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Default Oct 08, 2021 at 12:38 PM
  #1
I changed my mind and will get support elsewhere. Deleted.

Last edited by WovenGalaxy; Oct 08, 2021 at 04:20 PM..
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Default Oct 09, 2021 at 06:52 PM
  #2
Hi. I've decided to try again here, once I got my head straight. I didn't want my thoughts and feelings about masks to be influenced by others. I felt I needed to make sure this was something that actually bothered me or if it was just job stress / nerves.

Ok. I haven't worked in 8 years. I feel I'm ready to work despite new job nerves. If we were not in a pandemic, I'd have been working a while now I'm sure.

I work in retail and most of my coworkers do not wear masks. More customers wear masks than them. They (my coworkers) are all very nice seeming, for the most part. I was even told to come to them first if I have an issue first, instead of just quitting.

The man who is training me called out sick the last time I worked. He doesn't wear a mask. I'm scared.

Its not something I noticed, the no masks, at first. I've only worked 2 shifts. But I definitely notice it now and I even feel angry about it sometimes.

I would either like validation, that its ok to resign over this, or I'd like reasons I should stay. I'm not really sure of the "best" answer.

Its true I'm overwhelmed there. And I haven't worked in so long. I don't want this to shadow my choice bc this is stuff I want to work through and will come up against at any job.

There are breakthrough cases. I'm hearing more and more about them. I just don't see how ppl don't take it seriously. No disrespect to those with different views. But mine is that covid is real, can kill, there are breakthrough cases, and it is scary.

I don't know what to do. I would like some insight here. I am meeting with a support person Monday about this and will write pros and cons list.

I do have another interview next week. Not sure if its a right fit but yeah. And I'm planning to go to school in winter / spring for something career oriented.

Last edited by WovenGalaxy; Oct 09, 2021 at 09:47 PM..
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Default Oct 10, 2021 at 05:46 PM
  #3
I think it's absolutely to resign rather than work in a place where you feel your health is in danger. I'm not sure where you live, but where I live that place would get shut down if someone reported staff not wearing masks.

It doesn't really matter about anything else but how you feel. If YOU feel unsafe, then it's perfectly reasonable to do whatever you need to do to remedy that. If that means resigning, then resign. It's an employee market right now. Employers are struggling to hire people (in general, there are certainly fields where it's harder or for upper management, etc. might be harder).

I don't know if you read my thread in the Poobah subforum, but I walked away from a huge contract this week because of my mental health. Your physical health is just as important. If it were me, and I feel the same as you about masks, I would have left my first shift seeing employees not wearing masks and not come back.

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Default Oct 11, 2021 at 03:59 AM
  #4
I agree with seesaw's reply. I am disgusted by what you are saying about your workplace. The negligence and lack of concern for people's health are unfathomable. Everyone's health is a priority, You can call OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the USA and file a complaint.OSHA Worker Rights and Protections | Occupational Safety and Health Administration To discuss a health and safety issue at work, contact OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA) or by email, or contact your nearest OSHA office. Your information will be kept confidential. Of course, I don't know if you live in the USA, but it sounds as if you do. The danger of exposure is high without taking precautions, such as wearing masks, washing hands, avoiding close contact, etc. I even get scared just riding the train here although I wear a mask and so does everybody else. People here are still getting infected although they wear masks. I would contact OSHA right away instead of complaining about it to the support person and management there. I really hope they change their policy ASAP.
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Default Oct 11, 2021 at 08:38 AM
  #5
Thank you both for your responses.

I do live in the US. In a liberal state. But its up to the counties. The executive for my county has reasons for not mandating masks (its up to the businesses, places like healthcare, colleges, are placing more weight on masks, with retail, it depends on the store, it seems. A lot of stores heres, the employees don't wear a mask and they think they are safe bc they got a vaccine). His logic is that people get vaccines so they don't have to wear masks. So he's trying to get more ppl to get a vaccine, essentially.

Seesaw, I think I caught some of your situation in the other forum. But not all of it. When I get the time I will go back and read it more carefully.
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Default Oct 11, 2021 at 09:38 AM
  #6
I wear a mask for healthcare professionals. Some extended family are feeling stressed in healthcare. I keep myself safe and wash my hands.

Working the whole time with various mask mandates and the CDC saying various things, left some confusion. As a high risk immune compromised person said, her number of sick days are lower, and she feels safe.

Yes, working neat people who don't wear masks is emotionally challenging, yet you have the choice of how you react. Washing your hands often, and especially before you eat or touch your face will help you stay safer. Take care of you when you are not at work, give yourself space to say it's my coworkers decision to not wear a mask, and I am working on myself to stay safe, that's all I can do.

Pep talks help in hard situations. Leaving because of others doesn't help you in the long run. I ran away from a coworker that threw a knife into a sink. And I was on the first 5 shifts. You will be stronger by staying. You got this!

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Default Oct 11, 2021 at 06:38 PM
  #7
Thank you Puzzclar. That is really good advice and it resonates with me.


Everyone: I have decided to stay. I've talked to a lot of people about this. I've had a few meltdowns today too, over this. I also may get fired. Today before work I was really struggling with this decision, and I'd talked to my support worker before hand, and she said some upsetting things to me (not intentionally) and they were still in my head when I went there. I drove all the way there, even got out of my car and walked toward the building. I ended up calling like 5 min before my shift and saying that I wasn't feeling well. I apologized for the short notice and my manager said not to do that again and to call her before my next shift to let her know how I'm feeling.

This does warrant being let go. I have decided to call tomorrow and disclose my disability. I will also not do what I did today again - I am aware that it's like, jobs 101 that one should not do this. I literally just could not deal, and was considering quitting, and was overwhelmed, and I haven't worked in 8 years. It's not an excuse. It's my explanation I guess. If I do do this again, they can definitely fire me. I will try my best.


This has not been easy (except in the beginning). It has been so bumpy. I didn't know I'd have all these negative and intense feelings. I called a support line at my therapist's office today. I was SUCH a mess. I was crying so hard. And the woman said that maybe I was not ready to work. But how do you "prepare" yourself to work? I've been volunteering steadily for like 2 years. Granted, it's like 2 hours a week, not even, sometimes.


I will try this. It may not work out. It might. It will be bumpy. I will try my best and accept whatever outcome comes from this.
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Default Oct 11, 2021 at 08:54 PM
  #8
No matter what, what ever hours are between the next shift and now, self care and getting the emotions out is helpful.

I wish I had taken my own advice. The only difference between us is that I've worked while having depression. I've been told I should be on disability but I made a decision to say no I'm not disabled. Although deep down I know I'm making my own situation worse. I didn't heed the self care and ended up requesting a leave of absence while on worker's comp. And I've suffered more from not doing self care.

Yes you can work and still have symptoms. Making a plan is overwhelming for most/some. These things help a lot, brushing teeth, shower/bath, eat regularly, get outside, talk to a friend or social connection, and having some outlet for emotions like writing.

As I'm typing this, I finally get that I've let my emotions control my actions because I've been scared of the unknown.

Thank you for your experience, it's helped me and others. No matter what happens, no matter how hard the situation, saying I got this helps.

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Default Oct 14, 2021 at 03:02 PM
  #9
I'm so pleased to read you're working through this, I think Puzzclar gives some great advice 're self care, it seems like the best time to give yourself extra tlc, I hope you can do that on your down time.

The whole mask thing - I hear you. I am in retail in England, here we haven't had a mandate since July, I'm not saying that's a good thing. Over here the mask thing has gone backwards and forwards and it's confusing, I honestly think most people don't know what to do for the best anymore. I went through a lot of anxiety 're masks last year, my personal circumstances made me extra cautious but before mandate/law I was one of the few wearing one. Honestly I love my job and I was going to hang onto it any which way I could, it must be so different to be launched day 1 into this situation, I don't know how I would've felt in your shoes.

Personally I took the line that I couldn't control the behaviour of others but I could control mine - it's my choice to wear a mask, distance, get my vaccination, be careful with hygiene, so I do those things. I'm not saying this is the way to be or if it'll work for you but it helps me, I no longer feel anxious about the mask thing. It's taken time though.

Sending you all my best wishes, I think you're doing great in working through these anxieties.
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Default Oct 23, 2021 at 05:25 AM
  #10
I always wear a mask in public.
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Default Oct 23, 2021 at 11:34 AM
  #11
I always wear a double mask (two masks) anytime I open my apartment door - even if it is for just a few seconds to get a door delivery. The hallway air is shared air space. And if I'm outside, I definitely wear a mask!

I can't go to grad school or even rehabilitate because of the antimaskers in the red state where I live. In fact, law enforcement refuses to vaxx and mask here. No delivery people mask here, as I look out my apartment door's peephole whenever I get contactless deliveries placed in front of my door. This is why I refuse to go to the store. I've not been able to get the medical treatment or tests I need to see if I'm immunocompromised, so not all immunocompromised have a diagnosis; they could be undiagnosed. And that worries me. So I take extra precautions.

I'd try to find a different job - one that you can work at home or one that is serious about employees wearing masks (if not also getting vaccinated).

I'm sorry you are struggling with the antimaskers.
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