Come Monday, our Costco is requiring face masks to enter.

[IfIOnly]

They'll provide them the first week though. This is the first store I've been to in our area to require wearing masks. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Good 

[J-rap]

I think it's a good idea.

[Bambam]

In our state, freedom is the watchword. I've seen several post they will be wearing masks, but they are masks like for a masquerade party that just cover the upper half of your face. I have no idea if they will do so or not or if it is their idea of a joke. And what any stores requiring masks will do with these people who are 'technically' wearing masks. 

 

 

[MEmama]

My state is requiring them as of tomorrow. I’m so glad. Most people in my area will comply and it will be obvious who to avoid and can’t be trusted. 

[Pen]

4 minutes ago, Bambam said:

In our state, freedom is the watchword. I've seen several post they will be wearing masks, but they are masks like for a masquerade party that just cover the upper half of your face. I have no idea if they will do so or not or if it is their idea of a joke. And what any stores requiring masks will do with these people who are 'technically' wearing masks. 

 

 

 

I presume they can refuse them entrance as with someone who arrives without required clothes (like shoes at many stores). 

It might be better if they were to get their jollies and sense of freedom by wearing clear plastic bags as pants to meet the rules for wearing clothes in public, without covering in the way many cultures consider appropriate. 

 

 

[happi duck]

I'm glad they seem to be ramping up chainwide.

I've only been using Costco because it's a faster way to stock up.

Three weeks ago they seemed set up well for distancing.  When I went yesterday it seemed *less* set up for distancing.  It felt like a video game trying to navigate without ending up right next to someone.

I hope their new guidelines make it safer.

[ktgrok]

They are well known for taking good care of their employees, so this is a continuation of that. Good for them. 

[athena1277]

I read a lot of discussion on this somewhere else yesterday.  A large part of that group was angry about it and said they would be cancelling their memberships.  I would rather not wear a mask, but that lets me shop with less people, I’ll do it.  

[Jean in Newcastle]

Oh for Pete's sake, if you don't want to wear a mask at Costco then shop online (I just got my Costco delivery two minutes ago at my door) or shop elsewhere. 

[ktgrok]

41 minutes ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

Oh for Pete's sake, if you don't want to wear a mask at Costco then shop online (I just got my Costco delivery two minutes ago at my door) or shop elsewhere. 

Yup. If I don't feel like putting on pants or a bra, I order on line. They can do that if they don't want to wear a mask. 

[Farrar]

2 minutes ago, Ktgrok said:

Yup. If I don't feel like putting on pants or a bra, I order on line. They can do that if they don't want to wear a mask. 

Well... no pants is pretty different from no bra.

It's a nationwide policy. At least at ours with the mask order, they literally turn people away who won't wear them. And they turn away people wearing them improperly. So I don't think a Halloween mask would do it.

[Arcadia]

17 minutes ago, Farrar said:

It's a nationwide policy. At least at ours with the mask order, they literally turn people away who won't wear them. And they turn away people wearing them improperly. So I don't think a Halloween mask would do it.

 

3 hours ago, Bambam said:

In our state, freedom is the watchword. I've seen several post they will be wearing masks, but they are masks like for a masquerade party that just cover the upper half of your face. I have no idea if they will do so or not or if it is their idea of a joke. And what any stores requiring masks will do with these people who are 'technically' wearing masks. 

Here people have gone to the grocers in full face Halloween masks. I have not seen anyone use a motorcycle/dirt bike full face helmet as a mask but I won’t be surprised. 

The masks need to cover the mouth and nostrils but there is nothing to say full face coverings can’t be used.

https://www.costco.com/covid-updates.html
“Face Covering Requirements

To protect our members and employees, effective May 4, all Costco members and guests must wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose at all times while at Costco. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition.

The use of a face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing. Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

Edited April 30, 2020 by Arcadia

[Farrar]

1 minute ago, Arcadia said:

 

Here people have gone to the grocers in full face Halloween masks. I have not seen anyone use a motorcycle/dirt bike full face helmet as a mask but I won’t be surprised. 

The masks needs to cover the mouth and nostrils but there is nothing to say full face coverings can’t be used.

https://www.costco.com/covid-updates.html
“Face Covering Requirements

To protect our members and employees, effective May 4, all Costco members and guests must wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose at all times while at Costco. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition.

The use of a face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing. Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

I've seen a few full face coverings. I was thinking of masquerade style masks - they're the opposite of covering your mouth and nose.

Here, I've literally watched the store security force people to put their masks on properly and - in one case - they stopped someone who was shopping and forced her to put it back over her nose. All very polite. I was at Costco the first day of our state level policy and they were turning people away. One woman had a couple of extra masks that she gave out. One guy pulled a turtleneck over half his face and they let him in like that.

[prairiewindmomma]

Our Costco already requires them. 

[SounderChick]

Ours announced this and people are flipping out. Clearly don't understand a private business can require what they want.  Blaming the governor or asking to see the law that's making this requires, saying it is unconstitutional etc.  A lot saying they will cancel their membership.

[Sneezyone]

I have sent masks to all of my friends and family. It’s not required where I live but 8/10 of the early morning shoppers wear them. It gets weird the later in the day I go. I’ve been going 1x week. It’s also VERY quiet in the am, no chit chat.

17 minutes ago, rebcoola said:

Ours announced this and people are flipping out. Clearly don't understand a private business can require what they want.  Blaming the governor or asking to see the law that's making this requires, saying it is unconstitutional etc.  A lot saying they will cancel their membership.

I am not at all ashamed to admit that I would enjoy seeing/videotaping this outburst.  I don’t think these antics will age well.

[ktgrok]

24 minutes ago, rebcoola said:

Ours announced this and people are flipping out. Clearly don't understand a private business can require what they want.  Blaming the governor or asking to see the law that's making this requires, saying it is unconstitutional etc.  A lot saying they will cancel their membership.

Ugh - I bet it is the same people that scream about how great the free market is most of the time. Up until they don't like what a private business does. Sigh. The constitution doesn't say a private place has to admit you if you are naked, nor if you are unmasked. sigh. 

[IfIOnly]

54 minutes ago, Ktgrok said:

Ugh - I bet it is the same people that scream about how great the free market is most of the time. Up until they don't like what a private business does. Sigh. The constitution doesn't say a private place has to admit you if you are naked, nor if you are unmasked. sigh. 

This actually irks me too. If you're going to cry "we the people" (I get this), don't cry if that presents itself other than your preferences (seriously?) Ugh. 

Edited May 1, 2020 by IfIOnly

[Tap]

I was at Costco today. They had a sign up stating the policy, but I also saw people inside who were not wearing them. 

ETA: I wear a mask when shopping. I was talking to a cashier at Costco customer service today. She was wearing a mask and there was a plastic barrier between us. We were having to almost yell at each other to be heard. LOL It was comical trying to understand each other. She was super sweet and patient, even giving me more information than she had to. I think if I was yelling at my customers all day, just to be heard, I would want to limit how much I said. Haha 

I heart all the workers out there who are able to keep a smile on their face, after helping customers all day!  

Edited May 1, 2020 by Tap

[rjand6more]

I was in Costco last week.  I wear a mask although the science doesn't support the necessity.  I mean, if you are coughing, you should be home... I see people touching them ALL THE TIME.  Gloves don't make your hands sterile, people. LOL  The cashier was about to pass out because she was double masked, but touching her face, her EYES, her hair??

And the staff at Costco (and other stores) must think that masks are a replacement for social distancing.  They were seriously intrusive.  Almost on top of people.  Masks have never been considered a replacement for 6 feet distancing.  Now they are a false sense of security.

I saw a guy yesterday with a mask hanging on his rear view mirror?!?  Um, all those droplets are now being filtered and dispersed through your entire vent system.  I saw someone shove a mask in her purse?  Um, contaminated everything in there. Dirty masks (even reuseable-use them only once before washing! or let them sit for >36 hours) should be folded dirty side(the outside is the dirty side!) together and stored in a ziplock until you get home to wash or let sit for >36 hours, preferably wash.

[rjand6more]

2 minutes ago, Arctic Mama said:

@rjand6more I shove my mask in my purse, it’s not to protect me from other people’s droplets, but rather to keep in my own. It’s no dirtier than my shirt, which also touches my purse and *gasp* even my car seat!!?!

I think you may not be grasping the purpose of cloth masks? I wash them with the same frequency I do every other garment, because they are not a source of higher environmental contamination from other people than my glasses, coat, etc.

You are placing them over your face.  They indeed do pick up all the nastiness you touch with your hands.

Yes.  I wash them too.  With towels.  but, if I were rewearing, I would wait 36 hours.

Edited May 1, 2020 by rjand6more

[rjand6more]

1 minute ago, Arctic Mama said:

Aren’t you washing your hands before you take your mask off?  I sanitize it’s wash before I touch my face at all, but the actual mask is not sterile, nor is it meant to be.  It’s just a shield for my face to contain flying spittle.

I do use hand sanitizer. Not usually able to get to a sink in time.  I bet you are touching your mask and face more with a mask. Way more than you are aware of.

[Selkie]

26 minutes ago, rjand6more said:

I was in Costco last week.  I wear a mask although the science doesn't support the necessity.  I mean, if you are coughing, you should be home... I see people touching them ALL THE TIME.  Gloves don't make your hands sterile, people. LOL  The cashier was about to pass out because she was double masked, but touching her face, her EYES, her hair??

I've had the opposite experience. I haven't seen anyone wearing a mask who was touching their face or the mask. Maybe that will change now that masks are required in my state (starting today), but up until now, everyone wearing a mask seemed to be doing it right.

[J-rap]

18 minutes ago, rjand6more said:

I was in Costco last week.  I wear a mask although the science doesn't support the necessity.  I mean, if you are coughing, you should be home... I see people touching them ALL THE TIME.  Gloves don't make your hands sterile, people. LOL  The cashier was about to pass out because she was double masked, but touching her face, her EYES, her hair??

And the staff at Costco (and other stores) must think that masks are a replacement for social distancing.  They were seriously intrusive.  Almost on top of people.  Masks have never been considered a replacement for 6 feet distancing.  Now they are a false sense of security.

I saw a guy yesterday with a mask hanging on his rear view mirror?!?  Um, all those droplets are now being filtered and dispersed through your entire vent system.  I saw someone shove a mask in her purse?  Um, contaminated everything in there. Dirty masks (even reuseable-use them only once before washing! or let them sit for >36 hours) should be folded dirty side(the outside is the dirty side!) together and stored in a ziplock until you get home to wash or let sit for >36 hours, preferably wash.

From what I understand, wearing a mask can help prevent the virus from being spread by the mask-wearer through a cough, or even an exhaled breath, because then it's in the air and can be inhaled by someone else.    I think touch isn't quite as big an issue because you have more control over that.  You can wash your hands after being out and about, or after digging around in your purse, or taking your mask on and off... all before touching your face or someone else.  And if both people in an interaction are wearing a mask, then better still.  But it's not a guarantee, just a help.  And then social distancing on top of that. 

I think the mask is more for protecting other people?  So even if you have breathed your own coronavirus germs into it and wear it without washing it or shove it into your purse where it touches other things,  they're your own germs anyway, that you already have?  Is that right?  So then what's really most important after the mask  and social distancing is that you wash your hands a lot...

I'm actually trying to logically think about how all of this works as I write this....!

[MEmama]

10 minutes ago, Selkie said:

I've had the opposite experience. I haven't seen anyone wearing a mask who was touching their face or the mask. Maybe that will change now that masks are required in my state (starting today), but up until now, everyone wearing a mask seemed to be doing it right.

I haven’t either. I only go to the grocery, though, and it seems to me that everyone appears intent on getting what they need and getting out. The only people I’ve noticed who might fiddle with their masks are the ones trying to get away with not wearing it correctly, like just over their mouth and not nose as well. Thankfully in my area most people I see take this seriously and understand that it’s up to all of to take care of each other.

Edited May 1, 2020 by MEmama

[ktgrok]

12 hours ago, Arctic Mama said:

Even my non-conformist, super conservative, mask hating husband will wear the one I made him to Costco and church, which is currently the only places he has on the docket to go this month that will require them.

 

He eye rolled when I mentioned this story to him and said it’s a lot like believing religious freedom only means freedom for YOUR religious beliefs, but not that person over there.  He said Costco is a private corporation and can make whatever rules they like, so long as they do not violate higher statutes.

Good man.

Thank you!

36 minutes ago, Arctic Mama said:

@rjand6more I shove my mask in my purse, it’s not to protect me from other people’s droplets, but rather to keep in my own. It’s no dirtier than my shirt, which also touches my purse and *gasp* even my car seat!!?!

I think you may not be grasping the purpose of cloth masks? I wash them with the same frequency I do every other garment, because they are not a source of higher environmental contamination from other people than my glasses, coat, etc.

Also, I have touched stuff in my purse after shopping, the few times I brought it. But then I don't go back in my purse until the next shopping trip in 1-2 weeks, so no worries. 

28 minutes ago, rjand6more said:

I do use hand sanitizer. Not usually able to get to a sink in time.  I bet you are touching your mask and face more with a mask. Way more than you are aware of.

I'm not! It makes me much more mindful of the entire situation. But my mask is comfy and stays in place, so that helps. 

Edited May 1, 2020 by Ktgrok

[marbel]

In my limited experience being out, most people seem to be trying to wear the masks correctly.  I know that one time when I was in a store I fiddled with my mask, because it seemed to be slipping. If someone caught me doing it, it might have looked like I was randomly messing about with my face, or whatever.  The one time I wore gloves out, I made a lot of mistakes in touching things/my face, etc. So I don't wear gloves anymore.

I'm sure all are not, but I think most people are trying to do the best they can with something completely unfamiliar to them. There is a learning curve, an adjustment, which is going to be harder for some people. Sure, there will always be jerky people who complain that their rights to go about unmasked are being violated. But those are the same jerky people who are always complaining or preforming little rebellions to show they are independent or smarter or something, I am not sure what.

If the masks help, great. If all they really help with is awareness, that's fine too. 

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

I don't touch my mask.  But my mask is actually a respirator and has a tight seal so no adjusting necessary.  I keep my respirator in a paper bag.  I disinfect the seal after use.

If I wear a mask (even one not as "high powered" as mine) I reduce the amount of droplets of "whatever" in the air.  If others also wear masks then they too are reducing the amounts of droplets.  That in turn reduces the amounts that can be aerosolized.  The aerosolized droplets are the ones that can penetrate many non-respirator face coverings and masks.  But less drops to be aerosolized, the better for everyone.  I am more interested in not inhaling droplets of any size than in surface contaminants because I wash hands when changing to a new activity and don't put my hands near my mouth or nose. 

It does drive me a bit crazy when I see people wearing masks under their noses (which is by far the biggest oopsie I see).  They are not being protected from any droplets - the ones in the air before dropping to the ground or the ones that were aerosolized.  And while presumably they are reducing the number of droplets that come from their mouth when talking, of course they are not eliminating anything coming from their nose.  People wearing masks under their chins (which I have also seen) are the equivalent of not being masked.

But in my area (and from reports on this board this seems to be variable by location), I see probably 70% of customers in the grocery store wearing masks.  All employees are now wearing masks.  And I don't see people shopping with others.  And all seem to be observing social distancing rules.  The only thing I don't see them observing are the arrows on the grocery aisles but I forget myself because I don't loop through the grocery store from aisle to aisle so I might be on the "wrong" side when I want to quick go and grab some ice cream.