Amazon warehouse workers fear catching coronavirus just to get you your packages
CNNNew York CNN Business — Amazon has become a lifeline for many people desperate to buy household essentials without stepping out of their homes amid the coronavirus outbreak, but some Amazon warehouse workers are plagued by anxiety that their jobs could put their lives, or the lives of their families, at risk. While Amazon has taken a number of steps in recent days to protect workers – including discontinuing stand-up meetings where workers gathered en masse and allowing workers to take unlimited unpaid days off – several warehouse employees and industry experts told CNN Business they feel the company should be doing more to shield those at the core of its business who can’t do their jobs from home. I feel like they’re not as proactive as they should be.” In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said, “the vast majority of our employees around the world continue to come to work and serve the people in their communities in a way that very few can—delivering critical supplies directly to the doorsteps of people who need them.” “We are going to great lengths to keep the buildings extremely clean and help employees practice important precautions such as social distancing and other measures,” the spokesperson added. Warehouse workers’ concerns gained new urgency this week as an employee at an Amazon facility in Queens, New York tested positive for coronavirus, the company confirmed to CNN Business. Signs in dining locations inside one facility company tell workers to “maintain minimum 3 feet of distance” at lunch tables, according to a photograph taken by a worker and shared with CNN Business.