While on a trip I had a stop in Amarillo overnight and decided to run into Sam's to pickup a tax program on sale. I got my mask (since the C-19 virus is raging here and else where) and headed inside. I noticed a hand full of customers not wearing mask which was very disappointing. So I hurried up to do self-checkout and had to get someone to retrieved the software from a locked caged area. I assume it was maybe a manager since he had keys to the secure area. After getting my tax software I decided to mention that there are several customers without a mask ( just in case they slipped through or didn't know about the mask requirement stated clearly on the door). I my surprise he quickly informed me in a "matter of a fact way" that they are not a police force and can not make a customer wear a mask. I told him it was their store and they can make people do what ever policy they have in place or ask them to leave. He stated the Amarillo police informed them that they would not send anyone out even thought it was a county wide mandate to wear a mask inside a buiness. I noted that Costco requires a mask and they enforce it to protect their employees and other members. He quickly stated "We're Not Costco", which I quickly confirmed that to him. He explained that "Corporate" office tells them they can't enforce the mask requirement or ask a customer to put one on to protect their workers ( whom they lable as "Essential") or to protect other shoppers.
Left as some as I could.
I was very disappointed to see that they put a few dollar profits over health and safety and decide not to enforce a mask mandate in their stores even thought it is recommended by the CDC and the health care community.
My hotel even mentioned I was lucky to get a room in the city because they had 700 traveling nurses staying for the past several months to help two large hospitals in town due to the C-19 virus. I had asked about what all the large buses (8-10) were doing because it looked like a sports teams were being shuttled around, back and forth from our hotel.
After I left Sams, I thought about what he said, "we are not a police office, so we can't enforce mask wearing". I thought, your a membership club, so if they do something that is against your policies, then you can refuse to check them out and the store a can revoke their membership ( no cheap gas, no shopping) for endangering the essential employees and other customers trying to stay safe.
I bet if I went to the corporate office of WalMart, they would require me to wear a mask or I would be denied entrance or Escorted out if I took my mask off once I was inside. They seem to enforce "no shirt, no shoes, no service". I imagine if someone ( male or female ) tried to enter, shop, or checkout without a top on, it would be enforced quickly, or at least their membership Suspended after they went through the check out, since you would have their information to confirm who they are and a video record of the person since, all activity is recorded. Seems easy to enforce a mask if they wanted to find a way to protect everyone. Wear a mask or leave, should be the policy for everyone who shops at Sam's. read more