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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStore 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 wouldnt be a mandate after all.
If customer doesnt 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 DONT 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 chains 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 were continually updating our response to COVID-19 as the pandemic quickly evolves, the spokesperson, Diego Romero, said in an email.
But the chains 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 unions members have died of the coronavirus since March. Only last week did Walmart, the countrys largest brick-and-mortar retailer, announce that customers would be turned away at the door if they werent wearing masks. Other companies like the grocer Kroger and the department store Kohls 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
avebury
(10,952 posts)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
(25,551 posts)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.