Why don’t grocery stores mandate wearing masks?

RECENT TRIPS to the grocery store, to Costco and to Lowe’s revealed to me that many New Mexicans are either still ignorant about the necessity and requirement to wear face masks while in public, or defiant of the governor’s mandate, as they were not wearing masks or wearing them improperly. In either case, it is my opinion stores have an obligation to help enforce this health requirement. They should either deny these customers entry to the store, or provide a face mask upon entry.

The store managers should also have mandates to give strict instructions to their employees about how to wear their masks effectively. Many workers wear them below their nose, a practice which is useless. Today, I spoke with the manager at an Albuquerque (supermarket) and she told me that she has no authority to require the customers to wear masks. I will be taking my business elsewhere to a store that better protects their employees and customers. The manager was not wearing a mask because she has severe asthma and cannot breathe easily with her mask on.

These masks are not for the protection of the people wearing the masks but for the members of our community that are most vulnerable. As one of the people on the front lines of this pandemic, this store manager and her crew should be better protected by her company and by the people of New Mexico. Wear a mask!

KAREN TEMPLE BEAMISH Albuquerque (Editor’s note: Costco requires all employees and shoppers to wear masks.)