When Costco announced it would require all
members to wear face masks before they are
permitted to enter and shop beginning May
4th, the company predicted the new change
would not be universally accepted, even if
the rule was intended to protect both shoppers
and employees working during the pandemic.
CEO Craig Jelinek is clear about who the store
was protecting when he announced the new rule
at the end of April.
Jelinek wrote in a statement,
"We know some members may find this inconvenient
or objectionable, but under the circumstances
we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience.
This is not simply a matter of personal choice;
a face covering protects not just the wearer,
but others too."
The new rule is the latest in a series of
measures Costco has taken to contain the spread
of COVID-19.
Other steps include limiting the number of
members per card to two, as well as setting
aside new shopping times for senior citizens
and people with disabilities.
The only exceptions Costco will make for the
mask rule include children under 2 years old
and those who have respiratory problems.
The face mask rule covers all of Costco's
stores in the United States, and along with
the new face mask rule, Costco announced it
would resume regular operating hours.
The new policy has triggered some Costco members
who consider the face mask rule to be unjustified
and unfair.
Some say they will refuse to comply, while
others say they will terminate their memberships,
and their complaints are trending under the
hashtag "Boycott Costco."
Twitter user Talia wrote, in part,
"Adios #Costco!
Won't be renewing my membership!
I REFUSE to mask up for the low IQ mob that's
falling for the propaganda…"
Other members, like Twitter user "R Hunter,"
claimed the masks were useless against COVID-19,
despite recommendations from the CDC that
Americans should wear them in grocery stores,
writing,
"Simply ridiculous!
Not based on science but fear.
Learn the fact of the virus Costco.
Until you lift your requirement I will not
shop there.
Sam's [Club] is just across the street!"
"CDC recommends, and the task force recommends,
wearing cloth face coverings in public settings
where other social distancing measures are
difficult to maintain."
Some also said they would show their displeasure
with Costco's new policy by using their membership,
like Twitter user "chuck lorre fan," who wrote,
"I Will be getting a refund for the remainder
of my Costco membership.
I suggest everyone do the same.
Know your constitutional rights!"
Some shoppers may be unhappy with Costco over
the new face mask rule, but it shouldn't expect
any love from some of its employees, who aren't
happy with the company either.
BuzzFeed News reports that dozens of employees
across the country say Costco has all but
abandoned social distancing protocols in many
of their stores.
Store managers stand accused of increasing
the number of people allowed in the store
at any time, making it a challenge to maintain
social distancing protocols.
Some employees say they have also seen members
of Costco's corporate leadership visit the
stores and ask for cones and tape which mark
social distancing queues to be removed.
One Texas-based Costco employee told BuzzFeed
News,
"[Management] is in fear of turning people
away.
They still do not care that we are in the
middle of a pandemic.
They just want sales.
They are allowing up to 600 people in the
store at a time.
Employees have to dodge people like it's a
minefield.
It's just a complete breakdown at every level."
BuzzFeed News also reports that Costco has
refused to address these media enquiries,
but in a past internal email, Craig Jelinek
told restless employees that as a company,
quote, "We've undertaken countless and extraordinary
changes in our warehouses...for the health,
safety, and well being of our employees and
members."
No matter what its disgruntled members or
employees say, Costco appears to be sticking
to its guns over the face mask policy for
now.
According to Jelinek,
"We're choosing to err on the side of safety
in our shopping environments.
Costco has continued to operate during this
crisis as an essential business in all of
our communities, and our employees are on
the front lines.
As part of a community, we believe this simple
act of safety and courtesy is one that Costco
members and employees can undertake together."
The company also reminded its members that
the CDC recommendation on the use of face
masks is clear: People should use cloth face
coverings, quote, "in public settings where
other social distancing measures are difficult
to maintain ([for example] grocery stores
and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant
community-based transmission."
Costco also continues to emphasize the importance
of social distancing along with the use of
face masks, to prevent people who might be
asymptomatic from spreading the virus to people
who are well.
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