Discussions

How do you know they were not actually exempt?  
 
Edited by MPH, 2020-09-04 17:53:36

You don't ever know for sure, but I would assume those with legitimate exemptions would have some sort of proof. I've asked for a doctor's note for my daughter.  
 
But legitimate reasons can i:nclude psychological reasons, so you can't tell by looking at them and therefore should accept people at their word. But it seems highly unlikely that both people in a couple would be exempt.

You are required to show a letter of exemption from a medical professional. This is not violating someone’s rights as it does not have to say why, just that this individual is exempt.  
 
Thing is most employees don’t want to deal with this and arguing with someone, and i don’t blame them honestly. If Manitoba government wants masks mandatory they should supply security guards to enforce this and check medical exemption notes. It’s not fair to the workers to add that to all the extra stuff they’re already dealing with.

There is no card or letter available or required for mask exemptions. Dr. Roussin was asked about that on Tuesday and said they do not yet see a need for that. He keeps reminding everyone to be kind to each other. I think that includes assuming that most people will be honest about this.

This was on CBC and I feel other outlets right after orange level and mask requirements. So it's on the Honor system. Like always trust others are Making the best decisions for them and others.  
 
Exemptions  
The province's order on mask use in Prairie Mountain Health does include a number of exemptions. A child who is under five years of age, people who can't put on or take off a mask without help from another and those who have a medical condition — including breathing or cognitive difficulties — or a disability that prevents them from safely wearing a mask are exempt.  
 
The province is relying on the honour system when it comes to those exemptions.  
 
"Now is the time for compassion and understanding towards each other, especially individuals who meet the mask exemption criteria," an emailed statement read. "Requiring a doctor's note during a pandemic puts an unnecessary strain on our health-care system at a time when all the resources need to be available.

people understand that there will be people who will lie and say they are exempt for God only knows what reasons, but please don't assume everyone is lying. I carry a paper on me that show I've lung issues/breathing issues but only show it to supervisors of stores before I shop so they are aware of when I come in again and why Im not wearing a mask. I've been trying my best to wear one but am heavily inhaling through my mouth and my lungs will get heavy. I do appreciate those who do wear masks, and have seen where people on media have sites have posted things like 'if she can wear one then everyone should'...what kind of shaming/pressure crap is that? Not everyone can wear one and shouldn't be bullied or shamed on a post if they can't wear one. Sadly as I said there will be people who take advantage of the exemption and lie (not saying the couple was lying or not I don't know their situation), If there are large social gatherings or something then I get it be polite and say something to them, but lets not get stupid over this and act all holier than thou and turn into a bunch of snitches. People's safety is one thing and should be taken seriously but not to the point where people borderline becoming heartless and self righteous and acting like self deputized cops. If you see someone without a mask then make sure you do your part and keep distant. Rationalb you said "They should be identified publicly, so people know that they just don't give a damn about others." so you think shaming in public is a good thing? So if you saw me without a mask you would make a big scene showing how Im not wearing a mask just to make yourself feel better because you do wear a mask? I am glad that those who are healthy and those who can try to wear a mask are, but please stop judgeing those who don't wear one because they can't. Those who lie will get what's coming to them eventually. Sorry for being so blunt but this world is getting nuts in some ways and I hope kids at school if they can't wear a mask but have to attend that they dont get bullied.  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-09-04 20:05:23

you have a pm.

The last 3 times I have been to Dollorama there have been customers without masks. I finally mentioned it to staff- who told me they can’t say anything. I’m not sure I agree with that- regardless I won’t be shopping there as they are not enforcing the public order.

can't they say anything? There isn't anything wrong with asking someone if they have a mask or if they can wear one or not. Store staff/managers have that right as they are trying to protect themselves and their staff and customers. It's the people who lie that are making it bad for us who can't wear one. If a staff memeber of a store asks me I'll gladly answer n show my paper if I haven't already cleared it with manaagement as soon as I enter. Those with legit reasons won't be cocky and arrogant or get in a hissy fit when asked by management or staff. For the amount of people I've seen wearing masks while out today in the shoppers sobeys area there were hardly any without a mask inside stores or the mall only a few. People would wear them in stores and just remove them when they got outside or just keep walking wearing it.  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-09-04 22:50:18

Are likely right about the vaccine. I can see vaccination being a requirement for many things that we'll want to do, especially travel. No vaccine, no plane ticket! Regarding masks, I think we'll be mandated to continue to wear them in Manitoba long after this current Covid spike is over. I may be wrong and hope I am, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if we have to continue to mask till a vaccine is made available.

If my friend who is on oxygen 24/7 with both emphysema and COPD can manage to wear a mask in the grocery store for 30 minutes a week to "protect others", I question the legitimacy of most people's claims of exemption.

The mask rule has listed exemptions. It’s sad that people with legitimate health reasons are being pressured to put their own health at risk just to satisfy the mob.

Your confusing opinion with knowledge, again.

everything about your post is whats wrong with society. mind your own, keep your distance and sanitize. it is not your business what the reason someone is without a mask is, nor should it be, and just a gentle reminder.. many who do wear a mask DO NOT wash their hands or sanitize at the same stores they are wearing masks at. walmart alone on friday at 1pm 9 people all in masks walked in and right past the sanitize station. i would rather keep my distance and know they have clean hands touching items than wearing a mask and being gross touching things with dirty hands!

I'm sorry but we need people to be doing all 3 ideally! somebody could sanitize their hands walks 10 feet away and pick their nose. I will continue to wear my mask, distance and sanitize lol.

I feel like I should put this out there for the sake of the employees of these stores.  
 
I imagine the the case of the dollar stores, as well as all the other major chains, (including the one I work at), we are asked to not be more confrontational than to simply remind customers who walk into the store that there is a mandate in place and that masks are mandatory in all public spaces. If, for whatever reason, they decline, we are not to push the issue nor kick them out of the store. It is for the store workers own safety, (as we all remember what happened at Freshii with that gentleman [lol] from BC).  
 
Along these lines, I have been happy with the number of people I have seen wearing masks, and very infrequently have seen people flat out refuse, though a small handful of people seem to be wearing them for looks rather than function (as a chin strap for example). But remember folks, we are also supposed to be physical distancing. I make wide circles around people no matter if they wear a mask or not. Keep washing your hands, and as I have been saying, keep your nose in your own mask and out of other people's business.

but you do realize that your friend has a steady flow of oxygen going into his lungs while he is wearing a mask?  
 
I'm all for people wearing the masks though. Getting tired of seeing people going for lunch or coffee and they're not masked up! Staff usually doesn't tune the offenders up either. Business want you to come in so their business doesn't have to close from lack of customers but they need to step up and tell customers that masks are mandatory, either put one on or leave the premises!

My family and I are considered at high risk. Even though it is tough for me to breath with a mask when I am grocery shopping my doctor is happy to see me wear a cotton mask. My lungs were damaged when I had phenomena and I never smoked.  
 
It does but me when people does not respect personal space in these times, especially when they reach over you and cough.  
 
A lot of people would say "just order you groceries to your home" but is not healthy to completely cut off the world. From personal experience.  
 
If I can wear a mask for an hour, I'm sure anyone can.

I understand that she is receiving the oxygen into her lungs through her "breathing it in" which is difficult on a good day, let alone with wearing a mask. My point was simply that although in her case wearing a mask causes both discomfort and difficulty, she chooses to do so to protect others. She wants to set a good example and I respect the heck out of her for it.

but the majority of us are uncomfortable wearing the masks, the only difference is your friend is guaranteed a steady flow of oxygen and we think, even if it's not happening, that we're not getting enough air in.  
And some people suffer anxiety from wearing masks.  
It's happened to me on occasion and then i need to lift the mask from the chin area to get some air in.  
I feel bad for those who are at work and have to wear the masks constantly, it can't be easy.

Store owner; "Excuse me, but you need to wear a mask in my shop".  
 
Shopper; "I don't need one, I am exempt."  
 
Store owner; "I'm so sorry that you have a condition that exempts you from wearing a mask. You still can't come into my shop. If you do you will not be severed, PERIOD".  
 
Shop owners and managers have a duty to protect their employee's at all costs.

People who do not have to wear masks i:nclude:  
 
a child who is under five years of age:  
a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, which prevents them from safely wearing a mask: and  
a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person.  
 
For additional details, see the order.  
https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/2020_2021/orders-soe-pmh-080262020.pdf  
 
If those who are exempt want to wear a mask that's their choice, but don't bash those who are exempt and don't wear one.  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-09-08 14:33:09

I do not believe "but the majority of us are uncomfortable wearing the masks"  
 
I'm not, and judging by the very high percentage of us who are wearing one as we should at this time and not complaining, the majority are fine with it.  
 
Must admit though, as one who wears glasses I am not looking forward to the fogging problem come winter.

when I have to, however not sure they do much. They (government) should be talking more about personal hygiene. Wash your hands and keep`em of your face.

the same anxiety as you do. I do not have the link but recall reading an article lately regarding the increased number of people suffering from mental health issues stemming from covid-19. Much of it is due to a lack of coping skills which too many people in society are no longer taught (but that is an entirely separate issue). What you speak of can be overcome.

lay your glasses over the top edge of the mask? This greatly decreases the amount of fog.

as a person who works in the retail business I was also told, to ask them to please use a mask (I also ask people to put over their noses), I was ripped to shreds by a customer because I asked her to back up from the customer I was helping, she very vocally told me she had no intentions of moving back (not in very nice words) and screamed at us. We are told not to engage in confrontations with customers because we do not have any idea if they have a weapon on them or if they will physical hurt you, being yelled up we can survive.  
All in all 95% of the people are great wearing their masks, I do have to remind some to cover their noses and I can tell they don't like it but they do it.  
If we want this over sooner than later why not wear a mask, sanitize your hands....it won't kill you......

Holy moly I'm so sorry a customer yelled at you like that, and that in this town we have to worry about someone being violent (like the guy who disgraced BC). I get it people are scared but some are going overboard not using common sense or manners or respect. Covid isn't gonna dissapear over night and while we did have a increase in cases for diff reasons, but we are still doing good and people forget about the recoveriess and low death rates and our hospitals are fine. People Please don't go to extremes either too crazy about it or not respecting others, and please don't freak out at employers/employees and take your fustration out on them. Be dam thankful they are open and have their business. Have some empathy and consideration.