Retail CEOs in op-ed: All governors should require masks in stores
“Enough is enough. It's time for all US governors to require masks in stores.”
That’s the headline of an op-ed written by 21 retail CEOs (see list at end of article) that appeared on CNN.com urging all U.S. governors to require masks in stores. The piece ran as more and more retailers are issuing face covering mandates, even as some elected officials balk at making masks mandatory.
“Promoting safe and responsible work environments for businesses and customers should not be a matter of politics,” the op-ed reads. “It is a matter of safety, decency and respect for all. Even though wearing a mask materially reduces the spread of Covid-19, some states have yet to mandate face coverings be worn. This is simply irresponsible and runs counter to basic principles of public well-being.”
In the piece, the CEOs thank the governors who have led on the issue, requiring individuals to wear a mask when shopping.
“Respectfully, we request all governors to prioritize the health and safety of our workers and the communities we serve by requiring patrons to wear a mask when visiting our stores,” the op-ed continues. “This simple requirement, along with the social distancing measures and sanitization protocols we have implemented in stores, is the best way to minimize risk and dramatically reduce the spread of Covid-19."
The retail executives also cautioned that requiring retail employees to serve as “de facto law enforcement” could lead to an unsafe environment for their employees and customers.
“All retailers will do our part to clearly communicate such policies to our employees and the public, but it must be the role of government to properly enforce this important safety initiative, and it must be the responsibility of every individual to follow the law,” the statement reads.
Here are the signers of the op-ed:
- Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy
- Gary Philbin, president and CEO of Dollar Tree
- Mary Dillon, CEO of Ulta Beauty
- Sonia Syngal, CEO of Gap, Inc.
- Erik Nordstrom, CEO of Nordstrom
- Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers
- Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US
- Dick Johnson, chairman, president and CEO of Foot Locker
- George Sherman, CEO of GameStop
- Dinesh Lathi, president and CEO of Tailored Brands
- Laura Karet, CEO of Giant Eagle
- Jill Soltau, CEO of JCPenney
- Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone
- Chip Bergh, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.
- Gary Muto, CEO of Ascena Retail
- Wade Miquelon, president and CEO of JoAnn Stores
- Sharon Leite, CEO of Vitamin Shoppe
- Javier Quinones, CEO of IKEA US
- Ron Coughlin, CEO of Petco
- JK Symancyk, president and CEO of PetSmart
- Stephen Smith, president and CEO of L.L.Bean