Discussions

With the announcement of a few changes to the restrictions in place people seem to have forgotten that we, as in Manitoba, are still in code Red. That means only shopping for what you need, wearing a mask and staying six feet away from literally everyone. I was in the mall this past Saturday and I can say it seemed like no one cared. Groups of people shopping together, people trying to sit in the food court and getting mad when they realized they couldn’t and forget social distancing. I totally understand people being happy about the easing of restrictions but we don’t need a major setback in two weeks because people forgot about the rules

I agree with you. Just because we can doesn't mean we should.  
 
I am still continuing with curbside pick up and click and collect.  
 
A friend asked me to go to the mall Sat. and I thought she was joking and laughed. Oooops, some people just don't get it.

Today’s paper shows a line up outside Winners, no social distancing at all. I hope that mug, or candle you bought was worth shutting everything down once again.

The angle of the picture was bad then. I passed the lineup twice and every single time they were social distancing and the employees were reminding people too.  
 
It's important to remember the stores were not shut down because they were a major cause of spread. They were shut down to essentially force people to stay home.  
 
Cases acquired in stores are about 8% of the 25% of cases that are not acquired at private gatherings.

According to this article, retail stores were the source of only 3% of infections. If you take out employees spreading it at work, I'm guessing the number is even lower. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/workplace-retail-covid19-manitoba-1.5868189

are wearing masks and outside. You dont catch the virus from walking past someone unless maybe if they cough right in the direction of your face, and not everyone who coughs is covid. There are asses who spit in peoples faces like staff and that should never be tolerated. From what I read you need to be in contact with a person who has it for about 15 minutes (conversation I'm guessing). While the line ups were long, and not the greatest thing, it's no different than standing in a line up at sobeys etc. With all these spikes in cases everyone just attacks and blames those at holidays, or tobogan hills, or line ups (even though masked). Most of us have stayed home or gone out only when needed, but you can't just blame people in a line up (not all squishy crowded like in a riot but no one says anything against those) who do need to get certain things. Yes there are people who will never listen and make it bad for those who do. But please stop the hate and blaming. The virus is going to spread as long as there are humans to spread to. People are almost forced to shop at certain stores only (regardless of essential list or not) and this could be how its been spreading too. With other stores now open hopefully the virus will stay low. The hate and anger I see and read with this virus is getting too much. A security guard could have gone out and asked people to please keep further apart during the lineups as well, even though humans should do that on their own. There was more social distancing when there were no masks as people were more cautious. People have been in basicly a 'house arrest' for almost a year now with a rollercoaster ride of open/closed/ and mixed msgs from govt aswell. Seriously you can buy a pair of socks but not a tshirt...? I get that was a idea to avoid a crazy christmas rush, but was extended and to me pointless after christmas/newyears. Maybe these stores can have someone keeping a eye on the lineups in a kind polite way. Everyone is stressed with this covid crap but we are also starting to live in fear of each other and others some to the point of paranoid of walking past someone, and being safe is one thing and important, but flipping out on people (as some have in public stores and online) isn't gonna help. Everyones fustrated and sometimes the rules seem unclear or allover the place and govt people not following them doesn't help lol I think people are so happy to finally get things they need. People will find a way to gather if that's their intention whether its in sobeys or where ever. This virus isn't going anywhere and enough of fingerpointing be it people or the govt who is guilty themselves including not wearing masks. There are international flights from states and other countries with covid cases allowed in/out of our provinces, that's how we got the 2 new strains in our country. That should be a concern. Do your part and if you see something that really bothers you like the lineup then go politely talk to them. Also not everyone can do curbside pickup or delivery or have family to help, so you dont know everyone's reason for being in the line up. Waiting to go a different day would have been a better choice.

covidsux, very nice points. I see it the same way.  
The people who are getting upset about it, most likely the one they would like to go as well. but they do not want to wait outside. even thou that what I seen the social distancing was practiced and all of them had a mask on. for the others panic and frightening will not help. when you do not like it and prefer curb pickup or online order. why is it a concern, you do not need to go out, so you are safe? yes it was may a bit much when they allowed none accentual shopping. but on the other hand we want to safe businesses, they are counting on customers. they can not survive when we all shop at amazon. and we have to try, not to drift to hate every one for there decisions. we are all humans and should be act like humans. just my opinion on this .  
 
Edited by BenRidgers, 2021-01-25 22:42:04

As long as people are wearing masks and social distancing than it’s really not an issue. Lots of people needed things that were considered non essential but are actually essential after a couple months. I’m sure lots of parents were happy that they would finally buy shoes and clothes that fit their kids!

Most shopping centres are one building are they not? So why do they not have to count people in the building? The smaller shops have to limit people in their stores so why don’t shopping centres have to limit the number of people in their building. As other large retail centres in Brandon are counting people in their large building. Gets me also is people eating in the shopping center thought you had to have your food to go. As have seen this also. We are still in code red and to me if this all keeps up they might try to close things again

They talked about this yesterday with Dr. Roussin at the presser. Stores are limited to 25% capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower (the 250 capacity will only apply to big box stores really).  
 
Shopping malls are 25% capacity, period. It's up to the mall to police this (challenging for sure with multiple entrances). (Edit to add individual stores within a mall are capped as above, 25% or 250).  
 
No sit-down dining including food courts. To go is okay.  
 
Edited by Abbysmum, 2021-01-26 13:05:32

People are standing and eating or walking around drinking their coffee that’s not to go. As your still inside the building. Or their sitting on a bench eating. The food is to go not just away from where you bought it it’s to be taken home or back to your car or your office and then eaten not walk around and eat and drink. Also people not wearing there masks as it’s to be worn over your nose not under your nose as is not covid air borne? See a lot of people wearing the mask under their nose not sure what good that does as it would be nice to see the people inforcing the covid restrictions out in the major stores more and on weekends. As then if people started getting fines some people might take this more seriously

I get people wearing the masks under their noses isn't the right way, but if people are staying away from others as they eat and walk just to have a quick bite of food or drink a coffee I dont see how thats wrong? ..I know you can't sit in the food court and gather etc and you are not to linger in the food court as food to go. Im guessing most people are honoring that just take out and go ? Is there only a couple of people who walk n eat? I'm not saying its ideal thing to do, but if they aren't gathering in the food court or in groups why is that wrong? If I'm misunderstanding something let me know. Fining people isn't going to solve anything as people will just find other places to do what they want where they wont be caught. But I get where you think that would work.

People walking through the mall eating and/or drinking is wrong because you are supposed to be wearing your mask at all times in public. In order to eat or drink, a person would have to pull down or remove their mask...and then replace it...move it...replace it...you see what I’m getting at? Not only that but a lot of stores have a no food or drink policy now. We are still code RED. Shopping should be for what you really need, not an excuse to go have coffee at the mall

understand not gathering in groups and stuff that should but if someone is walking through the mall eating something as they walk to go elsewhere then how are they hurting someone? Was it just the odd person doing it or alot of people that would be concerning? You just say people, that could be one or two person you saw or a group of peoiple. Take out does mean to go and Im guessing most people are honoring that. If they are sitting around in groups eating and talking with no masks on at all then that's not good. You can just lift a mask from the bottom where your chin is and take a bite or sip and pull the mask down while chewing, no need to take it off. People go to Timmies in the mall to get a coffee, that's not a bad thing. As far as I knew there has always been a no food/drink allowed in stores. I get your concern because no one wants to see the open stores closed again.  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-01-26 18:44:59

As I walked to the food court I saw at least 15 people with drinks/food in hand walking down the hall. Not to mention the people sitting on benches eating and drinking and the people sitting on the floor eating. This was in a span of five or so minutes. Multiple that by how long the mall is open and you can see the problem

It's really not safe to go shopping or leave the house unless absolutely necessary. As per Adam's updated post in the other discussion Brandon now has an incredible 54 people with COVID!!

Covidsux why do we have to wear a mask as it’s mandatory that’s why. So it’s ok to touch your mask or remove it so you can drink your coffee and walk around. Have not officials said to put your mask on and not to keep touching your mask. The mask thing is not new. As we are coming close to one year now with covid. And the mall is private property so you have to follow the rules. So people see one person not wearing a mask then more do it just like people are still traveling which is another discussion. Do you wash your hands every time before you touch your mask or every time after you have moved your mask. This is air borne just wear your mask when your out. When you out shopping you wear a mask to shop then when in your car or outside you take it off. Think of the ones that have to wear a mask there entire shift. We all need to keep wearing a mask as covid is going to be around for quite a while

were those 15 people leaving the food court area and all walking eating? Or were you just counting people with food bags and drinks in their hands?  
As for people sitting on benches eating and drinking and people sitting on the floor eating all within a span of 5 minutes? That sounds like alot of people and I dont see how security would let people espc that many do that espc sitting on the floor eating? I've never seen people sitting on the floor eating even when the mall was open before covid. And even before the mall opened up past few days, there was security who would break up and move any groups of people starting to gather anywhere in the mall...I had a staff member tell me that as she saw them doing that. So why would the mall security/mall owners allow all the people you mentioned to do what you said they were doing? There are cameras where they can see people through out the mall doing these things isn't there? I know there are cameras in the directory boards.

not debating if masks are mandatory or not. What I was saying is there is a way to move the mask if someone wanted to take a sip of a drink or bite of food, instead of taking it right off /then put back on as the person mentioned. I dont drink coffee and haven't bought any food at mall other than sobeys or shoppers. Why are you asking me if I wash my hands before I touch my mask ? The mask I use doesnt need adjusting most of the time and if i do have to adjust the nose peice I do it, and I do my best to only touch earloops when removing it. As soon as Im home I wash my hands and put any masks I've worn into a sink and wash them, or throw them out in the garbage outside the mall. Im well aware of how people who work all day in masks feel as I have family who have struggles with the masks at their work with the public. But dont forget there are people who are legitly mask exempt and people need to realize that exemption is legitly on the covid site. Sadly some lie and say they are when they aren't. Doesn't mean there isn't legit exemptions. Just because someone isn't wearing a mask doesn't mean they are a bad person or polluted with covid. I can't explain the mentality of those who lie and spit in staff faces when asked to wear a mask by staff. That behaviour is worth calling security. Didn't pallister wipe his nose with his mask and put it on the table? lol I've seen Fauci behind trump fiddleing with his mask and movie it around several times when trump was talking and i thought 'he's the one telling us to not play with the masks'. I carry my own hand sanitizer and use it often when I am out, and prefer to use my own. I even use it to wipe the keypads on bank machines.  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-01-26 21:14:52

You didn’t understand what I meant when I said people take off the mask, put it back etc....once your mask is on you are not supposed to touch it except to remove it once you’re done. That does not mean you move it so you can take a bite or sip. It stays put. Period  
As for why those people were sitting and eating, I don’t know why people do anything these days. Personally I wouldn’t sit to eat right now because the food court is open for take out only! That means you pick it up and leave. Just because those restaurants are in a mall doesn’t mean take out doesn’t apply to them.

I guess if you don’t see it it can’t be true. When the mall was open before covid like you say people had a place to sit it’s the food court area. Now the food court area is blocked off and no place to sit so people are using the benches and the floor. So what are the medical reasons to not wear a mask? Not picking an argument on this question just would like to hear what the medical reason is If your in the mall to buy some essentials your not wearing a mask that long then you can leave. The ones that are working in the mall or almost any store the staff are wearing there masks for most of there shifts. People need to stop thinking just about themselves and think of the safety of everyone. In the end it’s a pretty simple thing to do is wear a mask

If people are sitting on benches etc to eat, the easy solution for the mall would be to just remove the benches.  
 
Sucks for those who genuinely need them to sit and rest etc, but if people aren't going to follow neither the letter nor the spirit of the rules... well, it's that saying about a few bad apples I guess.  
 
As for sitting on the floor in the mall and eating... gross!! I wouldn't do that even in pre-pandemic times.

I understood what it means to take a mask off then put it back on. Moving it out and away from the bottom of your chin would make it less 'exposure', for those who are going to do what they want.  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-01-26 21:46:50

When Roussin said people had to wear a mask while in public he did not say it’s ok to move it so you can eat and/or drink. In fact he said not to touch it at all. So moving it out and away, as you put it, goes against what we’ve been told to do

People who do not have to wear masks i:nclude:  
 
a child who is under five years of age:  
a person with a medical condition that is unrelated to COVID-19, including breathing or cognitive difficulties or a disability, which prevents them from safely wearing a mask: and  
a person who is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person.  
 
https://www.manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/index.html

not saying people doing that its ok, what Im saying is thats a way for those who are going to drink or eat in the mall so they arent exposing themselves as much as taking it off then putting it back on. I dont see anything wrong if someone is chewing something or sipping a drink and on their way through the mall to leave. People who aren't going to follow rules are gonna do what they want, it was a suggestion that they could do it that way so less exposure. Doesn't mean I agree with it or people not listening. People sooner or later have to adjust a mask or change it. No one is going to be perfect and never touch their mask, whether itchy nose or adjusting the wire on the nose or making sure its sitting comfortably on your face when you put it on.  
You have seen these people doing this stuff in the mall so next time you are at the mall and you see someone doing that, go tell them what they are doing wrong and how they are not following rules.  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-01-26 22:22:34

You’ve already given the idea here so I’m just going to take care of myself and my family. I’m done. Have a good night

good point.

They are actually exposing themselves *more* doing it that way.  
 
Masks, by their nature and design, are supposed to capture and trap the droplets that the virus is suspended in. That's how they work.  
 
When you put on and take off a mask, you should ONLY be doing it by the loops and not touching the mask proper. Otherwise, you're contaminating your hands. Regardless of how you remove your mask, you should clean your hands after touching it.  
 
Now, if you are touching the mask (not the loops, but the mask) to slip in food or drink... and then using those same hands to touch the food and drink that goes into your mouth... you've pretty much have just completely defeated the purpose of even wearing the mask.  
 
You are permitted to remove your mask to eat and drink. But you are to *remove it*, clean your hands, do your eating and drinking, clean your hands, put it back on, clean your hands.  
 
But indoor dining is currently not permitted, so I would think that both the letter and the spirit of the law doesn't allow for nipping food while in the mall, while manhandling your mask.

I agree with both delpmb and abbysmum with what they have said. It’s not that hard to wear your mask the proper way. Ya it sucks at first but you get used to it and most workers that deal with the public wear the mask for their whole shift. You don’t pick up your pizza or what every food you order and stand in the restaurant and eat it. You pick it up and go