Well there goes Costco's mask policy.

[Greyhead]

I was at our local Costco yesterday and spotted 2 people not wearing masks. I asked them why they weren’t wearing masks, and they said that they have a medical(I think it’s mental) condition.

I asked him what his condition was and they said I couldn’t ask. So I asked the checker why they served that person without a mask. His answer was that if they said that they had a medical condition they had to serve them. I said that this is a private business and that they could deny service to anyone.

So I went and found a floor manger and he told me the same. So I called corporate and got the same answer. I said what was the use of having a mask mandate if some people didn’t follow it. Got the same answer.

If these stupid fucks can get in, they are going to tell the other stupid fucks that you don’t have to wear a mask. Just say you have a medical condition and can’t wear a mask and they will let you in.

Doesn’t seem like much of a policy to me.
I applauded Costco’s policy when they put the mandate in place but I guess I was a little out in front of the problem. I hopeful the the businesses would step up and do what our administration and the governors wouldn’t do.

Also saw numerous people with only their months covered. I told everyone that I saw this way “It doesn’t do much good if your nose isn’t covered”. Not one of they adjusted their mask, just went about their way.

We aren’t going to be able to beat this virus unless we all work at it together. I don’t care if red, blue or green it’s time to stop being selfish.

Oh yeah I’m from North Dakota an extremely red state. Our Gov has his nose up dumb donnie’s ass.

So if you see this problem, please report it to the stores. Maybe our due diligence will get these policies changed.

Thanks for looking at my rant.

[soothsayer]

1. Jeezus

[awesomerwb1]

2. So you're basically spreading the word about this "loop hole"

[demmiblue]

8. Sure, if you think your fellow DUers are going to take advantage of the "loop hole".

[USALiberal]

15. +1000, my thought exactly! Silly post! nt

[Ms. Toad]

18. There are some who will. n/t

[demmiblue]

20. Nah. n/t

[Ms. Toad]

24. You're not reading the same threads that I'm reading, then. n/t

[awesomerwb1]

22. Not all members are Dems

including our russian friends who visit the website.

[USALiberal]

14. FFS, really? That is your take away?? nt

[awesomerwb1]

31. "FFS" lol

If you think only good Dems visit this website.....no right wing nuts, trolls, or russian operatives.....

[lunatica]

56. Look under your couch!!

Someone may have infiltrated it!

[awesomerwb1]

66. "Infiltrated it"

Someone "infiltrated" my couch. You sound like trump. Speako trumpglish?

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. Like we're unaware of this? This isn't just a Costco thing. Walmart does the same.

I'm already seeing people in Walmart without masks on. Either let in with some bs excuse or they take them off once inside and are free to continue to shop. Walmart won't have them removed and has said so.

[CaptYossarian]

65. ...Signed, Epstein's mother.

(We'll see who's my age on here.)

[sparkeyd53]

70. Ooh ooh ooh

Welcome back

[CaptYossarian]

74. Nice.

And welcome to DU.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. That was an excellent rant, my dear Greyhead!

And I absolutely agree with every word.

[Laelth]

28. +1 n/t

-Laelth

[qwlauren35]

4. Welcome to DU

This is an excellent place to rant, so come back any time.

I talked to a friend who had just lost a family member to COVID-19, and a co-worker has tested positive.

Hoax, my ass.

Costcos could hand out face shields to those who are medically handicapped.

Better than nothing.

[Delmette2.0]

53. My Costco is handing out face masks.

I hope they continue!!

[Me.]

5. THey Need To Have A Note From A Doctor

[Greyhead]

13. Hipaa

Says you can’t ask them about their condition and they don’t have to supply paperwork. Pretty Fucked!!

[Ms. Toad]

23. I don't believe it's HIPAA

That generally protects your relationship with your doctor.

But, even so, it doesn't really matter what the medical condition is - the accommodation is to serve them curbside so they don't endanger the health of others.

[Laelth]

29. HIPAA only applies to medical providers.

I am pretty sure that COSTCO is NOT a medical provider. HIPAA doesn’t apply to them.

-Laelth

[uppityperson]

30. That's not how hipaa works at all

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/able-bodied-ada-mask-loophole/

HIPAA only applies to three types of covered entities: health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers. It restricts their ability to share protected health information. It also gives patients access to their own medical records. It has nothing to do with customers or stores or employment or anything else.

[Hekate]

36. HIPAA oes not apply to this situation, at all.It is a misreading of HIPAA guidelines, just as it is

... when the ADA gets invoked.

We are in a public health crisis. Those who want an exemption need to show proof, ie a doctor’s letter.

When I needed a handicap parking permit, I was not allowed to print up some bogus piece of paper and park wherever my fancy took me — I had to go to my doc, get him to fill out and sign a form, take it to the DMV, pay a fee, and only then was I issued a temporary handicap parking permit.

The people claiming their desire to do what they want on their own say-so are assholes, plain and simple.

By the way, my local COSTCO is doing just fine with the mask policy.

If I were you, I would write a letter to local COSTCO management, cc to national headquarters, and calmly lay out the ways in which the invocation of ADA and/or HIPAA is wrong on all counts.

[Tanuki]

40. Good analogy with the parking permit requirements!

[Greyhead]

42. Talked to local manager

He agreed with me but said his hands are tied. Said policy comes from above his pay grade.

Asked him to have someone from corporate contact me. He said he would. Hopefully I get a call from them.

[Hekate]

73. No need to wait for a call. Google for the info you need and go directly.

And go with good fortune.

[Leith]

44. No, it's a scam going around covidiot circles

They download these cards from the internet, "issued" by the "FTBA." This FTBA is the "Freedom to Breathe Agency," which does not exist.

These covidiots think that they are fooling people and when they are countered, offered to bring their grocery list out for curbside pickup, the RWNJs throw little hissy fits. They are more like toddlers who need their diapers changed and set down for their nap.

[mucifer]

6. I don't blame the Costco workers. Some people get violent when confronted

[cyclonefence]

7. The other day I needed a paint brush

(we got a new front door), and I thought, well, I'll go to Lowe's. Then I thought Do I want to encounter the assholes who won't wear masks?

You can buy anything you need from Amazon. I have Prime, so it's free and fast delivery. Until every retail outlet that remains opens has an enforced mask policy, I'm shopping online. Period.

And I know that there are people with medical conditions that make wearing a mask difficult, but they should stay home anyway because they are more susceptible to the virus.

Edited to add: A poster upstream makes an excellent point. Face shields don't interfere with breathing. Stores should have those handy to give to people whose "medical conditions" preclude their wearing masks.

[MiniMe]

16. True, but a lot of the time, shipments are delayed

Thanks tRump

[Greyhead]

21. With face masks

They will still be able to spew out the virus if they have it. I have prime also, but I try to buy all I can locally. Bezos has enough money as it is.

At least his ex wife is doing some good with her amazon money.

[Ilsa]

41. my amazon shipments have recently been

slower than normal. And one item is lost for the first time.

[cutroot]

9. You might as well just take off your shirt and shoes and set a spell.

I was kicked out of a restaurant once for not having a “sleeved collared” shirt

[niyad]

10. As I understand it, there are several legitimate medical exemptions. And, under ADA rules,

you cannot ask what that person's condition is. (Although, it seems to apply mainly to "gatekeepers", not to curious people like me).

We know most mom-maskers are total bs, and I have no idea how we solve this. My policy of , "you really have drunk the kool-ade" is probably not an effective business model.

[Ferrets are Cool]

11. Unfortunately, it's not just Costco.

Wear your mask, social distance and go about your business. Greed is KING.

[Ms. Toad]

17. People with medical reasons for not wearing masks can be denied entry -

as long as you accommodat them. The appropriate accommodation is to have someone shop for them and deliver it to them at curbside. The accommodations don't require a business to give identical service to people without masks.

Report them to the county board of health.

[uppityperson]

32. Exactly. It's not that difficult of a concept.

[coti]

19. Tell them you have a medical condition that makes you particularly vulnerable to the virus, so they

have to make everyone else wear masks, or else you can sue them under the ADA.

[Greyhead]

26. Good point. I'm going to look into it.

[JHB]

25. Chronic liaritis? Oral bone spurs?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

27. As I have posted elsewhere, if you can't or won't wear a mask

then stay home. Period.

A while back someone here said that when they wear a mask they get a full-on asthma attack. While I find that a bit odd, I'll take that person's word but again say, stay the fuck home. You're asthmatic which means your lungs are already compromised.

Same with those who claim panic attacks. I'm sorry about your panic attacks, but that does not give you the right to infect others.

And I really wish stores would enforce masks. There really are alternatives, such as having stuff delivered.

I'm glad I'm in Santa Fe, where we have both state and city mandates, and it's been several weeks since I've seen an unmasked person in a store.

[spanone]

34. Costco has been a leader in insisting on masks.

[lunasun]

35. Face shields may be better for a certain part of the population but they have to cover up

now somehow because we can’t keep having hot spots that turn in to big fires.
My summer has missed a lot and we have been good citizens since March but a part of the country prides itself in being exceptional and unique and the conformity other societies are achieving to bring down covid just doesn’t look like it will happen until it’s really really bad or January 2021

[samnsara]

37. I live in Wash State and our Gov mandated masks everywhere..but to get local law to enforce..

...it, is another issue. Many of the Sheriffs brag about not enforcing it.

[hunter]

38. In these parts security guys wearing body armor will remind you to put your mask on.

If you complain they'll show you to the exit.

Even at WalMart.

If you have some serious "medical condition" you really shouldn't be out shopping anyways.

If you don't have friends or family who will shop for you, or some kind of meals-on-wheels service, it's possible you are crazy-mean.

My own grandma had to be removed from the house she owned by court order because she was crazy-mean; a danger to herself and others.

No nursing home or assisted living place would tolerate my grandma for long. But I like to think she would have worn a mask in this pandemic. She worked in the shipyards during World War II and sacrificed a lot to defeat Imperial Japan and the Nazis.

Personally I think it should be lawful to use pepper spray on no-mask rebels, but maybe that's because I'm crazy-mean like my grandma.

[Cha]

39. Sorry! i asked the manager about 3 people in my health food

store the other week who weren't wearing masks and he talked to them and got the same answer.. "it's a medical condition.

They were young and seemed like they had smug on their faces.

That's the only time I've seen them.. everyone else wears masks and so does everyone at my Costco on Kauai.😷😷😷

[Greyhead]

43. Smug

I got the same feeling from these selfish pricks.

[Stinky The Clown]

45. To the best of my knowledge, Costco's mask policy is unchanged

To help protect our employees and members, effective May 4, 2020, all Costco members and guests must wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose, at all times while at Costco. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition.

More at this link

https://www.costco.com/coronavirus.html

[happybird]

46. The signs on the local Sheetz say

Mask or face covering required for entry.

Then, in smaller print, at the bottom of the sign:

If you don’t have a face covering, we will assume you have a medical condition.

Only about half the customers have a mask on every time I go in.

[thucythucy]

47. It pisses me off that these assholes are using the ADA

in their quest to be selfish cov-idiots.

The ADA was very carefully crafted to take into account society's need to protect itself against communicable diseases without infringing on the rights of people with disabilities.

There is a framework laid out for how to decide when such a public health crisis exists. Covid-19 definitely qualifies.

The people smearing the ADA are the same ilk of people who bitterly opposed its passage, and have tried to turn public opinion against it ever since it became the law. These are no doubt the same people who cheered Trump's disgusting mockery of a reporter's disability.

That they're using the ADA now to justify their creeping "owning the libs" BS is just such brazen hypocrisy.

[brush]

48. Until this mask issue came up I never realized how many stupid Americans there are...

oh, wait. For a minute I forgot the trump voters, who most likely are the ones not wearing masks.

[Sugarcoated]

49. If they have a medical condition then they

should be sending someone to get their groceries or doing curbside pickup. No excuse.

[LisaL]

50. Get yourself a quality mask so you don't have to worry so much

about anti-maskers.

[LAS14]

63. I've been waiting and waiting for this to become a thing.

Ever since I got my N95 I relax when I go shopping. Why isn't somebody raising a fuss to get N95s for transportation workers and people with large families and grocery clerks? It's more important for them than for people, like myself, over 65, who can stay at home.

[LisaL]

67. There are even some reusable masks that claim to have filtration filters built into them.

Lots of choices our there-not necessarily real N95s, but one can find something better than a simple cloth mask.

[yonder]

51. You did well, Greyhead and welcome to DU.

[FormerOstrich]

52. While more are taking it serious

I am in Arizona where many think masks are political.

The other day my niece told me the next visit with in an establishment with a mask policy that is blatantly not being enforced she is going to pull off her shirt/bra. Then if they try to enforce her lack of shirt she will point out policies aren't enforced and she will not be complying until all policies are enforced.

Love that niece of mine!

[warmfeet]

54. Something seems off about this story. I am not buying it, not just yet. NT

[Greyhead]

57. What aren't you buying?

[smirkymonkey]

62. Pay no mind, Greyhead. There's always a few of them in every thread.

BTW, welcome to DU!

[mac56]

55. "I have a medical condition that entitles me to free groceries.

You're not allowed to deny me, and you can't even ask what the medical condition is."

[Mr.Bill]

58. If this happens at my local store,

I will consider using their refund policy. If you didn't know, their refund policy includes membership fees. They will actually refund your fee if you tell them you are not satisfied with your membership.

[bucolic_frolic]

59. When customers abandon their carts and run out the door when they see a maskless shopper

management will get the message pretty fast.

[Fla Dem]

60. Good on you for taking action. But be careful.

Some of these “it’s my right” hard heads could be unbalanced.

[RainCaster]

61. That's the same BS that had me boycotting Walmart

A limp policy is as bad as none.
When they value my safety more than the antimaskers money, I'll be back.

[rownesheck]

64. If you complain about someone not wearing a mask

in a store that has a mandate, don't complain to the store workers or managers. It's not their fault. Go straight to the corporate phone number to complain. And when you complain, make it clear that the company should pay for security for each location if they are serious about a mask mandate. NO STORE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE CONFRONTING THE CRAZY ANTI-MASKERS!

Thank you. That is all.

[TNNurse]

68. Pretty sure that is how it is everywhere.

Very few places are going to enforce a mandate.

[LisaL]

72. Some mandates say that if person claims to have a disability that prevents mask wearing,

they are allowed to go maskless and don't have to produce documentation.
So, these types of mandates are toothless.

[marble falls]

69. Blame a policy free President and GOP governors.

[spinbaby]

71. I see few without masks

But I shop a very few stores early in the morning senior hours. I did see a man shopping without a mask with his daughter, about 10, also without a mask. I rounded the corner and just very loudly said, “Whoa, no mask!” and headed in the other direction.