Masks: Mandate meaningless if stores don’t act

Who is the ultimate enforcement agency for mask enforcement ? The local police department? The health department?

I was in Fred Meyer this weekend and there were a few customers without masks. I very much doubt any had medical issues prohibiting masks.

I asked a clerk as to store policy; she replied “we don’t bother as we have no power.” I wrote a question to Kroger and still await a reply.

Today I called the store manager, and he indicated they are under orders from Kroger not to engage with non-mask wearers out of concern for employee safety. Understandable, but where does that leave the law?

Fred Meyer has other options to avoid confrontation, such as larger signage at entry points and other signs at checkout stands indicating that masks will be required for service.

Unfortunately, the manager had no interest in discussing alternatives and restated that Kroger headquarters is responsible for policy.

The situation is untenable with regard to the mask law without action by the local stores themselves. Public health and safety are the losers.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 7:58 AM with the headline "Masks: Mandate meaningless if stores don’t act."