Good on Morrisons and Sainsbury’s

[Dongdingdong]

I’m very pleased to hear that both these supermarkets will be banning anyone not wearing a face mask (unless they have a medical exemption) from entering their stores. If only we had the resources to do the same on London buses. I cannot stand the non mask wearing idiots who think it’s perfectly acceptable to spread their germs and potentially the virus to others, including elderly and vulnerable people.

Well done Morrisons and Sainsbury’s!

If you are medically exempt then you should stay at home.

If you're worried then you could always stay at home.

They are making a clear statement and I'm thankful for their stand.

I understand that this has no legal standing, but it needs to be socially unacceptable for people to be massless in a public space unless they have a medical reason not too.

Had your lanyard on though! I'm sure they know what that means!

@MaxNormal

If you are medically exempt then you should stay at home.

If you're worried then you could always stay at home.

Nope. At the moment the world is being run for people who can wear masks. With good reason.

@MaxNormal

I use Waitrose now, despite being resentful about how much it costs. They have a couple of burly security guards on the door being very strict about masks

I used Waitrose without a mask the other day (had my lanyard on though) and the wee friendly security guard didn't even comment on that as we had a brief friendly chat.

I've found the staff at Waitrose to be lovely when I go in (lanyard on). Tbf the staff at all shops have been - at my local Sainsbury's for example they seem to go out of their way to make me feel comfortable, including with tannoy messages regularly reminding people about exemptions and to show understanding.

I assume that person wasn't exempt, then

I wouldn't have thought so, no. The majority aren't exempt.

@MrsMiaWallis But according to you they should be at home, lanyard or not.

Obviously the tannoy messages aren't for me personally but you get my drift!

The Waitrose I went to had a pack of masks on the door. No mask? Forgotten? 'Here you go'. I would imagine anyone exempt would say at that point.

Has anyone figured out how to successfully west a mask with glasses yet?? I often have to pull mine down so I can see. Me being able to see is more important than wearing a mask unfortunately. As soon as I’m in an empty aisle/area I’ll pull it down and pull it up if I’m within 5 metres of anyone. It’s tedious.

At the moment the world is being run for people who can wear masks

No it's not. There are exemptions in place for those who can't. Please respect them.

Too much us based upon personal responsibility in a country which actively encourages people to be selfish im alright jacks.
My daughter is genuinely excempt. I had to send of for her exemption card and there are no checks so anyone could get one.

@MerciSeat I'm glad to hear that you're also being treated kindly. There is such a lot of harshness, judgement and ablism going on at present, it's really upsetting, so a bit of kindness and understanding goes a long way.

[quote MaxNormal]@MerciSeat I'm glad to hear that you're also being treated kindly. There is such a lot of harshness, judgement and ablism going on at present, it's really upsetting, so a bit of kindness and understanding goes a long way.[/quote]
I've had threats, been spat at, abused and shouted at (by men, usually, and they don't seem too concerned about SD/infection when they're pulling their masks down/pushing their faces into mine to do so), so when shop/transport/medical staff show understanding it's extra appreciated. There is some kindness and empathy out there, thankfully.

I'm glad you've had positive experiences too!

@Frazzledmum55

Has anyone figured out how to successfully west a mask with glasses yet?? I often have to pull mine down so I can see. Me being able to see is more important than wearing a mask unfortunately. As soon as I’m in an empty aisle/area I’ll pull it down and pull it up if I’m within 5 metres of anyone. It’s tedious.

DD bought an anti fog wipe online - I'll ask her for a link when she finally gets out of bed!

No it's not. There are exemptions in place for those who can't. Please respect them

Wear a lanyard, it's not hard.

I've had threats, been spat at, abused and shouted at

My god that is absolutely shocking! You're right, it's got nothing to do with fear of the virus and everything to do with being aggressive wankers wanting to abuse somebody.

Funnily enough that has never happened to me because I'm always out with large, shaven-headed DH.

@Frazzledmum55

Has anyone figured out how to successfully west a mask with glasses yet?? I often have to pull mine down so I can see. Me being able to see is more important than wearing a mask unfortunately. As soon as I’m in an empty aisle/area I’ll pull it down and pull it up if I’m within 5 metres of anyone. It’s tedious.

Washing your glasses each morning with soap and water and pulling the mask really really high, so almost touching your bottom row of lashes, works for me. You can get things called mask brackets which are supposed to help too, and make breathing with a mask easier, but I haven't tried one myself.

@MrsMiaWallis

No it's not. There are exemptions in place for those who can't. Please respect them

Wear a lanyard, it's not hard.

I do. And it is hard, because even with a lanyard, I'm still threatened and abused and spat at and told that I should 'stay at home'.

And you still haven't told me what I should do about work, medical appointments etc if I'm to stay at home at your behest.

@MrsMiaWallis

No it's not. There are exemptions in place for those who can't. Please respect them

Wear a lanyard, it's not hard.

When this has come up (on the other bajillion threads over the months) many posters have said they do not want to wear a badge or a lanyard as they don't want others to know they have a hidden disability.

I understand that totally but it has to be weighed up against being asked why they aren't wearing a mask constantly. If I see a lanyard wearer I don't start trying to work out why they are wearing it TBH.

There's bugger all staff can really do about it anyway.

Not everyone is able to get or has anything to prove they are exempt.

I work in retail non essential at mo though so closed and all we could do was polite ask. If they said they were exempt that was it.

We have no right to private medical information and the consequences of a complaint of a genuinely exempt person being discriminated against and refused entry are pretty dire for the staff. On disability grounds most likely.

What is it you actually think staff can do?

I do. And it is hard, because even with a lanyard, I'm still threatened and abused and spat at and told that I should 'stay at home'

Not a lot I can do about it. I've never seen that behaviour myself. Sounds awful. Why can't you wear a mask?

@MaxNormal

I've had threats, been spat at, abused and shouted at

My god that is absolutely shocking! You're right, it's got nothing to do with fear of the virus and everything to do with being aggressive wankers wanting to abuse somebody.

Funnily enough that has never happened to me because I'm always out with large, shaven-headed DH.

I was in a supermarket back in the summer and this bloke started shouting across an aisle at me. DH (who is actually far from large and shaven headed!) appeared around the corner and Billy Big Bollocks slunk away sharpish. They're cowards and bullies getting off in having someone to have a pop at but like most bullies they shut up pretty quickly when they realise I'm not alone.

@Dongdingdong

There’s nothing stopping customers who aren’t exempt and refuse to wear a mask from entering - all they need to do is lie and claim they’re exempt.

Surely they’ll have to show some sort of medical exemption note from a healthcare professional?

They absolutely don't!

A gp can't give any proof. I am exempt. I asked her for proof.
I have to hope shops take my word.