'BESIDE HERSELF'
A MUM who breathes through a hole in her neck was left "beside herself" when she was asked to leave a bingo hall over fears she could spread coronavirus.
Elaine Arbeau, 67, who is battling lung cancer was told by management at Delta Bingo in Ontario, Canada she would need to leave after she refused to cover up the hole - which she uses to breathe.
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Staff told Elaine she could come back in after the manager spotted her crying in the car park, but she left voluntarily.
Elaine's son, Joe Gilbert posted about the incident on Facebook, writing: "This should never happen to anyone in my moms position [sic]."
He explained his mum was a "hell of a survivor" after battling "many types of cancers over the last 20 years. She is still here".
Staff at the establishment had asked her to cover up the breathing hole with a face mask, but Elaine explained that was impossible for her to do.
Joe explained: "However she like any soldier carries many wounds.
"One being the hole left in her neck. So because of that battle she can't talk like us, or breathe like us.
"She breathes through the hole in her neck."
He explained the 67-year-old "doesn't go out much" and was looking forward to a night at the bingo hall with her friends, but was left sobbing in the car park.
Speaking to , the CEO of Delta Bingo Cam Johnston said he will be taking a "hard look" at the case.
But Johnston added Delta Bingo preferred people who couldn't wear masks to refrain from attending the bingo hall.
He said: "We're trying to protect everyone but my first concern and first obligation is the health and safety of all our customers and staff."
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In Canada, it is recommended people wear a face mask, particularly in crowded public settings.
In some spaces with higher rates of infection, mask wearing is now mandatory, according to the country's
But masks are exempt for those who can't wear them due to health issues or disability - including children under two.
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