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Original poster

Asked to leave for not wearing a mask

502 replies

DuchessOfDisaster · 16/10/2021 11:11

I've just gone to my book group meeting. I'm mask exempt, and have a cold. Not COVID, we test twice a week at work. I was asked to wear a mask and as I didn't have one offered to leave. The other members said they thought that was best.

It's silly but I feel miffed! Even though I think it's the right thing!

OP posts:
SuperCaliFragalistic · 16/10/2021 14:18

I don't get all the pearl clutching about a cold. It's just a cold, some people have colds almost back to back all winter. Life can't stop when you have a cold.

Sprostongreen21 · 16/10/2021 14:24

@HoldingTheDoor

I've never known anyone take sick leave due to a cold?

I do. They absolutely floor me, worse than Covid did.

Colds floor me too. I get one every couple of years or so. It’s never a sniffle. It’s full blown eyes watering, headache, snot everywhere for days, aches and pains. Ive taken days off because Ive felt so bad.

Wouldn’t dream of doing anything non essential with it even pre pandemic. People are probably more cautious too now but for good reasons.

Having a cold while we are in a pandemic with Covid throws in the worries of possible isolation/testing etc if temps or coughs develop. The U.K. government May refuse to acknowledge it covid isn’t just three symptoms and lots are similar to ‘just a cold’.

SoupDragon · 16/10/2021 14:25

@SuperCaliFragalistic

I don't get all the pearl clutching about a cold. It's just a cold, some people have colds almost back to back all winter. Life can't stop when you have a cold.
It's "just a cold" until you find out that actually, it is Covid.
Kb2942 · 16/10/2021 14:25

I wouldn't have gone even with a cold. Even if it just a cold it could potentially spread and others will need to be tested.

Have you been pcr tested?

I'm not you have to fully isolate with a cold, going out to the shop or to work is often unavoidable but I wouldn't be attending anything social like a book club for sure!! I would be really irritated if I was there and someone was sniffing, sneezing and coughing near me - even before covid!!

Belladonna12 · 16/10/2021 14:29

You are an idiot OP as is everyone else who doesn't wear mask even if sick. Noone wants your cold and why should they? It can make people really sick especially the one going around at the moment. If you really did have "severe asthma" you would be aware of that. Plus, if you haven't had a PCR test you could be spreading covid.

BananaPB · 16/10/2021 14:31

It's not clear the age and health status of the people at this book club. It would be antisocial to spread the cold at a social event like book club (which isn't optional like school or work) before or after the pandemic. Many people have had to use more leave this year than usual and don't want to lose income and the goodwill of their boss when they are forced to pcr to prove that it's not covid but a cold.

We don't know how big the space is either. Maybe it would be difficult to socially isolate from the person with the cold ?

pianolessons1 · 16/10/2021 14:36

I'm talking actual.medical common sense. Not the nonsensical guidelines which allow pretty much anyone to self declare as exempt and are a big part of why we are in such a big mess re covid. But I'm not arguing any more. If you think you are mask exempt and aren't prepared to try and wear one then fine. Your HCPs will tolerate you as they have no choice.

ADreadedSunnyDay · 16/10/2021 14:38

Oh FGS when did people get so scared of illness? Its a cold. People need to constantly challenge their immune systems

GreyhoundG1rl · 16/10/2021 14:39

@SuperCaliFragalistic

I don't get all the pearl clutching about a cold. It's just a cold, some people have colds almost back to back all winter. Life can't stop when you have a cold.
Except now we have to wonder if it's just a cold, or if it's Covid. You don't just casually decide to put that on a room full of people, just because you want to get on with your life.
SuperstoreFan · 16/10/2021 14:41

My husband physically cannot put a mask on due to his very obvious physical disability but that hasn't stopped him from wearing one.

I simply cannot believe how many morons there are in this country who claim that they are mask exempt when they are not.

Branleuse · 16/10/2021 14:42

going to work or school when you have a mild cold is one thing if you cant get out of it, but going to a book club as a leisure activity with a cold and not wearing a mask and where its absolutely not an issue to miss a week - thats quite selfish. If anyone catches your cold, they will have to get tested for covid or isolate and its a faff.
Times have changed.

EarlGreywithLemon · 16/10/2021 14:43

@ADreadedSunnyDay

Oh FGS when did people get so scared of illness? Its a cold. People need to constantly challenge their immune systems
That’s a myth I’m afraid medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates/2020/06/social-distancing-and-immune-system
Leftbutcameback · 16/10/2021 14:45

I know it's not on the govt list of symptoms to get a PCR but the Zoe study has good evidence that delta shows up as cold symptoms initially. People should be doing PCRs with a cold and it annoys me that the guidance is otherwise. I know it wasn't the question but I feel like it's a big problem. I've being doing them at home (by post) if I'm unsure and I'm sneezing.

TheVampiresWife · 16/10/2021 14:46

@SuperstoreFan

My husband physically cannot put a mask on due to his very obvious physical disability but that hasn't stopped him from wearing one.

I simply cannot believe how many morons there are in this country who claim that they are mask exempt when they are not.

Ah this old chestnut. 'I can't wear a mask/am exempt but I wear one anyway, there's no excuse'.

If you can wear a mask, you're not exempt (of course some conditions fluctuate, so on one day you might be able to but on another you can't - that's not the issue here). Likewise, just because you can wear a mask even though you have asthma/TN/sensory issues/whatever doesn't mean everyone with your condition can. Health issues affect everyone differently and those effects can vary wildly.

And that's before we get to the ableist language in this comment.

la709 · 16/10/2021 14:48

Why are you mask exempt?

CatherineCawood · 16/10/2021 14:49

The cold that is currently doing the rounds sent me into hospital last night because it made my usually v v v mild asthma flare up. So mild I use an inhaler about twice a month.

I had to be in COVID resus on oxygen, a nebuliser, now on antibiotics just in case as there was a query on my chest xray. You're sent to the red covid area even if you have a negative PCR under your belt.

Bloody wish whoever gave me the cold had worn a mask or stayed at home TBH.

VainAbigail · 16/10/2021 14:51

Asked to leave for not wearing a mask

and

I was asked to wear a mask and as I didn't have one offered to leave

You’re contradicting yourself, op.

TheVampiresWife · 16/10/2021 14:52

@la709

Why are you mask exempt?
The OP has asthma and can't tolerate a mask for more than a short while.
itsallgoingpearshaped · 16/10/2021 15:01

Do you live under a rock? Even if it's 'just' a cold, surely you've heard that colds are extra awful for people right now because everyone's immune systems are rubbish after all the isolating and working from home, etc.

Surely, if anything, covid should have taught everyone to stop sharing their bugs!

fiorentina · 16/10/2021 15:05

I’m currently Covid positive and my initial symptoms were the same as a cold. I tested as I’d had close contact with someone positive. That’s why people are wary of colds.

IWantT0BreakFree · 16/10/2021 15:10

@pianolessons1

I'm talking actual.medical common sense. Not the nonsensical guidelines which allow pretty much anyone to self declare as exempt and are a big part of why we are in such a big mess re covid. But I'm not arguing any more. If you think you are mask exempt and aren't prepared to try and wear one then fine. Your HCPs will tolerate you as they have no choice.
I can’t imagine any of the HCPs in my family being as judgemental as you. It’s unprofessional. They certainly wouldn’t be advocating for grilling people who claim (or claimed, when masks were mandatory) to be exempt about their reasons so that they could judge whether they were sufficiently mentally ill, traumatised, or a rape survivor, which it sounds like you are suggesting HCPs should do. Please speak for yourself and not on behalf of the entire medical profession, a great many of whom do not agree with you and are aware that, whilst some people will claim to be exempt just because they can’t be arsed to wear a mask, not all reasons for exemption are obvious from looking at someone or their medical records.
BananaPB · 16/10/2021 15:10

@ADreadedSunnyDay

Oh FGS when did people get so scared of illness? Its a cold. People need to constantly challenge their immune systems
Have you considered people who can't have a vaccination because of their immune system or practical reasons like being a single parent with no help as good reasons to be extra careful. Plus it's a book club - people are likely to be all ages.
imnotacelebritygetmeoutofhere · 16/10/2021 15:12

Do people really not get on with normal things when they have a cold? Alright maybe different in the current times but pre-covid I never knew of anyone thinking of colds as anything other than a fact of life. I've never thought anything of anyone turning up somewhere with a cold.
I hate the selfishness of people who think their "just a cold" is harmless. It might be for some, but it's not for others. Ok, you can't put your whole life on hold, but you can make an effort to limit your interaction with others to help avoid spreading it. You might not be sick enough to take sick leave but you can work from home if possible for example. You can go to the supermarket at quieter times. You can avoid socialising with people for a few days. It's small effort that makes a big difference.

Teenagehorrorbag · 16/10/2021 15:16

@Leftbutcameback

I know it's not on the govt list of symptoms to get a PCR but the Zoe study has good evidence that delta shows up as cold symptoms initially. People should be doing PCRs with a cold and it annoys me that the guidance is otherwise. I know it wasn't the question but I feel like it's a big problem. I've being doing them at home (by post) if I'm unsure and I'm sneezing.
Twice weekly LFTs are only as good as the minute you passed - my daughter was negative on Monday eve and positive the next morning. Lots of people have cold symptoms with the Delta variant - you can't be sure you don't have Covid even if you tested that morning.

Cases are rife in our area (West Country). Schools are struggling and cancelling events, it's worse here than at any time since the pandemic began. We're all testing daily while my daughter is isolating, and trying not to go out - it seems crazy that my son is still going to school and not being asked to distance or wear a mask. This thing isn't over by any means!

catlovingdoctor · 16/10/2021 15:16

You need to give your head a wobble!