So I'm back at work

[vercetti2021]

After almost a month of being furloughed because of a health scare where I work. I work for one of the cola companies of the world and I got put on store stocking despite that's not what I signed up for when I took this job. I worked in the warehouse loading trucks. But due to shortage, I got put into the danger zone.

Long story short. I'm wearing a mask at my job now because where I live, people just forgot that this pandemic never happened and no one is wearing masks now and the stores do not require anyone to wear one. I'm minding my business and stocking shelves and this asshole walks up to me and tells me to take my mask off as its scaring other patrons. I roll my eyes and initially just ignore the guy. But he gets closer and asks me once again to take my mask off. I looked at him and straight up told him to fuck off and get out of my space. I have a notice on my lanyard to keep 6ft away from me as well.

Man looked shocked and went to tell the store manager. Which he told me I was justified if he violated my space. I'm at the point where my kindness is completely gone and I have no kind words for selfish individuals.

People wear masks and save your lives and the lives of others. Do not listen to these Neanderthals.

Keep safe everyone. This isn't over, not by a long shot

[R B Garr]

1. I just heard Katie Tur say that masks stop

99.something% of the particles coming from your mouth. She said it much more artfully, and I missed the exact ending percentage, but it was high 90’s percent blockage. Very effective!

I would have told that guy to fuck off too!

[vercetti2021]

8. I expect more to come like this

Seems like these people are trying to Ignore the virus like it didn't exist and someone wearing a mask in public just reminds them. Like I'm overweight and I can die from catching this. So wearing a mask is not only essential, it's the thing keeping me from dying of Covid-19

[IronLionZion]

17. There are multiple factors at play here

If everyone in your space wears masks covering their nose and mouth, then the higher % of droplets will be blocked from being in the air. From anything: sneezing, coughing, even breathing.

But that % goes down when more people go without masks so there will be more droplets in the air that you won't even see. It lingers in the air longer indoors than outside. So there are important reasons why some cities like mine (DC) have mandatory masks to go inside a store or restaurant.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. You are to be applauded for standing your ground!

You did exactly what you should have to protect yourself and your health.

That took guts.

[vercetti2021]

5. Yep

Like also I am 100 pounds overweight and this virus doesn't do favors for bigger people like myself. So a mask and constant hand washing is a must.

[LizBeth]

3. That is crazy, why does the ass care, why say anything. What gets me is you wearing a mask only

barely cuts the risk for you, from the ass not wearing the mask, where as you wearing a mask really cuts his risk. Something not fair in that.

[vercetti2021]

10. People are dicks

I think they want to pretend like it doesn't exist now. But everytime they see a mask, they are reminded that it does exist.

[LizBeth]

13. That is a thought.

[Ohiogal]

4. Why can't these asshats

Just mind their own business!

[vercetti2021]

6. Because I live in a very conservative city

Most here rushed back to restaurants the minute the restrictions were lifted. They are big assholes in this city.

[Lars39]

7. And that is how to reply to these bullies.

[vercetti2021]

9. Exactly

They just run off and tattle to someone. The store manager who was also wearing a mask had my back and gave me full permission to tell anyone off that keeps in my space.

[Lars39]

14. Huge props to your boss too for not caving to the bully

[vercetti2021]

29. My boss isn't the store manager

He shows to basically look the other way when it comes to it like if somebody gets in my space either go to him or just tell them off if they get too close to my space

[Lars39]

30. ah,ok

Still, glad it was handles well.

[Quiet_Dem_Mom]

11. So COVID-iots screaming about freedom, just want theirs, screw yours.

Typical Trump Cultist.

We live in a minimal outbreak area and we're still under a shut-down. A couple of weeks ago, everyone had a mask. When we went out yesterday, my husband I were the only ones...2 stores...aside from one employee and one older lady. So far, we've not got any comments on wearing the masks. I'm sure the day will come since we are in RedTrumpistan County.

Good on ya for standing your ground...maybe you can start screaming "my body, my choice" at the next COVID-iot that wants you to give up your freedom to choose.

[Totally Tunsie]

12. Just goes to prove the customer ISN'T always right!

[ancianita]

15. Stay safe.

You show that you are the responsible one. Glad your manager backs you up. Perhaps other employees will wear masks, as well, if they want to stave off infection.

Nope, this isn't over. I'm with no. No more fucks to give to orcs.

Thank you for your post.

[marble falls]

16. I am afraid you're right. We have not seen the end of this yet. Stick to your rights. Be safe.

[iluvtennis]

18. Kudos to you on your handling of the situation. The a-hole needs to mind his business.

I know I'm going to tell anyone who comments about me wearing a mask to f-off.

[NBachers]

19. "Well that's just, like, your opinion, man!"

[vercetti2021]

42. Yep pretty much

I'm really tempted to say shut the fuck up Donny at a Trump supporter now

[Catherine Vincent]

20. The nerve of some people suggesting to take your mask off

[Fiber Lady]

21. My right to wear a mask....

When I wear my mask, it is my right....just like the people who don't wear masks, it's their right. I don't want to be sick.

[SheltieLover]

22. Good for you!

I would have told him to fuck off, too! 👍

[cwydro]

23. I've not had any of these encounters so many here seem to have.

But I think I’d look at the questioner and say I might be positive for the virus.

I think that might work better at getting someone to back off.

[vercetti2021]

40. I can't do that

Cuz if I say something remotely close to that they will go and inform the manager and they will inform my manager at my job and they will put me back on leave. And I can't afford a bleed another two weeks of a paycheck. I didn't get my stimulus and I lost a whole month's worth of pay and I had to move home with my parents because of it.

[Pause]

24. Oklahoma City

I have been to 3 stores in Oklahoma City yesterday and today.
Trader Joe's - masks and social distancing by staff and customers
Walmart Staff was masked and gloved. Customers however were a
mix and I spotted several children. The majority of the older persons were masked, but not
the kids.
WinCo is an employee owned grocery - Same as Walmart.
Also Braums - for frozen yogurt - Staff and customers masked.



At least here they aren't thanking us for our sacrifice, YET.

[pnwmom]

25. If you encounter another idiot, you could try saying something like:

"You better be careful not to get too close to me. I have to work, but my doctor says to wear this mask because I might be ASYMPTOMATIC for coronavirus."

If he pushes it, asking if you have coronavirus, you could truthfully reply:

"Asymptomatic people like me can be contagious without even knowing it."

[RVN VET71]

28. I would never do it myself, but taking off the mask

and coughing spittle into the bastards face might work.

"I think I'm coming down with something," would be a good accompanying rejoinder.

Maybe Mother Nature will take care of this moron. I don't want him to die, but a week in ICU in an induced coma while intubated and isolated might drive home the message.

[vercetti2021]

32. That could get me fired

But if they lay a hand on me than I am in my full right to hit them back, but I wouldn't take my mask off and spit in their direction because I'm not going to stoop down to their level

[RVN VET71]

33. Most likely their level is so low you couldn't stoop that far

without a steam-shovel.

(Steam-shovel! How old am I, for Pete's sake!)

[renate]

48. You brought back some fond memories....

I haven’t thought about this book in decades!!!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Mulligan_and_His_Steam_Shovel

[Buckeye_Democrat]

26. Good job!

It's hard for me to imagine thinking like a Trump cultist, but your story lends support to the idea that many of them don't want to even acknowledge the pandemic.

There was also a recent story on DU about a rogue store clerk (going against company policy) who had posted a sign stating that no masks were required since it was a "No Fear" zone.

Again, you did great!

[vercetti2021]

31. I personally don't give a shit if people are scared of a mask

They should be scared of what they can catch and die from but you know they listen to Fox News and every other dumbass on the TV telling them otherwise

[uponit7771]

27. OSHA Violations ?! Are these companies stupid ?!

[pecosbob]

34. This has been happening to me for over a month now

I keep a baseball bat behind my counter for anyone that wishes to argue about my splash shield, mask and gloves.

Edit* In my neighborhood it's not uncommon for me to receive death threats from some of the crazier or more intoxicated customers so the bat is appropriate given the setting.

[vercetti2021]

39. Well I can get that

Definitely full permission to somebody decides to go after you

[Cha]

35. MY god! Good on you standing for your Safety,

vercetti! And, Good on your Manager! You be Safe!

[vercetti2021]

38. Yeah the store manager and I are pretty good friends

Have the same expectations tomorrow and the day after that somebody is going to say something. What scares me the most is do you know somebody died from asking somebody to wear a mask. Like how do I not know someone's in a physically try to hurt me because I'm wearing one you know it's just it doesn't make sense anymore

[Cha]

44. I know nothing makes sense. we just have

to go along doing the best we can in the middle of all this insanity.

[vercetti2021]

46. It seems we lost our way

Ever since Trump nobody's civilized anymore.

[Blue_true]

36. Get yourself a pair of clear safety glasses that wrap around the side

of the eyes, SAR-COV-2 can enter the body through the eyes, from what I understand. Wash you glasses with warm water and soap after every trip out.

[vercetti2021]

37. Well I would do that but I wear normal glasses

And the bad thing is my vision is so bad that I can't see without them

[Blue_true]

41. Normal glasses are good.

My vision is good, so I wear the wrap around safety glasses. But you will be ok, your glasses should block particles from your eyes, just remember to clean them after being out and avoid touching them when out. Take care of yourself, you are in a tough situation, please be careful.

[vercetti2021]

43. I'm in a real shitty situation

I don't want to be at the stores I didn't sign up for this at my job I had signed up for warehouse only. Already lost a month's worth of pay and I never got my stimulus so it really screwed up everything I had going. My Independence manly.

[Blue_true]

61. It sounds like a difficult situation. Hooefully your employer will be appreciative enough to

send some hazard pay your way. One of my past employers did that for me after sending me into a potentially hazardous situation, fortunately nothing went wrong.

[vercetti2021]

62. They sorta are

One check missed and I was already back home with the folks. Gonna take a long while until I can move out again

[Blue_true]

64. Stay safe, unfortunately you can't control the decisions people that you come across

in stores make, but you have a right to social distancing, don't hesitate to call people out again if they violate your protective space.

[vercetti2021]

65. I won't

It's either verbal or physical if they get physical

[Shaddox]

45. Gotta say - maybe u should consider journalism or a career in writing

Because your writing style is exactly what would be taught to any intern in corporate America:short, to the point, and descriptive despite the brevity.

JFC - u load trucks for a living? How is this right?

[vercetti2021]

47. Funny you mention that

I'm writing a fantasy story in my free time. I never really considered my writing to be that great, it's kind of just basic. But you know it gets the point across.

But originally my job was to load trucks in the warehouse. But they are very shorthanded because people are out either sick and getting tested or furloughed so they needed people to come and stock stores.

Frankly I don't even like the fact I'm going to stores because I'm in a very higher area of risk right now because of a Meat Plant.

[eleny]

49. You're a treasure

I've bookmarked your posting to remind me of how we have to take care of ourselves. That bully learned a lesson. He thought he could make himself the victim. I hope he's learned to keep away from you so you can just do your job in peace.

[calimary]

50. Thank you for this, vercetti.

I honestly don't get some people.

This is just the slightest, teensiest little gesture of UNselfishness. Have these people never been taught about simple courtesy? Manners? Being thoughtful, being considerate of others? They never heard of such a thing?

Frankly, that dude you held your own against is likely to be perceived as the FAR scarier of the two of you. I'd feel uncomfortable seeing someone like HIM in that kind of closer proximity in public, and not wearing a mask. I wouldn't want him near me. The whole thing about wearing a mask is - you're NOT doing it to protect yourself. You're doing it to protect people around you when you're out in public. You're doing it to save THEIR lives. How do they not understand this? When I see someone wearing a mask, I see one word: "CONSIDERATE." I see another word: "THOUGHTFUL." And I see yet another word: "CARING." If someone's gonna go out, where there are other people around, and that person is not wearing a mask, he or she might as well paint the word "SELFISH" across his/her face. That's the message that such an individual is telegraphing.

Shit - this crisis is rough enough. On ALL of us. Seems to me we all need to be nice to each other right now.

[Larissa]

51. The virus goes to work every day

Kudos to you for keeping your mask on. People forget that Covid-19 victims can be asymptomatic. If we underestimate the virus, it will find us. Covid-19 is now swinging its scythe across the interior regions of America. It, has, no doubt, attended Cinco de Mayo street celebrations yesterday. It's a known party crasher of all sorts: barbecues, senior citizen bridge clubs, New Orleans Mardi Gras social clubs, wedding receptions. Unprotected employees at work sites are a one-stop infection bonus: Wendy's has got no beef these days and Costco now limits purchases of beef products at its warehouses. Coronavirus is going whole hog at our country's meat processing plants.

God bless you and keep your mask on.


NYT: Hot Zones Shift, Showing Threat is Far from Over
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/coronavirus-deaths-cases-united-states.html

[JudyM]

52. Glad for the manager's sanity, at least.

[Andy Carr]

53. This is what conservatives are sharing on facebook

&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1RT6IZMHtmBlp9KwXjty1moaNd4fUJwU_oqgg_36V3rB-HBvmkAQ5_T0w&app=desktop

[Arazi]

57. Mikovits is a quack anti-vaxxer so of course she's getting air time these days

[Celerity]

54. I can easily see a new MAGAt trend of ripping off people's masks

[Initech]

55. I went to go pick up some dinner the other day...

And some moron going in the restaurant (with no mask) cheers at someone else not wearing one going "NO MASK! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!".

It's like some people just pride themselves on being assholes. Oh and yes I live in a very red part of California.

[Celerity]

56. ...

[cwydro]

58. Ah, I can hardly wait for the new round of anecdotes now.

Coming soon...

[Celerity]

59. video would clear up most veracity issues, if that was your point (admittedly video can be faked)

[vercetti2021]

63. If someone does that

I can defend myself and fight back. Better believe I'd break a MAGAts nose without care and just smile

[Hortensis]

60. Good for your store manager.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

66. You should be getting hazardous duty pay, IMO and.....

customers in your area of the "no mask" belief should be paying for that as an extra cost for their cola.

I sincerely hope you and perhaps some of your fellow drivers can let your local politicians know about this problem, or at least write an anonymous editorial for your primary local paper. If you do wind up getting the virus, you damn sure should let them know.

People like the one that confronted you need to be firmly reminded they are essentially threatening the lives of others in these stores with their belligerence and violation of CDC recommended rules. Further, anyone violating the rights of others wanting to protect themselves should be banned from the stores where it occurs.


Thanks for sharing your story........