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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
StanfordPines · 22/12/2020 22:25

Come and work in a primary school.
No one wears masks.

combatbarbie · 22/12/2020 22:26

This reply has been deleted

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Jenasaurus · 22/12/2020 22:27

Maybe an alternative would be a set shopping time for those that are excempt from wearing masks to allow others who are vulnerable or not wanting to mix with non mask wearers to shop at a time when only mask wearers where in the store or alternatively set times for mask wearers only.

Hapixmas · 22/12/2020 22:28

Hi op, I'm sorry to hear about your condition (which id also not heard about but sounds tough) keep doing what you need to do. I don't think public transport or other shops will adopt this approach at all, so try not to worry about it for now. I think people are angry on here because there are too many people who pretend they are exempt when they aren't. It is unfair to take that anger out on genuine people who cant wear them.

Sittinbythetrees · 22/12/2020 22:29

Cripes, life, I’m so sorry to hear about that, I’ve never heard of it before. Are you able to hold something in front of your face, one of the visors adapted to be held on a stick or on some sort of neck brace?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:30

@Bathroom12345

Honestly-you have been trying for months to get a delivery slot? That really isn’t true. I got a few over the last weeks and plenty on MN have slots.

Or use the NHS volunteers for shopping,

We really have to tighten things up now.

The NHS volunteers are for those unable to shop for themselves. I can shop for myself. Exemptions exist (currently, at least) to allow me to do so.

And no, I've not been able to get a slot for a time I'm at home for ages. I'm glad others have managed to, but I haven't, and it doesn't mean everyone can.

OP posts:
Confuzzlediddled · 22/12/2020 22:30

OP Would something like this work?

uk.zshield.com/collections/face-shields

It rests on the shoulders rather than the head like the standard face shield. I sympathise as I also suffer from TNG, I am lucky that mine is mainly controlled by tegretol. Unfortunately this sort of situation has come about because of the 'won't wear' brigade hijacking the exemption clause, as well as the sunflower lanyard. If only those who are genuinely unable to wear a face covering were presenting as unable to wear then it would be so few and far between you wouldn't be overshadowed by them and shops wouldn't be resorting to these measures.

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:31

@Jenasaurus

Maybe an alternative would be a set shopping time for those that are excempt from wearing masks to allow others who are vulnerable or not wanting to mix with non mask wearers to shop at a time when only mask wearers where in the store or alternatively set times for mask wearers only.
Surely if nobody is wearing masks the risk to staff/shoppers would be even greater though?
OP posts:
Sittinbythetrees · 22/12/2020 22:33

Jena, not sure you’ve really bought that through. Instead of happy hour it would be plague hour!

PimlicoJo · 22/12/2020 22:33

I'm on the fence. I absolutely think that people who cannot wear masks should be exempt. But I'm seeing more and more people not wearing them because they don't want to. Or wearing them around their chins. I'm in a Tier 4 area where rates are escalating at an alarming rate and it's concerning.

I feel so sorry for people like you OP who are genuinely exempt. Selfish people are creating this difficult situation for you.

Al1langdownthecleghole · 22/12/2020 22:37

Costco isn’t an essential shop though. I would be worried if Tesco implemented such a policy, but the way rates are rocketing just now it’s a sensible precaution.

Chloemol · 22/12/2020 22:38

Their shop, their rules, I’d PF you don’t like it don’t shop there

hardknocklife123 · 22/12/2020 22:40

Sorry I don't understand this. Sadly you're not exempt from passing on coronavirus.

thenightsky · 22/12/2020 22:41

What they're doing is definitely against government advice/guidelines

I'd say its illegal. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of a disability. See a lawyer.

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:43

@hardknocklife123

Sorry I don't understand this. Sadly you're not exempt from passing on coronavirus.
Neither am I exempt from needing to get to work or attend medical appointments, for example. That's my concern - that other places will adopt this policy.
OP posts:
tinkerbellla · 22/12/2020 22:44

It's just an easier way to tackle the dicks that don't wear masks because they don't want to or think it's funny not to. Sadly that will impact genuine people like you. I think it's a good idea but there should be a way for genuine people to be able to shop where they like without being made to feel shit.

alexdgr8 · 22/12/2020 22:44

most people could find a friend or neighbour or volunteer to get their shopping if they really cannot wear a mask.
i am all for disability rights but in these special circumstances the greater good of the population has to be the priority.
any rights are not absolute. eg a person in a wheelchair simply cannot be a fire-fighter.
i think we need a more wholistic approach to the problem. most people are willing to help others as far as they can.

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:45

@Chloemol

Their shop, their rules, I’d PF you don’t like it don’t shop there
Afaik nowhere can make rules which discriminate against those with disabilities/heath conditions.
OP posts:
RedMarauder · 22/12/2020 22:45

@Confuzzlediddled

OP Would something like this work?

uk.zshield.com/collections/face-shields

It rests on the shoulders rather than the head like the standard face shield. I sympathise as I also suffer from TNG, I am lucky that mine is mainly controlled by tegretol. Unfortunately this sort of situation has come about because of the 'won't wear' brigade hijacking the exemption clause, as well as the sunflower lanyard. If only those who are genuinely unable to wear a face covering were presenting as unable to wear then it would be so few and far between you wouldn't be overshadowed by them and shops wouldn't be resorting to these measures.

This.

The fact they all use "asthma" as their excuse never ceases to amaze me.

Probably as I have another condition, and I've had an operation to improve it, that means I cannot always wear a mask. Luckily I'm WFH unlike someone else I know who is pre-op so is much much worse.

(I'm not putting my condition down as I suspect some bright spark will decide to use it for their exemption reason.)

hardknocklife123 · 22/12/2020 22:45

But Costco ISN'T your work and certainly isn't health card - it's shopping!

hardknocklife123 · 22/12/2020 22:46

Health care!!

Sobeyondthehills · 22/12/2020 22:47

@hardknocklife123

Sorry I don't understand this. Sadly you're not exempt from passing on coronavirus.
Its fairly simple, some people can't wear masks. I am unsure what you don't understand about it.

Not exactly the same but it would be like demanding a wheelchair user use the stairs because the lift is out of order for the next 10 months

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:48

@alexdgr8

most people could find a friend or neighbour or volunteer to get their shopping if they really cannot wear a mask. i am all for disability rights but in these special circumstances the greater good of the population has to be the priority. any rights are not absolute. eg a person in a wheelchair simply cannot be a fire-fighter. i think we need a more wholistic approach to the problem. most people are willing to help others as far as they can.
And lots of people don't have this kind of help. Fortunately up until now reasonable adjustment has been made for those who are exempt, allowing them to shop/use transport/work. Hopefully this will continue and Costco's policy will not be adopted elsewhere, and seen for the out and out discrimination it is.
OP posts:
alexdgr8 · 22/12/2020 22:48

have you challenged our employer on wfh, or are you self-employed. don't know what you do, but with these difficulties and using a walking stick, presumably it is not a primarily physical job, so could it be done from home.
for other appts could you use a mini-cab, not ideal, but at least limits the number of other people potentially exposed to non-mask wearing.

BogRollBOGOF · 22/12/2020 22:50

@hardknocklife123

But Costco ISN'T your work and certainly isn't health card - it's shopping!
Shock horror, people going to Costco to bulk buy food and household items in order to reduce trips to the regular supermarkets. Such frivolity.
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