Walmart Sales Soared, Essential Workers Got Scant Protection May 14, 2021
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Sandra Kunz had been worried for her safety while working as a cashier at a Walmart in Aurora, Colorado, during the pandemic, said her sister, Paula Spellman.
The 72-year-old had lung disease, Spellman said. She was “uncomfortable because so many people (were) coming in with coughs.”
But Kunz didn’t complain to the government agency tasked with protecting workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“Sandy’s not a complainer,” Spellman said. “She went out and just purchased her own mask and her own gloves.”
It wasn’t enough. On April 20, 2020, Kunz died from COVID-19 following an outbreak linked to the Aurora Walmart. At least 18 employees got sick and one other worker at Walmart, Lupe Aguilar, died. So did Kunz’s husband, Gustavous, who Spellman said fell ill after she did.
Walmart sales soared, essential workers got scant protection
by Gracie Todd, Molly Castle Work, Natalie Drum, Nick Mcmillan, Kara Newhouse, Jazmyn Gray, Aneurin Canham Clyne, Jack Rasiel, Sahana Jayaraman And Haley Chi-sing/the Howard Center For Investigative Journalism, The Associated Press
Posted May 12, 2021 12:32 pm EDT
Last Updated May 12, 2021 at 12:44 pm EDT
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Sandra Kunz had been worried for her safety while working as a cashier at a Walmart in Aurora, Colorado, during the pandemic, said her sister, Paula Spellman.
The 72-year-old had lung disease, Spellman said. She was “uncomfortable because so many people (were) coming in with coughs.”
University of Maryland Shoppers walk out of a Walmart store in Maryland May 4. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not cited the nation’s largest retailer despite employee complaints, illnesses and deaths at Walmart facilities across the country. The company says there is no proof that employees contracted COVID-19 at work.
Sandra Kunz had been worried for her safety while working as a cashier at a Walmart in Aurora, Colorado, during the pandemic, said her sister, Paula Spellman.
The 72-year-old had lung disease, Spellman said. She was “uncomfortable because so many people (were) coming in with coughs.”
But Kunz didn’t complain to the government agency tasked with protecting workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.