Now it’s masks and GLOVES

The fruit-and-vegetable boat had to be creative to meet the new requirement of establishing a clear entrance and exit, but they managed just fine. It’s a curious sensation to be there without being smushed against the railing by 25 other people and having to somehow remember when your turn is.  The sign says “Beginning of the line for the boat.  Only 2 persons at a time.”  Massimo and Luca have been wearing latex gloves since this thing began, but today was the first time they wore masks.

By now everybody knows that anyone venturing outside should be wearing a mask.  But masks have been dang hard to come by over the past week or so.  One of our two pharmacies didn’t have them (sold out); the housewares/cosmetics store was selling them, one to a customer, for 2.50 euros (steep!); and the free masks that the evening news report had said would be available at the newsstands weren’t to be had even for ready money.  I know I said they were supposed to be free, but if they don’t even exist, that’s a minor point.

Well, I finally nabbed a package of masks at the pharmacy — they said it was the last one — then this morning there was a big sign at the newsstand stating that 5 masks would be given with each purchase of La Nuova Venezia (the other newspaper).  Naturally I bought the paper, got the masks, and so we’re set for a few days, considering how little we go out.  Lino has taken to calling them “muzzles.”

But now gloves have entered the scene.  A new decree was broadcast last night, another pump of the brakes to slow this virus down: Masks AND SINGLE-USE GLOVES ARE REQUIRED of anyone going into a store, or intending to buy anything outside, as well.  This is obviously required of the sellers, too.  Furthermore, the shop or sales area must have one (1) entrance and one (1) exit, clearly marked.  And, of course, the usual one-meter distance between the limited number of people permitted to be in the store together.

There were a few notices at the entrance of the detergent/housewares/cosmetics store.  On the orange sign: “To enter mask, scarf and gloves.”  On the yellow sign: “According to the ordinance you must use a mask or scarf and single-use gloves.  Those who don’t have them just ask for them.”  The idea wasn’t that they intended to give away free gloves forever, but they were being kind and/or savvy in supplying some for this visit only — in my case, so I could go in and buy gloves.  Virtually every shop had some sort of sign alerting their customers to the new rules, but they didn’t express themselves in the same way.  This was starting out strong, leading with “the ordinance.”

So today the neighborhood was peopled by individuals with faces concealed by all sorts of coverings — crinkly green paper, fuzzy white paper, some cloth, in assorted configurations.  But not everybody wants to accept the reason for the mask,  just as not everybody (looking at my brother-in-law) has accepted the reason for the car seatbelt.  I’ve seen people pull the belt across their chest and just hold it in their hand, without attaching it.  I have never grasped what they thought they were doing, but evidently they think windshield-face is preferable to doing what someone tells them to do, even if it’s for their own good.

Case in point: Sergio P, a very good guy whom I’ve rowed with on various occasions.  This morning, as I was walking home along the fondamenta, here he came.  We stopped to exchange hellos.  My voice was muffled, but his was not because, like a number of people I’ve seen, his mask was hanging around his neck, below his chin.  (People do this with dog muzzles, too.  “Yes,” the implication is, “my dog has a muzzle.”  The law says the dog has to have a muzzle.  Your point being?)

Maybe I looked at him funny, because he said “The mask is down because I’m smoking.”  Of course that’s logical, as far as it goes — you’ve got to be able to get the cigarette to your mouth.  But logic ends there, because if the mask is there to protect your lungs from the virus, why did you move it so you can wreck your lungs with smoke?

I didn’t ask him this.

So: Gloves and masks it is.

The bakery next door to the detergents took a slightly gentler approach: “Dear clients for the sake of courtesy enter with gloves and masks.  Thank you.”
The wine ship was slightly starchier:  “Notice to our kind clientele to be equipped with gloves and masks to enter.  Thank you.”  No invoking The Ordinance, but they didn’t say “please,” either.
The fishmongers, though, can’t quite bring themselves to order their clients around: “A notice to our kind clientele to enter 2 persons at a time equipped if possible with gloves and masks.  Thank you.”  “If possible”?  That sounds dangerously like a loophole they invented.
The bakery shop around the corner earns the prize for haiku-like succinctness, with the rules written on a bag typically used to hold your bread order:  “Obligatory enter with mask and gloves.”

 

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5 Comments

  1. Yup, masks are now mandated, more or less, in NYC too. Gloves are suggested. Since none are to be found, we are improvising. There’s a no-sew mask made with a folded scarf and two elastic hair ties. Very chic. (Oops, sorry, can’t put links on Comments, apparently.) Go to blog.japanesecreations.com for directions, and a pattern for a somewhat more snazzy sewn one. Either works fine for the purpose: not medical grade, but it helps protects other people from you, and keeps you from touching your face. I have the sewing machine out — you want me to run up a couple for you and Lino?

    1. That’s really kind of you, but I’ve seen some of those no-sew sites (though yours will certainly be lovelier). So I’ll probably take the folding approach when we run out of the white ones. Also, I’m not sure the mail is being delivered — we haven’t seen the letter-carrier in weeks.

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