What's with Specsavers and masks ?

[LeftFootForward]

Semi lighthearted, but what is it with Specsavers and masks still ?
I was told over the phone earlier in the week that it's not compulsory to wear a mask in their shops anymore. I want some new specs and have been holding off until this was the case as I really want to see what my whole face looks like when trying on glasses.

I went to the shop today and wasn't allowed in unless I wore a mask. Do you have an exemption I was asked, we are NHS so you have to wear a mask. (They aren't NHS they're a private business that offers some NHS services but I digress).

Then box of masks and hand gel shoved my way. I was told I could pull the mask down to try on glasses, which begs the question why bother wearing one then ?

Didn't want to be that person arguing at the door so I left and went to another opticians.

AIBU to think they should have let me in without a mask ?

Absolutely this. Its just performance for the sake of it now.

Maybe Susan in the front desk is CEV?

This. I cannot bear the drama going to Specsavers now. Hysteria is absolutely correct.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal You are incredibly selfish.

@Rolo1403 That's a very selfish attitude.

@Hbh17 They are not pointless; you are simply revealing your own ignorance here. You should wear a mask to protect others even if you don't care about the risk to you personally.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal I don’t think you are selfish. I’m tired of covid being used as an excuse for shit service/ongoing problems and refuse to participate in mask theatre anymore. Our vets have been ludicrous and like others I’ve voted with my feet.

I went to the vet today and they weren’t letting people in who wouldn’t wear a mask (they had a box at the door for those who didn’t have one). If they didn’t want to put one on they were told to walk around the building to the back door to hand the pet over and then wait outside

Do you not understand that many people who need to use pharmacies are CV or CEV? Being 'exempt' doesn't make a person magically immune from Covid; they can still infect vulnerable people all too easily. Are we supposed to just accept that people who either can't wear a mask, or claim not to be able to, will make even the most essential locations totally unsafe for us? @SirSamVimesCityWatch

"mask theatre"

Must be nice to not be vulnerable or love anyone who is.

@Pootle40 How are you, presumably an adult, not embarrassed by this...? 'Yay'? You're... happy at increasing the risk to other people? That's utterly twisted.

When is this utter bollocks going to stop? Time to move on.

Yanbu

@Dajeeling What does 'move on' mean? It's a pathogen. It won't go away because it's inconvenient.

@Oblomov22 If you really have an overwhelming desire to put other people at increased risk you should probably get a psychiatric evaluation or something, because that's very troubling. Are you having any other thoughts of harming people?

Obvious what I mean, but you carry on deliberately confusing the semantics.

@Innocenta

That is the most ridiculous post I have ever come across on mumsnet. Suggesting someone seek a psychiatric diagnosis because they have the urge to refuse the wearing of a mask.

Honestly, grow up.

@Dajeeling It's not obvious. Are you unaware that people are still shielding where directed by their personal consultants? (Yes, even though formal shielding is over.) How do you suggest we 'move on'? I'd love to know.

@JollyWilloughby I'm sorry you don't understand the extrapolation in my post. Maybe try re-reading?

Mask efficacy is highly debatable and as has been discussed on this thread people are pulling them down, having to adjust for correct fittings therefore making the whole thing a performance in “being safe” - and no I don’t buy it. Masks work when word in a controlled heavily controlled sterile environment - like theatre - not an opticians/vets where people are going in and out and removing and reapplying masks. So theatre, and making people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do like wait outside is awful.

@Sugarplumfairy65

They ALL wear masks/visors/aprons and gloves. They’re not all CEV they’re abiding by the rules set by their very hysterical management no doubt whilst poor elderly people are left to freeze outside in the middle of winter.

i suspect they’ll soon do a U-turn once the shit hits the fan profit wise. I know a lot of people who have boycotted specsavers of late so I’m not surprised someone has made a thread up about them.

@Innocenta

Oh I understood it and it was absolutely ridiculous. Suggesting someone goes to see a psychiatrist because they don’t fancy wearing a mask. I mean what planet are you actually on? You make a mockery of psychiatry. Perhaps just stick to some pop psychology as judging from your Ill informed posts that’s all you would be educated enough for.

I work in pharma and we still have masks, regular sanitising, the restaurant is takeaway only and they are still paying a couple of cleaning staff to circle all day just cleaning door handles and touch points on top of the regular cleaning crew.
Had to take FIL to ENT over lockdown snd they were super-vigilant: more so that A and E.
It doesn't surprise me that ophthalmologists and their organisations do the same. There is nothing more risky than being coughed in the face by someone with a virus.

@JollyWilloughby The exact words were: 'an overwhelming desire to refuse'.

To wear a mask.

In a GP surgery.

Somewhere where one is always like to find elderly and CV people.

If you can't fathom why that would call forth my sardonic response, I give up on you.

@JollyWilloughby also, I literally have a double first from Oxford so I think I am educated. But thank you for your concern!