Yesterday was a big day. I made a store run,
The stores weren’t busy, likely because it was early and cold and people aren’t in any hurry to go anywhere right now. Both stores I visited had someone sanitizing carts and monitoring traffic flow at the door. Plexiglass at the cash registers offer the cashiers some protection while marks on the floor remind shoppers to stay back. I appreciate their taking these extra steps.
People seemed to be conscious of maintaining at least six feet. Personally, I worked hard to avoid coming near anyone that I didn’t have to be near. Some people wore masks. I ordered a mask from Etsy but it isn’t here yet so I fashioned one out of a bandana. If I had to do this, I at least wanted to look like I was about to rob a train! Ha ha.
It’s hard being vegetarian in a time when popping into the store for produce is so complicated. Consequently, I am thrilled when I do have fresh food.
Spinach keeps well if you keep it dry so I just put a paper towel in the bag. But other things like berries and cucumbers are harder to maintain so I was over the moon to find some big, sweet smelling berries.
How lucky are we to live in a country where we have access to fresh, beautiful produce year round?
While I’m always polite to employees in stores, I made a point to thank everyone who helped me- the cashiers, the bagger, the kid cleaning the carts, and even the person stocking my eggplant.
None of these people want to be out in public with all us germy shoppers but they don’t have a choice. You can’t stock produce from home and none of us would be eating if these folks didn’t come to work every day.
We like to talk about when things get back to normal. Personally, I hope that when this is over I continue to feel such profound gratitude for these people and things. People are happier when they’re thankful and I personally have much to be thankful for these days.
Another change I hope we hold onto is this wonderful concept we call social distancing. If everyone could always stay six feet back I would be most happy!
Let’s keep flattening that curve, friends. Stay home if you can and stay well!
So far I have only gone to dollar stores in the early morning (fewer people) and the pharmacy. I wear one of those white
dust masks and gloves. You can put a coffee filter inside the mask for added protection. I also do the curb pick up at Walmart. I hope things will soon return to normal but have heard doctors say this virus will keep coming back, just like the regular flu does. It grows nearly everyday in my county.
I’m hoping my next trip to my local grocery isn’t for 10-14 days. It will be when I’m desperate for fresh produce. Otherwise, everything else is stocked up for a while.
I live in a rural area where there are no reported cases and even neighboring counties have only a handful of cases. I’m hoping it stays that way!
Unfortunately, there are people who are not taking this situation well and are going to make things worse for everyone. But I suppose in a free society that sort of thing is inevitable. I noticed a big difference between early morning shoppers vs afternoon shoppers – I’ll stick with the early morning crowd, thank you.
My thoughts exactly. I can only assume that the shopping conditions worsen as the day progresses. I also hiked yesterday and was dismayed to see so many cars from Columbus in the parking lot. Columbus has lots of nice metro parks to provide outdoor access close to home. Instead, they choose to travel here and potentially infect another community. So frustrating.
That’s a shame. Don’t you have stay-at-home orders in Ohio?
We do. Most state park trails are open as are the lakes for fishing and we are asked to practice social distancing. Facilities like restrooms, pools, lodges, cabins, campgrounds, playgrounds, etc are closed. They had to completely close the Hocking Hills State Parks because they are such a tourist draw these visitors didn’t have the sense to stay home. Now they’re figuring out that it’s not much further to Lake Hope. I used to be the county’s marketing director and welcome visitors here but not right now. 🙁
*sigh*