Pleasanton shop owners remain firm in their support for protection measures, including San Francisco’s recent change to their coronavirus policies.

“[Right now] the mask mandate is Alameda County’s, and we’ll follow that rule because we’re interested in keeping everyone safe… I can only see [switching to SF’s policy] happening as a comedown where we have no choice. But you know what, if that’s what it takes to get over this, I would be supportive,” said Towne Center Books owner Judy Wheeler. 

Even with the extra work SF’s mandate entails, other Pleasanton workers agree that safety is the priority.

“I think we have to follow the guide in the county. I was there (in San Francisco) last night, I was having dinner in House of Prime Rib and they were asking about the vaccination cards, all this kind of stuff. I agree with them,” said Chianti Reserve head chef Bilarddi Cartali.

However, the COVID policies in general have for many created a new challenge in navigating normal business life.

“The thing that concerns me about showing the IDs and all is what all of these things do, because if Alameda Country says it’s a mandate, then it’s a mandate, but it comes to the shopkeepers and the cashiers of the world and the waitresses and waiters of the world to become the enforcers, and that’s not a position that I relish being in… So that’s the downside of it, but if that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes – it’s just one of those things,” said Wheeler.

Ultimately, no matter how the requirements may shift in the future, it’s clear to see that shop owners will continue to open and do their best in keeping everyone safe.

“A few weeks ago it became safe to travel among the buildings. People just came in like ‘oh, it feels so good!,’ and we got a lot of [people saying] ‘this is my first time out’. Now we don’t get that so much; I think people have just decided ‘this is what it is, mask up when we go out.’ But they still prefer to be in and around people; we’re social animals,” said Wheeler.