Should essential businesses be given immunity to lawsuits if somebody catches covid-19?

How is anyone ever going to prove where they got it?

If Mitch has his way they will!

No.  We need to start with safety protocols and contact tracing.  After that, if a business is found to be a hotspot, and if it's because the owner/manager didn't follow protocols, they need to be charged with negligent homicide.  The business should also face substantial fines.

Only if there are safe harobors in place and protocols that are followed 100%

1. All employees must be wearing at least surgical quality masks (not neck gaiters or bandannas) and face sheilds at all times.

2.  Hand washing and gloves.

3. Weekly covid tests as a prerequisite for work. 

4. Strict distancing protocols and appropriate ventilation and air filtering units installed.

5. Regular disinfecting.

6. All employees and staff have been vaccinated.

7. No exclusions of any kind.

8. Regular review and certification with the above compliance.

These would be fair safe harbor standards that if a business followed them they could recieve lawsuit protection. 

If they fail to meet those standards they can still operate but are exposed to lawsuits.

government jobs are already exempt....but California made COVID a workman's comp issue.... if any of our workers contracts COVID... even if it's while they're on furlough, or admit to attending a rave party, they can file a claim against us....

....and you wonder why yet another multi-billion dollar company just announced they're leaving California this week..

yes they absolutely should!

All businesses should. 

ALL businesses should be given immunity as it is not possible to trace a virus back to any specific source. 

if they made an earnest effort to protect their people and customers, yes. if not they should be held liable for any damages that came out of their negligence 

If you think it'll make them happy then yep, why not.