Recently I was having a discussion with a friend. We were talking about changes that happened during the pandemic and thereafter. For the most part we were unhappy with the changes, the ones that were allegedly implemented for our safety but now are an inconvenience.
Let’s talk about a few of them.
The first and most glaring thing is wearing a surgical mask. I still see people wearing blue throw away masks on their lower faces and in many cases, it looks like the mask should be throw away. Often the mask is under the nose and that is not the proper way to wear it. I always think it’s funny when someone says hello to me with their mask on and they expect me to recognize them. That mask rule also has allowed “bad actors” also known as crooks to walk into a store or a bank and not be required to remove their mask.
The other change that we regret is the change of store hours. Many stores used to be open late, and a few were open 24 hours. I love shopping late. Now most stores close at 9 PM.
The other change that stuck for a lot of businesses is setting up dining on the sidewalk. A lot of restaurants that never had outdoor dining set up tables and chairs on the sidewalk. From what I remember this was done because the health department thought it was safer for people to be out in the air instead of the confines of a tight or small restaurant. In many cases these restaurants are still setting up outside dining in spaces that were not designed for that.
These are just a few of the changes brought on by the pandemic. I want it back like it was, stores open late, no masks and if your restaurant doesn’t have a patio, no outside eating.
Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com
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