Tampa Man Fired For Enforcing Mask Mandate
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After turning away customers for not wearing masks or other face coverings, the district manager of a vitamin shop chain released the man from their employment.
Will Rivera was working at a south Tampa location of GNC. The small store couldn’t handle many customers at a time without wearing some sort of face covering. With the mask mandate in place, Rivera refused customers who did not follow the rules for health and safety.
The company did not wish to lose sales, so they fired Rivera. Attorney Jason Woodside, in a statement to ABC Action News, “Florida’s Private Whistleblower Statute provides broad protection for employees who object to, or refuse to participate in, any activity, policy, or practice of an employer which is in violation of a law, rule, or regulation.”
GNC has filed for bankruptcy protection and is closing at least 800 stores, including three in the Tampa Bay area.
[Source: ABC Action News]
COVID-19 Testing In Tampa
If you were curious what these drive up tests look like, our photographers got these pics as USF and Hillsborough County tested drivers at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center this week.
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A Tampa Public Safety Officer signals drivers where to go at a coronavirus testing site at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A University of South Florida (USF) Health administrator signals a driver before they receive a coronavirus test at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A University of South Florida (USF) Health administrator talks to a driver at a coronavirus testing site at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: Drivers wait in line to be tested for the coronavirus at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A University of South Florida (USF) Health administrator talks to a driver before they receive a coronavirus test at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker prepares to administer a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareA University of South Florida (USF) Health administrator talks to a driver at a coronavirus testing site at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center.
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A University of South Florida (USF) Health administrator talks to a driver at a coronavirus testing site at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A Tampa Public Safety Officer talks with drivers before they receive a coronavirus test at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: Drivers wait in line to be tested for the coronavirus at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: Drivers wait in line to be tested for the coronavirus at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
As State Opens After Lockdown, Coronavirus Cases Spike In Florida
ShareTAMPA, FL - JUNE 25: A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test to a patient at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)