What do you think about calling attention to people who don't wear masks in stores?

[Silver Gaia]

36. I can't make myself NOT say something to them, so

I just avoid going into stores because it ends up as a major confrontation every time. The last time I was in a store, which has a mandatory mask policy, I politely asked three women coming toward me with bandanas down around their necks instead of covering their faces, to please pull them up.

One of them said "Oh shut up, you fucking bitch!," while the one closest to me strode over to me, said "Fuck you, bitch!," and proceeded to cough in my face. Fortunately, I was wearing a shield as well as a mask. It made me so angry I rammed my cart into the nearest end cap, and headed for the doors, yelling loudly about what had happened and saying that if this store couldn't protect its shoppers any better than to allow people to go unmasked once they were inside, I could no longer shop there.

When I got to my car, I carefully stripped off the face shield and mask, my sweater, and the gloves I was wearing and placed them in the trunk. When I got home, I left my shoes at the door, stripped off my clothes into the washer, and washed my hands and face. Before stepping into the shower to cleanse the rest of me, I called the store and spoke to the manager. He sent security out to find them. We have a $10,000 fine in our county for businesses who do not enforce mandatory mask wearing inside their places of business, so he took it seriously. I hope they were found and tossed out.

That was the last in a long string of confrontations, everything from laughing at the request to yelling at me to this, and it was the last time I set foot in a store. I miss going into stores.

I worked in retail for many years as a young woman, and always enjoyed the colors and textures and scents of merchandise. An outstanding display still catches my eye and I can admire the thought that went into designing it. But until I can safely walk the aisles, I won't be going into any places of business, including stores. I'm done. Everything is delivered to my door now.

So, I just want to say, if you do confront the maskless, or like me, can't help but say something to them, expect a response or confrontation, and BE CAREFUL!