When you sign up to work in retail, you generally know what you're getting into: working with the public. There will always be some friction in that role but generally speaking, you don't imagine that you're putting your life on the line by stocking shelves at Kroger or folding jeans at Old Navy.
But this is America in 2020, when just showing up for work puts you at risk for contracting COVID-19 and those little frictions have been amped up by mask-wearing policies.
While the vast majority of customers are good about abiding by store policies, retail workers have been thrust into some truly uncomfortable and occasionally tragic situations, targeted by those who resist wearing a mask.