Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:29

@Shadow1986

Hi OP,

I have to admit I’d never heard of your condition but after googling I totally understand why you can’t wear a mask or a shield. Are you able to print something that briefly explains your condition? I’m guessing they’ve dealt with a lot of people who claim to have a medical exemption not actually don’t and they’re trying to cut down on all of those. I’m sure with your lanyard and a short explanation of your condition, you would be absolutely fine.

Thank you. I've been wondering if a lanyard or something with more specific details may be helpful - if someone else googles after seeing it and it raises awareness it can only be a good thing!
OP posts:
buffyp · 22/12/2020 21:29

@SellFridges

Wear a scarf and pull it up over your mouth.

There are very, very few people who are both genuinely mask exempt and need to be in a shop.

You have absolutely no evidence to say that whatsoever. You have no idea of peoples circumstances and you have no rights to know. All this sanctimony needs to stop. I really hope all you people who spout of about putting lives at risk don’t ever drive so much as one mile over the speed limit. Because if you do ( and I’m willing to bet a good many have) then you are massive hypocrites and are putting far more peoples lives at risk than exempt people not wearing masks. 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. Luckily I seem to live in a area where people are a damn sight less judgmental.
GirlCrush · 22/12/2020 21:29

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

GirlCrush · 22/12/2020 21:30

goady not goody!!

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:32

@CheltenhamLady

I also agree with their new policy. I have similar issues which affect my face and I wear a silk mask which works fine. It is not pleasant, but It really is just a matter of getting on with it for the common good.
I'm sorry you suffer with this too, it's horrific. I know some people with TN find silk scarves comfortable, and those for whom wind is a trigger actually find masks beneficial. As with all conditions, symptoms and triggers vary between sufferers.
OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:33

@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

Do you have any colleagues who are exempt?

And sadly, I don't have a choice - I can't wear a covering.

OP posts:
lakesidexmas · 22/12/2020 21:37

I think this has been Costco's policy internationally for some time.
It has been USA policy for months now.

ILoveYoga · 22/12/2020 21:39

Totally agree. They have my full support

GirlCrush · 22/12/2020 21:39

i do have some exempt yes, but we have a duty of care to them as an employer

customers know we have mask exempt on entry....but staff don't know until someone is stood next to you asking a question, breathing all over you! we brief mask exempt staff on how to behave around people when not wearing one, with customers they do as they please

and then theres those who only wear one to get in store, then tuck it under their chins once in!

Livelovebehappy · 22/12/2020 21:40

TBH, you’ll be fine anyway. Some might follow suit, but some won’t. Just go shopping to the places who don’t care if masks are worn or not - there’s plenty around. We have a petrol station near us that has a very large sign saying no-one is allowed to enter the station without a mask as one of their staff has underlying health conditions. I choose to go there as I feel safer. I guess that’s what might eventually happen - people who want to be safe will go to the places where the mask wearing is enforced, and the rest who either can’t wear masks, or don’t want to, can shop at the other places who aren’t bothered. Then everyone’s happy.

PurpleFrames · 22/12/2020 21:41

Yet another examples of deliberate disability discrimination or at best invisibility.

It's all well and good for those who can wear masks to huddle in a smug group judging others as "disabled enough" or not, but another blow to those who struggle every day anyway and yet more judgment...

NeurologicallySpeaking · 22/12/2020 21:43

Tbh I do think people not wearing masks should be challenged - we have whole groups of mates going round with masks round their necks where I am. You either challenge all or challenge none.

A lot of people seem to wear the lanyards although depending on your condition one might not want to do that.

Some sort of card might work that you show if needed. GP could give them out and more discreet.

Obviously everyone needs the same access to the shop but as an employer you need to also protect your staff. I would be fuming working in a supermarket where half the customers don't wear a mask

Stellaris22 · 22/12/2020 21:49

I work in a supermarket and fully support this policy.

A lot of people just shout 'I have asthma' as an excuse when challenged. I have asthma and wear a mask for a full shift, if people have asthma so bad they can't wear a mask for a short shop they should be carrying an inhaler.

It's because of people abusing the 'I genuinely can't wear a mask' exemption that cause shops to be strict.

I fully support anyone who genuinely can't wear a mask, those people think ahead, explain to shop workers before entering and/or wear the lanyard.

The people refusing to wear a mask and lying about not being able to are why I support this measure, personally fed up of it and the abuse. Just wear a mask and get over it. Don't put key workers at risk.

Sobeyondthehills · 22/12/2020 21:51

If others do follow such as supermarkets they need to put something in place such as home delivery for free and lower their limit for those who can prove they can't wear masks and to be honest it might stop the piss takers.

But I do think its very unlikely that anyone else will follow suit.

SteeperThanHell · 22/12/2020 21:54

The problem is that whilst there are a small number of people who genuinely can’t wear a mask (and I fully support those) there are many more who either choose not to (yes I have had people tell me that) or say “I’m exempt” (and usually follow up with “I’ve got asthma”). There is no way of knowing who is genuine and who is not.

I work in a pharmacy - I’d estimate that around 30% of people arrive without a mask - many will wear one when we offer a free one. Having lost a colleague very recently to Covid whose only risk factor was asthma I really do think those patients are taking a risk. My husband is also CEV (leukaemia) and I have asthma - the utter selfishness of people is making me incredibly frustrated.

BilboBercow · 22/12/2020 21:55

Unfortunately there is a fairly large group of people, not just on Mumsnet who are unable to accept that some people genuinely can't wear a face covering and that still need to live for god knows how many months until we no longer have regulation involving masks.

sergeilavrov · 22/12/2020 21:56

I'm sorry you find it so painful. I will say that the UK has the softest approach in terms of exemptions and even self-certification I've seen of any country - even the US. Unfortunately, while these attacks are extremely painful for you, the risk to others is deadly and widespread. In the UAE, where the virus has been contained and well managed, you would be asked to remain at home and receive support to access groceries and basic services.

There are still lots of volunteers who can help you get shopping, and your doctor can help you access a letter to help support you to get permission to work at home.

Inthemuckheap · 22/12/2020 21:56

I agree with this policy.

It's a difficult one- my local shopkeeper ordered a load of 'Mask Exempt' badges on lanyards from eBay and sold them for £5 each. He sold out twice hence I am sceptical when I see the badges.

There are far too many people taking the piss. Sorry for those who genuinely can't wear a mask but then wear a face shield.

justchecking1 · 22/12/2020 21:57

Just as a practical solution, could you get a visor and attach a stick to it to hold in front of your face? We do this for mask exempt patients. The difficulty is, it only leaves you with one hand

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:57

@Inthemuckheap

I agree with this policy.

It's a difficult one- my local shopkeeper ordered a load of 'Mask Exempt' badges on lanyards from eBay and sold them for £5 each. He sold out twice hence I am sceptical when I see the badges.

There are far too many people taking the piss. Sorry for those who genuinely can't wear a mask but then wear a face shield.

Some people - like me - can't wear a shield either.
OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:58

@justchecking1

Just as a practical solution, could you get a visor and attach a stick to it to hold in front of your face? We do this for mask exempt patients. The difficulty is, it only leaves you with one hand
I use a walking stick so not sure that would work! Would that provide suitable protection though?
OP posts:
SteeperThanHell · 22/12/2020 21:58

Face shields are pointless without a mask.

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 21:59

@sergeilavrov

I'm sorry you find it so painful. I will say that the UK has the softest approach in terms of exemptions and even self-certification I've seen of any country - even the US. Unfortunately, while these attacks are extremely painful for you, the risk to others is deadly and widespread. In the UAE, where the virus has been contained and well managed, you would be asked to remain at home and receive support to access groceries and basic services.

There are still lots of volunteers who can help you get shopping, and your doctor can help you access a letter to help support you to get permission to work at home.

Not everyone can wfh, unfortunately.
OP posts:
justchecking1 · 22/12/2020 21:59

It provides as much protection as a shield (ie pretty much none), but if those are the rules they insist on them holding it in front of your face does as much as attaching it to your forehead