Every mask helps

A shopper was “banned from Tesco”in Edinburgh after complaining about maskless youths.

I went to this Tesco at the same time. The school kids were being told to line up outside and only a few were getting in at a time. They need to eat. I disagree with them pushing past but they are in the same boat as the rest of us regarding the number of rule changes.

Kirsty Sangster I’ve done it myself on days off. I went along to this store at the kids’ lunch time without thinking. It can be a bit bad for crowds of school kids without masks but they’re not in many aisles and you can avoid them. The store staff are actually really good at monitoring them and only let so many in at a time and I wouldn’t imagine them banning someone for no good reason. I hope Tesco allow the manager to explain his side. Also, the high school kids are usually well behaved.

Michelle Kelly Everyone is stressed and a bit confused by the rules. Not everyone has social media to keep up to date with it all. Kids are back at school and they can’t be locked down in school at lunchtime as parents would complain about social distance. If the kids go out for lunch people get angry as they have to wait in a queue. Come on folks, give a bit of thought to those who have had to work all through this virus. Let’s all be more thoughtful and kind . . . we all want to be safe.

Lynda Christie They are all spoken to regarding masks as they go in for lunch. Fact. I have three children at Firrhill who all go to Tesco. It’s very well organised, they are only allowed in a few at a time, asked about masks and generally pretty well behaved. I’ve been shopping there for years and have yet to come across an unpleasant member of staff. And they deal with some awful behaviour... from adults!

Gabby Johnston Carlyon Don’t go at lunchtime. The kids only have a short period of time to get food. He’s retired, he could go at any time.

Fay Garden Terrible customer service by Tesco! Obviously profit is more important than health and safety – an immediate apology from Tesco is what’s needed!

Brian Gibbs This is an unfortunate incident, however I agree with the store policy. Schoolchildren have been told that they don’t have to wear masks and most aren’t, it’s really down to adults to keep themselves safe, even from hordes of school children. With a limited lunchtime, they have to rush around and without thinking can and will get to the takeaway foods.

Aisha Moohan It’s a shame he chose a busy lunch time at Tesco as his first day out in 17 weeks – it’s the schoolkids’ daily lunchtime! Feel bad he felt scared, though!

Leila Scott To be fair, these children, like my nephew, could have a hidden disability!

Fiona Bryce Phillips

Fancy treating an aged, worried customer like that. And to serve non maskwearing customers into the shop too, as well as the kids. It’s time mask wearing was made law for or all except under-fives.

Midge Macpherson I have never seen 50 school kids in at the same time, they have to queue outside and only a few are allowed in. The kids are allowed to go out for lunch but should also show respect for others. But to be honest, the behaviour of some adults while out shopping is disgusting.

Jackie Cavallaro There’s more to this story, far too one-sided. For starters, Tesco only allow a set number of school children in at a time and is carefully monitored. Next, no Tesco would bar him just for complaining unless he himself became abusive.

Sheila Wilson Tesco love a ban. At my local Tesco everyone jokes how they ban anyone who questions them with anything. My neighbour has mental health problems and they banned him one day. I think staff training or something is needed.

Kevin O’neal I’m afraid I struggle to believe the story in its entirety and very much doubt he was “swarmed” by 50 unmasked school kids. I would like to know the facts and what really happened. Tesco don’t ban OAPS like this for no reason.

Richard Stewart The wording is amazing, a “swarm’ and “stampede”. I think its been highly exaggerated’ I think it’s just a case of Victor Meldrew.

Lee A Humphrey The kids at Firrhill have to line up and only so many at a time are let in – and that was pre-corona. I can’t imagine that rule has changed.

Nina Wilson