Got berated today at Planet Fitness for my mask

I think you know the answers to all these questions already but since you're asking...

You know you're not considered vaccinated until final shot PLUS TWO WEEKS. So "gotten my 2nd shot" on its own does not get you "points" or allow you to break the rules, even "just a little".

Speaking of "just a little" - if it was "just a small, little hole" in a condom, would you feel the same way? My guess is No.

Credit for effort? When you're going against the rules designed to 1) keep people safe, and 2) abide by the laws so the business can stay open? What are you, 3 years old?

Lastly, when does it end? When people do what's needed so we can ALL benefit.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I've lived in a COVID hot-spot for more than a year - and compliance is pretty high because people have experienced the real tragedies that resulted. Please continue to do your part (and thanks for getting vaccinated).

Good. That employee was doing her job. If you can't abide by the rules of a space, the solution is to leave that space, not decide that your personal comfort is more important than protecting other people from a virus that has already killed almost 4 million people. I'm sorry if you made this post looking for someone to defend you and agree that you're the victim here, because you aren't. You dun goofed, get over it or work out somewhere else.

Sorry, but as an employee of a gym chain, I would have also asked to change masks. We have to adhere to the county's rules or we end up closing down. I don't like it anymore than you do and I've also had my 2nd shot and 7 negative COVID tests. And even if they lift the mask mandates where I live (in California), I'll still give my clients the option as to whether they want me to wear a mask while I train them.
If you don't want to wear one for cardio, consider doing it outside.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

I feel so sorry for employees who have to deal with people who think the rules shouldn't apply to them. So many special snowflakes out there.

You rang?

jmitts2 wrote: »

I am with the OP. If there was no one around you, then why does it matter? Glad the mask requirement is no longer a thing in my area.

I would argue that it matters for the employees who likely have to deal with multiple people daily coming into their workplace and trying to explain why they're an exception to these rules designed to safeguard both customers and employees.

It matters if you're a business owner just trying to keep your gym open in an area that has mask guidelines that businesses are expected to follow.

And it matters if you're dealing with someone whose understanding of how diseases are spread is so poor that they think cutting a hole in a mask doesn't compromise its effectiveness . . . why would you take this person's word that they were standing far enough away from everyone else to prevent any possible transmission when they don't even understand how to properly use a simple device like a mask?

Just had to say how much I loved the condom comparison. And so true!!

Having had a child-care business in my own home for almost 40 years, I had rules to follow as well. If someone didn't like it, there were other places to choose from that would've been better suited to their needs. Same thing goes for other businesses. If you don't like their rules, at least respect and follow them or go elsewhere that better suits your needs.

He is following the rules, he is wearing a mask. The purpose of the mask is to protect those around you and he wasn't near anyone. If you are still worried about Covid at this point, get your shot or stay at home.

jmitts2 wrote: »

He is following the rules, he is wearing a mask. The purpose of the mask is to protect those around you and he wasn't near anyone. If you are still worried about Covid at this point, get your shot or stay at home.

The point of the mask isn't the strap around your ears, it's covering your nose and mouth. That wasn't happening here.

my gym once required masks, so I wore one of these:

ReenieHJ wrote: »

Please correct me if I'm confused about the vaccine and ability to still catch Covid. It was my understanding, even if you've been vaccinated, you can still catch it but just a milder version so you won't end up terribly sick. And/or you could still be a carrier and pass the virus onto others? They've told people all kinds of things and I'm confused as usual, so err on the side of caution.
FWIW I was fully vaccinated back in March and still will wear a mask, *especially* if a sign on a business tells me too. To me, it's common courtesy and respect.

My understanding is that:
* much like all vaccines (particularly the annual flu vaccine), the COVID vaccines greatly reduce, but do not completely eliminate your chance of becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 and becoming severely ill. It is not magic, your chances of catching COVID are not 0% but they're a damn sight closer to it once you are vaccinated. If you were already unlikely to become severely ill with COVID, then the odds are now even better for you.
* COVID has a very long incubation time, during which you may be asymptomatic but contagious - we've known this for almost the entirety of the pandemic. That never stopped being true. It stands to reason, then, that if even you are vaccinated, if you are exposed and that immunity from the vaccine prevents you from developing a severe infection, you may still be able to pass viral particles on to other people without ever feeling ill yourself.
* The US is still only about 30% vaccinated - that's not enough for herd immunity to protect people who haven't gotten the shot yet. I don't know about globally or if OP is in the US or not, but as far as I know not many countries are much above 50% yet.
* Therefore, even if you are fully vaccinated (both shots + 2 weeks), 2 out of every 3 people you encounter while going about your daily business are not; even if they are, they may have direct contact with people who are not or cannot be vaccinated, and you can't know if you're infected and posing a risk to those other people until it is far, far too late.
* And therefore, masking and distancing are still extremely necessary in indoor public spaces, because--call me crazy, but--I don't think anyone's grandma deserves to die horribly just so I can be slightly more comfortable in public.

jmitts2 wrote: »

I am with the OP. If there was no one around you, then why does it matter? Glad the mask requirement is no longer a thing in my area.

Okay so dumb question. Say a "checker" for the county spots you with no mask or hole in it. Then they watch to see if employees or management address the situation. If they don't and they report it to county, you'll likely first get a fine. Then shut down. It's NOT about convenience. It's about adhering to laws set forth. It's like speeding down a vehicleless road. So no one's around, but if HP sees you, they have every reason to ticket you for exceeding the limit and breaking the law......................regardless of what logical reasoning you may have.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition