Found from the New York Post, Nicolas Vega said, “The Amazon CEO’s net worth soared to a record $200 billion on Wednesday when shares of his online shopping behemoth closed at $3.441.85 on surging demand for contactless shopping.” According to Tyler Sonnemaker from the Business Insider, if Jeff Bezos’ wealth grows 34% a year, he could become the world’s first trillionaire by 2026.
When Amazon was first created by Bezos’ in 1994, it initially started as just an online book store. However, Bezos always saw so much potential in Amazon and knew it would one day grow to sell “everything” type of products, which has certainly become a reality. Now more than ever, especially with the shelter in place regulations placed across the country, people are turning to Amazon as their virtual shopping destination.
While as appealing and popular as shopping from Amazon may be, Amazon has been under scrutiny in the media over his warehouse conditions that his employees have faced. Matt Rocheleau from the Boston Globe staff speaks about Amazon’s employees protesting unfair working conditions as the pandemic stretches on. Rocheleau said, “the company had not disinfected work areas after an employee tested positive for the virus… an employee was showing up to work with symptoms because they did not have enough sick time…masks allegedly were not provided until weeks after they were promised, and hand-washing and glove changes were limited… Several deaths have been reported at its facilities across the country.”
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Shirin Ghaffary and Jason Del Rey from Vox interviewed Amazon employee Rosie who is being identified by a pseudonym for fear of being fired due to speaking to the press. According to Rosie, Amazon put some health regulations in place such as providing masks, and hand sanitizer stations, but then, “saw and heard around her: dirty air filters that aren’t replaced, a visibly ill colleague who vomited in the bathroom — even after passing the mandatory temperature checks the company instituted in early April and workers standing close together in the morning when they’re waiting to get shift assignments, even though the rules specify workers must always stay 6 feet apart.” Rosie reported that unfortunately, one of her colleagues, who was in his 20s, passed away from Covid-19.
Users are addicted to shopping from Amazon for many valid reasons; competitive pricing, rapid shipping, fast and simple return process, and reliable customer service. Nicolas Vega from the Business Insider said, “With his $200 billion fortune, Bezos is wealthier than all three of the Walton siblings put together, who each hold an equal stake in Walmart, Amazon’s longtime retail nemesis.” Vegas continues, “Bezos, Gates and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are currently the only people in the world enjoying 12-figure fortunes.” On the flip side, Bezos did donate $100 million to Feeding America, which was the largest single donation of any hunger relief non-profits history, according to Catherine Clifford from CNBC.
The Business Insider noted that some ways Bezos spends his billions is by owning multiple multi-million dollar homes around the United States and much more. Though he has given large donations to Mary’s place and the TheDream.U.S. While some may have wished for Bezos to donate more, we do not have the control to decide what he does with his money. We do have the choice to support Amazon or to shop locally in the future as it undermines local economies and is bad for small buisnesses. Instead, shop with local green buisnesses, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting your local economy and employees that share your values.
