— from Janice Wiemeyer —
Today I ventured into Island Market for the first time in a week, and for the first time since the new restrictions. I was delightfully surprised at what I experienced. I waited outside in a short line keeping distance from others for maybe 5-6 minutes.
When I was given the signal to enter, a young man handed me a sanitized cart and I washed my hands at the sink as required. The store was very sparsely populated – there was only one other person in the produce section, and except for one woman who dashed by me in an aisle, I did not encounter another person in any aisle as people were very carefully keeping distant from one another.
Kudos to the market who have done a great job to keep the market open while creating an environment where I felt very comfortable. Being in the higher risk age group, this is particularly appreciated. As for the empty shelves and things I couldn’t get, being flexible and finding alternatives is, after all, good for the brain!
And thanks to the employees who continue to come to work in the most crowded place on the island.
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I haven’t personally experienced the new system, since neighbors and family are doing my shopping for me; but I am so relieved that THEY will be safer – while helping ME stay safe!
I also appreciate what Island Market has done to protect all of us. I like the hand-washing provision and sanitized shopping cart. Most important is the limit to the number of shoppers who can enter the market. It now appears that this virus is spread through the air by an infected person within an enclosed space. Also, that the stage when the virus is at its height for infectious threat to someone else is at about 4 days since exposure, but at that stage, a person is not likely to experience any kinds of symptoms themselves.
Therefore, in addition to the importance of limiting the number of shoppers at a time, it is probably a good idea to avoid peak shopping times, such as just after the ferry arrives, and before the dinner hour.
I feel like the Market has really stepped up to bat for all of us who rely on them for good produce and all. I so proud of those boys who run it now. I taught them everything they know.. ;)
I think we should all extend a personal thank-you to Island Market employees, especially those at the check-out counters, who have to come within six feet of probably hundreds of customers per day. I try to do so. They deserve hazard pay, and I hope they are getting it.