Dog diapers as masks? California McDonald’s workers file claim amid coronavirus cases

Workers at a California McDonald’s reportedly were told to make face masks out of dog diapers and coffee filters. Now they are going on strike and filed a complaint with the local health department, media outlets reported.

Twenty-three employees of an Oakland McDonald’s location signed a complaint filed Thursday with the Alameda County Public Health Department saying six employees tested positive for coronavirus and spread it to their family members, Eater San Francisco reported.

Some employees told KTVU they were told to use a dog diaper or a coffee filter as a face mask while at work, but the company disputes that claim.

Michael Smith, the owner and operator of the McDonald’s location, told Eater that the store told all restaurant staff who came in close contract with employees who were sick to self-quarantine.

“The claims of being asked to wear coffee filters and dog diapers are entirely false,” he told the news outlet. “Personally funded and provided 3,000 masks and 500 gloves for our 375 employees in an effort to mitigate any risk of transmission in the restaurant.”

Several employees went on strike on Tuesday, effectively closing the McDonald’s, The Mercury News reported.

They demanded a two-week paid quarantine period, company-paid medical costs and a deep cleaning of the store, according to the news outlet.

“McDonald’s is treating us like dogs,” worker Delia Vargas said in a statement to The Mercury News. “We don’t want to die for their hamburgers so we are going on strike, to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”

This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 7:59 PM.