Fox 17 Interviews Attorney Katherine Henry When A Woman Is Denied Service at Menards 050220 Air Date: May 4th – BIG RAPIDS, Mich.

A woman with respiratory issues was unable to wear a mask, and indeed went to Menards to purchase a piece needed to keep her air tank operational. However, Menards refused her service, claiming they were doing so simply to “enforce the Governor’s Executive Orders.” A bystander saw what was happening and stepped in to try to help this frail woman.

A viral Facebook video shows a West Michigan man and woman being denied service from a store in Big Rapids because they were not wearing a mask. Trace Cross, who lives 20 minutes outside of Big Rapids and took the video, said the incident happened Wednesday at Menards. In an interview with FOX17, Cross said he went to purchase an item but did not wear a mask because he has asthma and sleep apnea. According to Cross, a mask stresses his lungs and makes it harder than it already is to breathe. Menards stopped him from entering and told him to put on a mask. “I said, ‘I have some medical conditions,’” said Cross. “They said it doesn’t matter, that I was still required to wear a mask.” Cross says he then asked to speak to a store manager and while waiting, Deborah Berry, the woman in the video, tried to enter but was also denied for not wearing a mask. The video shows Berry sitting in a walker with boots on both of her feet and using an oxygen tank. Cross says it’s clear she had medical issues. The governor has made several Executive Orders requiring people to wear masks in public. However, those executive orders have exceptions for those who have trouble breathing with a mask or other medical conditions. Regardless of other constitutional issues, the stores can’t legally deny disabled individuals services – even by the very terms of the governor’s order.