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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Sun Jul 26, 2020, 02:07 PM Jul 2020

Store Mask Requirements Aren't Really Requirements If They Aren't Enforced

On July 2, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a statewide mask requirement to dampen a surge in coronavirus cases. Under the order, most Texans would have to cover their faces when entering buildings open to the public, like grocery stores. The following day, managers at a Sprouts Farmers Market in Texas received a memo related to the new policy. When it came to customers who refused to mask up, the mandate wouldn’t be a mandate after all.

“If customer doesn’t have a mask, we offer them one. If customer still refuses, let them shop,” stated the July 3 memo, a copy of which was provided to HuffPost. “WE ARE NOT KICKING OUT CUSTOMERS WHO DON’T HAVE A FACE COVERING. That is not Sprouts policy.”

A Sprouts spokesperson told HuffPost the company implemented a strict requirement for masks the following week, on July 11. The policy applies to the chain’s 300 stores nationwide and is posted at entrances for customers to see. “The wellbeing of our team members, our customers, and our communities remain our top priority and we’re continually updating our response to COVID-19 as the pandemic quickly evolves,” the spokesperson, Diego Romero, said in an email.

But the chain’s initial reaction to the Texas order reflects how many grocers and retailers have been slow to take strong stands on masks for customers. A worker who obtained the memo said employees at their Sprouts location were told the store would rather take a fine than press the issue with a stubborn customer who refused to put on a mask.

The United Food and Commercial Workers, a union that represents 900,000 grocery workers, had been urging chains to adopt mask requirements in the spring. According to the union, roughly 7 in 10 members in a recent internal poll said their employers were not enforcing mask mandates. At least 93 of the union’s members have died of the coronavirus since March. Only last week did Walmart, the country’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer, announce that customers would be turned away at the door if they weren’t wearing masks. Other companies like the grocer Kroger and the department store Kohl’s made similar pronouncements.

But even at some chains with clear mask mandates, the requirements ultimately remain little more than requests. CNN reported Friday that Walmart, Home Depot and other retailers are still allowing maskless customers in the store despite masks being mandatory. A Walmart list of talking points for managers echoed the Sprouts memo, saying if someone refused to cover up, “let them continue to shop.”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/store-mask-requirements-arent-really-requirements-if-they-arent-enforced_n_5f1b483dc5b6128e6825c501
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Store Mask Requirements Aren't Really Requirements If They Aren't Enforced (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jul 2020 OP
I went to the local Mall yesterday and was amazed by the avebury Jul 2020 #1
A corporate policy is just that... LeftInTX Jul 2020 #2

avebury

(10,946 posts)
1. I went to the local Mall yesterday and was amazed by the
Sun Jul 26, 2020, 02:25 PM
Jul 2020

number of mask challenged people I saw. A young couple (wife very pregnant) did have masks, they just didn't actually wear them. Hope that does not come back to bite them. Oklahoma has had over 31,000 positive tests as of today which is an increase of over 1200 since yesterday (yesterday was an increase of over 900).

LeftInTX

(24,541 posts)
2. A corporate policy is just that...
Sun Jul 26, 2020, 02:36 PM
Jul 2020

It can't be enforced by the consumer

A mandate by a government can, but there are caveats.

This isn't about "everyone" wearing masks. It is about the "overwhelming majority" wearing masks.

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