently it’s ok for mask wearers to abuse non mask wearers and label them selfish twats ?
Some of these replies are funny
“Maybe you came across as aggressive”
Yeah, I slammed the door very hard.

I also think a lot of people, mainly posters on here are using the mask excuse to feel superior to others, to have a reason to try and tell others what to do and to feel a sense of importance.

Looks like the taxi driver made the right decision.

He would waste a load of time, and his passenger if he just started debating masks with you.

Also you might become aggressive.

@Lykkeli123

I also think a lot of people, mainly posters on here are using the mask excuse to feel superior to others, to have a reason to try and tell others what to do and to feel a sense of importance.

Don't be ridiculous.

You didn't wear a mask. He correctly ticked the feedback box (or whatever) that said you didn't wear a mask. Get over it!

I'm surprised by the amount of people who are on the drivers side.

If you make a mistake, how can you rectify it when you aren't alerted that you have made a mistake? A polite "Have you got your mask?" would have been enough to remind the OP, if they had masks in the car for customers then they could have extended it to "Have you got your mask or do you need a spare one?".

I work in a supermarket and have been asking people to put on masks for the last 18 months ... I have had a lot of verbal abuse during that time but that doesn't mean I got to just stop doing my job of asking people to put on a mask. Additionally, for every person kicking off there have been just as many people who have genuinely forgotten their mask or just hadn't put theirs on before they walked in and the question prompted them to remember.

@Lykkeli123

I also think a lot of people, mainly posters on here are using the mask excuse to feel superior to others, to have a reason to try and tell others what to do and to feel a sense of importance.

I am not overly fussed about masks either way. I don't have strong feelings about them. But I recognise that's because I have the privilege of not living with someone who is CV. But I my opinion does come from being very pro mask.

But you clearly, thought you should be allowed to wear a mask in the uber and it should be fine. That's superiority, also.

You feel that he should have been obliged to confront you, refuse your journey or suck it up. You could have brought it up to him and apologised. Rather than just assuming he was fine.

You are also displaying a sense of self importance.

I’m not talking about the driver, I’m talking about the people on this thread.

And also if your passenger rating is so important, always have a mask on you. Incase you want to use uber.