Masks and Sunglasses in Retail Stores and Banks

sardines on 11/12/2023 - 14:43
Last edited 12/12/2023 - 14:47

I was recently asked to remove mask and reflective glasses before entering a Commonwealth branch by staff directing the customers at entrance of bank- I am immune compromised so still wear a N95 mask in retail shops, crowded areas, work etc. I told them this and they compromised with me just removing reflective glasses.

Was also recently harassed by a loss prevention officer in Coles accused of hiding my identity while basically standing about 20 cm from me. In that case i just told to person to piss off and if they approach me again and stand so close i will treat it as an immediate physical and health threat and its a human right for me to protect my heath.

Can big supermarkets like Coles, woolworths or ALDI stop me entering with mask/sunglasses etc as its an essential service i must visit?

Also can banks stop me entering with just a N95 mask for services/problems that cannot be resolved online or phone?

Never happened before so uncertain if its the mantra of business as usual/covid no longer an issue/never an issue/wearing a mask is somehow political. I suspect if i was a retiree i wouldn't be harassed but looking healthy on the outside doesn't mean im healthy on the inside.

Just wondering if anyone else encountered this as never was an issue before or is it just the way i look, Coles beefing up anti thief measures or ran into overzealous staff.

Edit: thanks for feedback- looks like i have a bit of chip on my shoulder and should just be more understanding and explain my situation.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Nugs on 11/12/2023 - 14:50

    "standing about 20 cm from me" packed in like sardines
    .

    • bdl on 11/12/2023 - 14:58
      +1

      Well, OP's username does check out in that instance

    • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 14:59
      +3

      I think most people would consider someone standing 20 cm harassing you it as a threat - I understand personal space is interpreted differently by different cultures and some may see 20cm as acceptable to talk to a stranger? usually arms length is acceptable in these sorts of non crowded situations in my mind.

  • mskeggs on 11/12/2023 - 14:54
    +16

    I think the way to approach it is to say you are wearing a mask for medical reasons.
    If you wish to wear glasses for infection control, get a $4 pair of clear ones, rather than non-medical mirror lenses.
    They aren't against your COVID precautions, but they don't like people holding up the store either.

    • Malik Nasser on 11/12/2023 - 17:57
      +6

      Just wear it under a burqa or niqab.
      Religion trumps personal safety.

  • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 14:55
    +15

    Was also recently harassed by a loss prevention officer in Coles accused of hiding my identity while basically standing about 20 cm from me. In that case i just told to person to piss off

    You sound like a charming individual., also not surprising wearing reflective glasses and a mask INDOORS in a bank would set alarm bells off

    Can big supermarkets like Coles, woolworths or ALDI stop me entering with mask/sunglasses etc as its an essential service i must visit?

    It's their store so i don't see why not? Just order online if you have the issue? What i don't get is if you're immuno compromised why you'd put yourself in the situation when there's alternatives such as delivery. i don't really understand the logic on this one.

    • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 15:05

      uncertain how you would react if someone accuses you of hiding your identity and being a thief just because your protecting your health.

      I wear reflective glasses outside as more prone to cancer due to drugs i take so dont bother taken them off when not in sun - i can change this habit.

      I still have to live and be out in the community as many immuno compromised people do - why pay money to get bread, milk and few basics on way home from work if i can walk into a supermarket? im not home all the time either to accept deliveries.

      • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 15:10
        +4

        why pay money to get bread, milk and few basics on way home from work if i can walk into a supermarket?

        Your health/immuno compromised position is worth less than a $5 delivery fee?

        Would Coles/Woolworths then be in the crosshairs if you contracted something and then blamed them for creating an environment condusive to contracting viruses?

        At the end of the day it's about risk mitigation, and the question would be did you take every step to eliminate the risk?

        • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 15:25
          +1

          I work in the office as covid isn't seen as an issue anymore an no government guidelines around it anymore so there are unavoidable risks.

          I cannot just hide at home and not live and wearing a mask and social distancing in a supermarket would be relatively safe especially during non-peak times when i go.

          There are many articles on immune compromised people being left behind as removal of any workplace or hospital/clinical guidelines. I really dont care whether people wear masks or not but i want some rights as well to reduce my risks and still live a life and get out without being harassed for it

          • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 17:06
            +4

            @sardines: I'm really struggling here,

            Travel to and work in the office around people.
            go shopping in public places around people.
            And are immuno compromised.

            Now i'm no WH&S worker but my gut feeling would be to minimise contact with people full stop and work from home/shop online.
            It worked over covid.

            Not saying stay in your house and live like a hermit, but it is the 21st century and there are a plethora of work arounds that would prevent you from having to go to busy areas.

            Just because you have rules doesn't mean the world necessarily has to play by them.

            • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 20:43

              @Drakesy: Talked to work HR and they said they just follow government guidelines and everyone has to return to office even though 95% of my work is on the computer. One person with Cancer resigned as forced back into office.

              I drive into work and pay for parking which is annoying but buses/trains are a place where i just dont feel safe at peak time so wasting money and causing pollution by driving into a busy city and pay for parking.

              I rang the anti discrimination board and they said there is little legislation to protect vulnerable people at work and they have had lots of calls of vulnerable worried and left behind in the post covid world

              My work is a big office but also given my health, rent, bills, kids etc i cannot really leave and hope to get decent paying job WFH.

          • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 20:14
            -2

            @sardines: What ailment it is?
            Who diagnosed it ,you or a professional?

            • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 20:36
              +1

              @Protractor: renal transplant and on immunosuppressants

              • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 21:24
                -1

                @sardines: Ok, lets be honest, you're not the first one to go through a kidney transplant, yes there is a recovery period during which you can minimise contact with the public (HR should be able to accomodate this if there's a proper doctors certificate associated with it.)

                Just work from home for this period of recovery and order your groceries/get your partner to grab everything?

              • simplystu on 11/12/2023 - 23:47
                +9

                @sardines: my brother had a liver transplant + was on immunosuppressants … while he wore a mask in any public venue - certainly didn't wear glasses.

                Also your attitude as to how your responded needs cooling down abit … "In that case i just told to person to piss off".

                Any sort of arking up like that == just asking for a confrontation.
                Just saying.

                • Drakesy on 12/12/2023 - 00:17
                  +2

                  @simplystu: Agreed, summed it up well without the risk of getting cancelled.

      • taradavey on 12/12/2023 - 08:10

        Just a suggestion as a happy medium between the two - you could try the click and collect option for groceries? It takes a bit more forethought to make the order but means you only come in to contact with one person, you don't have to pay for delivery, you don't have to make sure you're home at a certain time, and can organize it to be for when you're on the way home from work.
        Wish you all the best!

      • SlickMick on 12/12/2023 - 12:30

        i can change this habit

        problem solved. Report back if you still have any issues after losing the sunnies.

      • PeterSnoot on 12/12/2023 - 13:02

        I feel that the reflective glasses is a major factor here. Taking them off when indoors would do a lot to help your situation, just as it did in the bank.

  • jumpypotato53 on 11/12/2023 - 14:57
    +1

    Why do you need sunglasses indoors?

    • mskeggs on 11/12/2023 - 15:04
      +3

      There is an infection path via the eyes as well as aerosol. But the glasses don't need to be dark. It would be disconcerting if your surgeon rocked up in scrubs and put vipers.

    • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 15:07
      +6

      I wear them outside due to increase risk of cancer due to the drugs i take.. will remove them before entering shops as can see this is a "me" issue and just inviting issues i dont want.

      • freefall101 on 11/12/2023 - 16:25
        +5

        You can get clear glasses that block UV and everything else. Would be nicer to wear in winter as well.

        I feel your pain though, I often forget to switch my prescription sunglasses for normal glasses when running into the shops. The security always look at me but what am I meant to do? Wander around half blind trying to find what I need?

  • AustriaBargain on 11/12/2023 - 15:33
    -2

    loss prevention officer in Coles accused of hiding my identity while basically standing about 20 cm from me

    If the Coles loss prevention officer told you that they had a beautiful body, would they hold it against you?

    • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 20:27

      i did tell the officer that I will not buy this record, it is scratched.

  • Dollar General on 11/12/2023 - 15:42
    +6

    Just wear a motorbike helmet instead.

  • EightImmortals on 11/12/2023 - 15:58
    +2

    And to think it was only a couple of years ago that it was illegal to wear them in those places. I love the smell of government gaslighting in the morning.

  • freefall101 on 11/12/2023 - 16:23
    +2

    Pull the discrimination card. Not wearing sunglasses into a bank is somewhat reasonable, you can get clear glasses that block UV. However being harassed for wearing a mask into Coles when it's for medical reason is a good way for that "loss prevention officer" to lose their job.

    I'd complain to Coles on that one, discrimination on medical grounds is a pretty piss poor thing to do and it sounds like it's an overzealous moron who doesn't want to do their job properly (and instead rely on the facial recognition software to do it for them).

    Worst case, tell the media. They'd have an absolute field day with supermarkets discriminating against people. Rich supermarkets so worried about protecting overpriced food during a cost of living crisis they ban people with medical conditions from the store!

    • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 16:55
      +2

      Coles when it's for medical reason is a good way for that "loss prevention officer" to lose their job.

      Only the contrary, what if OP was using stolen credit cards to pay for their shopping and you couldn't identify them on the CCTV due to their face being covered. Would that be negligence on Coles part as they helped facilitate it by not asking the purchaser to identify themself?

      • freefall101 on 11/12/2023 - 16:59
        +2

        What makes you think Coles is verifying that you own the credit card you used via facial recognition?

        I’ve used credit cards from different people before in stores (with their consent), no one has ever stopped me.

        Still no reason to discriminate either.

        • Drakesy on 11/12/2023 - 17:03
          +1

          It's not facial recognition, it's when they come down to investigating fraudulent activity and the CCTV is checked that there'll be an issue.

          Coles and Woolies have cameras in their checkouts for a reason to stop theft and fraudulent activity. if you cover up your face then it goes around their controls. Again, it all goes back to risk, if someone buys $1000 worth of giftcards/groceries/whitegoods on a stolen card, the banks can and will reverse the transaction, now the last thing coles/woolies wants is to be out of pocket $1000 and the goods so they're going to do everything in their power to prevent it. If that means asking for someone to remove their mask then i don't see the problem with this. The OP is always welcome to vote with their feet.

          • freefall101 on 11/12/2023 - 18:01

            @Drakesy: You still failed to explain how CCTV does something. Easier way is to check ID matches the credit card. Barring entry to the store is simply illegal.

            Anti-discrimination laws do away with the need to vote with their feet to avoid discrimination.

        • kyle on 12/12/2023 - 06:39

          But still breaching the credit card company's rules?

  • Unorthodox on 11/12/2023 - 17:14
    +2

    Banks do have a sign out the front to remove sunglasses, motor cycle helmets etc. Also kind of common sense…

    Apply common sense and you'll probably realise that yes sunglasses (and not glasses that tint with sunlight) indoors and a mask will invite attention and perhaps more scrutiny.

  • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 17:22
    +3

    I get your concern, but you can't expect anything else with a mask & reflective glasses. Just wear clear ones when you enter places where you'll be hassled. You know, give and take?

  • Malik Nasser on 11/12/2023 - 17:52
    +2

    Just tell them it is PPE for Covid.
    After the crap the government has pulled, I am sure you can milk this for a few more years yet.

    • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 20:12
      -3

      Yes because your expertise in this field knows better.

      • Malik Nasser on 11/12/2023 - 21:16
        +1

        Yeah I have plenty of milking experience. You could say that I am an expert milker…
        I am not sure what your criticism is? I agree that people should be able to use PPE if they like. I have no issue with that. It is the individuals choice. If they believe it is in their best interest / safety than PPE is the way to go.
        My point is to use Covid as an excuse, to justify using PPE (legitimate or not).

        • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 21:28
          -2

          Not sure what my criticism is? Maybe look at what you wrote and then what I wrote. You said>
          "After the crap the government has pulled" What crap would that be? Protecting the vulnerable by asking for a bit of community cohesion in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic?

          If your intimating the OP is milking the covid thing to wear PPE, just say it.

    • sardines on 11/12/2023 - 20:22
      +2

      I wish i could be that flippant with covid. Unfortunately it can kill me, last time i got it, monoclonal antibodies saved my life and i didnt produce any antibodies while Covid damaged my transplanted organ.

      • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 23:19
        -3

        Sadly the covid deniers /anti vaxxers / goonspiracy theorists don't G-A-S about vulnerable people.

        • Raulioli8810 on 12/12/2023 - 13:28
          -2

          Lol. 😂😂. No one is denying anything.
          Facts are facts. If you're too blind to see reality that's on you.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 11/12/2023 - 18:58
    -2

    Bet you refuse the same mask day in day out too…

  • tabitha731 on 12/12/2023 - 07:45
    +1

    If you’re so scared fir your health…. Avoid shopping centres then… or even better, avoid society

    • sardines on 12/12/2023 - 14:37
      -1

      yep, vulnerable people should be shunned.

  • subydooby on 12/12/2023 - 08:02

    Criminals ruining it for honest balaclava wearers again…

  • reactor-au on 12/12/2023 - 09:10
    +1

    Karen?

  • LFO on 12/12/2023 - 12:28

    I vaguely remember Bunning selling a full mask (fully translucent/transparent and also respirator) to give better protection than a flimsy N95.

    This could be an alternative.
    It does show your face in full and shows your health could be compromised otherwise.
    Not cool but effective

  • Waltervp on 12/12/2023 - 17:38
    +1

    I have cystic fibrosis and have trouble breathing, so i prefer to get large grocery shops at the pick-up area and order online. All bank, centrelink issues etc handled online, and get Dinnerly boxes weekly for most meals. I still shop etc but reduce time in crowds. Masks help stop the spread of my germs but wont do much to protect me from getting infections, i just steer clear of people and crowds but dont wear a mask because i have too much trouble breathing with it. As for eyes? Well,uhm, that seems overboard for shopping

    • sardines on 13/12/2023 - 08:20

      Talking to my specialist the N95 Duck Bill Face mask is very effective but designed for clinical/hospital use. The N95/P2 masks properly is just another barrier that may reduce risks of catching something and worth wearing in crowded areas just to reduce risks a little more. As you state, the data suggests in non clinical settings marks are better at protecting others from the wearer's germs but not as effective the other way around.

      Yeah, glasses are more for sun protection not virus protection. I will remove them indoors as im just inviting trouble i dont want.

      Take care mate and im hoping an updated prophylactic against covid like evusheld comes out as covid is here to stay:)

  • AS2035 on 12/12/2023 - 22:46
    +2

    I still wear a mask.

    With Covid on the rise and the new booster getting rolled out soon sadly this will not change any time.. I will continue wearing a mask.

    I do take my glasses off when I walk into stores.

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