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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:
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Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 24/12/2020 16:10

@Beautifulbonnie

Also. The zsheild

These are awesome. They protect better than wearing nothing. Plus you’d get less hassle

A win win for all

They don't protect better than wearing nothing. They are designed for workplace use. They are not portable.

I'm beginning to feel like a parrot 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 24/12/2020 16:11

Also, what have we come to when people must wear a thoroughly useless item in order to avoid threats and abuse?

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 24/12/2020 16:14

[quote sergeilavrov]@LifelsAPigsty But you’re surely aware that you are not the only one not wearing a mask at all times? Hence your viral load will also be greater. Selective listening it seems isn’t just amongst those who don’t recognise your concerns beyond Costco...[/quote]
Selective listening?!

Viral load increase or not, it doesn't alter the fact that like many, I cannot wear a face covering. No amount of facts about viral load, or how awful ventilators are, or how Covid will be much worse for me, can change that. Not that I am the priority here anyway.

OP posts:
amateursleuth · 24/12/2020 16:15

I've also said repeatedly that I don't think this is going to set a precedent, for some of the reasons you've given yourself, OP. But you don't want to hear or engage with that.

fallfallfall · 24/12/2020 16:16

But a shield is not useless, it directs your breath towards the ground, it reduces the air flow directed at a face level height. It is helpful.

MadameBlobby · 24/12/2020 16:17

@LifelsAPigsty

Also, what have we come to when people must wear a thoroughly useless item in order to avoid threats and abuse?
It’s disgraceful. Some of the ableist pieces of shit on this thread should be ashamed.
Bambooshoot · 24/12/2020 16:31

I think you are asking the wrong question here. This shouldn’t be tit for tat - just because you feel unable to wear a mask, and you’ve been dealt a shitty hand in life, your health condition still does not trump the hundreds of people you could infect, give a life long condition to or kill - their lives are just as important as yours and you can’t be allowed to go out and infect them without restraint. So, the government should have foreseen this and put in place measures to help people like you so you can stay home and not risk infecting everyone else - sure, it sucks that you have to be isolated, but this is a situation where we have to put the long term public good against the individual short term happiness. Don’t be asking how you can cope if other shops do the same, ask your local council what aid they have in place for all those people they have happily let have sunflower lanyards, since they can’t shop any more.

Incidentally I am in a country where masks are compulsory at all times (try it in 32 degrees if you want something to complain about!) and even my young child of four who has sensory issues has managed to wear one, after many, many meltdowns, since it is the law. There is a very low rate of infection here. I am from the UK originally and cannot believe how many people over there are not wearing masks but also not taking any measures to protect their fellow citizens, it seems very uncaring?

Oldbutstillgotit · 24/12/2020 16:31

You have been given lots of advice OP but everything has been knocked back .
What do you suggest ?
My hairdresser is refusing to deal with any customer not wearing a mask . I was in the other day and a lady was told that she either put a mask over her mouth and nose or she couldn’t stay . After a few complaints she complied .

MadameBlobby · 24/12/2020 16:38

You have been given lots of advice OP but everything has been knocked back .
What do you suggest ?

She doesn’t need to suggest anything. She is legally exempt from wearing a face covering.

Sockwomble · 24/12/2020 16:41

"it seems very uncaring?"

How very ironic that you are saying that.

Bambooshoot · 24/12/2020 16:46

@Sockwomble

"it seems very uncaring?"

How very ironic that you are saying that.

Ironic how? Should I care more about one person who could take preventive measures (even if they are as unpleasant as staying at home for some months) but chooses not to, than the potentially hundreds of people they infect, with who knows what impact?
Bambooshoot · 24/12/2020 16:47

My point is that the OP is blaming the supermarket when they should be blaming the government.

Sockwomble · 24/12/2020 16:48

You could also choose to stay home for some months. Why aren't you?

Bambooshoot · 24/12/2020 16:54

@Sockwomble

You could also choose to stay home for some months. Why aren't you?
I did stay home for many months while living in Europe at the beginning of the year. We have since moved, done quarantine, and are staying home in our new country, we also wear masks 100% of the time outside. Not sure this helps the OP or the infection rates of the UK though.
whatnow41 · 24/12/2020 16:57

I've been following this thread and time and again there is a clear lack of awareness about the rights of disabled people. When any rule is put in place that restricts access for disabled people, it's wrong. And against the law. As simple as that.

I've been using click and collect for a few years now, as it's cheaper than home delivery and I'd lost my job at the time. The advert online said they'd put the shopping in the boot for me when I arrived, but turns out everyone is expected to pack I bagged items from crates in to their own boot. I'm disabled, a wheelchair user, and this small but repetitive motion is impossible for me. It's on the retailer to make reasonable adjustments to its policies to enable disabled people to access its services.
It took 3 complaints and formal complaint under The Equalities Act for them to agree to a member of staff loading the shopping in to the boot for me. Then when the pandemic hit, I was told they were bit allowed to touch my shopping (that I hadn't touched) and I'd have to load it myself. Again I had to complain. No home delivery slots, I work full time and was not shielding, click and collect was literally the only way I could access and food shopping. And then for. 3rd time now, I've been told they can't load my shopping during the festive period now, just because their too busy.

Simply no awareness of their legal responsibilities to enable access for disabled people. If we give away our rights now, during a pandemic, when will we get them back?

And before anyone asks, I'm not mask exempt, always wear it, but fully support the legal rights of those who genuinely can't wear one.

I think the government needs to put in place a proper exemption and proof process, rather than the wishy washy 'anyone can say they are exempt' guidance that's out there now. This is where the problem lies.

Sockwomble · 24/12/2020 16:59

If you really cared about other people you wouldn't go outside at all. Clearly you don't care that much.

Not going outside for my son would be incredibly distressing but I suppose people like him don't matter much in some countries.

Bambooshoot · 24/12/2020 17:05

I don’t know how to just mention someone but whatnow41 said exactly what I was trying to get at - there are no provisions in place for people that need help and there should be!

Xerochrysum · 24/12/2020 17:16

Heart of this dispute is the fact that it can cost someone's health or even life as a potential consequences. that is why this is so difficult matter for anyone involved. It's not simple to justify either side. We just need to think about others circumstances, as well as your own, it's hard for everyone, for different degrees.

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 24/12/2020 18:30

@Oldbutstillgotit

You have been given lots of advice OP but everything has been knocked back . What do you suggest ? My hairdresser is refusing to deal with any customer not wearing a mask . I was in the other day and a lady was told that she either put a mask over her mouth and nose or she couldn’t stay . After a few complaints she complied .
I haven't asked for advice, though.

This thread wasn't about 'I can't wear a mask, please help'. It was about a retailer setting a precedent. I don't need help.

Anyway, I'm off to do festive stuff.

Have a lovely Christmas, all 💙

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 24/12/2020 18:32

you’ve been dealt a shitty hand in life

...apart from to lol at this. Life hasn't dealt me a shitty hand - I'm very fortunate to have a very happy life. Even in the face of patronising comments like this 😂

Anyway, as you were. Merry Christmas 🎄💙

OP posts:
Tyranttoddler · 24/12/2020 18:35

Happy Christmas op. My mum had a TG attack today. Bloody brutal. Made me think of this thread. Hopefully you've at least made some people stop and think before they make disablist comments.

MichelleScarn · 24/12/2020 22:29

l think the government needs to put in place a proper exemption and proof process, rather than the wishy washy 'anyone can say they are exempt' guidance that's out there now. This is where the problem lies. its very sad, and l do think unfair but I think this is the best option

Didkdt · 25/12/2020 02:23

I like OPs approach I can infect others and they can’t stop me because I’m disabled and they are just potentially very vulnerable. Any attempt to level the playing field by those at risk makes them bad people

MountainDweller · 25/12/2020 03:03

There are no exemptions where I live. Plenty of people with masks under their nose or on their chin though.

Quite right too, supermarkets are probably the most risky places after schools. I don't want to increase my risk for catching COVID because others don't have to wear a mask.

There are delivery slots and click n collect slots available (at least you'd be outside without a mask for that). And there are neighbourhood groups that put in touch people needing help with people offering help.

MountainDweller · 25/12/2020 03:06

Oh and I'm disabled too, I park in the disabled spot for click n collect. The staff make an exception and put it in the boot for me.