past Tuesday. The checkout bagger wasn't allowed to touch them, which means I had to bag my own groceries (no big deal as I often do it anyway). They would only pack your groceries if you were purchasing new bags from the store during that trip.
from using it. But the supermarkets have plastic bags as well, which I've been letting them use for my stuff. (I'm all for the ban and am pro-reusable bags, but I need plastic bags for my garbage, so I'm happy to build my stash as long as they're still giving them out).
reusable bags also banned and stores banned from charging for single use bags.
Before this pandemic, studies had already shown that reusable grocery bags were a net negative on the environment and did nothing to reduce carbon emissions or help in any way except perhaps litter - which was not why single use bags were banned in the first place.
Honest question. I bring reusable bags each week and don't use a cart or basket. I put everything in the bags, take them out at the register, and then bag everything myself.
If I can't use a reusable bag, I'll have to use a cart or basket. Is this to protect workers? Because it seems like an easy way to get healthy people to touch infected carts more often.
Honest question. I bring reusable bags each week and don't use a cart or basket. I put everything in the bags, take them out at the register, and then bag everything myself.
If I can't use a reusable bag, I'll have to use a cart or basket. Is this to protect workers? Because it seems like an easy way to get healthy people to touch infected carts more often.
there have been a lot of studies that reusable bags are breeding grounds for bacteria and other invisible pest like a virus. People are supposed to wash reusable bags ( who knew?) and they don’t.
now I wash them every time I come back from the store. Yeah, you're supposed to wash them fairly often, especially if you're carrying wet packages like meat that can contaminate the fabric. It'll be a good habit to cultivate. Went out last time with 3 canvas bags and a day pack (I was walking, not driving) and put all of the cloth bags through a wash cycle afterward. For the backpack, I sprayed it with citrus cleaner (which is a de-greaser, good for dissolving fats), rinsed it thoroughly ion hot water and hung it up to dry. By the time I use it again it will have been a couple of weeks, should be safe.
The bags are probably not much of a COVID-19 vector but y'know, "probably" probably isn't good enough right now, so if some towns want to ban them for now, I can't complain too much.
We are concentrating on the reusable vs. new plastic bags on this thread. But the whole grocery store process can be analyzed, with unfortunately sad results. You are selecting your items...but who just touched them? The warehouse guy, the stock boy, 7 previous shoppers... Checkout, the clerk if you don't self check, the credit card machine, the conveyors and platforms...are they wiping stuff down after each shopper?
After the store...If you wear gloves, when do you take them off? How do you take them off? If you wear a mask, how do you take it off? Don't touch the outer mask portion! If you don't wear gloves, touching your wallet, your keys, your door handle, etc. Every step of the process is tough.
Then when you get home, do you wash your items? Did you put the items first on your countertop? Did you then wash that?
I think you can reduce the risk by shopping at certain stores that you KNOW are cleaner. Shop at certain hours, probably first thing. But to be 100% vigilant is nearly impossible. You'll drive yourself nuts. Plus it would take hours to accomplish. Safety comes at a price.
The store by me is a cesspool. My wife forbids me to go there anymore. I watched the front door for a bit as I was waiting for people to select items and move on. Only 3 out of 18 people who entered used the wipes and sanitizer. I was shocked. People pass within inches of you. So while all of us are trying to do our part, it depends on your fellow man/woman too. And sadly, we are frequently disappointed.
NYC's new law doesn't make sense to me. Banning plastic I can understand. But, then how do you turn around and charge for paper? That is a reusable bag and also, it can be recycled or disposed of,and supposedly sustainable based on paper companies tree-planting. The whole thing is fucking money grab from the city.
Before this pandemic, studies had already shown that reusable grocery bags were a net negative on the environment and did nothing to reduce carbon emissions or help in any way except perhaps litter - which was not why single use bags were banned in the first place.
Yup, and it doesn't matter. You can find a plastic bag every 30 feet on the ground when you go for a stroll in New Jersey anyway.
Environmental protection agencies, bro.
If I can't use a reusable bag, I'll have to use a cart or basket. Is this to protect workers? Because it seems like an easy way to get healthy people to touch infected carts more often.
If I can't use a reusable bag, I'll have to use a cart or basket. Is this to protect workers? Because it seems like an easy way to get healthy people to touch infected carts more often.
The bags are probably not much of a COVID-19 vector but y'know, "probably" probably isn't good enough right now, so if some towns want to ban them for now, I can't complain too much.
After the store...If you wear gloves, when do you take them off? How do you take them off? If you wear a mask, how do you take it off? Don't touch the outer mask portion! If you don't wear gloves, touching your wallet, your keys, your door handle, etc. Every step of the process is tough.
Then when you get home, do you wash your items? Did you put the items first on your countertop? Did you then wash that?
I think you can reduce the risk by shopping at certain stores that you KNOW are cleaner. Shop at certain hours, probably first thing. But to be 100% vigilant is nearly impossible. You'll drive yourself nuts. Plus it would take hours to accomplish. Safety comes at a price.
The store by me is a cesspool. My wife forbids me to go there anymore. I watched the front door for a bit as I was waiting for people to select items and move on. Only 3 out of 18 people who entered used the wipes and sanitizer. I was shocked. People pass within inches of you. So while all of us are trying to do our part, it depends on your fellow man/woman too. And sadly, we are frequently disappointed.