as us businesses reopen after weeks of pandemic lockdowns many have been posting coronavirus disclaimers or requiring employees and patrons to sign waivers before enteringfrom hair salons and recreation centers to stock exchanges and wedding photographers the notices have sprung up across the country asking guests to acknowledge they might contract a disease that has so far killed over 100000 americans companies are using signs forms and website postings as a shield against lawsuits but the measures do not prevent people from seeking damages due to negligence the same way someone might sue after falling on a slippery floor or getting sick from walls covered in lead paint experts saidlawyers said it would be tough to prove a business caused a customers illness but concerns are so intense that a waiver may soon become the new normalentities including the ymca of greater oklahoma city a real estate agency in arizona a racecar speedway in seinsgrove pennsylvania and the new york stock exchange have introduced waivers disavowing responsibility for anyone who might contract the disease onsite reuters has learnedmissoula montanabased lawyer paige marie griffith created a waiver for covid19 the respiratory illness related to the novel coronavirus that business owners can buy and customize online events industry workers including makeup artists and wedding photographers are using them she saidas essential as we feel everyone getting their hair done is choosing to do so said cody brooke who owns 10th avenue hair designs in pensacola florida we dont want the salon or stylist to be held liable knowing that they chose to come insince reopening on may 11 the salon requires clients to sign a form stating they have no covid19 symptoms and have not visited a hot spot with high infection rates in the last 30 days it releases the salon from liability for unintentional exposure to the virusryan reiffert did not mind signing a waiver recently for the gym where he practices martial arts near san antonio texas he had symptoms in march and later learned from antibody testing that had likely contracted the virusbut even if i hadnt had it he said id happily sign the waivera gym attendant sprayed disinfectant on reiffers hands and feet before he could enter he saidbigger companies are taking similar stepswalt disney cos website cites severe illness and death risks for customers at its orlando florida amusement parks due to reopen on july 11ththat warning did not deter the throngs who waited for hours to buy mickey mouse swag or apparel from familiar brands outside the disney springs shopping center that reopened on may 20a disney spokeswoman did not respond to a request for commentnew york stock exchangeowner intercontinental exchange inc and commodities exchange cme group inc also require entrants to sign waivers floor traders at the exchanges have historically shouted in close proximity to one another sans masks but that has changedi cannot stress enough that we will not be able to guarantee the safety of traders clerks or other trading personnel