Hubby re-opening small shop in Lockdown

@Bossyrossy Yes, we have the grant. It's really helped.

The post regarding not accepting cash interested me. Today’s news broadcasts here in the US are saying many merchants will not accept cash for the foreseeable future...credit or debit cards only because they can be wiped down. A few that are taking cash soak it in an antiseptic solution briefly them hang it up to dry.

Really sounds quite over the top Skunk your husband seems quite safe at work he’s not coming home from a hospital ward
like many are but of course up to you if you want to live like this
Even better if he sleeps at the shop ?? but seriously I think to be so extreme when you are going supermarket shopping sounds daft

Good for you
NHS is managing
You are obviously very sensible and will take the precautions you think are necessary
Good luck I hope your business does well
Lots of people are going to be very ill in the next twelve months as a result of economic distress and back log from the NHS
You are doing the right thing

If he changes clothes, takes a bath or shower when he gets home, then I can't see what the problem is. He's probably feeling anxious himself, so you should perhaps support his decision as he is acting in the best interest of both of you.

It seems to me that as you are going out and about shopping that you are on a fairly equal footing. Ok so he is going to be face to face with customers but can set up his own restrictions in the shop, as others have said.
So apart from the complete change of clothes, I wouldn’t think that the separate living areas are necessary. That is just my opinion, but you must do what you think is right for you.

Yes I think you are being a bit OTT. I am sure I get nearer to people in Sainsbury's than your DH will be with a counter between him & the customers.
He could always wear a mask but it seems the official guidelines say that you are only stopping people getting your germs more than not getting any they may have by wearing one.
Our local pet shop has opened &I am delighted he has as I needed cat flea treatment & more bird food. He stands behind counter so we are about 3' apart.

skunkgirl63,, you do what you think is right for you and your dh... if some here say, "overthetop" so be it..

good you like others opinions,, then we do what we feel is right for us

praying for you! someone asked for praying symbol

just pray!

Anything to stay safer is not unreasonable. If you can manage to maintain distancing in your home, it's well worth the effort.

My husband still works in the Co-op, serving customers and interacting with staff. They don't have PPE of any sort so he takes his own gloves and masks.
This is how we manage it:
Outer clothes and shoes taken off and left in our enclosed porch.
He goes straight to the downstairs bedroom and changes his clothes, then he washes his hands in the downstairs shower room/utility room. He sleeps in the downstairs bedroom too. I don't go in there. He puts his dirty clothing in the washing machine so I don't need to touch them.
We have a large living room, and when we are in together we sit at either side of it. We each have our own TV remote controls too ?.
We are managing to stay separate for as much of the time as possible.

skunkgirl,definitely do what feels right for you.I think in these circumstances we all should do what we feel is best to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and healthy.

Having just read the end of furlough thread and now this one I think we can see there are going to be high levels of anxiety about getting back to "normal", its strange how some of us have never given a thought to what we pick up from dirty handrails, seats and other people before! As you are out and about too skunkhair I don't see why you should isolate after your OH has washed etc and I am sure he can pop his clothes in the washing machine.

You are being very sensible. Lots of good suggestions on here already. Take every precaution you can, Wishing you the very best. Takce care of each other. xx

Well the most important thing is him keeping the social distance in his shop. If no one is available to be at the door, get a doorbell for customers. Depending where you are you could be over run with customers. And he doesn't want that. Have a sign card payment only of course if he accepts cash wear disposable gloves or he needs to wash his hands striaght after.
If he keeps washing his hands and showers as soon as he gets home, clothes in washing, he will be fine. He can also wear a mask when serving people.
Lots on the frontline have not got the virus. Not everyone gets it in such a ferocious way.

I guess I would do something like - as soon as he comes home every day, all clothes off him (!) and into the washing machine and him straight into the shower (including washing his hair daily), and regular hand washing. Extras like kissing / sleeping separately - that's up for you to decide. For me, that would be more than sufficient.

Can you put a see-through screen so that you are distanced from the customers?

Our local hardware store had been open for ages and believe me they are doing very well. There are queues outside every day!
The staff are masked and gloved and have been serving one customer at a time at the door. They also only accept card payments.
Good luck to you both.

Mychusband is on the frontline.He leaves his uniform at work.The clothes he drives home in takes of in garage before comes into house.Puts his dressing gown on than has a bath.Than after gets in our hottub and unwinds

PS One of our neighbours, aged 43, and with no underlying health conditions is currently in hospital with Covid-19 and we don't know whether or not she will survive. Consequently, I take very little notice of the general stats about who is likely to be badly affected and who isn't. She is not in a high risk category and would not have been expected to end up in ICU. Those stats are about population "norms" they're not about the norm for any one individual, so I'm not relying on them to tell me how it would affect me personally. I'm ultra cautious, and I make no apologies about it. You have to do what feels right for you - after all, it's your one precious life (no-one else's).

Skunkgirl do whatever you feel is best for you. My DD and DGS both work for a major supermarket while DSiL and other DGS are working from home. When DD and DGS come home shoes are taken off at the door, clothes go in the washing machine and they shower. Then life goes on much as normal as it always has. They have been living like this since the beginning and are in their mid fifties. So try not to worry too much.

Our local hardware shop has remained opened but has much reduced hours 10-3. Only one person is allowed in at a time, with markings outside to guide the queuing, which goes either side of the entrance. People are really good at knowing who’s next. Once a person has left the shop, the next customer goes in and stands 2 metres from the newly erected counter. There’s no wandering around the shop allowed. Instead you have to tell the assistant what you need and he/she retrieves it. The item/s are then put on the counter and the assistant moves 2 metres away whilst payment is taken by card only.
It’s a very slick operation and everyone seems as safe as possible. I was wearing a mask and gloves but the assistant had only gloves.

My son, who lives with me since his dad died, has had to go back to work. We are taking sensible precautions, I’m not unduly worried, and I’m 80 - though with no health problems. I’m sure that you will both be fine, as long as you follow the instructions. Some people are becoming a bit paranoid about being infected.

I’m more worried about my youngest son, in Australia. He manages a shop which sells parts for washing-machines, etc. He put in shielding routines as soon as this situation started, but his wife is due to have a baby at any moment. They are being as careful as possible, but I can’t help feeling nervous for them. Her birth plans have all gone out of the window, and so has my trip to be with them for the happy event.

We must just try to Keep Calm, and Carry On!

I’m going to start making scrubs bags for care workers but a pillowcase would do. If he removes his outer clothes and puts in bag then wash at 60 degrees.

Will he wear a mask ?

Will you have to take cash or can people pay by card. If he’s handling cash he will need to be really careful with hand washing plus if he is restocking and opening parcels etc. It’s taking ages to wash all my shopping and contents of veg boxes atm so can only imagine the problems in a shop.

WELL DONE for setting an example and re opening your shop. I am sure you will find a way to self isolate as much as you need as a couple. In Sweden shops, cafes and restuarants are open, people are being sensible, as their government asks and are not being treated like children, but responsible adults. It is a fact that this country will have at some time to get back on its feel or there will be disaster for people, health, and the economy. It would have been much better if the UK had taken this stance ….only time will tell if, pro rata to the population of Sweden (and South Korea where measures are not as stringent) deaths are of a similar proportion or less. Mass hysteria helps no one, We are only being fed what they want us to hear. There is no breakdown, for instance, of deaths in care homes due to any underlying health conditions, deaths of people who have signed (co erced or of their own free will) DNAR forms …….or simply arrived at the end of their lives naturally. It is a sad but inevitable fact we are all going to die at sometime ...congratulations and for your sensible approach and I hope people will support your business

Message withdrawn at poster's request.