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26 Genius Ways In Which People Are Stopping The Spread Of Coronavirus
With 339,645 confirmed cases around the globe, 35,224 of which reside in the US, the coronavirus outbreak is now in full swing. As entire nations are on lockdown, staying strong may be easier said than done.
But humans are a bunch of tough nuts to crack. To show you just how responsible, conscious, and united we all can be, Bored Panda has compiled a list of ideas designed to fight the virus. From rearranging exhibition displays so everyone can see them from the outside, to inventing a DIY ventilator that saves not just one but multiple lives at the same time, nothing’s impossible when it comes to life in crisis.
And scroll down for our interview with Sonja Trauss, the executive director of YIMBY Law, who shared her views on how the outbreak is changing our societies beyond recognition.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Art Museum, Closed Due To Virus Outbreak, Rearranged Exhibition So It Can Be Seen From Outside Day Or Night. Salo, Finland
Lillukka 5 years ago
I think it's just a matter of time when Finland is in the same situation.
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Tor Rolf Strøm 5 years ago
So if you all just gather up reeeal close.. come one, real close and cozy!
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago
This is great! I would miss not being able to touch the art though.
Lillukka 5 years ago
You know this is about Finland right? Our normal side by side is 1,5m.
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#2
Playing Bingo With Social Distancing
Bobert Robertson 5 years ago
This makes me happy, and sad at the same time. Happy to see they are able to keep busy during this time, but sad because these people are cooped up with so little interaction. At least for many they are able to isolate with family (I understand not everyone has family)
María Hermida 5 years ago
It makes me sad because here in Spain the pandemic has uncovered the terrible conditions in many of these places for elderly people. It's something dreadful. The army has just been sent to one in Madrid to clean and fumigate, and they found people in terrible conditions and lots of dead people abandoned in their beds. The people in charge didn't even bother to tell the families their relatives had died. I just feel like crying and vomiting. It's so horrible! The link is in Spanish, sorry! https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020-03-23/el-ejercito-halla-cadaveres-de-ancianos-en-residencias-de-mayores.html
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Susann Campbell 5 years ago
Next give them their favorite musical instrument or all of them drums. I went drumming with my mother and never had I drummed before but I kept up with every one and even created a new beat and some followed and then others and then someone would make their own , this as everyone still kept time . it was fun and exciting.
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
I like it. These old people know what it means to fight for a cause. The Depression, WW1, WW2, Civil Rights, Vietnam... They're the ones that follow the rules when it's the right thing to do.
#3
A Mobile Pickup Point In The Hospital Store Where Healthcare Staff Can Pick Up A Food Bag Specially Created For Them After Their Hard Work
Cosika 5 years ago
Yet here in the UK the supermarkets have had to do an NHS hour because everyone has lost their mind..... Except somehow people that dont work for the NHS are still managing to get in!
Tai Dallen 5 years ago
Probably because it is easy to say it is an XYZ-only hour (Insert elderly, nhs,etc) but much harder to actually police/monitor it in practice. Especially in larger stores =(
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Max L. 5 years ago
I heard the govern helps buying first houses, sounds great
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Mascha Claessens 5 years ago
I see Dutch, I upvote. Great, although I've heard nothing about this here in The Netherlands. Most healthcare workers are still complaining about empty shelves after their long hours of work :/
Marielle van Oers 5 years ago
Dit is in het Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis hier in Den Bosch.
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Panda-monium 5 years ago
Great since even in 'down to earth' Holland (the Netherlands) people are going crazy!!
Hanneke Legerstee 5 years ago
It contains: 3 different ready meals. 3x bread and toppings for breakfast and lunch, 1 pack of fruits enough for 3 days, 1 pack of household articles, 1 pack of snack products for 3 days.
Events of a scale like coronavirus are known to reshape societies in fundamental ways. This is what happened during 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, or the 1918 flu pandemic.
Among many possible shifts, the current crisis could mark the end of hyper-individualism and resurrect our lost sense of community. Eric Klinenberg, a director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at NYU, believes that after the storm calms down, “we will be better able to see how our fates are linked.”
Most importantly, “in the long run, it could help us rediscover the better version of ourselves,” explained the professor.
#4
Hand Washing Stations For The Homeless
Victoria Swift 5 years ago (edited)
Or maybe you know, peel back all the dumb regulations that stopped housing growth forcing thousands of families living in the margins out into the streets. But sure, let's pat you on the back for throwing up a dirty foot powered hand washing station.
Faith Nicole 5 years ago
This should be out all year, not just with this virus going around. Beautiful idea
RaroaRaroa 5 years ago
If there's any hope of populations isolating, the homeless need to be homed. Surely with tourists being locked out of countries, there are empty hotels the government could take over for the purpose.
#5
Supermarket In Denmark Came Up With A Brilliant Pricing Trick To Stop Hand Sanitizer Hoarding
Tai Dallen 5 years ago
But it doesn't really do anything different from limiting the number or purchases per individual. People will use the same loop holes for both methods unfortunately.
#6
Keep The Kids Busy While At Home
Kaisu 5 years ago
Brilliant idea! This is something that could be used beyond this quarantine situation too to help children understand the importance of work and the value of money!
Monday 5 years ago
Agreed. Seems like a great way to get kids working towards their own goals.
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Tiffany McBride 5 years ago
HELL YEAH! DOING THIS TONIGHT! Haha jk my kid is 2. But ONE DAY....
earringnut 5 years ago
Does that say 10 minutes for $50 or 30 minutes for $50? Either way you're going to run out of chores.
Kaisu 5 years ago
You're not going to run out of reading or exercising though!
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NeverGoWoke 5 years ago
This is great! It'll teach them how to save and invest money in the future as well.
Bored Panda contacted Sonja Trauss and asked her about the ways the coronavirus outbreak is changing us beyond recognition.
Sonja Trauss told us in an interview that for the several years, the US has been living in a bubble. “Food magically appears on the grocery store shelves, the mall opens in the morning, white-collar workers are absorbed into huge office buildings all day.” But the virus outbreak has stopped the seamless pace of our lives which “proceeded like a movie.”
#7
Canadian Doctor Turns One Ventilator Into Multiple With Some DIY Mechanics
Me_thecrazycatlady 5 years ago
Ok. ICU nurse here. I'm not convinced. This sounds like a great way to spread infection. Also, ventilators have a lot of customized settings based on each patient's needs. What if one patient needs increased settings and the other needs less? Too many variables here...
Liszt 5 years ago (edited)
That's right. Anyway it was created by an italian doctor, fighting against Covid, as a very very emergency solution, since the hospital are overwhelmed by the number of patients. The doctor himself said ".. But i truly hope we won't be forced to use it"
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Aldert Nagel 5 years ago
I hope the hospitals around the world communicate this innovative solution to each other, it is live saving!
giovanna 5 years ago
This idea came from an Italian doctor. http://www.ansa.it/emiliaromagna/notizie/2020/03/19/un-ventilatore-per-due-persone-test-a-bologna_0f5323d2-fc12-45c2-b322-1cb8a02fc4fb.html
Kelly 5 years ago
And breathers are separated so that no virus will be spread or air is shared. Good work!
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Joanna Zet 5 years ago (edited)
After years of testing in Poland one houndred devices of this kind will be produced in about 3 weeks from now. The device is called I think "ventil" and cooperates with the ventilators allowing to set the settings for 2 separate patients. It is smth I've read recently and if it is worth believing it would be amazing!
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
There's a line from an episode of "Touched by an Angel" where an angel as a Medic says, "It's the best I can do with what I've got." This is where we are, folks, in real life. The Front Line IS out of supplies.
#8
Using Toothpicks To Avoid Touching The Elevator Buttons
RaroaRaroa 5 years ago (edited)
But did the person who handled all those toothpicks, putting them in the polystyrene, practice proper hygiene? Or might someone have sneezed on the lot? When I go out in lockdown (due to start in just over 24 hours) I'm going to put a bandaid (sticking plaster) on my poking finger and throw it out after eftpos machine and self-checkout use.
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Laura Pantazis 5 years ago
You ever tried to take the stairs in most places? The doors are locked at the top. I learned that one the hard way. Walked the 9 stairs up, only to find the door locked. Had to walk all the way back down to the first floor to take the elevator. The stairs will lead down, but they won't lead up.
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Łukasz Markuszewski 5 years ago
What is the 'small letters' language, below the english? Malay?
Mewton’s Third Paw 5 years ago
Wear gloves, or wash your hands after touching it, or use your elbow, or just take the stairs. Inconvenient but doable.
#9
Australian PSA
Melody Lanzatella 5 years ago
Ya gotta LOVE those Aussies man!!! LOL! Do they give a fig about being P.C.?? NO! Epic
Suzanne Haigh 4 years ago
What disgusting language when children will be around. If that was displayed in my supermarket, then I would another, terrible.
At this point, coronavirus is revealing some of the limits of our institutions—medical ones in particular. All the unlikely scenarios have now become possible. Sonja explained: “It is possible for there to be too many patients. It is possible to run out of gloves and face masks.” She continued, “There will be patients dying in the hallways of some hospitals because there are only so many rooms and ventilators.”
#10
They Took The Furniture Out Of Starbucks So People Won’t Gather Here
Laura Campos 5 years ago
Starbucks all closed here in Kirkland, WA, USA except for drive thru pickups.
MikeMaxis 5 years ago
Would imagine the drive-thru line is unbearable and spilling into the streets.
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Luisa Vasconcelos 5 years ago (edited)
So unnecessary. Good sense of the people should have been enough. Some people still don't get it.
Anne 5 years ago
The donation fund poster doesn't seem too Dutch, so I think it's not (but it does look like the one in Den Haag)
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#11
Distancing Solution In A Danish Supermarket
Kaisu 5 years ago
This is a really good idea and I feel like all grocery stores should implement this right now!
My O My 5 years ago
Round here every store has these. Also plexiglas in front and in the back of the cashiers to protect them
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Pamela Scott 5 years ago
Each of those floor tiles should be a square foot or so I just make sure there are at least 6 and stop. This is good for check out bit is it all through the store?
Marizleene 5 years ago
My grocery store did the same. I'm from Canada. So i was waiting in line, but the guy behind me didn't respect that so i told him to back off. His answer was "i worked at the hospital, it doesn't bother me, i'm not scared" and keep getting closer to push me to go further in the line. All i wanna do was punching him in the face! It pissed me off so much that people -even the ones who worked at the hospital (i know it's not everyone)- just don't care, or think they are stronger than a f***ing pandemic!!!!
Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago
Yes, our local supermarket and cannabis shop are doing this.The shop has a winding path to the entrance that's marked every 6' with different colors of tape, so it feels like you're playing Candyland.
Mascha Claessens 5 years ago
Danish is so weird (when you're Dutch..:P)... Looks like Dutch with typo's.
Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
I was at a bank in the Atlanta area recently, and they had done the same thing. Customers didn't have a problem with it at all.
#12
Due To COVID-19, I’m Having To Go To All Of The Grocery Stores In My Area And Install Plastic Sneeze Guards On The Check Stands
arjelio mas 5 years ago
And now they don't all use toilet paper. But we're not going on about that for some reason.
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Martha Higgins 5 years ago
I noticed yesterday that these had been installed at my grocery store. After three weeks at home, I needed groceries.
European other 5 years ago
This is what we have now in New Zealand. Protection for workers is important so it's good news.
RaroaRaroa 5 years ago
These are coming here apparently. Although a more wrap around shap would work better.
Many of us have been forced outside the comfort zone of our idyllic households. Trauss believes that “individuals are learning that it is up to each of us to issue, and follow, our own mini shelter in place and handwashing edicts.” We are all more aware that “there’s no potion a doctor can give that will fight COVID-19, living or dying depends only on our immune systems.” Our individual bodies have to stand and fight.“
#13
Someone Placing Random Hand Sanitizer Station Around In Public Places
Pamela Scott 5 years ago
Maybe a few of the folks we thought were hoarding were actually thinking ahead!
Suzanne Haigh 4 years ago
A block of soap is much safer but not really practicle in this situation
#14
He Comes To Talk To His Dad Every Day Since The Nursing Home Is On Lockdown
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Sweet. Dad's home is also shut, the cafeteria is closed and they hand deliver plates to the residents. Just worried it will be hard to get Dad up and around after weeks doing nothing.
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
I don't know what kind of place Dad is in but if he's not getting exercise, report this to the state licencing board.
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Chris Jones 5 years ago
Yeah - because death is a stalky creature out to get you. 🙄 This is common sense and a way of still seeing loved ones.
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This Ad By Saudi Health Ministry "Thanks To Every Person Who Didn't See This Ad. Stay Home"
Perhaps paradoxically,” Trauss said, “when individuals realize that no one is in charge, and therefore, no one else can save us, we begin to see more communal behavior.” We start to think of new solutions to unite. Trauss named some of the exemplary behavior: “people are making masks at home, checking in on neighbors, following the shelter in place orders to protect themselves and their families.”
#16
NZ Supermarket
RaroaRaroa 5 years ago
Lol, Hailtobaophomet, never seen a person in public with a gun in NZ, except the police. Besides, it's not saving stock for the elderly, but keeping one check out reserved for them.
Load More Replies... Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
But why only elderly? What about the differently abled? The Immune Compromised, the Chronically ill, the pregnant women, the First Responders?
Kaisu 5 years ago
Yes boohoo! Reserving one checkout out of seven for elderly people, how will we ever manage with that : ( I mean, there are six checkouts we could use where we can buy our food, but damn it, we need all seven, damn the elderly and the immunodeficient!
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My Work Got New Key Rings
Bobert Robertson 5 years ago
This is a good gesture, but I can just see myself having the cleanest pocket in town
#18
The Way My Local Grocery Store Started Double Wrapping Bread To Reduce The Spread Of Coronavirus
Victoria Swift 5 years ago
Just FYI: Kroger's (aka Ralph's) you can buy this same bread frozen. It's kept in the back and very well sealed, ask for it. You pop it into the oven for 15 minutes at home. I have two in my freezer right now.
Laugh Fan 5 years ago
Ah... It depends, as not every heat can kill germs. A temperature of 70 to 120°C will kill most germs yet some viruses can’t be killed by the most extreme heat. This is because they don’t have a regular structure that can be destroyed by heat. The exact temperatures that kill germs, however, depends on the microbe and how long it stays in the heat. For example, salmonella is killed when it is heated to 55°C for one hour, 60°C for half an hour, or 75°C for 10 minutes.
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#19
News Outlet In Canada Is Taping Their Microphones To Hockey Sticks To Maintain Social Distance
Bobert Robertson 5 years ago
As a Canadian, I can vouch for the fact that 90% of us have spare hockey sticks lying around waiting to be used for something like this
Hailtobaphomet 5 years ago
"I wouldn't touch you, with a thirty nine and a half foot poooole" anyone get the reference
Pamela Scott 5 years ago
Uhm so they know they are shoving that mic at random peoples faces over and over. Good thing it is in Canada cause here that hockey stick might have another use if they push that mic at the wrong person!
Holly Molly 5 years ago
LOL trying to imagine the scene behind and it's funny. Also, what if the anchor wants to bring the mic back to him/herself and speak? LOL
#20
The President Of Slovakia Showing Up In Her Hand-Tailored, Matching Fabric Surgical Mask
Bashicka 5 years ago
The point is there are not enough standard medical masks for everyone in Slovakia. The medical staff has priority. The government and president ask people to do they best and DIY masks. She is pointing the example. Verba movent exempla trahunt - words move people, examples draw
ChickyChicky 5 years ago
Contrast this with Trump crowding onto a small dais with a bunch of other talking heads, then everyone shaking hands. This right here is what leadership looks like.
Lara Verne 5 years ago
Both Slovaks and Czechs wears mask eveywhere. It's mandatory. Since medical masks became scarce after corona outbreak, we are sewing them from fabric.
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
Why are they not social distancing??? If government officials don' lead by example, how are citizens going to get the message this is Really Serious?
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Unfortunately, fabric masks are less effective than the surgical masks. They are readily available on Amazon, but the companies make a point of stating this in the description.
#21
Good Socializing Etiquette In The Era Of The Coronavirus
Holly Molly 5 years ago
Some people don't own chairs, as evident in the photo
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Monica Michelle 5 years ago
Just watch out for those of us in wheelchairs went out and had to go out in the street for those on sidewalks
European other 5 years ago (edited)
Looks funny until you think about why we are doing it. The new normal.
Kaisu 5 years ago
I'm not really sure what your definition of 6 feet is because it seems very different from everyone else's definition
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#22
Taking Social Distancing To New Levels
Alex Fierro 5 years ago
Cool idea, but I must ask: How would you collect the shawarma? Wouldn't it be too heavy to just stick on top of the drone?
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
I presume that shawarma will be delivered separately. The drone is just for order & payment.
Load More Replies... Laugh Fan 5 years ago
I think that this is before they sent the drone on its mission!!
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Demi Zwaan 5 years ago
TIL Shoarma is actually written in English as 'shawarma' and that's why you all pronounce it so weirdly! I though the Avengers were just joking.
#23
Road Maintenance Doesn’t Stop, I Made A Hand Washing Station For My Crew
#24
The Waiting Room At My Doctor's Office Today
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago
This is actually to accommodate people with backwards head syndrome.
elfin 5 years ago
Or those guys who insist on sitting backwards on chairs.
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Bobby Sammons 5 years ago
The backward ones are for all the politicians...do I need to say more?
Suzanne Haigh 4 years ago
Does not solve any problems, not distanced, close for sneezes etc.. They should do what our doctors have done. People have to form very long, close lines to see the doctor, some time in the week, they bring their camp beds a sleeping bags.
#25
If You Don't Have A Stand-Up Desk At Home, This Might Be A Solution
doges are kool 12345 5 years ago
Finally not a picture-perfect work desk! Nice improvising!!! ♥️
Luna Lovegood 5 years ago
I am currently sitting in a folding beanbag type chair, my laptop is on my music stand, and my papers and pens are on a footstool next to me. Did you see the article about unconventional home workspaces? I would check it out if I were you :)
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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
You could even put the edge over your bed and use it like a hospital desk thing. Like what you eat on in the hospital.
#26
Every Other Table Is Closed To Ensure Distance Between Customers And Avoid Spread Of Coronavirus
Tai Dallen 5 years ago
There is no sit down eating, or really sit down anything, where I live.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 5 years ago
In Peru there's no such thing, every restaurant, coffee shop, etc is closed. Only supermarketa can sell sealed food
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Anne 5 years ago
Old news, I'm sure.. No sitting in restaurants or coffee shops etc anymore, anywhere here!
Stimpy 5 years ago
well, if they are from the same household, that would not matter anymore, right? And if they aren't, they wouldn't be supposed to meet up anyway...
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Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
I was at a restaurant west of Atlanta the other day, and they had done this. Now most of the towns have ordered restaurants and bars to be take-out only.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
I don't mean to be unpolite, but we've done all of this and more in Italy, 3 weeks ago, and we felt like "oh we're being so careful". The effects are irrelevant. The only thing that seems to work is shutting everything down and stay at home. And with "stay at home" I mean STAY AT HOME. Not "I'll stay at home but I'll meet my friends for dinner, there will be just 4 of us". NO. Stay at home. You're already late. Look at Spain. We're having dinners via Skype now.
Audrey Wegman 5 years ago
I wish you luck wish there was something I could do
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ulku tuna 5 years ago
I wish I were born in one of those beautiful countries instead of religious and ignorant counry like Turkey. I hate that no one even knows about the thing called "personal space" in here. Yes, they are not even aware of the fact that it exists.
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
What does religion have to do with social distancing? Our church has been posting mass on FB for several weeks now.
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wayne worthington 5 years ago
The stores are not doing their part to keep us safe. I'm staying home, the only place I go is the store. See my disturbing videos on YouTube. Search my name Wayne Worthington 6' social distancing awareness If they don't make the stores safer there will be no curve it will be a straight line going up. The stores need to be held liable for not following the 6' distance guideline
Chris Hardtke 5 years ago
Was at an Aldi’s grocery store today. They’d only let one person in line at a time. It was the stupidest thing ever, because all that did was cause people to clump together at the end of the belt, until it was their turn to put their items on the belt and approach the cashier.
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
Yeah, no. Not right. Should have said something.
Load More Replies... Full Name 5 years ago
I'm selfish because I love having an excuse to stay at home and not leave, haha.
Load More Replies... giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
I don't mean to be unpolite, but we've done all of this and more in Italy, 3 weeks ago, and we felt like "oh we're being so careful". The effects are irrelevant. The only thing that seems to work is shutting everything down and stay at home. And with "stay at home" I mean STAY AT HOME. Not "I'll stay at home but I'll meet my friends for dinner, there will be just 4 of us". NO. Stay at home. You're already late. Look at Spain. We're having dinners via Skype now.
Audrey Wegman 5 years ago
I wish you luck wish there was something I could do
Load More Replies... ulku tuna 5 years ago
I wish I were born in one of those beautiful countries instead of religious and ignorant counry like Turkey. I hate that no one even knows about the thing called "personal space" in here. Yes, they are not even aware of the fact that it exists.
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
What does religion have to do with social distancing? Our church has been posting mass on FB for several weeks now.
Load More Replies... wayne worthington 5 years ago
The stores are not doing their part to keep us safe. I'm staying home, the only place I go is the store. See my disturbing videos on YouTube. Search my name Wayne Worthington 6' social distancing awareness If they don't make the stores safer there will be no curve it will be a straight line going up. The stores need to be held liable for not following the 6' distance guideline
Chris Hardtke 5 years ago
Was at an Aldi’s grocery store today. They’d only let one person in line at a time. It was the stupidest thing ever, because all that did was cause people to clump together at the end of the belt, until it was their turn to put their items on the belt and approach the cashier.
Lorrie Finley 5 years ago
Yeah, no. Not right. Should have said something.
Load More Replies... Full Name 5 years ago
I'm selfish because I love having an excuse to stay at home and not leave, haha.
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