If those two subjects together don’t make you skip this post, you’re a loyal whatifitdid reader. 🙂
Yesterday, Walmart announced employees (1.6 million in the US alone) that are fully vaccinated (they claim the “overwhelming majority”) no longer have to wear a mask at work. They also stated that their “COVID leave” plan ends at the end of March. You can read Walmart’s reasoning on The New York Times site.
Perry said the second employees were made aware, masks were being ripped off and smiles were sparkling throughout his store. Those of us that work from home don’t get to participate in that kind of thrill — but we also didn’t have to mask up for 2-years either. Amazon followed suit for their warehouses.
It’s almost like a glimmer of hope that we’re past the worst of this horrible virus. But, I might trust Walmart more if they didn’t so desperately want to sell me SPAM.
I hope that not requiring masks doesn’t make people forget that COVID isn’t totally gone yet. I have to think (hope) that if people don’t get in the face of others and wash their hands — just like would be typical if someone around them had a cold or the flu — business will return to normal soon.
Ben, Coco, and I are going to do a normal thing later today — eat at Pho Shiki. I so love that place! While I’ll take a mask with me, I’m not sure I’ll put it on. Crazy that even thinking that way makes me feel like a rebel. 🙄
In the meantime, I’m smiling my best Walmart smile because I’ve been vaccinated and boosted. No smile for Merida — she’s an anti-vaxxer.
TIL (Today I Learned): The Disney Company created currency, “Disney Dollars,” for use within their various theme parks and hotels. While you can still redeem them today, the official printing ended in 2016 after use for nearly 30 years. The values were 1-1 with standard US Dollars.