Manners Maketh Man

There was an unpleasant incident outside the Haddenham pharmacy on Tuesday when a man behaved aggressively towards the volunteer marshals.

Writes Martin Andrew, Marshal Co-ordinator:

"My shift leader had asked the man whether he had a mask as it was necessary for going into the pharmacy. He responded badly and said he would be reporting us (not sure to whom) and that we should have asked if he was exempt (he had no exemption badge around his neck).

We always check in situations in which individuals are not wearing a mask as we have a supply at the door and give them out, mostly to people who have either forgotten their mask or do not realise they are still required in a medical centre or pharmacy situation.

It is up to the person asked to state whether they are exempt, not up to us to make assumptions.

It seems wholly unnecessary to become aggressive and hostile to people who are volunteering to help the community and this incident very much upset the two ladies who were on that shift that morning.

Some people have an overwelming sense of their own importance and leap to anger at the drop of a hat, seeing insult or affront where none is intended.

It is highly unsatisfactory that we have to put up with such aggressive behaviour but that's the way the world seems to be going: rights not obligations and with courtesy and good manners a long way behind.

So a plea: please be kind to our volunteers — they are simply trying to help the vaccination programme run as safely and smoothly as possible.

Martin Andrew
Marshal Co-ordinator: