08/11/2020
A few thoughts on normalizing the unmasked.
At this time, other than that a few isolated venues such as East Avon Flea Market, the unmasked are a very small minority of those shopping at most stores. If you own a retail store, especially not one subject to excessive state regulations such as a bar or restaurant, here are a few things to consider.
1. You do not have to require facemasks on your customers. As long as social distancing can be maintained, face masks are not required by any state executive order. This is why people are able to freely shop at Walmart and Wegmans without masks and without legal complications. It should be no different for a smaller store.
2. Subject to limitations that may be imposed by the American with Disabilities Act, it is the right of every business owner to choose whether they want to require shoppers to wear masks. People that wait on customers are generally not given that freedom. If you feel that for your own safety you want to require masks on customers that is your right.
3. On the other hand, if you want to allow some customers to shop in your store without a mask either for Medical or any other reason that is also your right. I understand that some of your other customers may object to that. It's up to each business owner to decide whether they will have a net gain in business by excluding the unmasked versus business loss from customers objecting to the unmasked.
4. If one of your objecting customers were to file a complaint against you for allowing other customers to shop without masks, I don't believe that there is any action that would be taken against you. Again, as long as people are maintaining social distance there is no legal requirement for customers to wear a masks or you to require it other than at bars, restaurants or other businesses that have special rules.
5. Finally, please consider that by keeping a "masks required" policy in effect you are prolonging the fear pandemic. If you personally do not believe that masks are effective in either protecting you or your customers, then why allow the fear to continue?
To allow you to communicate a "mask optional" policy to your customers I will be happy to provide you with a free 11X17 laminated sign to put in your door like the one pictured here. Please contact me at Genesee Graphics if you want one. Call or text 233-5338 or email: [email protected]