Home Depot wants all associates to help customers without PPE n95 masks only supplying plain surgical masks. I am over 70. What should I do?

joel, what do you wear when you are out getting groceries, etc? How comfortable is that mask?

I had to purchase my own protective items, thus that way I could choose what I liked best. I have tried the N95, a cloth mask, and a paper mask. Paper mask hands down the easier of the 3 to breath for me. I also found people can't hear my soft voice when I talk :P

Whatever mask you buy, if you can take some breaks during your shift where you can go outside, where it isn't crowded, to get a breathe of air.... ahhhhh.

I remember back last month, my boss wanted me to come back to the office to work, I was working from home. I dug in my heels and said "no". Glad I did, because my boss became sick with the virus, and if I was in the office, I would have caught it because I am of that age group where we all have underlying medical conditions.

It's a tough choice.

The working environment may be why they're doing this. You are around/can come into contact with paints, wood, garden items, etc, plus associates usually are walking around to see how they can be of assistance to customers. It may be harder to do that wearing the N95 masks, compared to the plain ones.

Just spoke with my daughter. As an RN, that is what her Hospital is supplying her, surgical masks. She is Unit manager of a woundcare unit seeing patients one at a time. She says that you should be OK wearing what is being supplied. If you want, you can get a material one to wear over it.

I think you can be able to keep your six ft distance. I have been in Home Depot and asked for help. I didn't need to be real close to see what they were showing me.

Keep sanitizer with you. Wash hands frequently. When you get home strip and get a shower.

Some studies have indicated homemade masks made with 3 layers of a cotton and synthetic material mix protect as well as the n95s. Fit is the most important because if the mask doesn't fit well to the face then air (and germs) are coming in without passing through the mask's filtering material.

I suggest if you want to continue working you obtain at least a couple of washable masks made with 3 layers of material (adjust the straps until the fix is very good) and a face shield. I have found adding a strap through the mask's normal ear straps and tied under my chin improves the fit.

Even with PPE, working with the public is a risk. How much of a risk depends on how well you use the PPE and how infected the public is in your area which you should be able to get an idea about from the publicly shared. Although the risk is reduced with a lower infection rate, there is still a risk because you only need contact with one infected person to get infected yourself.

Joel, what state are you in?

Providing that information will get you better help.

Joel is most likely in NYC, from other posts he has made.

Reading on the EDD.gov website:
Q. Would I qualify for benefits if I choose to stay home from work due to underlying health conditions and concerns about exposure to the virus?
EDD's Answer:
You can be eligible for benefits if you choose to stay home. Once you file your claim, the EDD will contact you if we need more information.

Sensing hostility from the usual posters, that is all the time I can devote to this thread.

Isn't Covid leave paid in full by the employer, by choice? Instead of unemployment?

The employee can choose still to file unemployment. And risk not being able to return. I am interested if, when the employer has reopened, and invited you back, but you do not go, what happens in the eyes of UI?

And what a difficult choice for the employee! So hard. I am reminded of the age, Joel is over 70, (male or female) with underlying health conditions.

Seems like there should be some hope, returning to work part-time after receiving retirement?

I wound up quitting my job rather than risk getting the virus at 63 years old, with underlying health conditions myself. I applied for early SSI benefits last week and that's that. You are over 70 years old.........why not apply for your SSI now (if you haven't already) and retire?? You say you don't want to quit, so I'm not sure what your question is? What would you be calling the Health Dept about? Home Depot is allowed to stay open, and you're allowed to work or to quit, your choice.

Are you willing to go to work every day wondering if 'today' is the day you'll become symptomatic? It's not worth it, that's my 2 cents on the subject. That's where I was at with my job...........when an EMT told me he felt sorry for ME, that's when I decided it was time to leave and to keep my health AND my sanity intact! (I worked as a receptionist in an Assisted Living Facility).

Good luck!

I work with COVID pts in a hospital, and we are told to wear the paper surgical masks, with a face shield if we are within 6 feet of a pt. ( with pts who are non Covid tested postitive.) If we are further than 6 feet its paper surgical mask only. Maybe you can get a face shield in the painting dept? . I understand your worry, and your fear of losing your job. Face shields and surgical masks are seeming to do the job at this point for many people. Since you do not know who is positive,, and those who are able to be out and about are just as likely to be non positive,, if you keep some distance you should be OK. Maybe they could reassign you to a position like night shift stocker? or something where you would not have to be in such close contact? You say you are coming off a 6 week Covid leave? Have you already tested positive and now are "over it"?

There are special exceptions now qualifying you for unemployment. The usual waiting period(s) [if you quit] [if you are fired] and other rules [actively seeking employment rules] may be waived. The Cares Act (maybe expiring in July, so apply now) will add Federal funds ($600 ?) to your States umemployment benefits.

See the EDD website. This solution is not welfare, it is a benefit which you paid into from your paycheck, to protect you when the time comes.

Stay healthy. Act now.

You asked a good question, so I know you already know what's right!

My understanding is that under the CARES Act, if a DR gives you a letter that because of your medical conditions you are at high risk, you can resign and get unemployment

Either retire, or file for unemployment now. Make sure "they" know it is because of Covid, [your boss, and unemployment dept.] This may not guarantee being able to go back to work. imo. It does not matter what they say now, and your unemployment benefits, if denied, can be appealed.

Take your vacation now, or PPTO accumulated. Just days from now, things might be closed up again. imo.

You are in the 'vulnerable group'. Does it occur to anyone, that in March, the government 'experts' closed down everything, the numbers were lower then, because it was too dangerous to be out spreading Covid. And today, the government, in all their infinite wisdom, opened things back up (due to economy) while the numbers are still increasing, and it is life-threatening to be out.

This info is coming from California, Los Angeles County, where we are on a curfew of 6 p.m. It is just my opinion, but a Home Depot store is most likely to be 'looted'. The National Guard has arrived. Over the past few months, huge thefts have been reported from Home Depot due to the economic crisis.

It does not matter where you are. Stay home now. You don't need to have the government's permission or your boss's permission to protect your life. Benefits could be retroactive. It has been declared an emergency by the governor, and that will go a long way to protect any benefits available to you, imo.

You are in charge now, not worth it to risk your life. No one has time left and will not be protesting your death from Covid. You must decide on your own, what is best for you!

Or, call in sick, or say that you have been exposed to someone with Covid (if that is true?). Then re-assess in 14 days after the legally required quarantine. imo.

Do not panic.
You can get a free consult from an attorney online. (Loss of job issues).

Call your local senior center for support. But they cannot give you legal advice, but maybe s o m e o n e can share what others are doing.

Last option, imo. Use a credit card to finance your living expenses over the next 3 months. Stay home. imo.

God bless you in this crisis.
You are not alone, and others are going through the same or similar.

I hope you can find a way to buy PPE that you feel comfortable to work in. You’ve lost so much in this already, I’d hate for you to also lose your job

As a Home Depot employee surely you know why they aren’t supplying you with an N95 mask. They have stopped selling N95s and have sent their stock to the health care professionals where they are needed most. If you don’t feel safe wearing a surgical mask then either find & purchase your own N95 or decide whether the risk outweighs the benefits, decide whether to quit or keep your job.

Here in Canada, N95 masks that pass inspection are being reserved for health care providers. Others are using home made masks to stop spreading germs they may be carrying.

Can you get a letter from your doctor specifying your needs? Do you have access to a face shield? That would boost the protection of a mask.

Is the store requiring customers to wear masks?

If you work you should do so in rubber gloves and N95 mask, whether supplied by them or by you. You can cover your N95 with a washable mask to prolong it's life. Yes, you are at risk. Only you can decide.