Amazon.com (AMZN -2.33%) has faced a number of tough choices since demand surged due to the coronavirus. It was forced to slow shipments for many items deemed non-essential -- a move that angered some Prime members, who pay for two-day delivery -- and it has had to decide how to prioritize the sale of essential medical supplies like N-95 face masks while also keeping its own workers safe.
What is Amazon doing?
Amazon ordered millions of non-medical grade masks "weeks ago," according to a blog post by the company. The retailer has been shipping those around the company for use by workers in its warehouses and distribution centers.
Amazon is providing masks to its warehouse workers. Image source: Amazon.
These are not the masks needed by healthcare workers. Amazon has some of those -- certainly not enough to meet demand -- and has a plan for them as well.
"Any N-95 masks we receive we are either donating to healthcare workers on the front lines or making them available through Amazon Business to healthcare and government organizations at cost," the company wrote.
Difficult decisions
Amazon has also been forced to reserve certain items, like hand sanitizer, for healthcare workers. Those products appear on its site but are only available for order by organizations and institutions that qualify.
The retailer has made tough choices that may anger some of its most loyal customers. Amazon has temporarily limited the perks of Prime membership so it can make sure more people get the essentials they need. That's the right thing to do, but it wasn't necessarily an easy thing to do.
