A couple of weeks ago a checker in the grocery store asked if I wanted paper bags. Surprised at the question, my response was yes. He then proceeded to charge me 25 cents per bag, (an increase from 10 cents pre-shelter-in-place. Typical - people are struggling and misguided SF officials decide to raise the price.) Just like that, a revised health mandate and we were “allowed” to bring in our own bags. There was a caveat though. If we did that, then we would have to keep the bags off the conveyor belt, and the checkers could not put the items in the bags.
Like many people, I have a stash of paper and plastic bags from the original mandates in March. So, a couple of days ago, I collected some of the plastic ones, brought them into a store, and used them for an assortment of vegetables. Feeling satisfied I had put them to good use, I approached the checker and, as I proceeded to place the items on the moving conveyor belt, he politely informed me that we are not allowed to bring in these used bags. Further, he stated that the conveyor belts might become contaminated as well as his gloves. I said okay and thanked him for letting me know.
Granted, I do not like being told what to do! However, I am a reasonable person. Time and time again throughout this lengthy shelter-in-place, I have witnessed contradictory parts of the health mandates, and find them quite bothersome. The checkers do not change their gloves with each new customer. The checkers touch item after item that has been touched by customer after customer. By the time he touches what I’m purchasing, it’s all contaminated as far as I’m concerned, but he can’t put them in used paper bags. Oh, then add that after each customer, they squirt the belt with a little disinfecting solution and wipe it dry using the same cloth time and time again. (BTW, same for restaurants.) Anyone with good cleaning knowledge knows you have to use a new cloth each time to avoid cross contamination. I could go on and on and probably will in future posts.
Nonsense:
