I'm in Washington state, and I do a bit of reselling. So I go to thrift shops and such. Tonight at goodwill I was approached by the manager and told that I'm required to wear a mask if I want to shop here. I said "Are you asking me to leave?" She told me that if I was going to be quick I could finish, but started going on about how it's been a year and a half and that everyone should know by now. I said I know its been a year and a half and we're done with the games. I told her no one else has said anything to us anywhere else. She again started going on about how that's because they're bigger stores (not true) and they're a smaller store so it's easier for them to notice, losing patience in her voice. So I told her Im not going to argue with her and turned around and ended up just buying the few things I'd picked up and we left.
I know I shouldn't have given them money, but its my own livelihood at stake as well if I'm forfeiting over profits to protest their store.
Other than that, does anyone have any additional advice on how I should handle situations like this going forward? I'm sick to my stomach. Getting told to leave a store for not complying with tyranny. In the United States of America. Genuinely feel bad right now. I feel anger and sadness.
Sorry this happened to you. If you're anywhere near Seattle, you're lucky you've gone this long without it happening already.
I would suggest just going about your business as normal and if confronted, simply smile and say, "Oh, that. I have an exemption." And leave it at that. If they press you about ut say, "You know, HIPPA law protects my personal medical information."
If you are thinking, I can't lie, I don't have an exemption, consider this. The US Constitution IS your exemption. While you may be able to get an actual medical exemption from your doctor, the truth is, the Constitution protects your inalienable rights, so you can secretly consider that your exemption.
If they continue to press, be sure to scare them by requesting the person's name and saying you're going to report them for breach of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and that the fine ranges from 75k-150k. Good luck. Please let us know if any other masknazis bother you.