Gloves might not be necessary if you take precautions like you said, but not everyone takes them. and precautions or not, gloves + precautions > just precautions.
Obviously being forced back inside is going to be a huge factor in the spread. But back in March and April, I saw a lot more gloves on people, and a lot more curbside pickup vs going into stores. In fact, there was a stretch where wearing gloves in the stores was at nearly 100%. Now, I'd put it below 1%. I think people started relaxing on the precautionary measures months ago. One could argue the increased presence in public spaces is evidence of lessened precautions as well.
I'm even seeing Lysol on store shelves again. Four months ago, the stuff lasted on the shelves for a period of time best measured in nanoseconds...