How should masks be enforced in public?

[User158340]

Indoors in general (shops, public transport etc).

I don't believe in making it mandatory because there are people who are genuinely exempt but there's so many piss takers.

There should be 'medically exempt' badges dished out by GP's only, on prescription essentially.

This should have been GP led from the get go, not trusting the British public. We see where that gets us.

[quote PlanDeRaccordement]@Ilovemypantry
Well you witnessed a poorly trained member of staff then because it is illegal to ask for medical proof of exemption. It’s not the way it should have been handled. I hope the lady refused entry submits a complaint.[/quote]
I really don’t get why anyone who is exempt would put themselves through so much hassle, being challenged by shop staff, being challenged by members of the public, having to submit a complaint if they’re challenged and refused entry. Why not just wear the fucking lanyard?

I wouldn’t challenge someone wearing a lanyard...that’s the whole point of this argument. Wear a mask or a lanyard, job done.

The point is that the wear a lanyard is your own made up rule though. It’s got no basis for it in government law or directive.

So I take it even if a person had one of those exempt cards, you’d still harass them because it is not a lanyard?

@XenoBitch

Why do people keep saying lanyard? Why not a discreet card or picture on your phone? Or a badge? And when people say lanyard, are they referring to the sunflower ones because that particular lanyard is nothing to do with masks... is about the wearer might needing a little help/more time in a shop. They have been out for years. You can even buy masks from the same store that have sunflowers on.

Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me. A badge would work just as well as a lanyard.

I really don’t get why anyone who is exempt would put themselves through so much hassle, being challenged by shop staff, being challenged by members of the public, having to submit a complaint if they’re challenged and refused entry. Why not just wear the fucking lanyard?

Because the fucking lanyard is not a requirement and does not prove exemption. And it is illegal to ask for proof of exemption. Your justification is absolutely ridiculous. It’s like telling women why would you put yourself through being harassed by men, just wear a long skirt. You’re excusing your harassment by saying it’s justified because the person chose not to wear a lanyard. It’s their choice to wear one and their not wearing one doesn’t excuse you harrassing them.

@PlanDeRaccordement

I wouldn’t challenge someone wearing a lanyard...that’s the whole point of this argument. Wear a mask or a lanyard, job done.

The point is that the wear a lanyard is your own made up rule though. It’s got no basis for it in government law or directive.

So I take it even if a person had one of those exempt cards, you’d still harass them because it is not a lanyard?

Yup, if it’s not something visible that tells me you have a reason for not wearing a mask, I would challenge you. Sadly, there are so many people that don’t wear a mask because they just don’t want to and if there is no visible indication, how are others meant to know the difference?

Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me. A badge would work just as well as a lanyard.

If the staff see a card or whatever on entry to the shop, then what business do other shoppers have asking or demanding proof?
Why are you challenging other shoppers and not just getting on with your own shopping. Are you trying to provoke a reaction from people? Does it make you feel big?

@Ilovemypantry
Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me. A badge would work just as well as a lanyard.

People like you should not be challenging other members of the public. The U.K. gov issued an exempt card that mask exempt could use in hard copy or digitally. That’s what the government provided. It should be respected as much as an lanyard anyone can buy off eBay. You are part of the fucking problem here. You aren’t doing anyone any favours. And I’m sick of you justifying your bullying.

@Ilovemypantry where did I 'admit' I don't wear a lanyard? I've said many times on this thread that I do. But even if I didn't, it wouldn't make a scrap of difference as I (nor any other exempt person) is compelled to do so.

And again, there are no 'new direction'. So supermarket staff cannot be up to date on them. Because they doesn't exist.

@PlanDeRaccordement

I really don’t get why anyone who is exempt would put themselves through so much hassle, being challenged by shop staff, being challenged by members of the public, having to submit a complaint if they’re challenged and refused entry. Why not just wear the fucking lanyard?

Because the fucking lanyard is not a requirement and does not prove exemption. And it is illegal to ask for proof of exemption. Your justification is absolutely ridiculous. It’s like telling women why would you put yourself through being harassed by men, just wear a long skirt. You’re excusing your harassment by saying it’s justified because the person chose not to wear a lanyard. It’s their choice to wear one and their not wearing one doesn’t excuse you harrassing them.

It’s you that is being ridiculous.

What is your resistance to wearing a lanyard exactly? Is that not better than being challenged by supermarket staff and members of the public every time you go shopping? Or do you enjoy the attention?

"Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me. A badge would work just as well as a lanyard."

Or how about an armband or an obvious tattoo. I think you would prefer that even more.

Why not follow the guidelines and stop putting all your own contacts at risk of catching something from your unnecessary social interaction.

Yes, let's make the disabled people where a badge everywhere they go again. Worked really well in 1930s Germany.

@XenoBitch
Exactly. Mask exempt are being vetted on entry into shops by staff or security. Once they are inside, they should not have to worry about random @Ilovemypantry types harrassing them.

@CarolEffingBaskin

Yes, let's make the disabled people where a badge everywhere they go again. Worked really well in 1930s Germany.

I am tempted to make a big yellow star badge with "mask exempt" written in the middle.

What is your resistance to wearing a lanyard exactly? Is that not better than being challenged by supermarket staff and members of the public every time you go shopping? Or do you enjoy the attention?

First off, as you have been told but refuse to believe wearing a lanyard doesn’t stop the challenges or harassment. Many posters have said wearing the lanyard made NO difference whatsoever fucking ever.

Second, my resistance to agreeing with you and saying “yeah you are right we absolutely must go vigilante and force these mask exempters to wear a big visible sign at all times or I’m going to bully and harass them” is because it’s ableist and contrary to the actual law on the matter.

I am tempted to make a big yellow star badge with "mask exempt" written in the middle.

Don't forget to add "So fuck off"

Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me

Oh my gosh, the entitlement.

You have absolutely no right to ask people why they're not wearing a mask. You are not doing so in an official capacity. You do not know whether someone has shown the door staff an exemption card. You are harassing people. The law clearly states that you cannot do what you're doing. If you were persisting in doing so at a shop I managed, I would bar you. You are a public nuisance.

[quote PlanDeRaccordement]@Ilovemypantry
Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me. A badge would work just as well as a lanyard.

People like you should not be challenging other members of the public. The U.K. gov issued an exempt card that mask exempt could use in hard copy or digitally. That’s what the government provided. It should be respected as much as an lanyard anyone can buy off eBay. You are part of the fucking problem here. You aren’t doing anyone any favours. And I’m sick of you justifying your bullying.[/quote]
People like me should definitely be challenging anyone not wearing a mask or lanyard. You could be infectious and infect me, I could then infect someone else and so on and so on....that is how a pandemic works. A hard copy or digital doesn’t show me that you are exempt, you could just as easily be someone not wearing a mask because you just don’t want to. I want to protect my family and others from being infected and potentially dying from the virus, so no, I will not stop challenging people.

@Ilovemypantry

A better way to protect your family would be not getting so close to someone who isn't wearing a mask, don't you think? Especially as they've already been permitted entry by door staff, so you know they're exempt already.

Stay away from exempt people. We don't want you breathing your potentially infected breath all over us.

"I want to protect my family and others from being infected and potentially dying from the virus, so no, I will not stop challenging people."

You are not protecting them. You are having unnecessary social interaction so are making it more likely you will infect your family.

Exc

@MerciSeat

Because a discreet card or picture on your phone won’t show other shoppers that you are exempt and you will still get challenged by people like me

Oh my gosh, the entitlement.

You have absolutely no right to ask people why they're not wearing a mask. You are not doing so in an official capacity. You do not know whether someone has shown the door staff an exemption card. You are harassing people. The law clearly states that you cannot do what you're doing. If you were persisting in doing so at a shop I managed, I would bar you. You are a public nuisance.

I have every right to stop someone potentially spreading the virus, we all have a right to do that. We are in the middle of a pandemic in case you hadn’t noticed. What other people do can impact on others. If you don’t wear a mask or a lanyard you may well see it as a public nuisance, but you should expect it. This deadly virus is a bit of a public nuisance as well.

@Ilovemypantry

Contrary to other posters, I don't want you to stop harassing people. Please continue. Because soon enough you're going to harass the wrong person, and end up arrested under the Equality Act. Let us know how that goes won't you? Can't wait!

@Ilovemypantry
People like me should definitely be challenging anyone not wearing a mask or lanyard. You could be infectious and infect me, I could then infect someone else and so on and so on....that is how a pandemic works. A hard copy or digital doesn’t show me that you are exempt, you could just as easily be someone not wearing a mask because you just don’t want to. I want to protect my family and others from being infected and potentially dying from the virus, so no, I will not stop challenging people.

The best way to protect you and your family is to stay 2m away from everyone else. At 2m a mask exempt person is no more likely to infect you than someone wearing a mask. This is how this pandemic works.
And no, random members of the public should not be challenging maskless people. You have no right or authority to do so. In addition, by saying that you disregard the U.K. Government issued hard copy/digital exempt card, and harass people with it you are acting illegally. If I witnessed you harrassing a mask exempt person, I’d report you to the police.

[quote MerciSeat]@Ilovemypantry

A better way to protect your family would be not getting so close to someone who isn't wearing a mask, don't you think? Especially as they've already been permitted entry by door staff, so you know they're exempt already.

Stay away from exempt people. We don't want you breathing your potentially infected breath all over us.[/quote]
I won’t be breathing my potentially infected breath all over you. I will be wearing a mask and standing at least 2 metres away.

People like me should definitely be challenging anyone not wearing a mask or lanyard. You could be infectious and infect me, I could then infect someone else and so on and so on....that is how a pandemic works. A hard copy or digital doesn’t show me that you are exempt, you could just as easily be someone not wearing a mask because you just don’t want to. I want to protect my family and others from being infected and potentially dying from the virus, so no, I will not stop challenging people.

If you want to protect your family, then engaging in what could end up being an aggressive situation in a supermarket is the opposite of what you want. And are you going to be keeping a 2m distance whilst confronting people? Shouting at them? We are not meant to be stopping to chat in supermarkets, let alone trying to provoke something that can end up involved security or even the police.
FFS, get your shopping delivered if someone without a magical lanyard shield angers you so much.

If you don't trust the staff on the door to check you need to rethink your shopping habits otherwise you may find yourself in trouble for harassment.