While other businesses are being shut down for the safety of everyone and groups larger than 10 are not allowed to gather, our grocery stores and warehouses such as Costco are being flooded with people and the employees that work there are continuing to potentially be exposed to the virus on a day to day basis. 

At a time when grocery stores are seeing a surge in profits and its workers are receiving hazard pay, now is the time to look at how employees are being kept safe during a worldwide health crisis. When hundreds of people are packed into a grocery store, no one is abiding by the 6 feet apart or less than 10 people gathered guidelines.

We need to urge stores to move to a “order pick up only” model such as those imposed upon restaurants. Not only are employees exposed to countless members of the general public during this time but they can potentially be exposing their family members and those who come through their line to the virus as well.

For the elderly, those on WIC or food stamps, and those without technology, an alternate mode for ordering groceries should also be made available to them and their orders should receive priority as many are on a fixed income and unable to buy more than a weeks groceries at a time.

Now is the time to show the nation that the health and safety of a corporation's employees and its loyal customers is worth more than profits. How companies respond now will be a direct reflection of the loyalty corporations receive in the future.

We're all watching. We're all fearful. Let's do our best to protect each other and declare victory.