"Non-essential" businesses are not any more prong to get Covid

I'm not sure what data you're basing that assertion on. I'm not aware there has been sufficient testing or analysis anywhere to be clear on that but I have heard some anecdotal evidence of essential workers being a disproportionate proportion of patients in hospitals.

(e.g. "People hear that term ‘essential workers.’ Short-order cooks, doormen, cleaners, deli workers—that is the patient population here. Other people were at home, but my patients were still working." - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/27/a-new-doctor-faces-the-coronavirus-in-queens)

There is also the simple fact that people don't always follow social distancing correctly so even with those policies in place, every nominally safe contact poses an additional risk - all it takes is one person to make one mistake. I don't see how reducing the number of those contacts couldn't reduce the number of infections. In general terms, how else could such a virus spread in the community? COVID-19 might be new but we have lots of experience and data about this kind of virus and how they spread.

The OP argument appeared to be that there is literally zero risk in stores and thus zero additional risk from opening "non-essential" stores. You could certainly make a rational argument for expanding the range of stores and other businesses that could open with appropriate protective measures but the specific argument that a plastic guard at the checkout magically makes everything perfectly safe remains ridiculous (and still means I'm not sure the OP isn't trolling).

 

I can’t play tennis right now even though I’d be 40ft from someone and never touch the ball. It’s dangerous? Actually no it’s not.

 

Wouldn't you touch the ball once on every serve at least? Unless wearing gloves. But yeah, Tennis the definition of social distancing.

 

Don't have to serve traditionally. I hit with people all the time without playing actual games. You can start rally’s and keep score all the same. People with one arm play tennis and can serve. Closing the tennis courts was moronic. If they said no doubles, I could live with that. We have outdoor racquetball ball courts. You’re surrounded by walls. If you’re alone you’re about as socially distant as you can get and we could t even use those. Basketball courts empty. What’s the harm shooting hoops solo?

 

You'd still need to track down a lot of different stores and a lot of different people. Grocery stores, restaurants, beer supply, those are all open.

If the guy engraves edible spears he would be considered essential because it's food.

 

And how many do you have to do now vs. if everything was open?