One unintentional benefit of grocery store cashiers having to wear masks for months on end.

They are forced to find some way of opening plastic bags other than licking their fingers. I have to admit that, pre-pandemic, when a cashier was coughing and blowing their nose and then licked their fingers and then touched the groceries, I kind of felt it was only a matter of time before I would have a head cold. But now, it's more convenient to use a sponge or one of those "kwik sort" things or whatever they're called, since they have a mask over their faces. A lot of people are gonna break some bad habits.

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newgirl · 56-60, F

I've seen that done by customers with the produce bags.

33person · 26-30, M

@newgirl At least it's THEIR produce, but still, if the customers have a mask on, they'll find some other way most likely. Because I think the ones who lick their fingers do it subconsciously, and they're not gonna subconsciously take the mask off their face AND lick their fingers. That's too much to do subconsciously.

newgirl · 56-60, F

@33person True, but after they lick their fingers and open the bag, they touch all the produce.

33person · 26-30, M

@newgirl So, if those people get used to wearing a mask, they'll also probably get used to opening the bags without licking their fingers.

purplepen · 51-55, F

That is awful. I never did any of those things and never will.

We had sanitizer in my workplace and I used it a lot during allergy season. I went around the corner to blow my nose, or even into the washroom.

I used to just turn away and sneeze into my elbow, but now I get onto the floor under the counter to sneeze into my elbow. Also after touching leaky packets of chicken, or grubby coins, I sanitize the coins as well as my hands.

Customers still lick their fingers before counting out twenties though.

We ran out of sanitizer for about 6 weeks. I brought some from home and shared it with everyone. Them I made some when it ran out.

BlondilyOld · F

We order our groceries online then pick them up. When we get home we wash everything. I havent had any colds or other illnesses since March doing that!

MrBrownstone · 46-50, M

What about the people stocking the shelves touching everything?

33person · 26-30, M

@MrBrownstone I guess the corresponding unintentional benefit is that if they are a nail biter or have some other similar habit, their hands are likely to be cleaner now that they're wearing a mask? Idk, that seems like a stretch. Maybe the fact that they probably use hand sanitizer more than they used to will be a benefit.

purplepen · 51-55, F

@MrBrownstone In my workplace we all wear gloves religiously, and there is a huge plastic barrier between cashiers and customers. Most of us wear masks but there is an exception allowed for whoever cannot.