Is TjMaxx stores considered essential?

Our stores are not essential. I remember reading on here that before some of the stores closed they went ahead and got rid of all the food items from the shelf. As a distribution warehouse associate I can say that almost all the food items we sell have very long shelf lives. Maybe they are just preparing for a worst case scenario or trying to discourage looting when people run out of food. The company has not yet updated us so as far as we know we might have to return to work on the 6th. I'm hoping that is not the case as I fear an early return would infect and possibly kill a lot of our workforce. It also would go against the White House's extension of their social distancing guidelines. Since our store is non-essential opening it up would encourage people to get out and shop for fun etc..

/r/TjMaxx Thread