In light of the company's recent announcement to keep their stores open during a pandemic that is rapidly spreading across the world. Many crafters, sewers, cosplayers, bakers, and artists understand that doing their hobbies are a means to calm anxiety, cabin fever, and even run small businesses. However, keeping your stores open during a time when everyone is quarantined is a threat to public health in the long run.

Since your company doesn't have paid sick leave for retail workers, employees who need their jobs can come to work ill. As a result, they are risking getting everyone at the store sick with COVID19, especially customers and/or employees who are elderly, children, have compressed immune systems, etc. All of whom could die from the disease. This is also riskier for stores that are understaffed.

Crafting stores that are not essential during this time. We are asking Joann's to close their stores for a few weeks and switch to online-only. In addition, we are asking to provide your employees with paid sick leave and to pay your employees while your stores are closed. It is more important that all customers and employees remain healthy during this crisis and in the future. New crafting supplies can wait.