September 30, 2020 Issue, Page 9 of 24

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PG10 HOMETOWN HEROES |Wednesday, September 30,2020 Pharmacists also fulfill frontline role By Don Munsch, Editor The pharmacy had always done ery within Elk City city limits, but When the COVID-19 pandemic delivery and curbside service. there are a few prescriptions that hit the country several months Most customers do like to pick up can be mailed out, depending on ago, many businesses were af- their prescriptions inside the store. the circumstances. fected, with some shutting doors “The curbside was not utilized Right after the pandemic hit, the or changing the way they do busi- as much as it now,” he said. “So pharmacy implemented masks for ness, there’s been an uptick in that.” employees and installed glass at Pharmacies remained open and He said about 15 percent of cus- the register area, were considered essential, as they tomers use the delivery service, “We wanted to protect our staff fulfill a critical role in every com- while curbside accounts for be- and our customers — we work munity. Rodney Skinner, phar- tween 5 to 10 percent of his cus- right on top of each other,” Skin- Rodney Skin- macist and owner of Paul Jones Drug in Elk City, said his business tomers. “Tt’s gradually growing,” he ner said. “There’s no way for us to stay six feet apart, and when ner and Gina Meador work Thank you closed its lobby for a short while before reopening. said about curbside service. “I think there was this perception you’re working nine-hour shifts like that, it just made sense from at Paul Jones to our area “We had no access — our cus- that if somebody used curbside, the word go. Plus, the CDC early Drug in Elk Medical Professionals! tomers couldn’t come inside — but they’re being lazy. And that’s not on had kind of hinted and recom- City. Skinner, we still delivered and had curbside service,” he said, adding it was probably four weeks that the lobby what we want them to think at all. Thave small kids. It’s not easy to always get out of your car and run mended that we do that. And of course, we also sanitize and clean the pharmacy frequently. We just next page, stands in the bys lobby of the closed. He said the pharmacy made de- into the store even if it’s just five minutes. We really want people to use common sense a lot. “The precautions are recom- pharmacy, Staff [RENTALS & Sates, Inc cision that was best for employees utilize that, and again for us, it’s a mended to reduce the risk of photo by Don 911 South Main St, Elk City and customers with the informa- way to take care of people.” transmission,” he said. “I also Munsch. 580-225-1400 tion he had on hand at the time. Paul Jones Drug tries to deliv- understand the virus is not going x When you c Fnnh Roger Mills doctors e appre at e their dedication to compassion and providing the best care possible to your loved ones. Memorial Hospital 501 L L Males Ave ¢ 580-497-3336