Coping Mechanisms

I've been documenting the many ways businesses large and small have had to change their practices to accommodate our strange new reality. Mostly I've been using my cell phone to snap pictures of the signs they all seem to have posted on their doors and the ways they've tried to enforce social distancing. Above and immediately below, the Post Office. As you can see, they're using yellow tape and stacks of mail tubs to keep patrons at a distance from the counter. They have also installed clear Plexiglas barriers (hard to see in the photo) between the clerks and customers as an added safety measure.

WalMart is a place where I don't normally shop, but ever since the pandemic got rolling there have been fewer options, so to WalMart I have been going -- reluctantly! They've been doing their best to limit contact between patrons at their entrance and exit, however once inside the doors, it's a free for all. I've also found that a high percentage of WalMart shoppers cannot be bothered to wear masks, at least here in Colorado Springs.

The Ace Hardware store near my house has been very proactive about limiting the number of customers allowed inside at any given time. I went there today and the greeter asked me what I was shopping for and told me where to find it, so as to lessen the amount of time that I'd be wandering around. Smart!

WalMart again. Unfortunately the only time shoppers there appear to be practicing social distancing is when they're actually in line to pay for their purchases and leave.

Safeway has been trying to enforce one-way aisles, however it's hard to remember to check on the floor to see which direction you should be going when you're in a shopping daze. Most people seem oblivious to the arrows. Guilty as charged -- today I went the wrong way down at least two aisles!

Home Depot.

I've only been to Target a couple of times in recent weeks, and it's been nearly deserted each time.