Publix employees are not allowed to wear masks and gloves unless in specialty areas.

This places not only the employees at HUGE risk, but also all of Publix's customers, who might come in contact with an employee who recently contacted another infected customer. Furthermore, it makes it seem as though Publix cares more about its image rather than the safety of its own workforce. At the end of the day, when people need to buy food, they will go to the market and BUY FOOD, regardless of if workers are wearing 'creepy' masks. In fact, it's quite the contrary: Would you rather the cashier be wearing gloves and a mask when handling your food items or would you rather if they had nothing? Consider the sheer amount of people a Publix cashier interacts with, money and items touched, etc. in just ONE shift during the buying craze. By not allowing PPE, Publix is not doing its part to contain the spread.

Publix is not allowing employees to even bring in their OWN PPE.

Yes, there is a shortage of masks and gloves - however, a lot of people have their own supplies at home, or can at least make them.

To keep employees protected, I will not mention specific names or locales, but at 2 different South Miami stores, employees have told me they would bring in their own protective gear from home -- If only they were allowed! A manager expressed to me that he would love to implement that policy, if only corporate would allow him. This seems to be the root of the issue: corporate policy. It's not shortage, it's not the managers, and it's not fearful customers. It is the corporate policy that has not adapted to the current climate and threat our community faces. We ask Corporate Publix as a community to PLEASE do their part and ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO BRING PPE. We understand providing PPE is another challenge within itself, so we are asking as reasonable members of the community for them to at least do the minimum and ALLOW it for employees who wish to do so.

Grocery Store Employees are Unlikely Heroes of this Battle

Lets take this as an opportunity to show grocery store employees that they are appreciated and noticed during these times of uncertainty. We tend to underappreciate the sacrifice that these employees are taking (with grocery store salaries) to ensure the safety and food supply of the American people. They are vital to our survival and put their own lives as well as their families' lives at risk so we can buy the food we eat. There is no reason to endanger their lives or the lives of those they serve. THANK YOU TO ALL THE VITAL PERSONNEL IN OUR ECONOMY TAKING DAILY RISKS TO ENSURE OUR SURVIVAL.

Our Message Is Simple: TELL CORPORATE TO STOP LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR POCKETS AND TO INSTEAD CARE FOR THEIR WORKFORCE, THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THE GREATER EFFORT IN REDUCING CORONAVIRUS SPREAD BY GRANTING ALL EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT TO WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.