Grocery store workers put at risk of catching coronavirus as 'shameful' shoppers leave dirty masks and gloves littered around parking lots and in shopping carts (19 Pics)

Grocery store workers are being put at risk of catching coronavirus because of 'shameful' shoppers leaving dirty masks, gloves and wipes littered around store parking lots and in shopping carts.

Concerned retail staff and angry shoppers have taken to social media to blast the actions of some shoppers, who are using the protective gear while they shop and then throwing them onto the ground or into carts when they leave.

Some local governments and law enforcement agencies across the US and Canada are now threatening to fine shoppers around $365 if they are caught in the act, as they run the risk of endangering the lives of the essential workforce forced to clean up the used gear left behind.  

Discarded latex gloves lie on the ground outside of a Walmart store in Vernon Hills, Illinois on Saturday. Grocery store workers are at risk of exposure to coronavirus because 'shameful' shoppers are littering used masks, gloves and wipes in store parking lots and shopping carts

US government researchers warned last month that the deadly infection can live on surfaces for up to three days, meaning store workers picking up used masks and gloves could be at risk of exposure to the killer virus.  

The latest safety plight for retail staff comes as at least four staffers at retailers like Walmart and Trader Joe's have died from the virus and workers across several major chains have staged walkouts against poor safety conditions amid the pandemic.  

One worker at a California Safeway store said it was 'maddening' that dirty gloves possibly contaminated with the virus are left around the branch each day. 

Concerned retail staff and angry shoppers have taken to social media to blast the actions of some shoppers, who are using the protective gear while they shop and then throwing them onto the ground or into carts when they leave

'The parking lots are littered with gloves constantly, every day,' Linda St. Denis told Business Insider.

'Who knows how long the virus lasts on these gloves. It's maddening.' 

St. Denis said the branch's courtesy clerks, whose jobs are typically to bag groceries and clean bathrooms, are now faced with having to clean up the protective gear. 

In New York, Pat's Farms grocery store worker John Fedash was pictured cleaning up used gloves left in the store parking lot. 

Fedash used a rake to try to limit contact with the dirty gear. 

Other shoppers have also slammed the behaviors of some shoppers, with one posting a picture on social media of a grass area outside an Aldi store in Connecticut covered in used gloves. 

'This is the hill next to Aldi in Wallingford covered in used rubber gloves and trash,' they wrote on Facebook. 

'This is absolutely shameful.' 

Another mortified customer posted a picture of discarded gloves on the ground on Facebook.

'What the hell is wrong with people? I have seen this in almost every store parking lot (supermarket/pharmacy) the last few weeks. I accidentally touched a pair because I thought I had dropped mine!! Throw your disposable gloves in the trash, people! Not on the ground!' they said in the Facebook post. 

Discarded latex gloves lie on the ground outside of a grocery store in Glenview, Illinois, Sunday. Workers are left with no choice but to pick up the potentially contaminated protective gear

A discarded mask is seen at a shopping center's parking lot in Fall's Church, Virginia, in March. Infection can live on surfaces for up to three days, meaning store workers could be placed at risk of exposure to the killer virus if they come into contact with used masks

Authorities in some parts of the US and Canada are now warning shoppers that they will be fined if they don't throw the gear in the trash.

In Ottawa, Canada, people will be fined up to $365 fines if they throw medical gloves and masks on the floor.  

The Bellingham, Massachusetts, Board of Health also said it will be visiting stores and fining anyone failing to discard of them safely, reported Business Insider. 

Panicked shoppers have been pictured wearing masks and gloves to go to grocery stores as they stockpile goods amid the pandemic.    

In Ottawa, Canada, authorities are threatening to fine people up to $365 fines if they throw medical gloves and masks on the floor

Some experts have recommended people take disinfectant or hand sanitizer wipes to wipe down shopping carts and baskets before using them.

'Most stores are providing hand sanitizer wipes, but I encourage people to bring some of their own — some stores have run out,' Dr. Elizabeth Eckstrom, professor and chief of geriatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, told the New York Times. 

'When you finish shopping, wipe your hands again and wipe the handles of your car before getting in. I am also wiping my steering wheel, but that might be going overboard.'     

Pat's Farms grocery store worker John Fedash cleans up the used gloves left in the parking lot and shopping carts by customers in New York 

A worker loads bags of prepared foods for delivery at a Whole Foods Market grocery store in California

The CDC revised its guidance Friday recommending that all Americans should now wear nonsurgical cloth face masks when they go out in public. 

But concerns are mounting for grocery store workers across the country, who have no choice but to go to work on the frontline and risk coming into contact with the virus.

At least four grocery workers at some of the biggest chains have already died from coronavirus.

Boston workers of Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's stage protest over retail conditions amid the pandemic 

Workers at Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's in Boston united to protest against working conditions amid the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday. 

The grocery store employees joined forces with customers to demand 'adequate protections', NBC Boston reports. The group met in a Whole Foods parking lot where they stood apart to protest. 

One worker at Shaw's grocery story, Lisa Wilson, told the network: 'I think grocery stores like to look like they're doing things...but as far as actually enforcing it...that's not really happening.'

Their protest comes after the deaths of at least four grocery workers across the United States. 

Two Walmart  employees at the same Chicago-area store, a Trader Joe's worker in New York, and a greeter at a Maryland Giant grocery store passed away in the last two weeks.

Employee Tonya Ramsay, right, holds a sign outside the Amazon DTW1 fulfillment center in Romulus, Michigan on Wednesday, April 1

The US is now barreling towards the infection's projected peak day on April 16 when experts predict there will be over 3,000 deaths in 24 hours. The death toll reached 12,035 across the country Monday. 

Around 30 protester met on Tuesday morning after several of their colleagues from across the state tested positive for the virus. 

Other frontline workers have also gone on strike as a result of working conditions, including those as Amazon facilities, with owner Jeff Bezos being accused of 'valuing profit over safety'. 

The online retail giant is tracking its warehouse staff and will fire them for failing to socially distance themselves from their co-workers. 

Workers at facilities across the United States are said to have received letters from their employer explaining they could be sacked after just one warning. 

The grocery store employees joined forces with customers to demand 'adequate protections', NBC Boston reports. The group met in a Whole Foods parking lot 

Workers at Stop & Shop , Whole Foods , and Trader Joe's in Boston united to protest against working conditions amid the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday

A number of Amazon employees have walked out in recent days over conditions amid the coronavirus pandemic. One worker told CNBC it is understood cameras would be used to watch and review staff for any potential violations. 

One Amazon worker in Easton, Pennsylvania told The Guardian owner Jeff Bezos 'clearly values profits above employee safety or health'.

Amazon says they have deployed an additional 450,000 canisters of disinfectant wipes, 50,000 hand sanitizers and 20,000 wall mounted sanitizer refill containers to sites in addition to other cleaning materials that were on-hand. 

The anonymous employee added: 'They send us a very standard text every time they learn of a new case, reminding us that our 'health and safety are most important', before reminding us we can take as much time off without pay as we like. 

'Of course, anyone with bills to pay will have to go back in eventually. 

'The fact that we're still expected to report to work in a compromised warehouse to ship non-essential products if we still want to earn our living tells me that Amazon and Jeff Bezos clearly value profits above employee safety or health.' 

'We have no more wipes and hand sanitizer. We aren't provided masks, don't have the proper gloves, and not everything is being sanitized and cleaned before it comes to use,' one warehouse worker in Phoenix, Arizona added.  

Those delivering the food are also worried for their safety. The Truckers Independent Drivers Association wrote to Donald Trump asking for their health to be protected. 

Todd Spencer, president and CEO of Kansas based organization, said: 'Right now professional drivers are busting their butts to care for the nation.

'Their hard work and personal sacrifice should not include their health or even their lives if at all possible or preventable.' 

Major grocery stores across the US report first employee deaths  

Top supermarket chains across the United States are reporting their first COVID-19 employee deaths after at least four staffers at retailers like Walmart and Trader Joe's died.  

Two Walmart employees at the same Chicago-area store, a Trader Joe's worker in New York, and a greeter at a Maryland Giant grocery store passed away in the last two weeks, The Washington Post reports.    

Last week, Giant’s Campus Way South greeter Leilani Jordan, 27, died of COVID-19 in Largo, Maryland, on Wednesday. 

Zenobia Shepherd, Jordan's mother, told The Post: 'She said, "Mommy, I’m going to work because no one else is going to help the senior citizens get their groceries."'

Leilani Jordan (pictured), a greeter at Giant’s Campus Way South store, died of the coronavirus last week in Largo, Maryland

(Left to Right) Wando Evans and Phillip Thomas, two employees at an Evergreen Park Walmart, died of coronavirus just four days apart 

'She only stopped going to work when she could no longer breathe.'

Jordan 's last day at work was March 16, said spokesman Daniel Wolk. She tested positive for the coronavirus in late March, 

The company has since sanitized the Giant store and is providing counseling for staff members. 

Walmart Inc. revealed in a statement that two staffers at the Evergreen Park store passed away from complications related to coronavirus. 

Wando Evans, a 51-year-old overnight maintenance worker, died on March 25 after working for Walmart for 15 years. 

Phillip Thomas, 48, died four days later on March 29 following nine years at the store. He was turning 49-year-olds on April 12. 

Both men suffered underlying health conditions, Patch reported. 

'We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of two associates at our Evergreen Park store, and we are mourning along with their families,' a statement from Walmart reads. 

The company said neither employee had been in the Evergreen Park store 'for more than a week.'   

On Monday, a Trader Joe's employee in Scarsdale, New York, died of the disease. The victim's identity has not been made public. 

Spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel said the store where the victim worked is closed until Thursday to allow colleagues 'time to process and grieve.'

Employees will be paid during the temporary closure and get two additional days of paid leave.