Writes a friend:

Lew,

After reading Allan Stevo‘s excellent article about Trader Joe‘s dropping their mask “requirement“ for customers, I called my nearest Trader Joe‘s store, where my octogenarian mother likes to shop. I wanted to inquire what their mask policy is today.

Ringing at 7:07am, just after finishing Mr. Stevo‘s article, I got the store manager, Karen (I know, right?) who said that customers may shop in her store without a mask, “so long as they have been vaccinated“.

“And how do you plan on enforcing that?“ I politely asked.

“Well, if you have integrity and are telling the truth, you will not wear a mask if you are vaccinated,“ Karen offered in her best Karen way.

I thanked her and came away quite happy with this victory for my mother (who has steadfastly refused to go for any vaccinations in all the fifty plus years I have been around) and for all other Trader Joe‘s customers.

Integrity and honesty, indeed, Karen.