Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Kamloops shoppers get a C- on observing pandemic guidelines

May 6, 2020 | 5:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — SHOPPING IN KAMLOOPS these days takes patience, determination and a dash of courage.

The degree to which stores and shoppers follow anti-COVID-19 guidelines varies tremendously from one place to another. Many stores are still closed, of course, but grocery stores, building supply stores, liquor stores, fast food drive-thrus and agricultural stores remain open.

Garden-supply outlets are also open for the new growing season.

Many of them now use plexiglass shields at cash registers but some don’t. Many proclaim limits on the number of shoppers allowed into a store at one time, but not all enforce it.

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Most use professionally made floor patches as physical-distancing reminders while others make due with pieces of tape as markers. But these measures seem pointless if some are followed and some not.

For example, I’ve stood in line observing the correct distancing until I get to the counter and find the cashier with no mask, no plexiglass, no gloves and making no attempt to keep a safe distance from customers.

Others, I must emphasize, don’t skimp. They wear masks, maintain distance and carefully instruct customers on how to make a purchase. Yesterday, for example, I witnessed one cashier gently tell a customer to please stay behind the plexiglass.

But in other stores I’ve seen customers ignore directions, blithely browsing to their heart’s content or brushing in front of others to grab an item.

The wearing of masks is almost non-existent among shoppers, even though it’s now recommended. If I was in a space with 49 other shoppers I’d likely be the only one there with a mask.

It’s not the guidelines that are the problem; it’s the people who don’t follow them. As B.C. starts to re-open, I worry we don’t have the discipline to keep the curve where it needs to be.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He writes five commentaries a week for CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.