Local Ralphs Employee COVID 19 Fatality

While the rumors have been spinning that the Ralph’s Supermarket at Raintree Plaza was not taking care of coronavirus issues, a fact has finally landed; an employee of the grocery store has died from COVID-19. The identity of the employee is, of course, confidential.

While shoppers had posted in the last few weeks on Facebook, Twitter and NextDoor that there were no physical distancing standards being practiced, and that store employees seemed somewhat cavalier about how many shoppers were allowed into the store at any give time, reports of the death of an employee give more credence to the issues being brought up. But the rumors have not been verified. 

Manny Gutierrez, the manager of the Raintree Ralphs, said that the store was “following all the required guidelines from the CDC, as we have throughout.”

When asked about the number of employees in the store that have tested positive, he said that was information that could only be confirmed from Ralphs corporate office. At the time of publication, Ralphs has not returned the request for comment. 

“These workers are putting their lives on the line just to do their jobs. People don’t realize how dangerous it is for them to be coming into contact with hundreds of people a day,” said Kathy Finn, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 770.

So far, Ralphs is only offering testing only to workers who are symptomatic.

For shoppers, the answers are still masks and gloves, soap and water, and physical distancing. 

Judith Martin-Straw

The Actors' Gang

1 Comment

  1. Krogers/Ralphs is THE WORST and now they want to gobble up Vons and Pavilions, which if Congress doesn’t employ the antitrust laws,will allow them to extend their already egregious price gouging. They redline certain stores in poorer neighbourhoods too, which haven’t had physical upgrades in YEARS and carry worse produce than other stores. If you ask about the difference, the response is “Oh, We’re Ralphs Fresh Fare and they’re not.” funny how the prices are the same. IN addition, all the bad reviews for their pharmacy are very well deserved. I’ve had their store card since 1973 but am now disgusted with them.

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