#Cancer-stricken woman booted from bingo hall for not covering hole in her neck

A Canadian woman who is battling lung cancer was kicked out of her bingo hall because the hole she breathes through in her neck wasn’t covered by a mask, according to a report.

Elaine Arbeau, 67, of Whitby, Ontario, who doesn’t go out much anymore, was excited to get together with her friends when Delta Bingo in Pickering reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic, CTV News Toronto reported.

But when she showed up recently, she was asked to leave the premises because of her tracheotomy hole, her son Joe Gilbert told the news outlet.

“She was told to leave by management if she didn’t cover up the hole on her neck,” he said. “She explained that was impossible to do. That’s how she breathes.”

Not wanting to create a scene, the humiliated woman left the bingo hall and broke down in tears in the parking lot, her son told the outlet.

“My mom was beside herself and floored,” Gilbert added.

When the manager noticed Arbeau crying outside, she decided to allow her back inside — but Gilbert said his mom was “too embarrassed” and went home, where she researched the rules on mandatory masks.

She felt she was treated wrongly, so she decided to try entering the hall again Saturday, but was stopped again.

“They told her, ‘You can’t come in here unless you cover the hole on your neck,’” said Gilbert, adding that his mother was given the phone number of the company’s main office.

Arbeau recorded her interaction with the employee, who told her that the business is on private property and can “mandate any rules that they want.”

“What they did was wrong,” Gilbert told CTV News. “The hole can’t be covered because that’s how she breathes. She doesn’t breathe through her mouth or nose. If you cover it, you might as well take away someone’s life support.”

“My poor mom has no voice so I’m hoping by getting this out there, many people will join me to give her one,” he added. “This should never happen to anyone in my mom’s position.”

Delta Bingo CEO Cam Johnston told CTV News that he would take a “hard look” at the case — but added that people who can’t wear masks should not visit the hall for the time being.

“I’ll make a judgment shortly, but we would prefer that people who are unable to wear masks do not attend. I think it’s best for them,” said Johnston, adding that he empathizes with Arbeau but that safety has to be his “number one priority.”

“We’re trying to protect everyone but my first concern and first obligation is the health and safety of all our customers and staff,” he said.