Replies

Ok, I can go with PART of that.

However, employees do not do things per the owner or manager(s) wishes or instructions, employees are lax, etc., all the time.

If a business posts “guests’ rules” of any kind, unless they were blatantly illegal or immoral (I have never seen such posted & would report such to law enforcement), I comply with them, or, if I don’t like them sufficiently, I leave. If I observe employees violating such posts, again, and especially if it would involve me in any way, I would leave. IMO, this is not a matter of “simple” property rights, it is a matter of FUNDAMENTAL property rights. Maybe it’s because I’ve done so much work closely in association with other small business owners, but I would not violate such rights unless it was, say, to save a life in imminent danger.

Now, if a grocery store, to use your example, publicly states that, in effect, customers can ignore the signs, THAT is different. Go for it, if you so desire. But you should at least respect other people and socially distance from anyone with a mask. For all you know, they are or take care of someone not likely to pass this life tomorrow, but still do have a high risk co-morbidity. And you have no way to know for sure if you are not a danger to them. (Yeah, I know, most cloth masks offer little protection against “incoming” but they may be doing the best they can, and may have little alternative to being “out”. Very few can shelter in place forever, and most people need to be out some just to preserve their sanity.)

If it bothered me much, I’d not just try “the phone”. One way or another, with persistence, small business owners and representatives of larger firms management can almost always be contacted. For ME, it is simply the wrong hill to die on. I am much more concerned that millions of livelihoods are being destroyed or have been. Like mine.

People will tire of masks, sooner or later. (Many already are, a double edge sword.) But if a huge slice of the small business community becomes dependent on the government teat, I’m not sure anything less than complete collapse of the country can undo that. Conservatism and freedom then just may as well throw in the towel and plan for the collapse.

For ME, it is simply the wrong hill to die on.

I can appreciate that. Different people have different hills.

My barber had declared himself an essential business during the lockdown period in Arizona, but for a time had to lock the front door of his business, occupying the building only to take "deliveries" through the back door. The "deliveries" were men with overgrown heads of hair. MY barber was at the very least a scofflaw. When men like him become scofflaws, outlaws and felons (depending on state), the problem is the state (and I am NO libertarian).

I am sorry that your livelihood has been punished. My IT job has ALWAYS been work at home, and that is one aspect I have not had to negotiate. I do not pretend to have a medical condition or religious exemption. I do not wear a cheesecloth mask. I own no mask. When asked I simply state "I do not wear a mask". It happened spontaneously, and I guess the hill grew under me.

I DO avoid people in the stores, happy to maintain distance (I am not a touchy person anyway), and use self-checkout when available.

I am NOT in a jurisdiction where the proprietors are obliged to force you to leave with no face covering thankfully, they are simply empowered to do so without fear of tripping on some other imposition (HIPAA, ADA, Civil Rights Act of 1965, etc.).

BTW, Paul R., I appreciate your patience in making your case intelligently without rancor or questioning the goodwill of other Freepers, and without backing off, especially when you are probably in the minority here.

I agree that people will tire of the masks, but someone must step into the breach as the MSM will fear-monger at least until they have a President Democrat (whether in 2021, 2025, or 2029). Maybe longer if they need ratings.

Several weeks ago, there was a major Republican rally on the green across from the State Capitol in downtown Phoenix. At the entrance, there was a large sign, describing the rule or order, or whatever it is, and the exceptions. Looking at the plain language of the sign, one would think that most people would be obliged to wear a face covering. NO ONE was , and there were hundreds there, many close together to hear the speakers, or waiting in line to pick up literature. The people there were the ordinary law-abiding people of every age, race and both sexes, and there they were, being scofflaws. This is degenerating into a farce, and it is good to demonstrate to people that they are being gaslighted.