It needs to be said - so I will be the one to say it.

Businesses – WTH are you doing, or not doing?

We get it. You needed to get your doors open. You needed the business to keep your business afloat – to pay your rent, your vendors, your utilities. And eventually, your staff. And maybe yourself.

But at what risk? As one of the many humanity-concerned citizens of this community, I want to applaud certain businesses who are doing things the right way.

First, by limiting the number of customers who are inside at the same time. Some retailers achieve this by having someone at the door, counting using a clicker, who goes in after someone else is let out. Using one door as an entrance, and another as the exit – when applicable. I’ve even noticed stores limiting the amount of available shopping carts. If we have to wait outside a bit - then we wait.

Next, by training and preparing your staff on how to maintain sanitary procedures in the way they should in your business – whether a restaurant, a retail store, etc. Shopping carts being cleaned as they are returned by one customer, readied for the next.

Employees following the same rules you are demanding of customers. If dining in/out, of course – your diners need to remove their masks to eat. Your staff should not.

VIBRANT SIGNAGE HELPS

Stating your rules, as they apply to those entering your premises, and as they apply to those you employ.

This signage will re-enforce the fact that you reserve the right to refuse business if those rules are not followed. Maybe going as far as to inform people in advance that their photo will be taken when they challenge the management or other staffers on these requirements. Or better, just say that all interactions may be recorded. We've all seen these 'karen' videos of outrageous behavior of customers refusing to comply.

Signage in each/every shopping cart - the same space you reserve for sponsors. Remind them that the reason there are arrows on floors to keep people going in one direction from crossing paths in the other direction is to assure added protection beyond mask wearing. So, if a sneeze or cough occurs, it won’t be crossing your path. Place these signs in every single cart, on every single door as a reminder to abide by the rules created for your customers’ safety. And, to have opened your business in accordance with the rules mandated by local or state government.

Shout out to the Trader Joe’s of our community – doing all that they could. Others should learn from them. Kudos to the local Delis and Markets that are maybe small in scale but large in returning customers and good reputations. Sad to see one of our favorites having to have police at their door to manage the ins/outs likely due to previous harassment. Good to see others wipe down counters and credit card machines after every transaction. They (Steinmart) are doing a good thing. For these efforts, we appreciate you and will be forever customers.

Not appreciated and a reminder of where not to shop – are those restaurants whose servers and food runners are not wearing masks. MASKS on a chin are not protecting anyone! Noticed lately, in a very popular restaurant in the far south suburbs that while dining outside, we were fortunate to have the only server who ‘Faithfully’ wore her mask the entire time. Rather than complain to management about all the others wearing them on their chins – we complimented our server with grateful words and a better-than-average gratuity. Hopefully she didn’t have to share that with those that ran the food out. This is one place we won’t return to in the near future.

A local ethnic grocer, jam packed with customers because of their outstanding products. Service is usually okay, but there seems to be absolutely no preventative measures. An always-empty sanitizing wipe container. A small sign at the door asking for social distancing and on the deli-counter – well, maybe it needs to be posted in multiple languages! Hey, there’s a thought. The deli area is packed like sardines. Most customers wearing masks, but one refuses. When a store clerk was asked why it is not enforced, she responded that management doesn't want to argue with people. Rather than refuse service to one bold ignorant person, they put all their other customers at risk. Do they not see this?

And then, just days after reopening a neighborhood staple and delish restaurant seemed to be following PPE guidelines, until they seated us INSIDE where tables were barely 2 feet apart, and not a staff member wore a mask. WTH? Other local places based on entertainment and/or games and drinking are becoming petri dishes for everyone who enters. They enter - at our mutual risk.
This virus is unforgiving. This lack of consciousness is unconscionable. How many more people will have to be intubated, put on ventilators or die before management rethinks how they open their doors and serve their customers? How many more families have to lose their loved ones and worse, multiple loved ones because reality is being ignored, by the customers who refuse to wear masks, or staffers who ignore their own rules. Adults should know better, yet these are adults only places!

Dear Businesses: Please place your vibrant, colorful and succinctly worded rules in multiple languages. A novel idea – I know. So is nCoV! You know who your regulars are. Speak their language – not just your own.

Place these signs on doors, inside carts, at every kiosk or endcap as a reminder. You want your business to succeed with repeat customers who remain healthy, don’t you? Restaurants: do not allow any of your food-contact people to wear their masks on their chins. Not in the kitchen, not on the floor. If they can’t, then send them home. Employ someone else who will heed the warnings. If you don’t want to lose a valued employee – then maybe provide them with additional breaks away from customers or purchase more breathable masks for them. Have them imprinted with your company name. Diners – wear your mask until you are seated, whether indoors or outside.

Be safe. We only have one life. More than 125k have already been lost. Don’t contribute to that growing-by-the-day number.