Walmart will require all shoppers to wear face masks starting July 20: Other stores doing likewise
by Karin L. Nauber
There is so much information and misinformation out there related to COVID-19. One of the most controversial topics has been the use of masks. Even top authorities on the subject have given differing views as to whether masks offer protection or if they are a cumbersome waste of material.
There have been some retailers that have required shoppers to wear masks for some time now including places like Menards, Starbucks, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Kroger Co.
Several other retailers are joining the trend which they believe will help keep people safer from contracting COVID-19.
On July 15, Walmart and Sam’s Club issued a press release that outlined why they are going to start requiring facemasks beginning Monday, July 20 at all of their stores.
CVS Pharmacies will be requiring face coverings at all of their locations beginning on July 20, as well.
In a like gesture, Target stores will be putting a facemask wearing requirement at all of their stores starting August 1.
Why now?
It was related to me that requiring the wearing of masks now was like “wiping after you had already pulled your pants up.”
But the reality is that in recent weeks many cities and states have seen resurgences in COVID-19 numbers, many times higher than the onset of the virus in the United States.
It has been argued that the death rate hasn’t followed suit. However, the toll has been rising in COVID-19 related deaths over the past couple of week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield said that Americans could “drive this epidemic to the ground” if we all were to wear face coverings for the next four to six weeks.
The following is the news release from Walmart that was issued July 15 and written by Chief Operating Officer, Walmart U.S. Dacona Smith and Chief Operating Officer, Sam’s Club Lance de la Rosa.
“From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus and priority has been and continues to be on the health and safety of our associates, members and customers...."
Comments