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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 · 22/12/2020 22:50

@hardknocklife123

But Costco ISN'T your work and certainly isn't health card - it's shopping!
As I said, my concern is that other places will adopt this policy. And that's it's the thin end of the discrimination wedge.
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FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 22/12/2020 22:50

Surprisingly (to myself) l morally agree with them. There is nothing in Costco you can't buy it onlineand that's if you want able to protect their staff and customers by wearing a mask you shouldn't go in to a shop. I am disabled and though usually would back any disability rights on balance of what is more important: preventing the spread of covid that potentially kill disabled People (on a higher rate than non-disabled people) compared to the right for disabled people to go shopping for stuff that you can buy online, I vote for shopping online.

I agree it's properly shite but on balance spreading covid is worse.

Confuzzlediddled · 22/12/2020 22:51

Looks around wondering if I've forgotten to take off the invisibility cloak again...

OP this is possibly the solution to your problems, nothing would touch any part of your head or face...

uk.zshield.com/collections/face-shields.

alexdgr8 · 22/12/2020 22:54

but have you tried to ask for help fetching shopping.
in local areas there are groups of volunteers who would be glad to help you.

these are unusual times.
the countries that have manged to get on top of it have not allowed exemptions to public health measures and have been highly organised, co-operating to ensure food etc is delivered, and the population has largely complied for the good of all.
some of these answers sound like, yes but... to every idea.

MichelleScarn · 22/12/2020 22:55

*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?*

I imagine the staff would be wearing masks and shielded and it would just be exempt shoppers though not wearing masks?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:55

[quote Confuzzlediddled]Looks around wondering if I've forgotten to take off the invisibility cloak again...

OP this is possibly the solution to your problems, nothing would touch any part of your head or face...

uk.zshield.com/collections/face-shields.[/quote]
That does look interesting.

Is it collapsible and portable? Obviously I'd need to take it off between shops if it's raining or whatever. How protective is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:57

@alexdgr8

but have you tried to ask for help fetching shopping. in local areas there are groups of volunteers who would be glad to help you. these are unusual times. the countries that have manged to get on top of it have not allowed exemptions to public health measures and have been highly organised, co-operating to ensure food etc is delivered, and the population has largely complied for the good of all. some of these answers sound like, yes but... to every idea.
The help near me is for those who are vulnerable or who have received a positive test result.

Strangely enough, when I tell people I'm exempt a lot of the responses seem to have a bit of the 'yes, but' about them, too.

OP posts:
Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 22:59

@alexdgr8 incident almost all countries allow for exemptions. The ones which don't shouldn't be celebrated for being discriminatory.

OP posts:
CuppaZa · 22/12/2020 22:59

Good on Costco!!!!

Confuzzlediddled · 22/12/2020 23:01

@LifelsAPigsty I don't know if it's collapsible, though in general a face shield is easy enough to carry, my ds uses one to and from college as his autism means he cant tolerate a mask, its not heavy and he pops it in a carrier bag. Obviously with your RA an extra bag may be an issue but perhaps a small backpack would work? It might be worth contacting them to ask?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 23:03

[quote Confuzzlediddled]@LifelsAPigsty I don't know if it's collapsible, though in general a face shield is easy enough to carry, my ds uses one to and from college as his autism means he cant tolerate a mask, its not heavy and he pops it in a carrier bag. Obviously with your RA an extra bag may be an issue but perhaps a small backpack would work? It might be worth contacting them to ask?[/quote]
It's definitely worth an email! I've enquired about similar things in the past and they weren't collapsible, and the company said they needed to be worn with a mask Confused

OP posts:
hardknocklife123 · 22/12/2020 23:03

@Sobeyondthehills don't be ridiculous- this is entirely different. It's not about excluding people for the sake of it. People who don't wear masks are more likely to pass coronavirus to other people. That's all there is to it!

Jenasaurus · 22/12/2020 23:03

@Sittinbythetrees

Jena, not sure you’ve really bought that through. Instead of happy hour it would be plague hour!
Yes I suppose so ...my excuse is its late and ive taken a sleeping pill so not thinking clearly.
Tistheseason17 · 22/12/2020 23:04

Shop where you want to and follow their policy. If it's no mask/no entry then choose another shop.

Employers must direct someone who says they are exempt to occupational health.

That's it. I'm exempt - but I still wear one as I want to protect my team from me.
I think the rights to work safely of all employees trumps the right to not wear a mask by a minority. Employees will flex - staff member works in non cystomervfacing role away from other colleagues. It happens right now. People are being supported to remain at work where exempt whilst supporting their colleagues.

SansaSnark · 22/12/2020 23:05

I work in a secondary school, and we had a masks in corridors policy from September. Around 5-10% of kids didn't wear one, citing various reasons.

When masks became official government guidance, parents had to justify their reasoning to the school. Only 5 kids in the whole school were agreed to be exempt from wearing a mask or a face shield. A few others have since been exempted, as they were finding it too much to cope with on a daily basis.

I think this is why some places might put in blanket policies- because a lot of adults who could probably tolerate a mask or a face shield won't wear one and they are placing everyone at increased risk.

It is difficult for a shop to challenge everyone on entry.

That said, obviously some people really, genuinely can't cope with anything on their face, and should not be discriminated against.

Motorina · 22/12/2020 23:05

OP, if it would be useful, I have links for visors that mount on a hat and that mount on a glasses frame, so the only contact is ears and bridge of nose.

Not knowing how your TN presents I don't know if they would be helpful but, if either would work, then let me know and I'll bounce you details.

alexdgr8 · 22/12/2020 23:06

well i'm not usually a follower of utilitarianism, but this whole discussion is leading me in that direction.

Jenasaurus · 22/12/2020 23:07

[quote Confuzzlediddled]Looks around wondering if I've forgotten to take off the invisibility cloak again...

OP this is possibly the solution to your problems, nothing would touch any part of your head or face...

uk.zshield.com/collections/face-shields.[/quote]
That looks a good solution

Housecar · 22/12/2020 23:08

But it says ‘or face shields’ so surely that’s suitable alternative for those that have difficulty breathing via mask isn’t it?

Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 23:09

@Motorina

OP, if it would be useful, I have links for visors that mount on a hat and that mount on a glasses frame, so the only contact is ears and bridge of nose.

Not knowing how your TN presents I don't know if they would be helpful but, if either would work, then let me know and I'll bounce you details.

Thank you so much for this. I can't wear hats or most glasses unfortunately but hopefully this info might help someone else who can Smile
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Original poster
LifelsAPigsty · 22/12/2020 23:10

@Housecar

But it says ‘or face shields’ so surely that’s suitable alternative for those that have difficulty breathing via mask isn’t it?
Not all (by any means) exemptions are related to breathing issues. Mine isn't, for example.
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Tyranttoddler · 22/12/2020 23:10

OP I just wanted to say you poor thing. My DM has tn which is generally well managed and fortunately as you said up thread, for her a mask is beneficial because she finds the cold wind a trigger. So sorry you're worried about this issue but hopefully Costco stand alone on this.

TransplantedScouser · 22/12/2020 23:11

A face shield is pointless as it does no good.

I’d actually understand if they said face mask or no entry

Face shield is virtue signalling to the extreme

RubyViolet · 22/12/2020 23:12

Why don’t non mask wearers ask Costco and other companies for an hour a week that they can attend .
It would have to be with staffing taken into consideration and ventilation permitting but it would be helpful for people who can show they have these chronic conditions that mean that they can’t wear a mask surely.

EileenGC · 22/12/2020 23:12

I live in Germany and that's how it is here. For every shop. Supermarkets, H&M, Ikea, anything you can think of (not right now as they're all closed anyway).

It's either a mask, or a shield for those who are exempt from mask wearing. But you must carry a medical certificate with you stating you're exempt, and the shield must be one of the authorised models.

I personally haven't seen a single person without a mask in a shop, since they were made compulsory in April. Public transport yes, as it's not so well policed. But they won't let you in the supermarket unless you're wearing your face mask correctly. Staff have the right to challenge you on this, and no one gets offended when they're asked about it.

I've been wondering what people for whom even a shield is impossible to wear have been doing. Probably they only shop online or send family members/friends to buy their stuff instead?