Some Charlotte Uber drivers refuse to wear masks, fellow driver complains to company
A Charlotte Uber driver said he complained to the company this week after fellow drivers vowed on Facebook not to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
Uber will soon mandate that its drivers and passengers in the U.S. and some other countries wear a face mask or face covering, CNN reported Sunday. On Tuesday, Uber confirmed to the Observer that indeed was its plan.
Driver Hank McGovern told the Observer he complained to Uber on Monday after at least two fellow drivers vowed on a private Facebook group for North Carolina rideshare drivers that they will not wear masks. The drivers included the administrator of the online group, Rideshare Drivers Network, McGovern said.
One driver said during Monday’s online discussion that she thinks having to wear a mask is “’offensive,’” according to McGovern. “’I’m not going to wear it.’”
McGovern said he replied: “It’s offensive to ensure safety?”
McGovern said the site administrator deleted him from the conversation after the site administrator had likewise said he didn’t intend to wear a mask, and McGovern asked him why.
McGovern said he complained on Uber’s hot line for drivers.
Uber said it has yet to mandate a policy requiring drivers and passengers to wear masks, and released this statement:
“We continue to ask riders to stay home if they can, while shipping safety supplies to drivers who are providing essential trips. At the same time, our teams are preparing for the next phase of recovery, where we will all have a role to play.
“We continue to urge all riders and drivers to wear masks or face coverings when using Uber.”
On April 10, Uber committed to buying and shipping “tens of millions of ear-loop face masks to active drivers and delivery people around the world,” according to a company announcement.
‘Do we want to reduce this?’
Reached on Facebook by the Observer Tuesday, the site administrator for the drivers’ group said: “It’s sad when a group member reports you for comments made in a private or semiprivate setting.” He declined further comment.
McGovern wears a mask, he said, and calls riders in advance to ask the purpose of their trip and to check on their health. He has made 7,570 Uber trips since August 2016.
On Tuesday, McGovern said about wearing a mask: “To me, it seems like a no-brainer.
“Do we want to reduce this or not reduce this?” he asked, referring to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.