During this stressful time in our country, our #1 priority should be our people. Many businesses are closing their retail locations to promote “social-distancing”, and Goodwill’s current lack of doing so is only doing more harm than good. Employees and customers are exposed daily to the donations of others such as clothing and children’s toys (most of which is unwashed prior to donation), and more worryingly, items such as makeup and underwear. Cleaning procedures can be increased, but that will only go so far due to the high volume of donations each day. In order to “support the Goodwill mission”, Goodwill should be heavily implementing and enforcing the social-distancing of their employees and customers alike. Simply changing hours and cutting schedules is only harming the business in the long run. Since this is the case, the company should simply follow in the footsteps of other retail stores, even possibly providing their employees with pay during the closure period. Especially given that the company is entirely based around supporting their clientele.

Goodwill could provide more in terms of donation services behind closed doors, such as a monitored donation pick up service or drop off for now due to the demand, but pose less risk and in-person contact directly to the public by keeping the retail portion open. In shutting up shop for the time being, Goodwill can 100% advocate the health of their people and display the mission that they serve.