Western Wayne Today

Upon receiving numerous COVID-19 complaints from his constituents, the mayor of the city of Warren decided to take action.

“Residents have called to say they are uncomfortable going to major retail stores because employees are not wearing masks and stores are crowded with shoppers,” Mayor James R. Fouts told Western Wayne Today.

Although Gov. Gretchen Whitmer eased some restrictions, Mayor Fouts said many retail stores are allegedly not practicing the minimum protective measures under Executive Order 2020-71, which mandates the wearing of face coverings in retail stores selling essentials, such as food and prescription medications, until May 30.

“My position and responsibility as mayor is to protect and serve the citizens of Warren,” Fouts said in an interview. “I am pro-life. I would rather err on the side of protecting life.”

There have been 45,054 COVID-19 cases statewide with 4,250 deaths, according to the Michigan department of health. In Macomb County, where the city of Warren is located, there were 5,832 confirmed cases and 662 deaths.

In response to the alleged lapse of certain retailers to practice safety precautions, Fouts has instructed the Warren Police Department to conduct patrols of grocery stores, home improvement centers, pharmacies and other retailers to enforce compliance and issue warnings or citations for repeated failures to comply.

“I understand that this may pose a hardship on some businesses, but such hardship is insignificant when compared to the threat posed to our community, particularly our senior citizens and those with preexisting conditions, by COVID-19,” he said.

Fouts also issued an order and a written letter.

“I don’t want to single out any stores so the letter has been hand-delivered to all retailers in Warren County,” he said. The letter is reprinted below with Mayor Fouts' permission.

 

May 5, 2020 

Re: Adherence to COVID-19 Executive Orders - City of Warren Business Safety 

Dear Retail Manager, 

As we all work together to combat COVID-19 in our community, it is important we all do our part to protect our citizens. Over the past several days I have gotten many phone calls from Warren residents upset about lack adherence to guidelines put forward by Governor Whitmer in Executive Order – 2020-70 which contains rules pertaining to businesses which interact with the public, including retail operations, and Executive Order – 2020-71 which contains rules governing food service operations.   

For instance, Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order – 2020-70 and 71 now require the use of masks by everyone in enclosed public spaces, including retail facilities like grocery stores, pharmacies, and home improvement centers. This order requires both employees and customers to wear a mask in such facilities with the only exception being for those who cannot wear such a mask for medical reasons.  It also requires social distancing of at least six feet.  Many residents are concerned about their safety, but still must go to stores for food and other essential needs. These residents have a right to feel safe, and to be safe, when coming into your facility. That is why I ask you to enforce the rule to have your employees all wear masks and require that customers do so as well, in addition to abiding by all other safety provisions outlined in Executive Orders – 2020- 70 and 71.  

Probably the most important provision is social distancing. At checkout lanes floors should be clearly marked 6 feet apart and you should be limiting the number of people in your business at a given time. In addition, you should encourage customers to go down aisles one way so they are not bumping into each other. A strong suggestion is that you have protective shields to protect the health and safety of your employees at checkout lanes and customer service desks/counters, your employees are frontline heroes that make sure everyone has essential supplies. 

I will be instructing the Warren Police Department to conduct patrols of our retail areas to enforce compliance with these rules and conduct enforcement of all provisions including the issuance of warnings and/or citations for repeated failures to comply. I understand that this may pose a hardship on some businesses, but such a hardship is insignificant when compared to the threat posed to our community, particularly our senior citizens and those with preexisting conditions, by COVID-19. I think if you follow these guidelines you will have more consumer’s wanting to patronize your business when you put employee and customer safety first. 

I also want to tell you how much I appreciate the fact that your facility continues to operate in order to provide our citizens with the opportunity to purchase needed food, medicine and other essential needs. Together we will get through this difficult time and come out stronger. In the meantime, we need to focus on doing so in the safest possible manner, including 100% usage of masks and other social distancing provisions to help slow the spread of this invisible enemy and protect both your employees and customers. 

My position as Mayor is to serve and protect the citizens of Warren, and that also includes the employees and customers that either work for you, or frequent your business. Many people, including myself, judge a business on how they protect their employees and customers.

Sincerely,

Mayor James R. Fouts, City of Warren