CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Many people, businesses, places of worship and others have made significant changes as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
These alterations have been made to keep the public safe.
A&B Plastics and Fabrications of Corpus Christi had a simple job before the pandemic.
"We fabricate plastic," Office Manager Jennifer Pineda said. "Things for counter tops, display cases, new windows."
While they continue to create those products, the pandemic has provided them an opportunity to create a new product. They now are developing sneeze guards to protect the public.
"Just like the virus itself it just came out of nowhere and so did the sale of sneeze guards," Pineda said.
The guards themselves are quite simple. They are plastic barriers that protect both the employee and customer in order to prevent the spread of germs. They are being seen everywhere.
"We have sold a lot to 7-11 and Stripes," Pineda said. "Dentists offices, insurance offices."
One such dentists office, Apple Dental Care, purchased the sneeze guards from A&B to protect their patients and employees working behind the desk.
"This used to be all open," Cathy Cassels of Apple Dental Care said. "We feel very safe."
There are other companies that are providing sneeze guards to businesses. When working with A&B. local businesses in the Coastal Bend are able to support local companies, providing perks.
"They don't have to wait or pay shipping," Pineda said.
The sneeze guards are becoming a part of the new normal that society is living with. And the good news is, they are doing their jobs by keeping people safe.
"Everything about the guards makes everybody feel safer," Cassels said. "The patient and our employees."
