Hobby Lobby Founder Claimed A Message From God Told Him To Leave Stores Open Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Hobby Lobby founder David Green reportedly told employees in an open letter that a message from God informed his decision to leave stores open amid the coronavirus outbreak.

According to Business Insider, Green, who is an openly conservative Christian businessman, repeatedly claimed it is the power of God that justifies his decision to leave stores open.

Green reportedly wrote a note to employees, telling them that the decision was informed by a message from God bestowed upon his wife, Barbara Green, who he described as a “prayer warrior.” 

“In her quiet prayer time this past week, the Lord put on Barbara’s heart three profound words to remind us that He’s in control. Guide, Guard, and Groom,” Green reportedly claimed in the letter. “We serve a God who will guide us through this storm, who will Guard us as we travel to places never seen before, and who, as a result of this experience, will groom us to be better than we could have ever thought possible before now.” 

The Hobby Lobby company website did post a letter stating that if a worker exhibits symptoms, they “will send that employee for medical care to self-isolate at home,” it did not state if they will be eligible for paid sick leave.

According to the company’s 2017 benefits summary guide, its most recently available public document on benefits, only salaried employees are eligible for paid sick leave, leaving hourly workers without protection in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.