Pedrotti Ace Hardware learned one of its employees had tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The store is following all CDC guidelines and procedures to keep employees and customers safe.

Galen Kusic, Editor

On Mon., Pedrotti Ace Hardware in Benicia received a report that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19. Solano County Health Department officials have reviewed the case and have instructed the store to inform employees that were considered in “close contact” to get tested immediately.

Employees are able to continue to work, but are instructed to self-monitor in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Owner Gene Pedrotti declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but assures the community that the store is and has been strictly following all CDC guidelines since the pandemic began.

“We are doing everything by the book,” said Pedrotti, who has been working at the store since 1970. “The store is very safe.”

Pedrotti emphasized the importance of staying informed with up to the minute information about COVID-19 and what needs to be done to slow the spread of the disease that has debilitated the nation’s economy and health care system.

“Everyday things are changing,” he said. “The key is you have to adapt and you have to implement. The important thing is to do the right thing for today. We are following CDC guidelines to a T.”

Ace has continued to provide essential services to the Benicia community amidst the pandemic, despite one-third of its workforce being at-risk and having to shelter-in-place. That hasn’t stopped Pedrotti and his team from making sure that all of the essentials stay stocked and available for customers.

“I’m currently working 80 hours a week,” said Pedrotti, who is forced to work as late as midnight to keep up with all of the increasing demands. “We just don’t have the manpower right now.”

He also noted that the store has had to cut back on some of its services, like loading soil into vehicles and cutting glass and metal. With a reduced staff and even more demand, it makes things tough – but Pedrotti is dedicated to providing customers with the essential items they need during the crisis.

As the numbers in Solano County continue to increase with 565 cases and 22 deaths since the pandemic began, there have been 23 known cases tied to Benicia. There are currently 63 active cases in the county with 11 hospitalized patients. That number has decreased by nearly half over the last week.

As many businesses reopened this week in town, Pedrotti and others are disappointed that the City Council did not approve a mandate to wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces. Ace requires a mask to be worn to enter the business in the Southampton Shopping Center.

“We shouldn’t be debating this,” he said. “This should not be politicized. These guidelines are coming from health officials. I’m mortified that it wasn’t a unanimous decision (for the mandate).”

Pedrotti is confident that the store is safe for all customers and that they will continue to serve the community during these unprecedented times.

“We have to live with this new reality,” said Pedrotti. “Covid has drastically changed everything.”

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