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 ?

@ODFOx

Wearing a mask in the consultation room with an opthalmologist = perfectly reasonable.

Forcing elderly people who are at specsavers for an eye/hearing test to wait outside in the cold in the city centre for well over half an hour = unreasonable.

Move on and take the risk and stop making it your whole life. Most CEV have now. What sort of life are you living shutting yourself inside all day because of COVID? How long are you intending doing this? I say this as someone who could have been signed off everything and who fits in this category apparently.

We've swapped to Vision Express. I think it's probably a bit more expensive but you can just walk in off the street with no mask on, no appointment needed, and try glasses on at your leisure (no putting glasses in trays etc).

They did put frames in a tray in February/March and cleaned them, maybe not anymore. Tbh Vision Express is not more expensive, they just stock different range of glasses. They were always sensible and had good balance of rules last 2 years. I didn’t mind to book for choosing glasses (as in Specsavets) but I needed to take mask off when trying to make the right decision.

@Innocenta

A double first from Oxford and you think an overwhelming desire not to wear a mask even in a GP surgery warrants a psychiatric assessment? (Despite the person still wearing a mask?).

I see your double first has served you well in life 🫢.

@JollyWilloughby I suggest you look up 'sardonic'.

Frankly, I don't believe you.

The CEV category is not one identical person. People are doing different things based on a range of factors. My own doctors, who know my case and physical frailty, have told me to continue to shield. I don't think they'd be very impressed if I came back and said, oh no, a Mumsnetter called @Dajeeling said I shouldn't...

Well don’t then. Just don’t expect the whole world to adapt to you.

To be honest if I followed everything my consultant said to do at 18 I’d have had one boring life. You do you.

@Innocenta

I suggest you research what a psychiatrist actually does and how going for an assessment would help someone with the urge not to wear a mask, but said person does the right thing by wearing one anyway.

I mean I’ve read some stupid things on here in my time but that just took the biscuit, so the fact you have a double first from Oxford is really quite concerning and also a little bit funny 😂.

@Dajeeling The whole world has never adapted to sick and disabled people, and no one is suggesting that it should. People are moaning about being asked to wear masks in medical settings that CEV people also have to access.

Medical settings are not the whole world.

Are you always so selfish?

@JollyWilloughby Look up the word 'sardonic'.

And why wouldn’t you believe me? Being CEV isn’t a special gift or an exclusive club, it just means your health can be/is a bit shit or worse.

@Dajeeling

Exactly. Anyone else daring to live life differently to her now warrants seeing a psychiatrist? Hmm think it’s the other way around from what I’m reading. That is next level anxiety.

@Dajeeling I don't believe that if you were really CEV you would refer to it in such generic and weird terms as 'fits in this category apparently'. I also find it unlikely that a real CEV person would have absolutely nil empathy for other CEV individuals and how this pandemic has affected us. Everything you've posted is inconsistent with being CEV.

@Innocenta

Perhaps research what a psychiatrist actually does you might be needing one after your ten year isolation.

@JollyWilloughby Look up the meaning of 'sardonic'. You are lost.

Yes, you’re being unreasonable.
Suck it up and wear a mask.

No I just refuse to make my illness and COVID my entire life.

I've changed my vets practice because they're still enforcing masks. I'd do the same with my opticians too.

@Dajeeling Again, this is a classic anti masker / anti vaxxer trope. While there are variations in approach among CEV people, nothing you have said suggests you are CEV.

@Bretonbear You really hate the idea of protecting vulnerable people that much? ...Okay. Very weird thing to admit on the internet, imo.

Our branch just took down their acrylic Barrier things

Whatever. If you honestly think that people would lie about being CEV then it says more about you to be honest. Like I say it’s not a special club I’ve joined or a badge of honor and if you behave like it is then there is something odd with you.

“fuck off boot licker”- well that erudite and well reasoned response has certainly changed my mind 😂😂 what a weirdo.