Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Finally, Costco’s management and that of its subcontractor that I work for have begun talking aloud about what to do if there’s an active shooter. Most of us working in Costco have for years whispered among ourselves, “Where could we hide?” The way Costco merchandises is to create full visibility from the floor to the tops of display tables and tall shelving in aisles. The solutions management proposes in case there’s an active shooter is to “quickly hide!” Another is to dash outside through alarmed exit doors that normally are off limits. Throughout the lecture on survival, I kept my mouth shut.
For one thing, reaching an alarmed exit door usually means making it safely across the store. As for hiding places, many of us for years have been trying to figure out “where’s hideable?” Most of us simply might hit the floor to play dead. Maybe workers could start packing little bottles of catchup and squirt themselves while falling?
Those would have been my retorts to the manager, but no use since everyone knows the facts of the matter. Like all people in busy places, we figure the odds favor us against the appearance of a sudden shooter. What’s different now is management addressing the possibility to employees. Makes me wonder what else might change, like for example, will the tight merchandising loosen enough to provide a little wiggle space beneath displays?
I’m reducing my working days to two-weekly, not fearing a shooter but because hours on my feet are wearing. And I want to be active on more summer days with my critters. I don’t wish to quit working altogether and miss out on the fun of schmoozing with the store’s workers and customers.
Dear Friends: How awful, that our norm must include possible shooters. Diana
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