Retail stores have just begun to open and I know we are all a bit weary or anxious to get out and about again. Taking precautions is our one job when we are out in public these days.
I went shopping at Ross with my daughter. It seemed as if the people that came and took all the toilet paper at other stores had now been to this store and cleaned everything out. The racks were empty and the selection was very limited.
Before I entered the store, I had my mask on. My mask had been previously treated with an antimicrobial solution that kills pathogens. I got from a friend who owns a sanitization company. The reason we wear masks is to protect others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that masks only keep your germs in. There aren’t any masks available today that are treated with an antimicrobial beforehand, so I treated them on my own to protect my mask against someone who may be contagious.
As we shopped, I noticed how people were not social distancing. While in line, people were standing close to each other. My daughter and I remained at our distance. As we came to the counter to pay, where there were only two cashiers, I noticed that the clerk did not have gloves on, although there was antibacterial hand sanitizer on the counter. As I went to pay with my credit card, I noticed that the card machine was not wiped after the previous customer. Thankfully, I was prepared and wore plastic gloves as I inserted my card. The CDC states that when the coronavirus is on surfaces and objects, it dies naturally within a few hours or a few days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
When I am out and about, I wear my gloves until I leave the store. After I touch the door when leaving, I throw my gloves away before getting in my vehicle. In today’s COVID-19 world, it is up to each of us to be responsible and take precautions. Be safe and shop safely!