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 still don’t understand...isn’t catching COVID a huge risk for people with disabilities? Why would you want to be in Costco or any busy indoor space in a pandemic in winter without a mask? It feels like there’s a segment of people who can’t wear masks but then insist they should be out shopping as normal?

If all of these require compulsory mask wearing with no exceptions then basically the OP is fucked.

But they don't. And there is no suggestion that they're going to take that position. If anything it's very much the opposite. We can discuss it as a question of rights but the position being presented here is one that's catastrophising. It's not what's actually happening nor does it seem likely to happen.

Expecting disabled people/those with health conditions to stay at home for months, not work and be unable to claim benefits because they left employment voluntarily, and not access medical care is unacceptable and impossible, wouldn't you say?

I would indeed. But I wasn't saying that. And I think others who suggested staying at home were referring to shopping. The other places that you go to do 'meet your requirements', as the poster above puts it, as they recognise that you can't wear a mask and accept that.

It ought to be possible to get shopping delivered. I know you've said it's been difficult to get online deliveries but that's the point I think you should focus on here.

I agree with their policy and fully support it.

You have a right not to wear a mask. But that does not trump the rights of the shop workers who you may infect with a potentially deadly disease. You have a choice whether to shop there. They dont.

@turnitonagain

You do understand that there are many disabilities and they are not all the same?

Someone who has a mental health disability doesn't need a wheelchair. So why would you assume that everyone with disabilities are vulnerable to Covid?

[quote Sobeyondthehills]@turnitonagain

You do understand that there are many disabilities and they are not all the same?

Someone who has a mental health disability doesn't need a wheelchair. So why would you assume that everyone with disabilities are vulnerable to Covid?[/quote]
Any disability that prevents one from wearing a mask is either a physical or mental health condition related to breathing or face covering.

Being ill with a respiratory disease and possibly needing hospital care would certainly not be good for people with those conditions.

@turnitonagain Because it is scientifically evident that they are likely to get a higher viral load (and transmit a higher viral load) due to the lack of barrier. Those with more of the COVID-19 virus suffer more significant effects. This was published in the Lancet some time ago. They found that for each additional unit of viral RNA detected, there was a 7% increased risk of mortality. That is very significant. In addition, I imagine OP would find being intubated painful, which is more likely to be required with a higher viral load.

Hence, people who don’t wear masks for any reason are inherently more vulnerable.

Sorry, tagged the wrong person. That was in response to @Sobeyondthehills

No problem sergei it’s along my thoughts as well. If you cannot wear a mask then lifestyle changes including avoiding busy indoor places are the only way of minimising exposure to the virus.

Costco is not like a normal shop, it’s essentially a cold, windowless warehouse. I can’t imagine a worse place to be in the winter of a pandemic without a mask on.

@turnitonagain

Sorry, I misunderstood you. I understand what you are saying now.

Thank you @sergeilavrov for explaining it to me as well.

Costco is not like a normal shop, it’s essentially a cold, windowless warehouse. I can’t imagine a worse place to be in the winter of a pandemic without a mask on.

Its not just about Costco, its about what happens if other places take this up

If you are disabled you can already call your local warehouse for delivery on top of the online service. So I imagine the deliveries that prevent face mask wearing will be treated in the same way. It’s a non-issue.

@turnitonagain

No problem sergei it’s along my thoughts as well. If you cannot wear a mask then lifestyle changes including avoiding busy indoor places are the only way of minimising exposure to the virus.

Costco is not like a normal shop, it’s essentially a cold, windowless warehouse. I can’t imagine a worse place to be in the winter of a pandemic without a mask on.

Yes avoiding public places is in the government advice but many people who can’t wear masks often miss this. Technically all supermarkets could follow Costco’s lead and divert customers who can’t wear masks to online services and not be in breach of disability regulation.

Hurrrah to Costco.
They are absolutely right and I wish others would do the same.

I see a lot of non mask wearers, particularly teenagers, surely they are not all exempt.
Spread would slow substantially if there was less tolerance of people’s bullshit.
Wear the visor, they are not that bad, keep yourself and others safe OP. This is not about you and your principles, it’s a collective effort by everyone to protect each other.

I’m sick of people not complying with rules and being in permanent lockdown. Costco can maybe be the first to start a new acceptable trend

"I’m sure the OP could find an alternative to entering an enclosed public area without a face covering if she really tried."

My son had to enter an enclosed public space for a hospital appointment. He also had to enter an enclosed public space to use the toilet enroute to another essential service. Please tell me the alternatives.

Do you accept that if the "maskless" are not allowed in enclosed public spaces then this should also apply to babies and young children not wearing masks or do you prefer to treat one group less favourably than another?

@BaublesToIt

Another agreeing with Costco. I’m sure the OP could find an alternative to entering an enclosed public area without a face covering if she really tried.

Face masks should have been mandatory from the very start of this shit show.

What really bugs me is seeing the maskless ones talking loudly (often they are with others and you wonder why the hell they needed to come in anyway, or with the poor staff members). At least if you’re not going to wear a mask, shut the hell up and keep your mouth closed so you’re not spitting your droplets all over the place . Seen this so many times.

Rant over.

There are many enclosed public areas that exempt people have no choice but to enter. As I keep saying, ^this is not just about shopping (or Costco)*.

if she really tried

I'll try telling my boss I can't come to work for months, see how that goes.

@bubblesforlife

Hurrrah to Costco. They are absolutely right and I wish others would do the same.

I see a lot of non mask wearers, particularly teenagers, surely they are not all exempt.
Spread would slow substantially if there was less tolerance of people’s bullshit.
Wear the visor, they are not that bad, keep yourself and others safe OP. This is not about you and your principles, it’s a collective effort by everyone to protect each other.

I’m sick of people not complying with rules and being in permanent lockdown. Costco can maybe be the first to start a new acceptable trend

My principles? Huh?

(And if you'd RTFT you'd know that a) I can't wear a visor, in common with many who are exempt, and b) the government don't allow the use of visors alone).

Do you accept that if the "maskless" are not allowed in enclosed public spaces then this should also apply to babies and young children not wearing masks or do you prefer to treat one group less favourably than another

Exactly.

The attitudes of some people on this post are truly disgusting. Supporting a policy of discrimination against the disabled. Shame on you all.

If anyone can explain the justification for Costco insisting that people wear a visor when, for example, the Scottish government have said they are ineffective and should only be worn with a mask, I’d love to hear it.

Also, on the private members point, would it be OK if Costco introduced a policy that meant black people or gay people couldn’t access the store?

Fully support their policy - should be no exemptions to any rules, completely the same for everyone - government ones should just be you must - no ifs, no buts, no personal circumstances.

Go and look up the law on “indirect discrimination”. You might learn something.

Fully support their policy - should be no exemptions to any rules, completely the same for everyone - government ones should just be you must - no ifs, no buts, no personal circumstances.

Right so masks on all infants from birth then. No ifs or buts. Very clear that kids can transmit the virus too so let’s do it.

The stupidity on here is staggering.

If anyone can explain the justification for Costco insisting that people wear a visor when, for example, the Scottish government have said they are ineffective and should only be worn with a mask, I’d love to hear it.

A mask isn’t effective either or at least not the sort of masks people wear in shops. The benefit is mainly psychological so that people around you don’t start panicking about being infected. However it doesn’t actually stop the transmission of the virus and nor does a visor of course.

The stupidity on here is staggering

It’s disappointing but not surprising sadly.

@MadameBlobby

If anyone can explain the justification for Costco insisting that people wear a visor when, for example, the Scottish government have said they are ineffective and should only be worn with a mask, I’d love to hear it.

Also, on the private members point, would it be OK if Costco introduced a policy that meant black people or gay people couldn’t access the store?

The UK government don't allow visors to be worn without masks, either.

And you're quite right - private members' clubs of any sort aren't above the law, and can't bend laws to suit them.

I agree with their policy.
Their are other options to wearing a mask such as Bandanas and shields.
My 83 yr old mother has asthma, panic attacks and sighte problems
Also tinnitus which cause balance issues.
She could use those things as an excuse if she wanted.
But fair play to her, she got me to order her a face shield
Which she wears. Every time.
It's about time people stopped making excuses and started acting more responsibly.