Costco denying entry to mask exempt unless they wear a shield

[LifelsAPigsty]

Surely this is discrimination? Some people who can't wear a mask can't wear a visor either (I can't, I have trigeminal neuralgia and can't tolerate any pressure on my face/head/temples). There are other conditions which make wearing them impossible, too. I'm sure the government guidelines state this sort of action isn't permitted?

I don't shop at Costco personally but I'm so worried other places will follow suit (and no, I can't avoid shops sadly - no delivery slots for months here and I don't drive so no c&c. Also no friends/relatives to shop for me).

Yet another layer of anxiety and worry

@PerveenMistry I've been abused, threatened, reported, shouted at, spat at, tutted at, so yes, people are being 'mean and discriminatory'.

And no, I wasn't being hypocritical re @trulydelicious's post. I did not say I wouldn't be happy to shop with other maskless people. I was pointing out - as others have done on this thread - that the risk to everyone, including the wider community, is far greater if 50 maskless people shop together than if 2 or 3 in a shopful of people do.

[quote trulydelicious]@PerveenMistry

I think it's hypocritical in the extreme

It's rather infuriating even.

I know it's unlikely to be a view shared by all those who cannot wear masks, but still...[/quote]
Once again... I did not say I wouldn't be happy to shop with other maskless people. No hypocrisy whatsoever.

As others have said, the virus is just as likely to be harboured by an exempt person as a non-exempt one.

It’s not discrimination - it’s about safety.

I have breathing problems (shielded/ecv etc) and would probably be exempt. But I make very short forays into shops and mask up like a decent citizen, not demand my rights like an arse.

@chopc

Completely agree with the policy. You have other options for shopping. This is a national emergency

I'll ask again (still nobody has addressed this) - what are we to do in terms of accessing medical help/appointments, caring for children, going to work etc as exempt people? It's not just shopping.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE SHOPPING

OP needs to work. Her point is, what if buses start refusing? What does she do then because she cannot wear a mask or shield?

@IrmaFayLear

As others have said, the virus is just as likely to be harboured by an exempt person as a non-exempt one.

It’s not discrimination - it’s about safety.

I have breathing problems (shielded/ecv etc) and would probably be exempt. But I make very short forays into shops and mask up like a decent citizen, not demand my rights like an arse.

I'm not 'an arse' for not wanting to lose consciousness and wet myself in public.

@QueenPawPaws

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE SHOPPING

OP needs to work. Her point is, what if buses start refusing? What does she do then because she cannot wear a mask or shield?

Thank you!

buffyp "You have absolutely no evidence to say that whatsoever"

There are threads here on mumsnet full of people boasting that they don't follow rules and find ways to break them. People are much more stupid and contrary than you imagine.

When you said "I didn’t wear a mask in Asda today and feel not the slightest guilt over it so don’t bother with the granny murdering crap because it doesn’t wash" did you mean that you are genuinely exempt? Or that are you one of them?

Losing consciousness and wetting oneself are very extreme. I can’t believe that 0.0001% of mask-exempt people would experience similar.

I think most folk could manage to sprint in and out of a store with a bit of covering or shield.

Some of the prejudiced and anti disability posts on this thread are shocking. I'm surprised that they are allowed. Doesn't mumsnet have rules against such things

Disablist posts have always been allowed to stand here. Occasionally something extreme will be deleted but you are more likely to have a post deleted for calling someone a dick than for being disablist. Now the vile people have "covid" to hide behind and that makes their 'concerns' seem legitimate. I certainly see them though.

The post above mine being a perfect example. "Most folk can sprint in and out of a store with a bit of a covering". Aye, can they.

As a genuine sufferer OP has my sympathy. It is difficult though with so many others pretending to be exempt. Perhaps they would stop doing it if there were serious consequences (aside from dying of the virus which they clearly don't understand)

I saw some people got £10k fines for organising covid parties recently.

@IrmaFayLear

Losing consciousness and wetting oneself are very extreme. I can’t believe that 0.0001% of mask-exempt people would experience similar.

I think most folk could manage to sprint in and out of a store with a bit of covering or shield.

There are two people on this thread alone for whom that is a reality.

And again... It's not just about shopping.

Christ almighty - it’s nothing to do with disablism.

As an ecv person I am terrified of contracting covid. When it comes to rights, ones rights stop when they involve adversely affecting others. That’s a basic concept.

Eg there was a case in Disneyworld (which has excellent disability arrangements) where a person with a disability wanted to ride a roller coaster without the safety bar. They lost the case, as it was ruled that they could fly off the ride and harm another person.

The mask issue is not about fair and equal access, but public health .

No one is being mean or discriminatory toward non mask wearers

Telling a section of society that they should not be able to go out to shops, work, or to doctors appointments is not mean or discriminatory?

What exactly do you call it?

@IrmaFayLear

Then by your own logic, you should be the one that doesn't go out.

The OP is a low risk from Covid, as she has said, she just can't wear a mask and stays away from people as much as she can, this has been repeated several times.

I know you shouldn't have to but might you be able construct a visor like shield from clear bendy Perspex that sits on your shoulders but doesn't touch your head? If you can it might alleviate your anxiety.

I think it probably does fall foul of dad but until theres a test case nothing will happen. I'm in spain at the moment ans there are no exemptions. You're not allowed out without a mask and even in hospital after stroke etc they have o wear masks. When I ask people about what about people who cant wear masks and have exemptions they just say they have to stay home.

Perhaps the answer is that those who are ‘exempt’ from mask wearing enter the shielded category. This gives you employment protection, access to the volunteer services that are so restricted in your area etc. That would also mean you aren’t putting others at risk by not wearing a mask, as you would remain in the home. This is precisely what happens in many other countries, and it works well.

"I'm in spain at the moment ans there are no exemptions."

There are exemptions in Spain.

It's worrying. Up until just a few weeks ago I would've said there was no chance of any other shops, transport companies following suit but now I'm not sure of anything 🤷‍♀️

@Crumpetsandhoney

I think it probably does fall foul of dad but until theres a test case nothing will happen. I'm in spain at the moment ans there are no exemptions. You're not allowed out without a mask and even in hospital after stroke etc they have o wear masks. When I ask people about what about people who cant wear masks and have exemptions they just say they have to stay home.

I'm in contact with fellow TN sufferers all over the place, including in Spain, via support forums and so on. All who are unable to wear masks are exempt and (other than the abuse and judgment from the general public, which seems universal) do not get hassle from authorities, shop staff, etc.

@sergeilavrov

Perhaps the answer is that those who are ‘exempt’ from mask wearing enter the shielded category. This gives you employment protection, access to the volunteer services that are so restricted in your area etc. That would also mean you aren’t putting others at risk by not wearing a mask, as you would remain in the home. This is precisely what happens in many other countries, and it works well.

Many of us aren't clinically vulnerable, though. We don't need to be shielded, and I can't imagine the government allowing the financial support required to those who don't require it.

"That would also mean you aren’t putting others at risk by not wearing a mask, as you would remain in the home."

Shielded people are allowed out of the home.

@IrmaFayLear

Christ almighty - it’s nothing to do with disablism.

As an ecv person I am terrified of contracting covid. When it comes to rights, ones rights stop when they involve adversely affecting others. That’s a basic concept.

Eg there was a case in Disneyworld (which has excellent disability arrangements) where a person with a disability wanted to ride a roller coaster without the safety bar. They lost the case, as it was ruled that they could fly off the ride and harm another person.

The mask issue is not about fair and equal access, but public health .

Including the health of those whose health is seriously negatively impacted by wearing a face covering, surely? If I lose consciousness in a public, and an ambulance is called, I will be putting even more people at risk. Not to mention the shop/transport staff who may have to clean up after me.