A local bookstore is sharing online messages from "anti-masking bullies" who are encouraging people not to shop at the business over its face mask policy.
Indigenous-owned and operated, Massy Books is a bookstore located in Chinatown and is a member of the Stó:l艒 Business Association. It has also donated over $60,000 to local charities and community initiatives.
While the province has dropped the mask mandate for most places (they are still required in health-care settings, physicians’ offices and patient contact areas), many businesses encourage customers to wear them.
And B.C.'s top doctor underscored in the last regularly-scheduled COVID-19 update on March 10 that people need to be respectful of others who continue to wear face masks and businesses that continue to encourage the practice. Further, she said she would wear a mask in places such as public transit.
"It's a sign of respect," she said.
Massy Books, located at 229 E Georgia St, asks customers to wear masks while shopping in the store and says "bullies" are planning to harass staff for its policy.
The owners took to Twitter to state that they may lock the store's front door and require customers to use a doorbell or knock.
"Just until these tools find something else to do with their time," they quipped.
Anti-masking bullies are planning to harass Massy. FYI, we may lock our front door soon, requiring access by doorbell/knocking only, just until these tools find something else to do with their time. Maybe I should get water guns, lol. Other suggestions welcome
— MassyBooks (@MassyBooks)
The store also shared a couple of screenshots of messages shared on its social media. One of the anti-mask advocates encourages people to "ban this book store. Put her out of business," and says the practise is discriminatory against people who cannot wear face masks due to medical conditions.
Another person comments that they are planning to visit the store maskless with friends. In response, someone writes: "What can she do, call the cops? No law broken."
Numerous people in the community have voiced their support for the popular bookstore online, with several of them noting that people can simply choose not to shop there if they feel so strongly about the policy.
What is their problem?! No one is forcing them to shop with you. Shop elsewhere if they feel so strongly. I feel for you. We encouraged masks at our bookshop. People just don't care. 75% of shoppers still didn't wear a mask.
— Marcie Callewaert John (@marcie_c_john)
It's disheartening that you have to deal with this. Don't these people have anything better to do with their time and energy?
— Waubgeshig Rice (@waub)
A business is private property. You're entirely within your legal rights to ask them to leave for WHATEVER reason you want as long as you're not discriminating against them on protected traits, of which, last time I checked, "not wanting to wear a mask" isn't.
— The Werewolf 馃拤x4 馃嚚馃嚘 馃嚞馃嚙 馃憤馃嚭馃嚘 (@TheoWerewolf)
Call the cops.
With a file from Tyler Orton.
