I want to congratulate, applaud and give a big thumbs up to the Brewton Area YMCA. I can't say the same about the Hardee's restaurant in Flomaton.
On June 18 the YMCA learned that a member who had used the facilities had tested positive for COVID-19. They not only immediately contacted the Alabama Department of Health and shut the facility down, they also sent out an email to YMCA members telling them that a person who tested positive visited the Y on June 17 and used the gymnasium, the wellness center and a lockerroom between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
After contacting the health department, the YMCA contacted a professional cleaning company to come in that afternoon and assist the Y staff in cleaning procedures. The email to members notified them that the Y would be closed at 2 p.m. June 18 but would re-open at 5 a.m. June 19 with regular hours.
Total transparency. The YMCA put the health and safety of its staff and members at the top of the list.
This list didn't just start June 17. When the COVID-19 outbreak first began the YMCA, staff implemented cleaning procedures to protect everyone who entered the building, implemented temperature screening for all who entered the facility and had COVID-19 training for its staff.
The rumor mill about employees at the Flomaton Hardee's testing positive for COVID-19 was in full swing this past Friday. Employees and those who say they won't be going back confirmed those rumors.
For the first few days I saw signs posted that said Hardee's was closed for everything from not getting a food shipment to equipment problems. I started calling and emailing Hardee's' corporate office Friday. I began again Monday. Some of my emails came back undeliverable, I called one number and got a message that the mailbox was full and I couldn't leave a message. I sent an email to Hardee's media relations at noon Monday, a few minutes later my computer dinged and said it was rejected – 'unknown user”
None of the signs posted at Hardee's had a telephone number to call for more information. Some were written out, until the last post that was printed and said 'due to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) and for protection of our guests and employees, we will offer drive-thru service only until further notice.' No mention that someone working and preparing food at Hardee's had tested positive.
I finally got an email response to the many different emails I sent at 5:21 p.m. Monday that acknowledged that an employee at the Flomaton Hardee's had tested positive. I thought it was a lame response because I was told to attribute the statement of a Hardee's spokesperson, not someone with a name and title.
I still don't know when the employee or employees tested positive. But the people in Flomaton and those traveling through should have been told immediately that somebody inside that building preparing food was positive for COVID-19. I had people calling me saying they had bought a breakfast sandwich in the past week or so and should they be concerned. I didn't know what to tell them, but I told them I would be concerned. About a week or so ago I went to the drive-thru to get a couple of thick burgers and I was told they were out of the meat, so I though the first 'shipment' excuse could be real.
Hardee's management and Hardee's corporate offices should be ashamed of themselves for trying to cover up the fact that they had people with COVID-19 preparing and serving food to customers in Flomaton. They put people's health at risk.
I still scratch my head wondering why Hardee's thought they could keep a secret about an employee being tested positive for COVID-19. As Gomer Pyle would say 'That's just dumb, that's a dumb thing to do'.
The day they found out an employee tested positive they should have shut down the restaurant and they should have gone public with a time frame to let people know.
The Brewton YMCA didn't just go public, they pinpointed the time and the places the positive member visited.
I really don't know if I can trust the signs Hardee's' posts. As of 3 p.m. Wednesday the large sign out front said they were open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., but they closed at 2 p.m.
Hardee's needs to take a lesson from the Brewton Area YMCA and be honest.
