Provincial standards need to expand for grocery stores
Scientific evidence is mounting SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized by basic breathing and talking. A physical barrier covering the respiratory system is common sense and courtesy, in addition to social distancing. It is less to protect oneself, rather to protect others due to the 5 day incubation period, or people displaying little or no symptoms throughout the course of infection.
Suggestions (some already implemented):
- limit number of customers shopping together (one, unless single parent or caregiver for disabled that cannot be left alone)
- limit number of customers inside based on square footage
- hand sanitizer dispensers at doors, pay stations, high-touch areas
- no re-usable bags, provide clean bags at no extra cost
- signs to remind distancing, overhead announcements
- 2m spacing lines at checkout and elsewhere appropriate
- signs about courtesy, "Buy what you pick up"
- restrictions to bulk items, hoarding prevention
- no mask, no entry, can be anything covering the mouth/nose
- staff should also be masked in some way eg; they package meat, stock produce, prepare salads/food
- staff should be taught proper 20s hand hygiene with soap/water and 70% ABHR
- cashiers should sanitize their hands between customers
- no gloves, gloves are a detriment by providing false security whereby people/staff think they can touch everything (Health care professionals wear gloves because they are dealing with bodily fluids that can enter the skin and they are disposed of between patients, this virus does not infect through skin, it is contracted via the respiratory system)
- cleaning guidelines during store hours (surfaces), and thorough cleaning overnight, basically adopt hospital standards
I'm watching which stores do this and it would be prudent if they want the business. What else?
Suggestions (some already implemented):
- limit number of customers shopping together (one, unless single parent or caregiver for disabled that cannot be left alone)
- limit number of customers inside based on square footage
- hand sanitizer dispensers at doors, pay stations, high-touch areas
- no re-usable bags, provide clean bags at no extra cost
- signs to remind distancing, overhead announcements
- 2m spacing lines at checkout and elsewhere appropriate
- signs about courtesy, "Buy what you pick up"
- restrictions to bulk items, hoarding prevention
- no mask, no entry, can be anything covering the mouth/nose
- staff should also be masked in some way eg; they package meat, stock produce, prepare salads/food
- staff should be taught proper 20s hand hygiene with soap/water and 70% ABHR
- cashiers should sanitize their hands between customers
- no gloves, gloves are a detriment by providing false security whereby people/staff think they can touch everything (Health care professionals wear gloves because they are dealing with bodily fluids that can enter the skin and they are disposed of between patients, this virus does not infect through skin, it is contracted via the respiratory system)
- cleaning guidelines during store hours (surfaces), and thorough cleaning overnight, basically adopt hospital standards
I'm watching which stores do this and it would be prudent if they want the business. What else?
