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?

@Igotmyholiday

There's too many abusing the current system. I was on late night train last week and not one person in carriage was wearing one. I got on holiday this year and everyone was wearing a mask ( in plus 30 degrees), I can't believe the number who can't wear them here

I'm not sure why you can't believe it.

There are 14 million people living with disabilities in the UK, a proportion of whom will be exempt. There are millions more with health conditions which, while aren't necessarily disabilities, do prevent mask wearing. Then there are the hundreds of thousands who live with PTSD (one in four people will suffer PTSD in their lifetime, for any number of reasons).

Which means that potentially many millions of people are exempt.

"If you have a true hidden disability people are looking at you and judging you."

Some people have always been arseholes towards people with conditions such as autism and learning disabilities. They now think they have been the official excuse to behave like arseholes and feel righteous about their own behaviour and thoughts.

It's a tricky balance of weighing up your right to shop freely as someone with a disability, with the health of people around you
This

But the root cause of the problem is the large amount of people not wearing masks. I really don't believe there is a reason for Brits to have higher numbers of people with genuine reasons not to wear a mask than in other countries, yet abroad most people seem to manage just fine with a mask (France for ex).
But as so many people here have decided that as wearing a mask is uncomfortable they should be exempt. Newsflash, it is uncomfortable for everybody! Yes it hurt the ears, it makes your face sweat and your glasses steam - that doesn't mean you are exempt.
I don't know what the solution is - an official exemption card I imagine.

@PennyDreadfuI what is unbelievable is that the proportion of people that are exempt shouldn't be higher is the UK than in other countries but we see more people not wearing masks in the UK.
Nothing to do with the number of people with disabilities - all about the proportion.

I think it is fair to ask for a medical certificate, but only if there is a clearly defined and easily available way to get one.

If people do not wear masks, it is condemning the vulnerable to isolation. And they also may have deterioration of their mental health on top of their underlying conditions.

A middle ground is to have certain mask-free days and certain mask compulsory days to allow the greatest number of people the greatest freedom.

Although it's quite telling that you think that the idea of people who may have histories of DV/rape - regardless of their sex - is 'laughable

Not really. It's highly unlikely that all four builders have histories of DV/rape or even a disability and far more likely that they just didn't wear masks.

MN always says everyone has a disability. It's far more likely that propel are just being entitled arses. Especially in a group. An individual is more likely to have a reason for not wearing a mask. Every member of a group - they just can't be bothered.

we see more people not wearing masks in the UK evidence? Where I live virtually everyone wears one, except, as I've mentioned before, in the "communal" areas of indoor shopping centres, where some don't seem to grasp that they need them. They go into a shop and put them on.

people not propel

The problem is the abusers. Speaking as someone who is vulnerable and had hoped to be able to go to shops, I can't do that because so many people are not wearing masks. I really feel for those who genuinely can't wear a mask, but it is the abusers who you should blame, not the retailers.

A middle ground is to have certain mask-free days and certain mask compulsory days to allow the greatest number of people the greatest freedom.

This sounds like a really good idea. Although the shop staff may not be too happy to be there on mask-free days.

But what about the poor shop staff? Why should they be at risk because someone can't wear a mask?

How about total equality and inclusive retail measure so that for instance you can have a last hour no Covid criminal rules trading. For the last business hour before closing and deep cleaning - all welcome so unmasked piss taking Covid denial types etc and all their mates from multiple households (not tested be presumed invincible with anti super human Covid DNA etc) can do what they like with no criminal rules nor liability. All the vulnerable shop floor workers will be out is sight out of mind and any shop workers who don't like face coverings can be front line staff and as with all others fill their boots pre Covid pandemic style as if 5Ok UK Covid fatalities was made up. That would keep everyone happy as Covid smart will stay clear and Covidiots can have their happy hour!

Here’s a member of the fake Covid club:

www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-09-10/merseyside-salon-displaying-posters-denying-existence-of-coronavirus-may-be-closed

Merseyside salon displaying posters denying existence of coronavirus may be closed.

Skin Kerr Aesthetics Hair & Beauty, on Aintree Road, Bootle, caused a storm of controversy this weekend when it displayed two posters in its windows declaring Covid a "voodoo virus".

The poster, adorned with the salon logo, contained bullet points stating: “Covid Free Salon; no masks, we take cash; covid talk is banned; you can’t catch what doesn’t exist."

It then asked customers to "please respect the rules of the salon".

I think that the exemptions were actually being abused by some people; however that doesn't mean that they should insist that everybody complies when there are obviously a small number of people who genuinely can't. It's discrimination.

@northprincess

But what about the poor shop staff? Why should they be at risk because someone can't wear a mask?

Because they’re at risk anyway because it’s a pandemic. Nothing is going to make that risk zero. Masks are clearly doing jack shit anyway. And because the government have created exemptions.

@YummyJamDoughnut

I think that the exemptions were actually being abused by some people; however that doesn't mean that they should insist that everybody complies when there are obviously a small number of people who genuinely can't. It's discrimination.

Quite

well i went in wickes for some paint, few brushes and frog tape! chatted to a builder parked next to me as one is a neighbour from down the street!....thats all....i think builders at some part of their day, will maybe need to wear masks if drilling etc is happening.....also,around the very cement they were buying!

I'm on the fence about "compulsory" mask wearing. I wear one to comply, and keep others safe, all for the greater good and all that, and appreciate it when others do the same, but try not to judge/wonder why others aren't. I do wonder though if the current mask wearing situation was for another reason, (say for example, a countrywide disaster which created a fear of inhaling a posionous substance which would result in almost guaranteed death) how many of the exempt would just strap on mask and get on with it like the rest of us? In ww2 did we have such a huge number of people refusing to carry their gas masks due to various reasons, meaning they would rather die than just wear a mask? I KNOW there are certain individuals who cannot physically wear a mask due to many visible and invisible illnesses, and I completely apprieciate these situations, but there are also a huge number of people who are actively choosing not to, putting others at risk, and creating their own reasons why they "can't" wear a mask, and it's not fair on the shop workers who are being put in a vunerable position and exposed daily, due to not being allowed to challenge non mask wearer's before they enter stores.

Maybe blame the govt for introducing something that is impossible to implement. So you are supposed to wear a mask but if you say you're exempt no one can enforce it. It is a farce, either have an enforceable rule with official proof of exemption or just make it advice.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia - and would all the clinically vulnerable people who cannot wear masks be expected to shop at that time?

Masks are a pointless waste of time outside medical settings.

Prime example of exemption abuse is a local girl who proudly displays her "exemption card" (screenshot on her phone 🙄), telling everyone how she can't wear a mask as it gives her anxiety... Fair enough you think? Same girl helped organise and attended a weekend long "Halloween ball" in our local area last year, which saw her head to toe in s.e makeup and clothing and FULL face and neck covering for the entire weekend... looked far more uncomfortable than a thin medical mask for half an hour in Tesco.

@Underhisi

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia - and would all the clinically vulnerable people who cannot wear masks be expected to shop at that time?

No perhaps for total equality and inclusive human rights and entitlement- they (the disabled and vulnerable) can have special arrangements just to cater for them. Possibly their own hour with extra assistance laid on to accommodate if required. Shop keepers will therefore in principle be able to cater for all groups but keeping the Covid divide as to not upset these different ideologies and special requirements. Seems like a win win for everyone so no one misses out and each can join their own community (in peace and relaxed) when shopping and not antagonise or bully each other etc etc.

You do realise you can get anxiety any time of life, also mind your own business

@Bajalaluna

I'm on the fence about "compulsory" mask wearing. I wear one to comply, and keep others safe, all for the greater good and all that, and appreciate it when others do the same, but try not to judge/wonder why others aren't. I do wonder though if the current mask wearing situation was for another reason, (say for example, a countrywide disaster which created a fear of inhaling a posionous substance which would result in almost guaranteed death) how many of the exempt would just strap on mask and get on with it like the rest of us? In ww2 did we have such a huge number of people refusing to carry their gas masks due to various reasons, meaning they would rather die than just wear a mask? I KNOW there are certain individuals who cannot physically wear a mask due to many visible and invisible illnesses, and I completely apprieciate these situations, but there are also a huge number of people who are actively choosing not to, putting others at risk, and creating their own reasons why they "can't" wear a mask, and it's not fair on the shop workers who are being put in a vunerable position and exposed daily, due to not being allowed to challenge non mask wearer's before they enter stores.

I agree with much of what you say and ultimately it’s all about balance. If Covid was that much of a risk there would probably be a much stronger argument for there being no exemptions or these being much more strictly policed. It’s not proportionate though to expect (under current provisions) mask exempt disabled people to stay locked away or not be able to access shops given the risks of Covid at this time.

@torn2020

Thanks everyone.

@LoveNote - lanyards, exemption cards, or other "proof" of disability are not being accepted. People are getting humiliated and turned away at the door. It's horrifying please don't try and defend it.

I can totally understand asking at the door if someone has a mask, but if they reply that they're exempt surely there's no justification for turning them away? I don't want to have to disclose my ins and outs of my issues to every random marshal on a shop door...

What are those 'exemption cards'? Who is delivering them?

I could get a lanyard for my condition. It doesnt mean I can't wear a mask. Like a lot of people with disabilities.
And some people who have no disability as such can't wear a mask.... (Let's say someone wih panic attacks, although maybe this could go under MH issues...)

Until there are some clear guidleines about exemptions and someone to give said exemptins certificates, the system will be open to abuse. It's crap.
People abusing the system are putting other people at risk. I can see why a shop would want to portect their workers and their customers. And avoid been a hot spot of infection (Let's remember that masks are about protecting others more than yourself)
On the others side, not accepting someone's word about not been able to wear a mask means they are been excluded. Just like I am when I cant cope with long queues to go shopping. So I have to resort to online shopping/click and collect like many other people with mobility issues. Is it crap? Yes it is.

But until there is a system that doesnt open the door wide open to abuse, either disabled people will suffering or the people working in shops/customers (inluding all our vulnerable people/disabled people etc...) will bear the brunt of selfish/entitled twats.

Btw, I actually support the shop decision, despite the fact it could well backfire and put ME in a difficult position.