tldr: no mask, no service BS
Our local mayor recently put out a proclamation for wearing masks. There were exceptions explicitly stated for not having to wear one. I made an appointment two days ago with the barber shop. I've prepared myself, so I thought, with the information needed to present myself and not be denied service, just incase some business was uninformed. Well they said I couldn't get a haircut unless I wore a mask. I was remaining as patient as possible trying to explain the exceptions. In addition to the proclamation, I told them about the American with Disabilities Act for which I fall under due to service connected injuries. They asked me what my disability was and I told them that I didn't have to disclose it. I shit you not one of the other barbers said what they said on tv is "no mask no service". I asked them if they even read the proclamations and seen the exceptions. They wanted nothing of it and yelled at me to get out or they were going to call the police. I said sure call them and one of the barbers acted as if they were going to. One of the customers joined in the get out chant. I tried to stand my ground, but my heart was pounding and I stepped outside the shop trying to find our local sheriff's non emergency number. They immediately locked the door behind me. I couldn't find the number and was basically in shock… so I went into my vehicle to calm down. I never called the police and instead filed a complaint with ada.gov. I don't have any social media presence and wanted to share my experience with someone. I thought I could handle it and reason with them, but to no avail… it's just really sad and I fight back tears. I was thinking of making a flyer so to speak with facts, the proclamation and ada guidelines to give and help them be better informed, because they weren't listening to me. Maybe I should of did that first, hindsight is 2020 so they say. I don't know, I feel wiped out but believe God will give me the strength to continue on. I mean it's just a haircut right? I took the oath over 20 years ago, served in the States, South Korea, Germany and survived Iraq a couple of years.