I’m not obliged to prove why I can’t wear a face mask
It’s a pity supermarkets don’t train their staff better regarding customers wearing face masks.
At my local Waitrose branch this week I was asked by an employee why I wasn’t wearing a mask. As I have a severe medical condition, I explained that I was medically exempt. He then asked me for an exemption card or to show proof on my phone.
I said I didn’t need to show proof. He asked me what my medical condition was. I asked to speak to a manager. Two women employees came and asked me where my lanyard was.
I pointed out once again that proof was not necessary and that under the Disability Act he had no right to ask me about my medical condition.
Terry, via email
I cannot understand why back in March/April last year the government did not heavily invest in protecting and shielding the old and vulnerable until we found a vaccine.
This would have left the NHS in a great position to deal with all illnesses and we would not have had to put healthy people into lockdown, meaning our mental state and economy would be in a far better place than it is now.
I totally agree with Lord Sumption (Metro, Mon). History will look back at the measures taken as a monument of collective hysteria and government folly.
Clive Gregory, Chigwell
To those shocked by his comments (MetroTalk, Tue), Lord Sumption was making a valid point when he compared the values of people’s lives.
Hospital beds are full at the moment with Covid patients. But there are 4.5 million others awaiting hospital treatment. So their lives are of lesser value at the moment – and these include cancer patients whose urgent, life-saving treatment has been delayed. I think this is perhaps one of the points that Lord Sumption was trying to make.
Alan. North London
Surely if Covid is resulting in the cancellation of routine operations, many of which will treat or lessen lifethreatening or life-limiting conditions, the NHS is prioritising the lives of Covid patients over the lives of those suffering from other conditions.
While this may be due to the immediate and comparative risks to Covid patients when compared to other patients, it does nonetheless indicate that different lives have a different value.
Philip, Raynes Park
My son flew out to Taiwan at the end of December. He had to have a negative Covid-19 test before departure and when he arrived was taken into 14 days of quarantine.
Taiwan has had controls and lockdowns like the UK since its first case in January 2020. Since then, it has had 862 cases and seven deaths out of a population of 24 million on an island nation more crowded than ours. This shows what could have been achieved if we had a competent government.
David, New Malden
Hospital worker Simon Broughton described how seeing people failing to wear masks on his commute was
crushing for morale (MetroTalk, Tue). I am not a key worker and have been fortunate enough to be able to do my job from home but there have been a few days when I have needed to be in my office and commute. The number of people who are either not wearing a mask at all or wearing it under their chins is astonishing. I see signs saying you could be refused entry and fined. How about you will be?
When this is all over and there is a review of how the whole pandemic was handled, the government will be found wanting but I feel those members of the public who continue to ignore the rules will be found wanting as well.
All our key workers, in whatever area they work, are doing the most incredible job and yet there are others in the country who seem to want to undo all their brilliant work.
We have the vaccine now, which is a chink of light, so please, people, abide by the rules – we need more light!
Lisa, Watford
I strongly disagree with Dave Blower’s comment that under-fifties do not watch the Covid briefings (MetroTalk, Mon).
I am a woman in my thirties and while I do not watch every single one, I always read the recap and make sure I am following the most current guidelines laid out by our government, not least because I am an NHS worker and also because I have a young family.
I suggest the next time Dave wishes to make a blanket statement he takes stock of just who it is he is directing his comment toward. It is likely that those he insults now may one day be required to save his life.