To wear a mask, or not wear one?

I stand behind the plexi glass divider at work, at my part-time restaurant job, and proceeded to taking the customer's order. It's a busy dinner shift. I noticed right away that he did not have a mask on, yet he comes in with his baby a few months old, in a baby carrier and with his partner.

I ask him, "Can I ask why you don't have a mask on?'

He says for, "Medical reasons".

...

In all parts of the world, I believe there are different protocols on the whole COVID situation, and I guess it makes sense. Here where I am (Ottawa, Canada), in all indoor spaces masks are now mandatory. But see, there is a LOT of grey area with that. (In my opinion).

I work in a restaurant type job, a very small, but successful operation. One of the best part time jobs I've had so far. We serve customers, but no one is allowed to dine in and sit...yet. NO one is allowed entry without a mask. If they can't comply, we have to bring their food to them outside or in their car, or provide them with a mask. OR simply ask them to leave if they can't or don't want to comply.

In recent times, I've encountered customers, who came in, and didn't wear a mask and said they have 'asthma'. Yet, I did work with someone who has asthma and they had a mask on. I understand, you can't really go in depth of their medical history, because that is a breach of privacy, unless they are willing to share. But in most cases, some just leave it at... "medical reasons".

So maybe I should be the compassionate one.

There was also someone who came in, and didn't have a mask and said he couldn't wear one because he 'broke his nose', as he looked at his phone repetitively, and was dressed in a suit. I was stunned. The ignorance that people sometimes choose, is beyond me.

Maybe I should be the compassionate one?

So, what do you do? DO you call them out on it? Do you question them? Do you educate them on what YOU know and understand about COVID, or are they right not to wear a mask and break the law - at least in my corner of the world?

These are questions I battle with, whenever I see people not complying. I wonder if any one else has the same thoughts?

So, dear people who complain about masks (WHICH have been a LOT for various reasons) and don't choose to wear one in public, in order to keep themselves and their fellow humans safe, here are some options they can try out:

1. Face shields:

I think they are so bad-ass. Like bruh. I feel like you can get ones now that cover your entire face. I saw Trevor Noah wear one, that looked he was from outer space. BAD. ASS. I'd imagine you literally don't have to touch it until you get home or leave home, whereas a mask you have to take it off, put it on...I know, so much effort, right?

I feel like shields maybe allow more breathing room, and less interfering. And bruh, why wouldn't you want to look a like someone from outta space? There's your opportunity.

2. Stay out of crowded and closed areas with people if YOU know YOU can't wear a mask and/or don't want to.

It's simple, however I do understand the need to go out. I truly do. I do not enjoy being confined in my house for a long time, or away from people. I get it. It's hard to want to socialise when others are doing so...even in a pandemic. But famz, it's not worth it. You're putting your fellow earthlings at risk and yourself at risk. It might cost a little more money to order things to your home, or pay someone to drop off something for you, but it's safer. Literally.

....

As I constantly battle this dilemma, I hope this gave you something to think about. Like I said, it might not be same everywhere in the world, but where I am, this is what I've been given by the universe to deal with right now.

I feel like I can't control people's choices, nor make them feel bad about them. Maybe they do have a serious medical problem (which I can't be forward to ask about - in that case stay away from people, LOL, or at least keep your distance, or wear a face shield - I feel like I've already covered that).

.....

During that busy dinner time shift, the customer who didn't have a mask on, then proceeds to push a $100 bill on me to pay, when I clearly tell him I don't have enough change to give him back. After what felt like 5 minutes of back and forth, I shakily count up change from the cash, with anxiety filling my brain, and return it to him.

A few moments later, he comes back saying that I didn't give him the right amount of change, and as I count again, taking long, still coming down from the anxiety of a busy shift, him not wearing a mask and the money, he says,

"It's okay, don't worry about it, I'm sorry for making your night hard".

....

Maybe I'm not the only compassionate and understanding one.