stuff from the top/back, so "germiphobia" may already be ingrained in me! I think the less groping, the better off I am. I know I will catch grief, but I really don't see why wearing a mask is such a big deal at the grocery store, and I would actually be in favor of making that permanent. Failing that, I would definitely love to see a market based approach where specialty stores could emerge that would be allowed to require masks, and let them succeed or fail. Options are good. Right now, we can't do anything about the E Coli laden fingers massaging the fruit untold numbers of times before we are able grab them, but perhaps with masks the sneezers will be kept at bay. I think, if anything, we are a whole lot more aware (or should be) about devastating pandemic potential. This one is just a warm up, I think. I am unsure if this one is an accident, too. There have been clear winners and losers.

Protecting the food supply doesn't have to be a fight, though. It doesn't have to be another of the "us vs. them" that has everyone SO ready rumble these days. We are wide open for nefarious or accidental "trouble" at our grocery stores - and have been since the Tylenol deal, too (IMO). Maybe some technological industries will emerge, if encouraged (I don't know - maybe some gamma ray germ zapping Buck Rogers lights in the stores, ha) that could somehow be a win, win, win (new jobs, better protection, good will, etc.) Would you shop at a store that embraces a mission to provide you with totally bacteria/virus free food? (maybe not a thing now, but possibly cutting edge someday). I think the door is open for a capitalist(!) based advance in these types of industries.

So...in short (too late! he's drinking again!)...No, I don't really think there will be a time when the nightmare is over. There are too many damn humans on this planet, and I really think pandemics are going to continue as a consequence of that. But I do think we are on the cusp of the time when an overwhelming majority is "over it", come what may. And I'm good with that, too. I will adapt.