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Plight of Retail Workers: ‘I’m Scared to Go to Work’ Plight of Retail Workers: ‘I’m Scared to Go to Work’
(8 days later)
The Macy’s in Manhattan’s Herald Square opened its doors to customers at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, as planned.The Macy’s in Manhattan’s Herald Square opened its doors to customers at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, as planned.
Dozens of employees staffed the cash registers, cosmetics counter and shoe department. Many were frightened. Three days before, the company said that a worker at the store had tested positive for the coronavirus. But other workers were still being asked to commute to a job that required close interaction with the public.Dozens of employees staffed the cash registers, cosmetics counter and shoe department. Many were frightened. Three days before, the company said that a worker at the store had tested positive for the coronavirus. But other workers were still being asked to commute to a job that required close interaction with the public.
“Why are your stores open?!” one person wrote on the Macy’s Facebook page. “Let those employees go home!”“Why are your stores open?!” one person wrote on the Macy’s Facebook page. “Let those employees go home!”
By the end of the day, Macy’s announced that it was closing the Herald Square location and hundreds of stores nationwide through the end of the month. It said it would continue to compensate its workers. Many prominent retailers like Apple, Patagonia, Nike and Lululemon had also closed.By the end of the day, Macy’s announced that it was closing the Herald Square location and hundreds of stores nationwide through the end of the month. It said it would continue to compensate its workers. Many prominent retailers like Apple, Patagonia, Nike and Lululemon had also closed.
But other chains like TJX, the owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, Kohl’s and Starbucks remained open as of Wednesday morning, putting their employees — many of them relatively low-paid hourly workers — at potential risk. Gap stores were also open, although they planned to close on Thursday.But other chains like TJX, the owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, Kohl’s and Starbucks remained open as of Wednesday morning, putting their employees — many of them relatively low-paid hourly workers — at potential risk. Gap stores were also open, although they planned to close on Thursday.
The retail industry has endured a recent raft of bankruptcies and closures, as well as the pressure of new tariffs in the past year. It makes the prospect of losing weeks of business to the coronavirus even more chilling for many stores.The retail industry has endured a recent raft of bankruptcies and closures, as well as the pressure of new tariffs in the past year. It makes the prospect of losing weeks of business to the coronavirus even more chilling for many stores.
But staying open has also caused anxiety for their employees.But staying open has also caused anxiety for their employees.
Nevin Muni, who works part time at a T.J. Maxx in Queens, went to work on Tuesday in the stock room. She was given extra hours because a few other workers had called in sick, but the store was mostly empty.Nevin Muni, who works part time at a T.J. Maxx in Queens, went to work on Tuesday in the stock room. She was given extra hours because a few other workers had called in sick, but the store was mostly empty.
“Many people are scared,” Ms. Muni said. An employee who answered the phone early Wednesday afternoon said the store would be open until 8 p.m.“Many people are scared,” Ms. Muni said. An employee who answered the phone early Wednesday afternoon said the store would be open until 8 p.m.
TJX and Kohl’s did not respond to requests for comment.TJX and Kohl’s did not respond to requests for comment.
“This crisis is really shining a light on inequality across our nation and economy,” said Liz Dunn, the founder of Pro4ma, a retail analytics company. Even as some people gripe about working from home, she said, “a lot of people can’t, and it’s likely they’re a lot more vulnerable in terms of what an economic downtown will do to their ability to feed their family and keep themselves housed.”“This crisis is really shining a light on inequality across our nation and economy,” said Liz Dunn, the founder of Pro4ma, a retail analytics company. Even as some people gripe about working from home, she said, “a lot of people can’t, and it’s likely they’re a lot more vulnerable in terms of what an economic downtown will do to their ability to feed their family and keep themselves housed.”
Some retailers said they were staying open because they viewed their businesses as important, even if not essential. Wheelworks, a bike store in the Boston area, said in an email to customers that it would keep its regular hours. “Getting outside and riding your bike is a great activity when you’re trying maintain physical distance,” the retailer said. “We are fully stocked with everything you would need for your outdoor adventures.”Some retailers said they were staying open because they viewed their businesses as important, even if not essential. Wheelworks, a bike store in the Boston area, said in an email to customers that it would keep its regular hours. “Getting outside and riding your bike is a great activity when you’re trying maintain physical distance,” the retailer said. “We are fully stocked with everything you would need for your outdoor adventures.”
The Retail Industry Leaders Association, an industry trade group, has been urging state and local officials to not unilaterally declare most of retail, outside of grocery stores and pharmacies, as nonessential. The group said officials should first consult with retailers before ordering stores to close.The Retail Industry Leaders Association, an industry trade group, has been urging state and local officials to not unilaterally declare most of retail, outside of grocery stores and pharmacies, as nonessential. The group said officials should first consult with retailers before ordering stores to close.
“Ultimately, the retailers are in the best position to understand whether their store is deemed to be essential,” said the association’s president, Brian Dodge. “It is changing. What is true today might not be true tomorrow.”“Ultimately, the retailers are in the best position to understand whether their store is deemed to be essential,” said the association’s president, Brian Dodge. “It is changing. What is true today might not be true tomorrow.”
Anyia Johnson, a barista at a Philadelphia-based Starbucks, said that she had skipped three scheduled shifts since last Thursday, when she went home early with aches, chills and a cough. She said she was especially concerned about coronavirus because she has a heart murmur, but that some of her colleagues continued to work with similar symptoms.Anyia Johnson, a barista at a Philadelphia-based Starbucks, said that she had skipped three scheduled shifts since last Thursday, when she went home early with aches, chills and a cough. She said she was especially concerned about coronavirus because she has a heart murmur, but that some of her colleagues continued to work with similar symptoms.
“The higher-ups — the C.E.O., the district managers, the board — they don’t understand what’s going on on the lower level,” Ms. Johnson said. “They’re not in the store with us, not interacting with customers on the front lines.”“The higher-ups — the C.E.O., the district managers, the board — they don’t understand what’s going on on the lower level,” Ms. Johnson said. “They’re not in the store with us, not interacting with customers on the front lines.”
A Starbucks spokeswoman said Tuesday that “we aren’t hearing concerns” from other workers in the store. Ms. Johnson said she was told Wednesday that she would be approved for two weeks of paid leave.A Starbucks spokeswoman said Tuesday that “we aren’t hearing concerns” from other workers in the store. Ms. Johnson said she was told Wednesday that she would be approved for two weeks of paid leave.
Ms. Johnson also began a petition through the website Coworker.org urging Starbucks to suspend business during the pandemic while continuing to pay employees. The petition has so far received more than 15,000 signatures.Ms. Johnson also began a petition through the website Coworker.org urging Starbucks to suspend business during the pandemic while continuing to pay employees. The petition has so far received more than 15,000 signatures.
On Sunday, store workers for Madewell, the denim brand owned by J.Crew, had two phone calls with senior leaders and were told that the stores would remain open, according to two people familiar with the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their jobs. Store workers grew upset during the call when they were told that paid time off would not be approved for the next two weeks, the people said.On Sunday, store workers for Madewell, the denim brand owned by J.Crew, had two phone calls with senior leaders and were told that the stores would remain open, according to two people familiar with the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their jobs. Store workers grew upset during the call when they were told that paid time off would not be approved for the next two weeks, the people said.
Store employees understood the corporate staff of J.Crew and Madewell to be working from home by the end of last week, increasing the tension. The situation boiled over on Instagram, where employees and customers berated Madewell. “Selling jeans is not worth putting lives at risk,” one user wrote.Store employees understood the corporate staff of J.Crew and Madewell to be working from home by the end of last week, increasing the tension. The situation boiled over on Instagram, where employees and customers berated Madewell. “Selling jeans is not worth putting lives at risk,” one user wrote.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
J.Crew and Madewell announced on Monday that they would be closed through March 27. J. Crew and Madewell declined to comment.J.Crew and Madewell announced on Monday that they would be closed through March 27. J. Crew and Madewell declined to comment.
On an internal message board for Gap employees, the mounting anxiety of store staff was apparent this week. Many expressed concern about accepting cash and whether fitting rooms were safe and pleaded with Gap, which also owns Banana Republic and Old Navy, to shut stores.On an internal message board for Gap employees, the mounting anxiety of store staff was apparent this week. Many expressed concern about accepting cash and whether fitting rooms were safe and pleaded with Gap, which also owns Banana Republic and Old Navy, to shut stores.
Exacerbating the situation was the fact that some executives making the decisions to have employees to continue showing up at stores were doing so from their own homes. Gap’s headquarters are in San Francisco, which was subject to a shelter-at-home order this week.Exacerbating the situation was the fact that some executives making the decisions to have employees to continue showing up at stores were doing so from their own homes. Gap’s headquarters are in San Francisco, which was subject to a shelter-at-home order this week.
“I’m scared to go to work, but if I don’t go I won’t get paid, and I have a one-year-old at home,” one employee wrote on Tuesday. “Please please please close all stores.”“I’m scared to go to work, but if I don’t go I won’t get paid, and I have a one-year-old at home,” one employee wrote on Tuesday. “Please please please close all stores.”
Another wrote: “I have worked for this company for 18 years and have never felt less valued as a human being. I have to explain to my sales associates every single day why we are still open and honestly I have no more answers.”Another wrote: “I have worked for this company for 18 years and have never felt less valued as a human being. I have to explain to my sales associates every single day why we are still open and honestly I have no more answers.”
Gap said early Wednesday that its stores would close on Thursday and reopen on April 2.Gap said early Wednesday that its stores would close on Thursday and reopen on April 2.
“Our focus is on the health and livelihood of our employees, customers and communities,” a Gap spokeswoman wrote in an email, “and it was important to weigh all the potential impacts when making this decision.”“Our focus is on the health and livelihood of our employees, customers and communities,” a Gap spokeswoman wrote in an email, “and it was important to weigh all the potential impacts when making this decision.”
Noam Scheiber contributed reporting.Noam Scheiber contributed reporting.
Contact Sapna Maheshwari at sapna@nytimes.com and Michael Corkery at michael.corkery@nytimes.com.Contact Sapna Maheshwari at sapna@nytimes.com and Michael Corkery at michael.corkery@nytimes.com.