10/05/2020
With Columbus Day weekend fast approaching, farmer's market events and rummage sales will no doubt be appealing attractions for folks. However, we want to remind residents of "rummage or garage sale etiquette during this pandemic.
Pandemic Manners For Rummage/Garage Sale Buyers
Leave the kids at home. You’re desperate for a little alone time anyway, and this is the perfect excuse. It’s not safe to risk them touching stuff.
Be prepared. At minimum you will want to have hand sanitizer, a mask, your own bags for containing purchases before they go into your car.
Go to the bathroom before leaving home. Clear a space in the car for your purchases.
Keep a record. If you visit multiple sales to stretch out that alone time, snap a picture at each place. Geotagged photos will help you remember exactly where you were and at what time in case your health department calls you while contact tracing an outbreak. Having a clear record may help you avoid 14 days of unnecessary quarantine – or help you know to begin it sooner rather than later.
Look for signs. Many sellers will be posting signs that explain their expectations of buyers and the precautions they have taken for your safety. Find them, read them, follow them.
Keep your hands in your pockets. Yeah – don’t be touching stuff unless you’re seriously considering a purchase. Do others the courtesy of sanitizing right before you shop, and do it again before you open your car. Don’t touch your face.
Keep your distance. Using hand sanitizer and not touching your face help prevent the transfer of the virus from surfaces. But you are still vulnerable to airborne droplets from other people coughing, sneezing, laughing, etc. A mask helps disrupt the trajectory of those droplets, which is why you want to see sellers and other shoppers wearing masks, too. But you still want to maintain that recommended 6-foot social distance,
A seasoned garage sale shopper knows some people have no concept of personal space. With any luck, people are practicing social distancing guidelines, but don’t bet on it. Likewise, if the seller has not limited the number of shoppers or isn’t enforcing the limits, please don't stay.
Don’t linger. Viral transmission increases with time. Make it your goal to be in and out in 10 minutes. Be a Hunter, not a Gatherer: Scan, sight the target, acquire, retreat.
Don’t go if you or someone in your home is or has been unwell or had close contact with someone who might have been infectious. The responsible thing then is to stay home.
Clean your purchases. Bag your purchases before putting them in your car. Launder or sanitize everything when you get home.
Most of all, the Town of Ashfield Board of Health wishes you a safe and happy Columbus Day weekend! 😊
