Some retailers, like Schnucks grocery stores, encourage customers to wear masks or other face coverings while they’re shopping in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The stores also ask customers to have just one family member shop at a time in an effort to keep down the number of people in stores. Customers also are advised against bringing reusable shopping bags to stores.
In addition, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, which represents workers in grocery stores and other retail businesses, has urged Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to mandate that customers at those businesses be required to keep their noses and mouths covered during their visits, said David Cook, the local’s president.
“The CDC specifically mentions grocery stores in their latest recommendation that we all wear cloth facial coverings in public,” Cook said. “Our grocery workers and pharmacy techs are doing incredible work right now, and they are putting themselves at risk to do it. More masks will slow the virus down, period.”
Schnucks and Dierbergs reportedly made masks available to their employees to wear while they’re working, and Cook said the union encourages customers to also wear them to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Cook said it’s important the governor take more steps to protect grocery workers.
“He needs to stand up for these workers and do the right thing for their safety,” Cook said. “Tell Missourians to cover their faces when they shop. It’s that simple.”
Cook said Local 655 also has asked Parson to “deem all grocery workers and pharmacy technicians as temporary first responders and sought expanded access to testing and PPE (personal protective equipment)” for the grocery workers.
