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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
DILevil · 16/10/2021 12:40

@DroopyClematis

I'm just hanging around here to hear why OP , who is 'mask exempt' , carries a mask.
Ditto
Crunchymum · 16/10/2021 12:41

As your mask exempt @DuchessOfDisaster I assume you don't usually wear one at book club and the reason you were asked this week is because you have a cold?

So you offered to leave as you couldn't / wouldn't wear a mask due to having a cold.

Completely and utterly different to being asked to leave 🙄

fumfspos · 16/10/2021 12:41

But you weren't asked to leave for not wearing a mask.
You were asked to wear a mask.
You said you didn't have one and offered to leave.
They said that's probably for the best.
Why didn't you say you are mask exempt??
I really do not understand why people don't seem to be able to clearly communicate any more.

As for the cold thing - at some point we'll have to get back to "normal". I know some people want everyone with colds to stay at home but I've never been able to take a day or a couple of days off work for a cold. Employers won't tolerate that sort of thing. The world doesn't stop for a cold.
However, at the moment in particular, it's sensible to stay at home with a cold because it could be the start of something else and we should all still be extra careful about the possibility of transmitting covid and influenza (a lot of that going around) which could result in an increase in hospital admissions.

Underhisi · 16/10/2021 12:42

"The vast majority of people who claim mask exemption to me (I'm an HCP with full access to their notes) it's BS."

Do their notes say whether or not they are mask exempt? My impression of HCPs who make statements like this is they are not very clued up ones.

OP no one wants to end up having to mess about with isolating and testing because they get cold symptoms that could be covid.

FuckingFucksicles · 16/10/2021 12:42

I cant stand masks but I also cannot stand people who go out sick! This is why things spread! Me and my daughter were out the other day having dinner and this man kept coughing and saying to his friend he had felt "off" for 4 days... I mean really!!!!!

olympicsrock · 16/10/2021 12:43

Has OP reappeared or just stropped off sniffing...?? Grin

CuteGirlsWatchMeEatEther · 16/10/2021 12:44

You offered to leave. What’s your complaint exactly?

SoupDragon · 16/10/2021 12:45

@Rosesareyellow

I’m surprised by the responses on here. I’m sure pre-Covid no one would have thought it reasonable to tell someone to stay away from everyone because of a cold, except if you were visiting a new born maybe. Times have changed.
Before covid, catching a cold from someone wouldn't mean you have to stick a swab in your throat and up your nose.
BeMoreQueer · 16/10/2021 12:45

I for one am all for this brave new world where people with communicable diseases take basic measures to reduce their spread

PomegranateQueen · 16/10/2021 12:45

You were asked to leave because you have a cold, which is fair enough.

A cold usually does lead to at least one of the three covid symptoms, which means you should do a PCR test, not just a LFT.

LadyCatStark · 16/10/2021 12:46

I think it’s either/ or if you have a cold or other symptoms. You either wear a mask or don’t attend. If you can’t wear a mask, you can’t expect to attend. We’re the other members wearing masks?

muddyford · 16/10/2021 12:48

Two relations have a cold this week. Do I want to see them, sniffing and coughing? Absolutely not. If I get their cold I shall spend the next week or so explaining it's not Covid. If you have a cold keep it to yourself. I don't see why being mask-exempt is relevant.

EvilRingahBitch · 16/10/2021 12:50

Even before the pandemic people in our workplace with nasty colds would have been expected to WFH to save everyone else from catching it. Obviously only possible in certain jobs, but an increasing trend IME, and now people are much better at WFH I think it will carry on forever.

CuteGirlsWatchMeEatEther · 16/10/2021 12:51

@Traveller3367

I'm sick of hearing this self diagnosed "mask exempt" bullshit! Speaking to medics, they have made it pretty clear to me that unless u have a physical deformity or severe mental health problem that means you can't wear a mask or face covering (think deformed jaw, severe learning disability etc) then there is no such thing as mask exempt. I'm glad Brits abroad are learning this the hard way and wish the British justice system grew a pair to tackle this mask exempt selfish bullshit.
The justice system? 😂 what do you want them to do?
Threebillygoatsgruff · 16/10/2021 12:56

"No they would have asked the OP to leave but still keep her money no doubt!"

No, people are forced to comply with correct procedure when money is involved. If OP was a paying customer she can't be asked to leave if she could prove she doesn't have covid (which I am assuming she'd be able to given she is tested twice a week). They can't ask for a negative pcr test result unless she has covid symptoms. Sneezing and having a runny nose is not a official covid symptom , having a persistent cough is. OP doesn't mention having a persistent cough anyway just a cold. So they won't be able to ask her to leave and keep her money.

WaterAndRichTea · 16/10/2021 12:57

You had a cold - You shouldnt of gone!

Original poster
DuchessOfDisaster · 16/10/2021 12:57

@CatJumperTwat

I hope this is a reverse...
What's a reverse? Tell me and I'll tell you if I'm doing whatever a reverse is

I did offer to sit at the other side of the room.

Anyway I do agree I should have stayed home, where I am now. I didn't actually mix with anyone, only put my head around the door.

OP posts:
lisaandalan · 16/10/2021 12:57

They are right wether you have a mask or not, you have a cold, they don't want it.
You should not have gone in the first place other people do not want to be Ill just so you can join in. X

MakingM2 · 16/10/2021 12:58

I think they’re being hysterical tbh. I still wear a mask everywhere there is a sign politely requesting mask wearing and I am normally in a minority of 1. I’ve had people stare and am sure they’re thinking I must be really anxious about COVID. No, I’m just polite… I’ll keep doing it but it’s daft tbh.

As for having to stay at home if you have a cold, that’s just nonsense. Our immune systems will be useless if that happens.

I’d find a different book group tbh.

Original poster
DuchessOfDisaster · 16/10/2021 12:59

@olympicsrock

Has OP reappeared or just stropped off sniffing...?? Grin
No I "stropped off" home and took a Lemsip!
OP posts:
category12 · 16/10/2021 13:01

I've always been annoyed when people are coughing and sneezing and sniffing and think it's OK to come into work or social situations. It's just grim.

Covid makes it far worse as you then need to do testing and all that crap if you catch it, but it's inconsiderate and unpleasant anyway.

butterflyze · 16/10/2021 13:02

To be fair, it isn't much fun wearing a mask when you have a cold. Oh well, hopefully you will be better in time for the next meeting.

starfishmummy · 16/10/2021 13:05

@DappledThings

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 go to a hobby group and we have been told not to go if we are feeling poorly with anything.
Nocutenamesleft · 16/10/2021 13:08

@Traveller3367

I'm sick of hearing this self diagnosed "mask exempt" bullshit! Speaking to medics, they have made it pretty clear to me that unless u have a physical deformity or severe mental health problem that means you can't wear a mask or face covering (think deformed jaw, severe learning disability etc) then there is no such thing as mask exempt. I'm glad Brits abroad are learning this the hard way and wish the British justice system grew a pair to tackle this mask exempt selfish bullshit.
So I have a disability that is very visible. It’s on my face. You can’t miss the bloody thing. I do wear a mask most times. Sometimes though my disability means it won’t fit on my face. Or stay on. But I’m shielded. So generally I try my hardest to not get it so wear a mask.

I’ve never once been asked why I’m not wearing a mask. Not once. I think it’s due to the very very very visible disability.

gogohm · 16/10/2021 13:09

My friend is a gp, to fly you need drs confirmation of being mask exempt, he's not issued one yet (been asked 000's of times now) he posts on Facebook (with identifying information removed) about the excuses for being mask exempt. As far as he's concerned, if you can walk without being dependent on oxygen you can wear a mask, he's sympathetic to ptsd from masks but is hardly common (apologies to anyone that is the case, but this is about most people not those who've had horrific crimes etc).

The mask wearing public have rights too op. You did the right thing leaving and you can decide after your cold is gone whether you can sit still with a mask on (a lot easier than walking in one breath wise)