Apple Store employees in the United States must now wear masks, but not customers

[pstokely]

Source: iMore

Apple has reportedly told employees at its United States Apple Stores that they must once again wear masks when at work, although the company has stopped short of requiring that customers also wear face coverings.

The move comes following a report that Apple has also paused plans to require staff to work in the office three days per week from Monday. It's thought that concerns over increases in positive COVID-19 cases are behind the moves. That report came via Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with a further post to Twitter confirming the move to require masks be worn by retail employees.

It is still unclear at this stage when Apple will require people to work from the office for the previously agreed three days, nor do we know when Apple will remove the mask requirement for retail employees. However, it's likely both cases will be reviewed as the COVID-19 situation changes in the coming days and weeks. Employees must still work from the office two days a week.

Read more: https://www.imore.com/apple-store-employees-united-states-must-now-wear-masks-not-customers

[iluvtennis]

1. Totally support the move for employees to wear masks - COVID is still here and expected

to start rising again.

Until 80+ percent of the population is fully vaccinate/boosted, we all should continue to take precautions of wearing a mask indoors/crowded outdoor venues.

Just my opinion.

[gab13by13]

2. Was shocked when I visited my daughter

in Alison Park, outside Pittsburgh, yesterday. When we went to the grocery store about 1/3 of the customers wore masks, it surprised me coming from a small red neck town in central Pa. where basically no one wears masks.

At least when I see people wearing masks I know they are smart, or as the Magats say, "woke" Democrats.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. MAGAts are crazy but they are not normally self-destructive.

Individually speaking of course. Once reality slaps them in the face... (mainly the stories about the cost of being hospitalized with COVID) they suddenly seem to show that they do have a few functioning brain cells. Which is just more proof that they are well aware that they are spewing crap, they just don't want to admit they were wrong.

[secondwind]

3. I just don't get this... Wearing a mask means you are protecting the other person from yourself.

[PSPS]

5. You're right. I guess Apple doesn't want to alienate their MAGA customer base.

[Dorn]

6. Results of research show effectiveness for N95 mask is better than surgical mask

Result are from a study in a hospital, I'd assume it would apply to non-hospital situations too. Basically wearing a mask does decrease infection (not only from Covid).

N95 respirator use was associated with fewer viral infectious episodes for healthcare workers compared with surgical masks. The N95 respirator was most effective in reducing the risk of a viral infection in the hospital setting from the SARS‐CoV 1 and 2 viruses compared to the other viruses included in this investigation. Methodologic quality, risk of biases, and small number of original studies indicate the necessity for further research to be performed, especially in front‐line healthcare delivery settings.

Although : "Healthcare professionals have stated discomfort, most often headaches, associated with N95 respirator use."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552225/

[ripcord]

7. I'm OK with this

At this point you are putting your employees at risk having them enforce a mask mandate against crazy people.