A member sent me this message and agreed to it being published anonymously:
"I know that there have been almost no cases recently in NSW but I also believe that we should be as COVID-safe as possible.
Bridge players are a very susceptible cohort so I believe that it is up to each of us to do our best (despite low case numbers).
My real concern is that it is very common for players touch their faces (particularly nose and mouth) during play and we are sharing cards. This is so easy to do as it can be unconscious during thinking (and we do a lot of that). If anyone does touch their face they should hand sanitise (or wash, if they have a problem with sanitiser) before touching the cards.
I'm sending you this because, having played twice in the last few days, I was quite horrified at the prevalence of this with seemingly no concern by anyone.
I think that the director should remind all players at the beginning and also during play not to touch their mouths or noses and then to sanitise or wash their hands if they do.
I know that we will become better at it, the more we are reminded.
Nothing like starting good practice while things are safe, just in case...
Thanks - a concerned member."
