Worrisome statistics and a real public safety issue for not just NYC but San Fran and other cities. Well-written article.

The dry goods store seems poised for a comeback- no customer access to goods, you order at the counter.

You could do it all with people, you could run it like a giant vending machine, you could do a hybrid thing- but you reduce exposure for your workers, and if things get real bad you can always install those giant bulletproof plexiglass things.