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Original poster

Costco denying entry to mask exempt unless they wear a shield

648 replies

LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:00

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 Sad

Costco denying entry to mask exempt unless they wear a shield
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Sockwomble · 23/12/2020 12:34

"When it comes to rights, ones rights stop when they involve adversely affecting others. That’s a basic concept."

That is not correct. Sometimes reasonable adjustments do adversely affect others. That is accepted. That doesn't mean that every adjustment can be considered reasonable but no what you have said is not a basic concept.

pinbinpin · 23/12/2020 12:35

They've been doing this right from the beginning. I've seen them earlier on stopping a lot of people in large groups (doubt all were exempt) and making them put masks on, which they easily did. Most went back to their cars and just got one and put it on, clearly just couldn't be arsed. I went a few weeks ago and everyone in the queue was wearing a mask and it was running very smoothly.

As it's membership based I am sure they would put a note on your account if, like OP, you were one of the tiny, tiny percentage of people that had a very specific and genuine reason such as the for not being able to wear a mask. I'm sure the OP could get a letter from medical professionals to carry as well with such a clear and specific medical condition and reason not to be able to wear a mask or visor.

sergeilavrov · 23/12/2020 12:35

You aren’t clinically vulnerable, but unfortunately those who cannot wear masks do pose vulnerabilities to the overall population. Governments who place those who are mask exempt in the shielded category do provide support. It seems like if you received the appropriate financial or delivery resources, this would be the most agreeable choice.

I’m glad some sort of solution has been arrived at from this discussion!

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 23/12/2020 12:37

@sergeilavrov

You aren’t clinically vulnerable, but unfortunately those who cannot wear masks do pose vulnerabilities to the overall population. Governments who place those who are mask exempt in the shielded category do provide support. It seems like if you received the appropriate financial or delivery resources, this would be the most agreeable choice.

I’m glad some sort of solution has been arrived at from this discussion!

Solution?
OP posts:
PerveenMistry · 23/12/2020 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Sockwomble · 23/12/2020 12:38

Shielded people are allowed out. You are proposing something other than shielding if you are banning people from going out of the home.

ShakeTheDisease · 23/12/2020 12:40

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.

The first part of that is debatable, I think. You are effectively vulnerable if you are unable to take the recommended precautions, i.e. wearing a face covering, when you go out. Wonder whether your GP would be supportive of that.

But also, what is this financial support available for shielding people? I am one and I don't have it. I am luckily able to wfh but I genuinely don't know of any support. It would allow you to get shopping delivered which is the one part I know about.

Shopping deliveries - do the main supermarkets just not cover your area, or are you saying that they've been fully booked for every day for weeks now? Again that's not been my experience but I live in a busy urban environment.

Sockwomble · 23/12/2020 12:41

"Those who can't wear masks must use other precautions such as staying home. It's not personal."

And do you also apply that to babies and children? Are they not allowed out either? Or is that 'different'?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 23/12/2020 12:42

@PerveenMistry

Those who can't wear masks must use other precautions such as staying home

No they mustn't. That not the law, or even the guidelines. Please don't make up rules.

As for the blind driver analogy you keep using - blind people can take a taxi, or public transport. You're proposing that mask exempt people do not leave the house at all, for work, medical appointments, to pick up children from school, and so on. You wouldn't tell a blind person that all forms of transport were forbidden to them because they couldn't drive would you?

OP posts:
Sockwomble · 23/12/2020 12:46

I think some of the crowd who get a thrill out of telling people they should never be allowed out have arrived. Sad Fuckers.

Sobeyondthehills · 23/12/2020 12:54

Common sense.

Actually common sense would be to make sure the vulnerable and the elderly don't leave their homes, if they have children, they cannot go to school incase they bring it back.

As its these people which might overwhelm the NHS and end up in beds. If families want to see them, they have a choice of masking up and seeing them.

RealityNotEssentialism · 23/12/2020 12:58

I wonder how often people on here wash their masks. I doubt it’s often enough for it to offer any real protection against Covid. It’s more or less useless unless you follow proper hygiene precautions that 90% of those you encounter in a shop don’t. Seems like there’s been an outbreak of stupidity as well as Covid on here.

chillychills · 23/12/2020 12:59

This thread is awful, I can’t believe that people think that those who can’t wear masks for medical reasons should have to stay in their house.

I think it’s unlikely that a small number of exempt mask wearers who are asymptomatic and practising social distancing/hand washing are causing a huge amount of spread.

Teakind · 23/12/2020 13:02

OP, I'm sorry wearing a mask is so difficult for you. Your reason sounds very genuine and unfortunately I think a lot of people who could wear one but don't have helped create this situation. For example, asthma is on the exception list but unless you have a severe case you can wear one (I do as do members of my family whose asthma is much worse than mine).

PerhapsOverlyWorried · 23/12/2020 13:11

100% agree with this. Way too many claiming to be exempt, really hope other shops follow suit. Surely those who are genuinely exempt would understand the need to carry around proof of exemption while in a pandemic, especially when it’s in the interests of keeping the entire country protected rather than excluding them. There’s a tiny majority of people who genuinely can’t tolerate masks and a massive majority that are piling on the bandwagon.

80sColourfulChristmas · 23/12/2020 13:15

@GirlCrush

you go into a store its the staffs environment...they have no choice, zero

you do

i agree with the policy too.....i work in retail and its ridiculous how many people won't wear one and love to be goody saying 'i'm exempt'

sorry, but staff are important

Yet more Disablist nonsense implying everyone who says they're exempt are being "goady" unbelievably disablist.

I'm exempt and I say it with smile as to reduce the chance of a hostile exchange. That's not being fucking 'goady' it's being diplomatic...!!!!! 😡

TorringtonDean · 23/12/2020 13:28

Have you tried online shopping, OP? I’ve been using it throughout and I’m not exempt or shielding but I don’t fancy going round the shops. You can book your slots ahead and change your order up to 11pm the night before and it works a treat.

cologne4711 · 23/12/2020 13:30

As a service provider Costco have to make reasonable adjustments for the OP. That might be allowing her in without a mask and noting on her membership as someone said. Or allowing her to phone through an order and delivering it for her (or for soeone who drives, offering click and collect).

There are always solutions if people have a can do attitude.

I agree it's a pity that so many twits have refused to wear masks on principle and therefore created this mess. But in my local shops everyone wears masks, I've only seen one person without, and that was a member of staff.

rvms · 23/12/2020 13:31

Not all employers allow wfh. This has been a problem throughout the pandemic. People still going out to work when they’ve been told to isolate or have even tested because they need to earn a living. I’d say this is more the reason for the rampant spread of the virus than a few maskless shoppers.

rvms · 23/12/2020 13:36

OP says she uses a walking stick. Doubt sprinting is an option for her.

trulydelicious · 23/12/2020 13:50

@LifelsAPigsty

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

I get the impression that you are coming from a purist/philosophical place

I'm not for excluding anyone, but I believe when there is an opportunity to put in place a feasible adjustment, it should be taken

Say you worked in an office with 9 other people wearing masks and you were the only one who couldn't wear one, would you find it acceptable if you were allocated a 'distanced' desk behind a perspex screen or do you think it would be discriminatory?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 23/12/2020 13:55

@PerhapsOverlyWorried

100% agree with this. Way too many claiming to be exempt, really hope other shops follow suit. Surely those who are genuinely exempt would understand the need to carry around proof of exemption while in a pandemic, especially when it’s in the interests of keeping the entire country protected rather than excluding them. There’s a tiny majority of people who genuinely can’t tolerate masks and a massive majority that are piling on the bandwagon.
There's no such thing as proof of exemption. GPs aren't writing notes. I carry my medication with me, but that's it. Even a previous letter from my neurologist in which I was formally diagnosed would be if no use, given most people haven't heard of my condition much less how it affects me - so how would that prove exemption?
OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 23/12/2020 13:57

@TorringtonDean

Have you tried online shopping, OP? I’ve been using it throughout and I’m not exempt or shielding but I don’t fancy going round the shops. You can book your slots ahead and change your order up to 11pm the night before and it works a treat.
As I've said, I've found it practically impossible to get slots, particularly in recent weeks.

And also, this isn't just about shopping.

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 23/12/2020 14:00

[quote trulydelicious]@LifelsAPigsty

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

I get the impression that you are coming from a purist/philosophical place

I'm not for excluding anyone, but I believe when there is an opportunity to put in place a feasible adjustment, it should be taken

Say you worked in an office with 9 other people wearing masks and you were the only one who couldn't wear one, would you find it acceptable if you were allocated a 'distanced' desk behind a perspex screen or do you think it would be discriminatory?[/quote]
Why would you get that impression? This is the reality for millions of people. It's not just about shopping.

And of course I wouldn't find it discriminatory to be offered a distanced desk. I find being told to stay at home and not access medical care, employment etc discriminatory, not sensible solutions.

OP posts:
lakesidexmas · 23/12/2020 14:04

Costco have had a masks only policy for months in the USA, I'm surprised it has taken this long for them to implement this in the UK.
They also offer online shopping which could be used by people who are unable wear a mask of a visor. I would think this would count as reasonable adjustments.
With a new highly contagious C19 strain now present working to keep everyone safe surely makes sense.
Hopefully the vaccine will be rolled out in the next months putting this behind us.