If a business requires you to wear a mask, it’s their right. If you don’t like it, just go somewhere else

“Look here, now!" the North-Going Zax said. "I say!
You are blocking my path. You are right in my way.
I'm a North-Going Zax and I always go north.
Get out of my way, now, and let me go forth!"

"Who's in whose way?" snapped the South-Going Zax.
"I always go south, making south-going tracks.
So you're in MY way! And I ask you to move
And let me go south in my south-going groove.

—  Dr. Seuss

BY RICHARD JOHNSON

       If all else fails, you can count on the simple rhymes of Dr. Seuss to show you societal differences. This is the story that comes to mind in regard to wearing masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. I was recently tagged in a post from a downtown merchant who recently opened their store, in the “new normal”:

       This is _____ ,  owner of ________ .  To all the downtown businesses that are following the CDC guidelines by

Should stores require customers to wear masks. Why not?

having customers wear masks. Is anyone having any challenges with this? Customers getting upset, refusing and leaving? I'm having a few. In fact my first customer today said, "No, I don't want to wear one. I’ll just leave." What do we do with that? Just let it be?
       I have masks that I offer customers that don't have one of their own. Most of my customers come in with their own or if they don't have their own, they are compliant with wearing one I offer them. But then I have several a day that get irritated. I have had customers leave twice this week as they didn't want to wear one. Advice and feedback appreciated. Thanks.

       A Laramie business was a little blunter, “Tolerance of ass—— is at an all-time low!”

       Or we could be like our arch nemesis to the South, Fort Collins, which has put a mask-wearing requirement in place:
       Persons under the age of 10 years or children within a child care facility;
       Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition documented by a medical professional;
       Persons working in an office or other workspace who do not have any face-to-face interactions with or share workspace with other persons;
       If the person is undergoing a medical or dental procedure that requires access to the person’s mouth or nose;
       Property owned or operated by the federal, state or county governments; and
       Persons who are customers of banks, financial institutions, and pawn shops. However, employees of these places must still wear face coverings.
      The fun thing about Wyoming recommendations is we used the word, “should" instead of “must."
       So what does that mean to some? It’s funny to hear them say they don’t want smoking in public places but don’t want to wear a mask.
       If you blow smoke in my face it’s called second-hand smoke, but COVID isn’t a second-hand virus.
       People make no sense. I’m still of the opinion that if a business wants to allow smoking, OK. A business requests you wear a mask, OK. A business doesn’t care if you wear clothes, OK. It’s the business’ decision what they think is best for their customers and staff.
       Are COSTCO and DIA wrong to make their bottom line, even if it’s a placebo. Don’t care, it’s their business decision.
       I copied this post from a friend:

       Unpopular post: For the large group of people who don't want to or feel its constitutionally wrong to be made to wear masks or even just the recommendation for precaution. I’m going to give you the view from someone who has been working since the beginning of it all, and yes, I know I'm blessed because of this.
       I'm a nobody, but to my girls and my mom I'm everything. My thing is: I wear a mask to protect those around me, and honestly it makes me feel like I have a sense of security in a small way.
The mental shit I have gone through from the start to now is a lot and if I can find even just a thread of serenity in wearing a mask, even to keep from smelling bad breath, well I'm gonna do it.
The ironic part is this: I don't wear a mask for me or my family. I wear it for those I am in contact with. I don’t know their situation at home or even possibly themselves.
       At this point in this crazy COVID-19 games we have learned. It doesn't discriminate — young, old sick or well, it’s the dang COVID lotto. So the next time someone comes into my office refusing to wear a mask, I’ll do them a favor and take mine off too. If they can't be a decent human being and respect others then they should be treated the same.
       It’s a super small act of kindness for others, to go out wearing a mask and protect those around you. People need to stop being selfish and for once think of others.

       It’s going to be a “to each their own” situation, and no one is wrong either way. Just my personal perspective on it. When a person wrote that is was an ADA violation to make people wear masks I wrote back:

       Attorneys have scoured HIPAA, CDC, EEOC, ADA laws. If an instance was to be reported it would follow all ADA guidelines of a complaint. The procedures would remain the same as they are and have been. Since all employees and guests are required to wear masks, discrimination could hardly be a factor.
       Just like all ADA complaints, proof of the disability would have to be medically documented. The DOJ has not issued guidelines at this time, but the CDC and EEOC have. Most complaints would follow the guidelines of the no shirt, no shoes, no service rules as well as employees washing their hands before returning to work.
       Businesses could fall back on rules of a disruption of other customers and staff, which could involve law enforcement, who also have training guidelines set up on dealing with ADA issues in case of a call for their services.

       I was intrigued by the dialog on my thread:

       Here is the biggest thing I noticed with the county’s newly released guidance. One spot it says you will have employees wear masks in the table chart. Then in the actual written steps it says recommend they do if dealing with the public. Even more so with the public. I didn't see anywhere where it requires them for customers.  You can go to super busy Walmart without a mask as a customer. So is conflicting and not well written.

       It is a matter of respect, something our society is sorely lacking in these days. Everyone is so worried about their “rights.” Ugh.

       People just don't like to be told what to do. They need to get off their high horse.

       I don’t understand why people are so opposed. Totally get medical issues that would make it difficult, but I don’t understand the position that you would be offended if someone asked you to put one on. I’ve been asking all my clients if they’d like me to wear one while with them (again, totally get it if you can’t because of a medical issue). But for people who don’t have a medical issue, what’s so hard or offensive about it? We ask people to drive a reasonable speed in a neighborhood where a lot of kids play outside, don’t we? How is this different? Children are a vulnerable population to speeding drivers, so we expect society to do its part and exercise reasonable care to protect them. Plus, wearing a mask helps prevent facial recognition tracking.

       I’m not Walmart and I don’t compare any area of my business to Walmart. They are a big box corporation and I am a small local business adhering to what our community’s guidelines of reopening our businesses has given us and taking precautionary measures for business staff and customers.

       For my downtown business, it IS a requirement! I have our compliance guidelines printed and  highlighted in a laminated spreadsheet taped to the front door! If clients or guests would like to enter our establishment or inquire on services “They Must Wear a Mask,” and we also notated that if they do not have their own, we will provide. This helps as general public will see and take into account if they want to enter your establishment, opposed to feeling like you are demanding something of them after they’ve already entered.

       If people can’t follow simple mask-wearing protocols, then they don’t need to be out anyhow. I find it childish and irresponsible to be rude to someone that’s trying to be responsible.

       Being asked to wear a mask in public is no more infringing on your personal freedoms than being told no shirt, no shoes no service. It's a false equivalency. It's not your personal freedoms that are at risk; it's other people's safety that's at risk.

       People who claim that only sheep are doing what's best for the rest of everybody are stupid. What the hell is wrong with you that you're such a child that looking out for other people's well-being is something that you consider being a sheep. Does that mean that you think you should be allowed to drink and drive because people who are responsible behind the wheel are sheep. Does that mean that you should be allowed to go out and shoot people that you're pissed off at because caring about other people's safety makes you a sheep? Quit acting like a stupid, spoiled child and just do what's best for the people around you instead of being a whiny bitch about it.

       Realistically, it is each individual's choice. There is no law requiring face masks to be worn, only "guidance.”  The business owner can choose to require them, and customers can choose to take their business elsewhere.

       I’d say it’s her choice to make her rules that she is comfortable with as a private business, and I’d suggest just making it clear at the door of your policy that people wear masks per the decision of the owner. Then people can make the decision for themselves to shop there or not. She been a very successful business owner and will make a good decision for herself.

       With that said, it’s not a law. People absolutely don’t need to be “socially shamed” for a CDC recommendation that isn’t a law though.

      The customers that don’t want to shop there because of her requirement have so so so so many options to shop like Walmart, Target, and actually all Fortune 100 and 500 companies actually!

       So both individuals can make their own decisions.

       I personally am boycotting mask wearing in private or in public. It'll be a non-issue soon as this gigantic farce progresses to third page news.  Give it a couple weeks.

       I have asthma. I hate wearing the masks. It's hard for me to breathe in. I wear one anyway. I want to be a good person and a good citizen. I DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET OTHER PEOPLE SICK. I wish masks were mandatory at all stores especially grocery stores. I think they should all have signs that say, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask, No Service." For the foreseeable future I will be wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. As things open up, I will be sticking with businesses that require masks. As much as possible.

       Listen I don't wear a mask normally, but if a business says they require one I will do so out of respect. I have my own, but if they offered one because I left mine at home or didn't have it on me I would accept theirs. It is a messed-up time. No reason to be an ass—— for no reason. Bottom line: Respect the business owner’s rules/request. They are most likely just complying to a regulation so they can be open and make a living.

       What do you say to a customer that appears to be symptomatic?  Snotty, coughing.  Do you ask them to come back when they feel better?  My business has a sign on the door that says come back when you feel better.

       In conclusion, the fact is whether you think it’s your right not to wear a mask, in the future don’t be surprised if you’re turned away. It’s going to be our new normal.
       As is seen in the Fort Collins ordinance, if you have a legitimate doctor’s notice that you are inhibited from wearing one, you really don’t have a pot to piss in.
       Yes, the government can enforce the laws on the books when you weren’t looking. You were probably more concerned about crossover voting or some other dumb shit, and now here you are.

       Richard Johnson is a former City Council member from Ward 3 on Cheyenne’s east side.