SCUM, LITERAL SCUM.
When COVID-19 is finally laid into the history books, I imagine there will be a small section on certain scumfuck businesses that cared more about their bottom line than their employees, customers, and the public health. And right at the top, the most singular part of that section, will be GameStop.
Let’s ignore the fact that the suits at the top still probably disagree with the assertion that they’re not essential retail. While they did make concessions, specifically in regards to curbside pickup, they’re still open (well, everywhere but Pennsylvania). And that’s now the bone of contention.
According to the Boston Globe, GameStop has told employees in Massachusetts to keep stores open despite not being essential retail. Massachusetts, by the way, is one of those states that are actively trying to “flatten the curve” in regards to COVID-19 cases. The really galling part, however, is what GameStop corporate considers a means of protection. Per the Boston Globe:
Workers have been told to wrap a plastic bag around one hand to protect it from exposure to the virus, open the door a crack, and take the customer’s credit card, the manager said. Employees are then to run the card with a hand still encased in the bag, flip the bag inside out, leaving the card inside, put the purchase in the bag, and hand it back through the door.
You… you don’t get it, do you, GameStop?
That’s not acceptable practice at this point. We are beyond that. That would be practical for an actual essential retail business, but not for you. Shut the fuck down.
But it’s totally real. Store managers were sent an email with these directions. An email which was also passed on to the Boston Globe by one of these store managers, who wished to remain anonymous. The email, in part:
Lightly (you want to be able to get it off easily) tape a Game Stop plastic bag over your hand and arm. Do not open the door all the way —keep the glass between you and the guest’s face — just reach out your arm.
That same manager told the Boston Globe:
I have to make a choice between doing a job that nobody needs during a pandemic and not being paid, and possibly infecting people or being infected. We know for a fact the disease is contagious even when you’re asymptomatic.
Businesses that remain open during the lockdown can be fined $300 per incident. Which is enough to stop smaller retailers from doing so, but not (an admittedly ailing) multi-national business like GameStop. If authorities were smart, they’d up the fines for large retail chains specifically, since $300 is a trade they seem happy to make to rake in that cash at the expense of everyone else.
This is what true avarice looks like.
Source: Forbes
About Author
