We’re not ready

Since the pandemic arose, I shop infrequently and carefully, always wearing a mask. The three stores I’ve shopped at sanitize carts, limit numbers, and restrict entry and exit.

At Costco, all employees and shoppers were wearing masks both times I’ve been there. Checkout was spread out, and people tended to avoid others. At Walmart (again, two trips), where the food aisles are marked one-way, and distancing markers are on the floors, very few people were wearing masks, and almost all were ignoring the one-way markers and distance instructions. One woman had on a mask but not over her face; at least I guess it kept her neck warm. At my local supermarket, where I’ve been perhaps a dozen times, there was a little more compliance among the customers, but not much.

I see that the county commissioners want Spokane to move to Phase 3. Given the lack of compliance with mask and distancing directives, I’d say the population is far from ready for that. What we need is more compliance with existing directives. What we don’t need is to join the states and localities that have sharp spikes in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Richard S. Williams

Spokane