Giant Eagle, a grocery store chain located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, is facing more than thirty lawsuits over its face mask policy, which plaintiffs claim is discriminatory.

According to news reports, one Giant Eagle store posted publicly, “It’s too easy to make up an excuse not to wear a mask, and we refuse to put our team members and customers who do wear a mask at any more risk than they already are.” Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf set a policy in mid-April that businesses require customers and workers at essential businesses to wear masks on the premises. The lawsuits argue that Giant Eagle’s policy exceeds the state mandate that allows for children and people with disabilities or a medical condition to forgo a mask. Several of the plaintiffs allege they were yelled at and physically escorted from the premises after they tried to shop without masks.

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed since late May, all by attorney Thomas Anderson. The plaintiffs suffer from conditions ranging from lung fibrosis to vasovagal scope, post-traumatic stress disorder, allergies and chronic sinusitis. Charges brought against the company include retaliation and coercion in violation of the ADA, assault and battery and others.

—Source: triblive.com