Wave of COVID-19 Cases at Oakland ‘Dog Diaper’ McDonald’s Prompts Public Health Complaint | Eater SF

"Workers at the Oakland McDonald’s at 4514 Telegraph Avenue say they filed a complaint with the Alameda County Public Health Department after six employees tested positive for COVID-19 and reportedly spread it to family members; they claim almost all workers have been exposed and that managers and staff worked while symptomatic since at least May 14, sometimes being told to come in with no extra precautions or denied sick leave. The 23 employees who signed the complaint allege managers told them to make masks out of coffee filters and dog diapers, provided disposable masks to be reused until they fell apart, failed to enforce regular hand washing or sanitization of high-touch surfaces, and had shifts with as many as 11 people in a small space; by mid-week those workers had been on strike, shutting the restaurant and demanding a two-week paid quarantine, company-paid medical costs, and proper PPE. Owner Michael Smith denies the most serious claims, saying the store identified and advised close contacts to self-quarantine, personally provided 3,000 masks and 500 gloves for 375 employees, is providing paid leave, and ordered $50 grocery gift cards intended to be distributed with the next paycheck, while workers say they have not received the gift cards; Eater SF contacted the Alameda County Public Health Department for comment but had not received a response." - Eve Batey