My wife is in the same boat, she's a graphic designer at a printing company and the owner (who's always been a greedy cheap ass) has determined that they will remain open due to being "essential", as they print things for banks and absentee ballots for government elections. Though he encourages any employees to feel free to not come into work and isolate at home and then he doesn't have to pay them. Does the same thing during snow storms. When businesses and schools close and it's not safe to drive, he encourages his employees to be safe and not take chances driving, but keeps the office open so anyone that doesn't come in either doesn't get paid or they have to use their PTO time, their call. Unbelievable....
P.S. His entire family, him, his kids, his parents.....all ISU grads, you'd expect better, ha.
That stinks. Reminds me of the non-mandatory open gyms in high school. Technically, we can't make you be here. But we very, very strongly suggest you come, and an assistant will probably happen to swing by and would probably observe who is present. But totally not mandatory.