Man with cerebral palsy asked to leave store, mask didn’t cover nose

BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue man went shopping with his girlfriend at Crate and Barrel at Bellevue Square last Friday.

Chris Hays, 28, who has cerebral palsy, said he wore his mask over his mouth but left his nose uncovered. He said walking and standing take so much of his energy he would hyperventilate if he had a mask over his nose. His girlfriend wore her mask over her nose and mouth.

Hays said he encountered two store clerks and a store manager, and each one asked him to cover his nose. Hays said he kept explaining he was exempt due to medical reasons. Hays said the manager told him to put his mask over his nose or to leave the store.

"That experience made me feel unwelcome and undeserving to be out in public," said Hays, "This exception is in there for people like me."

Hays wants to make sure businesses know about the exceptions. He is also asking people not to pretend to need the exception and, instead, to “save it” for people who need it.

He's asking Crate and Barrel for an apology, which it looks like he will be getting soon.

KIRO 7 reached out to Crate and Barrel, and a spokesperson acknowledged Hays should not have been asked to leave the store:

“The health and safety of our customers and associates continues to be a top priority at all Crate and Barrel locations. In alignment with CDC recommendations, we have trained all store associates that masks are required for all customers while shopping, with exceptions for small children and those with medical conditions. In this incident, while our store associate had the best of intentions, they did not properly follow this policy which exempts those with medical conditions. We look forward to speaking with Mr. Hayes soon to express our apologies for his shopping experience. We appreciate this matter being brought to our attention since as we continue to navigate this pandemic, we are committed to ongoing associate training on our safety policies to ensure a safe and comfortable shopping experience for all.”

Cox Media Group