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

I put up a post on chat not long ago as I saw a sign in a small shop saying unless you wore a mask you wont be saved. I wanted to know if this was allowed. It needs to be clarified legally then people wouldn't need to argue about it.,

Incidentally, this is from the government website. Visors may only be worn with a mask, and not instead of one, which of course is not possible for those unable to wear masks.

Surely Costco must be aware of this?

@LifelsAPigsty

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

Fair enough

I think the real issue lies with people who can wear masks but can't be arsed really, who make life difficult for everyone else.

I think GPs should write exemption certificates for those with the need and who want them. I don't understand why they don't.

I can’t tolerate any face covering at all, therefore I don’t go to the shops.

I agree with their policy. We have a ridiculous number of mask exemptions. All my family could be exempt
I feel sorry for workers exposed to so many people

You should behave like those who have been forced to shield due to their conditions. Many CEV people haven't gone shopping and have relied on volunteers. Is this discrimination of their needs? Why does your medical condition trump the health of others. Should we all stay at home so CEV can shop. Of course not. I fully support environments that enforce mask wearing.
I can't have the vaccine as I am extremely phobic of needles and may have to accept venues that refuse me entry. Or should I be an exception and allowed in?

@LaurieFairyCake

It's disgraceful.

They should not be allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities.

Yes but too many play on ‘being exempt’ I have lung cancer in both lungs. One lung doesn’t work at all after radiotherapy and I’ve had a upper lobectomy on my right lung - so in essence only 2/3rds off one lung. I manage perfectly well in a shop with a mask on - okay I couldn’t run a marathon but as long as I have a trolley to put shopping in I’m absolutely fine. I value my (already shortened life expectancy) life far too much to take risks of not wearing a mask It really really annoys me that others are so blasé about not wearing one.

@HighHeelBoots

I agree with their policy. We have a ridiculous number of mask exemptions. All my family could be exempt I feel sorry for workers exposed to so many people

Why do you think the number of exemptions is ridiculous? Who, in your view, is exempt who should be wearing a mask?

By the way if your family members are able to wear a mask/covering, there's no 'could be' exempt about it. If you can wear a covering, you're not exempt. Some people with my condition are able to wear a mask - they're not exempt. The condition itself does not mean automatic exemption.

Their policy is in direct contravention of government guidelines, too.

@itsmymess

You should behave like those who have been forced to shield due to their conditions. Many CEV people haven't gone shopping and have relied on volunteers. Is this discrimination of their needs? Why does your medical condition trump the health of others. Should we all stay at home so CEV can shop. Of course not. I fully support environments that enforce mask wearing. I can't have the vaccine as I am extremely phobic of needles and may have to accept venues that refuse me entry. Or should I be an exception and allowed in?

Mask exemption does not require shielding. I cannot simply tell my employer I'm not coming into work. I can't forego hospital appointments. People have to pick up children from school. I'm not vulnerable, there's no practical help available, and why should there be? Those who are vulnerable need help and I have no right to take it away from them.

I can't just choose to behave as if I'm shielding. I have bills to pay and other commitments. And I'm not required to.

No environments can enforce mask wearing upon those who are exempt. Not even Costco, which is why they've tried to enforce visors - against government guidelines.

I go round a supernarket and about 10% of people seem to be exempt. Walking through the hospital and literally everyone is wearing a mask. Funny how most people can wear one when there is more of a direct risk.

There are obviously situations where wearing a mask is not possible. A face sheild is not ideal but if a mask cannot be worn it provides more protection than nothing.

You are not being excluded because as someone has listed on this thread there are sheilds that sit around your neck. So you can go to costco.

There are also face sheilds that attach to hats that will be suitable for most TN sufferers. I think a genuine excemption certificate/badge from GP would be the best policy for the country to adopt. Like the blue bade system but for masks

If you don’t want to wear a mask then don’t go to Costco. No one is forcing you to shop there & they don’t sell anything that isn’t available everywhere else.

itsmymess

“You should behave like those who have been forced to shield due to their conditions. Many CEV people haven't gone shopping and have relied on volunteers. Is this discrimination of their needs? Why does your medical condition trump the health of others. Should we all stay at home so CEV can shop. Of course not. I fully support environments that enforce mask wearing.
I can't have the vaccine as I am extremely phobic of needles and may have to accept venues that refuse me entry. Or should I be an exception and allowed in?“

Of course you should be allowed. It’s still people’s personal choice to have the vaccine and this country allows unvaccinated children into state schools unlike the US. There are people who genuinely can’t have vaccines due to health conditions and they shouldn’t be refused access to services until kingdom come as a result. That’s discriminatory. I want the vaccine but if it was available for me I wouldn’t be allowed it as I’m pregnant. I would consider it discriminatory against pregnant women not to allow them to use a service until they give birth.

@Lordamighty

If you don’t want to wear a mask then don’t go to Costco. No one is forcing you to shop there & they don’t sell anything that isn’t available everywhere else.

I've said this so many times on this thread (including in my OP) - my concern is that other places will adopt this policy, and the implications re discrimination.

Also, the government has stated that visors must not be worn without a mask.

@BlueBottle18

I go round a supernarket and about 10% of people seem to be exempt. Walking through the hospital and literally everyone is wearing a mask. Funny how most people can wear one when there is more of a direct risk.

There are obviously situations where wearing a mask is not possible. A face sheild is not ideal but if a mask cannot be worn it provides more protection than nothing.

You are not being excluded because as someone has listed on this thread there are sheilds that sit around your neck. So you can go to costco.

There are also face sheilds that attach to hats that will be suitable for most TN sufferers. I think a genuine excemption certificate/badge from GP would be the best policy for the country to adopt. Like the blue bade system but for masks

I can't wear a mask when I go to hospital appointments, either, given that I can't wear a mask. Everyone is very understanding.

I can't wear a hat (TN can affect all three branches of the trigeminal nerve, including the temple area).

The shields which sit around your neck are not transportable and are designed to be worn by staff in catering environments, for example, as the link states. Government guidelines say that visors cannot be worn alone anyway as they do not provide sufficient protection.

I don't shop at Costco, but as I've said (so very many times), my concern is that other places will adopt this policy.

You really can get shopping slots. You might have to plan. You start of by bagging a slot three weeks ahead then keep on booking ahead and then of course it rolls round and you have a weekly slot. Tesco has plenty. They were a little scarce in Dec but then Asda upped their slots. There is also click and collect. Nobody NEEDs to go into a shop if they get organised and if you can’t wear a mask it’s best to stay away. I’ve never been to Costco but it looks a massive place with lots of crowds. Order online and you will be safer.

@Lordamighty

If you don’t want to wear a mask then don’t go to Costco. No one is forcing you to shop there & they don’t sell anything that isn’t available everywhere else.

Ffs its not a case of not wanting did you mean to be so ignorant

I wholeheartedly agree with their policy

People that are mask exempt can still spread the virus. Being disabled doesn’t mean you magically stop being a vector.

The 'thin end of the wedge' argument though isn't very compelling OP as the situation is actually at the opposite end of the scale. Far from non mask wearers being banned from stores, there is hardly any enforcement of the mask wearing requirement in any stores. As it stands, you aren't allowed to enter a store you don't shop at anyway. I honestly can't see this becoming standard practice.

@Lordamighty I totally missed where you said if I 'don't want to wear a mask'. I can't wear a mask. It's not a choice.

@Vitaminsss

I wholeheartedly agree with their policy

People that are mask exempt can still spread the virus. Being disabled doesn’t mean you magically stop being a vector.

Nobody suggested otherwise.

Unfortunately for disabled people/those who are exempt, we still need to earn a living/go to hospital appointments/care for family.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is brutal. Imagine being hit by a baseball bat in your face repeatedly. That level of pain which touch can trigger.

@TorringtonDean

You really can get shopping slots. You might have to plan. You start of by bagging a slot three weeks ahead then keep on booking ahead and then of course it rolls round and you have a weekly slot. Tesco has plenty. They were a little scarce in Dec but then Asda upped their slots. There is also click and collect. Nobody NEEDs to go into a shop if they get organised and if you can’t wear a mask it’s best to stay away. I’ve never been to Costco but it looks a massive place with lots of crowds. Order online and you will be safer.

You can get slots, perhaps. Not everyone can. I'm not sure why people insist that because they're able to do something, it follows that everyone else can, too. And yes, unfortunately sometimes people do need to go into a shop. Some medication cannot be delivered, for example. People run out of things, even with the best planning. Would you be able to avoid shops and public spaces completely for, possibly, the next year or more?

Besides. As I keep saying. This isn't just about shopping.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

Trigeminal Neuralgia is brutal. Imagine being hit by a baseball bat in your face repeatedly. That level of pain which touch can trigger.

Fantastic, accurate description.

What do you mean they are not transportable? They arent an item of furniture they are a visor. You can just put it in a bag?

As I said they are not ideal but they are better than nothing. Your options arent mask or visor, they are nothing or visor.

There is a perfectly acceptable item for you to wear that will enable you to bypass the rules. So you are not excluded in any way.

I know tn can effect all 3 brances of the trigeminal, but its rare. Most will not have trigger points in all 3 branches (in particilar v1), either way theres a visor that sits on your neck