Among reports of entire families out shopping at grocery stores and customers congregating in aisles talking with friends, Easton officials are urging local residents to follow precautions against COVID-19, including social distancing.
Councilman Ron Engle said the town had received numerous complaints about shoppers stopping to speak to one another, blocking aisles and making it difficult for others to shop safely.
Easton also has gotten reports of entire families heading to the stores to shop, which violates the spirit of the governor’s executive order allowing Maryland residents to leave home to shop for essential supplies, such as food.
Engle, acting town council president, said Easton does not want to get the police department involved in managing people shopping in stores. A person who is found guilty of violating the governor’s emergency orders may be subject to a year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
“We’ve received numerous complaints the past week regarding several businesses allowing large crowds within their establishments in violation of the state’s social distancing order,” Engle said at Monday night’s council meeting.
“In a number of reported instances, groups of people have been observed mingling and talking in groups in the aisles of these establishments,” he said. “This makes it difficult for other shoppers to get past these groups and dramatically increases the degree of exposure to all those involved.
“Gov. Hogan has given local health officials authority to close/modify essential businesses for not following social distance regulations,” Engle said. “We have raised these complaints with the county health department which has this responsibility. We will move on this as quickly as the process lets us.
“Secondly, there is something we can all do regardless of action from the health department,” he said. “I want to raise the issue of the spirit of the executive order that allows certain businesses to remain open during these dire times. It would appear that many are using these open businesses for social connecting as well as shopping for their families.
“One easy and appropriate fix for this is for families to limit the number of family members present for shopping to 1 or 2 people,” Engle said. “People should also employ a high degree of courtesy to their fellow shoppers and citizens.
“They should not congregate in aisles, which violates the social distancing rules, and they should not interfere with other shoppers’ ability to traverse the shopping lanes without increased exposure or inconvenience.
“We would rather not involve our police department in social management. They are currently stretched too thin to respond to complaints of this nature.
“All of the health experts predict an extremely severe couple of weeks ahead,” Engle said. “We need to be practicing as many health practices as social distancing and shelter in place as we can to try to reduce the incidence of this deadly virus.
“This will help protect not only ourselves and our families, but all the citizens of Talbot County and the Town of Easton.”
Laurie says
I’m adding my complaint. The two times in the last two weeks I went to Target, alone, I saw numerous groups coming in together (far more than normal) and acting no differently than before the social distancing mandate. In fact, it seemed obvious they were coming in these groups expressly BECAUSE it was a place they could legally congregate. On my second trip, as I was heading to the exit, I was nearly run over by a gaggling group of about 8 people all over each other as they entered, not observing the mandate or respecting others. I was furious. I’d actually like the police to step in because these unconscious socializers are recklessly putting others at risk who are doing our best to protect ourselves and others and are respecting the Governor’s orders. Some people need a little more incentive to do the right and mandated thing, sadly. It seems far too common, and as we near the peak, I’m asking for enforcement. What good are consequences if they’re not imposed when they need to be?
Kelly Feil says
The article urging shoppers to observe social distancing is timely. To those who must bring their children, PLEASE keep them near. Show them how many tiles on the floor should be between them and others. Please DON’T WHISTLE – as I watched one shopper doing rather pointedly last week. And keep phone calls brief, such as to ask a question if you are kindly picking up groceries for someone else. Finally, perhaps the stores could implement one way aisle traffic to minimize close face to face contact. So many people are rising to the occasion to be considerate and to care for others in the community, but everyone needs to be part of the solution.
Thomas C. duPont says
Absolutely agree. This is not a game board situation, this is the real deal. Respect your neighbors and do the right thing stay home. Read, write, home projects create.
Ricardo Charles says
Has anybody been to Lowes recently? The garden center is always packed with people!!! They need to start limiting the number of customers they let in. I know people are looking for things to do but is it worth putting your health and the health of others at risk just to buy some pansies?
Bruce M Williams says
NOt only that, but they funnel everyone right THROUGH THE INSIDE of the store, even if you only go to the Garden Center. Makes no sense.