What a jackass. If he was sick and was about to go to the doctor… he needed to f*cking go to the doctor. Not be out in public infecting other people. The narcissism and selfishness… if he needed essential supplies, he could have them delivered. No need to put others at risk.

WE ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION NOT TO INFECT OTHERS.

At my local stores (I live in Texas) they have changed their open hours so workers can disinfect before people arrive. They have laid tape on the floor to tell people where to stand in line, so there is distance between people. Some stores limit the number of people allowed at a time, so there are sometimes lines in front of the store as people wait their turn to go inside to shop. Last time I went shopping I noticed workers taking breaks to disinfect the cashier area and making people wait while they did that. All good.

But maybe they need to go further. In Germany they are now manufacturing “splash guards” for people in retail. These people need to be protected. The store should provide masks; if masks can’t be procured, at the very least put up barriers so customers can’t get too close to the registers. Give workers regular breaks to wash hands, provide them with hand sanitizer, whatever can be done to protect them given the resources available — do it.

I think they also need to set aside the first hour of the day only for the elderly and immune-compromised to shop. Ban children under 12 from going into the store, because children nowadays are not disciplined and will NOT maintain distance. All stores should limit the number of shoppers allowed at a time to minimize crowds.

We can either take draconian measures now and in a few weeks this will all be over, or we can be laissez faire about it and totally tank our economy and continue to deal with the consequences for years.

Shopping is not for socializing. It is to get essentials. Make a list, go, get what you need and go home. Wash your hands when you get home.