Supermarket refuses service without mask

[torn2020]

The supermarket in my small town has taken the decision to refuse entry to anyone without a mask, even if they're exempt/carrying a card/wearing a lanyard etc. Apparently the exemption cards "were being abused".

Judging from comments on the local Facebook group, there's overwhelming support for this.

I'm horrified/disgusted at the overt discrimination and lack of empathy. Would say I'll boycott but actually have no choice since I'm unable to wear a mask (due to PTSD from being choked and strangled as a child, for those who like to jump in and say I should just put up with it for a 5 min shop). Apparently mask exempt people "don't have the right to just go wherever they want".

AIBU at despairing at humanity just a little bit more today?

Actually a 'mask exempt' hour might be a good solution

What, so they can all give each other the virus (or other bugs, come to that).

That's nearly as good an idea as the "granny hour" - lets get all the vulnerable people in one place at the same time. I've no idea why it was so popular (except that there were maybe more things on the shelves in the early days).

@cologne4711

But exemption certificates are not practical unless there are medical professionals who are willi to sign them

So the government needs to tell GPs to do it, in the same way as they have to provide "fit notes". This should have been done at the outset (along with telling GPs to get back to a greater level of face to face work).

Not all reasons for exemption are strictly medical - a GP couldn't sign a certificate to the effect that someone was in an abusive relationship, for example. And not everyone with the same medical issue will suffer it in the same way - only the sufferer can evaluate whether they're able to wear a mask. GPs would be asking to judge each case themselves - how long will that take, and how can they be completely objective?

My main concern with this idea of GPs signing certificates is for those with non medical issues/living with DV/rape survivors, however. They wouldn't be given exemption under such rules, which happily don't exist anyway.

So basically it's a case of being seen to do the right thing, even if the 'right thing' is completely ineffective

Yep, like a lot of the covid measures. Taking temperatures and insisting people use hand sanitiser when they can wash their hands.

I understand some people have conditions that mean they cannot or should not wear face masks. However, we are told we wear the masks to protect others, not to protect ourselves. So, the mask-wearers protect those who cannot wear masks but are themselves at risk of catching the virus from the non-wearers. How is that fair?

Maybe there should be specific hours set aside to shop for those who cannot wear masks (in the same way as for NHS, elderly etc in the early days of the pandemic).

As for flights, I don't believe anyone should be allowed on board a flight without wearing a mask.

So the government needs to tell GPs to do it, in the same way as they have to provide "fit notes". This should have been done at the outset (along with telling GPs to get back to a greater level of face to face work).

How about we just believe people who have exemptions no one should have to prove anything to anyone.

@Itsabeautifuldayheyhey

I understand some people have conditions that mean they cannot or should not wear face masks. However, we are told we wear the masks to protect others, not to protect ourselves. So, the mask-wearers protect those who cannot wear masks but are themselves at risk of catching the virus from the non-wearers. How is that fair?

Maybe there should be specific hours set aside to shop for those who cannot wear masks (in the same way as for NHS, elderly etc in the early days of the pandemic).

As for flights, I don't believe anyone should be allowed on board a flight without wearing a mask.

The shopping hours for the vulnerable/elderly/NHS during lockdown were optional. Those groups were welcome to use the supermarket at other times, too.

A mask-free hour would mean that those exempt would only be able to shop for one hour, all week. The queues would be horrendous, the shop packed, and if you run out of anything or have limited mobility and can't carry a whole week's worth of shopping - tough.

And how is having hundreds of mask-free people milling about together in an enclosed space protecting others? Those same people will then go to work in the same office as you, teach your children, get on the bus with you... If they've mixed with hundreds of others with no mask, the chance they'll infect you is far higher than if they've been one of a handful.

Do you think that those exempt should be banned from all public transport, not just flights?

I think photo-ID exemption cards should be provided for the exempt. They don't need to state the person's condition but are visual proof of the exemption.

Problem solved.

How about we just believe people who have exemptions no one should have to prove anything to anyone

Exactly.

Like anyone else it's the people who abuse the system that ruin it for everyone else.

I think as a result of people taking the piss masks should be compulsory in shops, with a national volunteer campaign to do shopping for those who can't wear masks.

@Itsabeautifuldayheyhey

I think photo-ID exemption cards should be provided for the exempt. They don't need to state the person's condition but are visual proof of the exemption.

Problem solved.

How do you prove the exemption to get the card?

How about we just believe people who have exemptions no one should have to prove anything to anyone.
What about the people who just object to being told to wear them so won't?

How does it resolve the issue of the risk of the non-mask wearers having the virus and passing it on to the mask-wearers?

@annabel85

Like anyone else it's the people who abuse the system that ruin it for everyone else.

I think as a result of people taking the piss masks should be compulsory in shops, with a national volunteer campaign to do shopping for those who can't wear masks.

No - it's ableist people unwilling to follow government guidelines and insist on judging and even abusing others who are ruining it.

Even if volunteers did our shopping, we still need to get to work/take DC to school etc using public transport. Some exempt people work in public facing roles/retail. They can't just give up their jobs.

We have a system in place already - wouldn't it be lovely if everyone respected it. The pisstakers and the judgemental, tutting mask police.

@Itsabeautifuldayheyhey

I think photo-ID exemption cards should be provided for the exempt. They don't need to state the person's condition but are visual proof of the exemption.

Problem solved.

It would only work if instead of a mask you get a hat and a badge from your GP that you have to wear in the shop instead that says you're exempt from wearing a mask.

Unfortunately even that would be abused as they'd end up sold on ebay from crooks who'd get their hands on them. There's no lengths an element of people in this country won't go to to be downright awkward, obtuse and rebellious. It's inherent.

*What about the people who just object to being told to wear them so won't?

How does it resolve the issue of the risk of the non-mask wearers having the virus and passing it on to the mask-wearers?
*

What about them, if your mask is so great it works both ways, and how do you know.

Just mind your own business, really that's it

So management have confirmed in writing that masks are mandatory with no exceptions and that customers without masks will be refused entry and not served.

Their suggestions to provide shopping services for those that can't wear a mask include "getting a friend or family to shop for you".

I have emailed them to ask whether they're also denying entry to children without masks.

Someone needs to take them to court

@torn2020

So management have confirmed in writing that masks are mandatory with no exceptions and that customers without masks will be refused entry and not served.

Their suggestions to provide shopping services for those that can't wear a mask include "getting a friend or family to shop for you".

I have emailed them to ask whether they're also denying entry to children without masks.

That's disgusting.

Lots of people don't have family or friends to shop for them.

Now you have it in writing I'd contact the local newspaper, your MP - sod it, everyone. No doubt some will be delighted by their actions but equally plenty will be disgusted by their discriminatory actions.

Yanbu op but your situation is one of the very few situations where you shouldn't be wearing one. The reasons other people use are pretty poor so I also understand it. Can anyone else do the shopping for you?

And do the staff where masks ?
I've been to 2 shops today no masks for the staff seams it's voluntary.
But all the customers need too

What about them, if your mask is so great it works both ways,
We are told the masks do not protect us but protect others. I tend to listen to the experts. The masks most of the population are wearing are not PPE. Masks are tested and manufacturers, the Govt etc do actually know what size the virus particles are and what size of particles can pass through different masks.

Just mind your own business, really that's it
It is my business if people aren't wearing masks and may pass on a potentially deadly virus to me.

So management have confirmed in writing that masks are mandatory with no exceptions and that customers without masks will be refused entry and not served.
That is so wrong op , this definitely needs highlighting in the media .

Lots of people don't have family or friends to shop for them.
It's not just shops that masks are mandatory it's everywhere.
If everyone did this then people can't go anywhere and I'm sorry it's just wrong .
As per my previous point if masks are so effective why don't the shop staff where them .

"However, we are told we wear the masks to protect others, not to protect ourselves."

We are told to wear masks as a way of limiting the spread of the virus, not for individual protection.

A mask-free hour would mean that those exempt would only be able to shop for one hour, all week. The queues would be horrendous, the shop packed, and if you run out of anything or have limited mobility and can't carry a whole week's worth of shopping - tough.
As you say, one hour would be totally unreasonable. If a shop is open 6 days per week then perhaps have 4 days for the mask-wearers and 2 days for the non-mask wearing.

Actually a 'mask exempt' hour might be a good solution
What, so they can all give each other the virus (or other bugs, come to that
Well, they can at the moment too as they all visit without masks. What's the difference?

I've been to 2 shops today no masks for the staff seams it's voluntary.
But all the customers need too hmm
I agree that, as customers are expected to wear masks, staff should also have to.

staff are in work all day.....as a customer we wear them for less than an hour a couple of times a week

8 hours,5 days a week. i wouldn't do that on a retail wage!