Josh Elledge - CEO, UpMyInfluence
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Important Public Etiquette Guidelines
The Coronavirus pandemic has completely changed our culture and social environment. Everything from pumping gas to getting groceries has become a stressful endeavor. Many folks may not be fully aware of what all the social expectations currently are. As many states have begun to experience reopenings during this time and we all start to re-enter the world, it’s important to remember a few public etiquette guidelines as we start to establish our current way of living.
I'm not talking of living in fear. You may also feel fully confident to handle a virus of any kind. My hope is to simply exercise a courtesy to those we contact who may be more vulnerable.
Find Out What Your Local Stores and Shops Recommend
Many stores have issued tips and guidelines when it comes to how to shop during the pandemic. Most stores are asking that you practice social distancing and shop 6 feet apart from other customers. Some stores have even established one-way aisles to reduce how many shoppers are passing each other in close proximity. Set up contactless payment on your smartphone like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay in order to minimize handling cash or credit cards.
Take note of these guidelines when you’re getting ready to go shopping and remember to wear a mask and a new pair of gloves for every store you visit. Once you’re done, make sure to properly dispose of anything you used while shopping, such as gloves, wipes, etc, into waste receptacles. If we continue to work together during this unusual time, safety measures can have their maximum effect – particularly for the more susceptible among us.
Here’s a roundup of several stores and what safety measures and guidelines they’ve implemented:
Target:https://corporate.target.com/about/purpose-history/our-commitments/target-coronavirus-hub
Publix:https://ww4.publix.com/publix-coronavirus-updates/customer-shopping-tips
Kroger Family (Food 4 Less, Harris Teeter, Ralphs): https://www.thekrogerco.com/blueprint/
Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie): https://www.segrocers.com/-/media/media/weekly-bau-content/wk17-2020/covid-19%20customer%20letter.pdf?la=en
Albertsons (Safeway, Acme, & Vons): https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/helping-you-through-covid-19.html
Dollar General: https://www.dollargeneral.com/ongoing-efforts-for-covid-19
Practice Social Distancing
Even as the country starts to re-open, social distancing and decontaminating should still be part of your everyday routine. The CDC recommends that you come up with a plan to regularly clean your home and any items you bring into it, wear a mask and gloves when in public, and to continue social distancing at this time. Remember that when one person decides not to follow these guidelines, it affects everyone they come into contact with. Be courteous to essential workers and other people who are out and about by familiarizing yourself with and following them.
Here is what the CDC recommends we do as the country re-opens:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
Decontaminate Wherever You Go
Along with wearing gloves and a mask, try to decontaminate things that are frequently touched when you go out. Things like doorknobs, gas pump handles, ATMs, public touchscreens, and faucets should be cleaned off before being touched. If you have some, also carry hand sanitizer as an extra precaution.
Here’s a great CDC guide on disinfecting:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
We're all impacted
We are living in a time that’s scary and confusing for many. The most important thing to remember is that we’re all a team in this. It may seem simple – or you may even be getting annoyed by now. But following CDC Guidelines and continuing to practice social distancing as we start leaving our homes and venturing out more and more will reduce the spread to the more vulnerable among us.
