Going on transit should be simple. Put on a mask, pay your fare and get to your destination.
But according to a Burnaby bus driver, things aren’t that simple and it’s made his life a living hell.
The driver, who I’ll simply refer to as B.D., responded to some of my recent articles about jerks not wearing masks on transit.
B.D. wishes people would just follow the rules, but added that they aren’t really rules because drivers can’t enforce them. Only Transit Police really have the ability to enforce the mask rule. B.C. supplied me with a memo recently sent to drivers saying they can’t enforce the mask rule (see the screenshot above).
“It doesn’t matter that all the other passengers and the driver have their very lives threatened by a deadly virus; the feelings of a potentially violent offender are more important,” said B.D. “It’s all about greasing the squeaky wheel.”
The big issue is that there is a safety issue involved with trying to get someone to put on a mask.
“Some of the passengers are downright threatening and dangerous and you don’t know what behaviours will be displayed if challenged. I, and many others, have had people jump in front of a bus and stand there blocking it if you don’t open the doors for them. So often they may cover their face but as soon as they’re on, the mask comes off. If you say anything, you may get the worst answer of ‘what are you going to do about it?’ All they want is a fight.
Rarely, transit police are around. I have had them on three times this year, once when I honked at them and waived so they would remove one of these no-mask people.”
B.D. also gave some insight into who these anti-maskers are, based on his experience.
“Those claiming exemptions or saying they can’t wear a mask are largely white men. Apparently, no other demographic has such a weak body that they can’t breathe easily through a piece of cloth. Somehow many of these men also have no problem smoking.”
“What am I to do, trapped in my cage?”
I mean it makes sense. The same thing is happening in grocery stores and malls. People show up without a mask and, for the most part, staff don’t say anything because they fear they might be assaulted.
It’s always the front-line workers who face the abuse and I feel for them. So, people, please read what B.D. has said and consider it the next time you decide you’re too precious to wear a mask.
Just suck it up and help us end this pandemic.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
