As the coronavirus pandemic has worsened, GameStop has come under fire for initially declaring itself an "essential" business and refusing to close its storefronts. After severe public backlash, GameStop finally did close its storefronts, switching to "Delivery at Door" instead. However, GameStop is far from the only video game retailer in the United States that has resisted taking the steps necessary to keep its employees safe from the coronavirus, as the same thing has been happening with Game X Change.
For the uninitiated, Game X Change is a video game retailer similar to GameStop that's primarily based out of the southeastern United States. Instead of temporarily closing its doors as recommended by the CDC, Game X Change has instead sent out safety tips to its employees about how to avoid contracting the coronavirus. However, the tips that Game X Change Vice President of Retail Operations Mindy Kent has sent to employees are fake, primarily spread on social media, and have been debunked by medical professionals.
As reported by Kotaku, Kent's coronavirus safety tips include sipping warm water every 20 minutes to wash the virus into one's stomach "where your gastric juices will neutralize it before it can get to the lungs." Kent's tips also recommend that Game X Change employees "gargle with an antiseptic and warm water like vinegar or salt or lemon every day." Kent's email did include legitimate coronavirus advice, like washing hands for at least 20 seconds at a time, but it had even more fake tips that likely originated from the Internet (though Kent says that she got the advice from a registered nurse in Louisiana).
Kotaku has also reported that a Game X Change employee contacted owner Grant Wetherill with an anonymous email about the company's lack of action in regards to the coronavirus. The employee pointed out in the email how there are likely Game X Change employees who have family at home who are in the biggest coronavirus risk groups, like those with auto-immune disorders. They said, "This is almost a guaranteed fatality. Is this something you condone? Just for the store to earn a few extra dollars at the end of the day?"
Wetherill reportedly responded with, "I can tell whoever you are that I spend lots of time in my stores. Even though I have Parkinson's Disease and Asthma. Plus I'm 56 years old. So don't lecture me on risk. I'm here if you want to be an adult and talk to me."
At the time of this writing, Game X Change stores are staying open despite the coronavirus threat. It will be interesting to see if it will change its position in the coming days, either shutting down completely or switching to GameStop's Delivery at Door model.
Source: Kotaku