Shopping trip and perspective

[cilla4progress]

It went well, even though I was fearful. Went to a small, local whole foods-type store in a nearby rural town. Had been hearing horror stories about panic shopping at big chain grocer in nearby larger town. Store was fully stocked with few customers. Unholy expensive .... but it was as much a donation to small business, and to small local food growers and makers, as filling our bellies. Got some delish stuff. Swung by liquor store, too. If I'm going out, I'm going out with Tito's Blood Marys, goat cheese chevre, ginger root / small batch sauerkraut, and obscenely expensive chocolate! Finish off with coffee from local coffee roaster!

I was basically panicked the entire time. Face mask, multiple glove changes, hand sanitizer and spray hydrogen peroxide applications. Sprayed everything down including the inside of the bags, when we got home.

OK: so, we get home and our friend down the road - same age, 65, also with compromised older parents that he visits regularly about 150 miles away, like our - proceeds to tell us that he and his wife are watching their grands every Friday (6 mo. and 3 yo). Just got back from Mexico where they all got colds. His wife has respiratory issues, but since school shut down (she's a school nurse), it will contain her exposure there. He invited my husband on a canoe trip in a couple weeks!!!!

OUR EYES GOT BIG and we said not only no but HELL, NO! Are you outta your mind?

Then I got to thinking maybe it's us, who are crazy? I was the only one with a mask in the store, or gloves, other than cashier, who was indeed wiping things down.

I feel very confused. I work in the court system (Washington state..epicenter! Though on east side of state.) and they are struggling mightily with figuring out scheduling, changes. First they postponed all non-emergency civil matters until after 4/24. Then today they issued a new order stating all can go forward, so long as they can be telephonic. All emergency matters are also telephonic. I stay tuned to MSNBC rather religiously, and here, DU.

Am I overreacting or... ? Our friend said he ran into 2 valley residents (we are in a rural valley). One said he thinks it is very overblown. The other was more like us.

If nothing else, I'd like to think we are helping to flatten the curve. That is, if we are more in tune than our casual friends, while they are lining up for respirators, we may still be upright. By the time we are in need, hopefully any surge will be over...?!

Interested in input from this community! I hope all are staying safe.

[LizBeth]

1. I go back and forth with that conversation. I hadnt been out and yesterday had to do a couple things

Downtown was very quiet, and traffic significantly reduced. Our stores were moderate. I had to go to Hirons a pharmacy and light traffic. EVERYONE knew the distance rule and practiced. They wiped off the cc thing with disinfectant and even wiped my card. Very aware. Another stop the same.

I hot Trader Joes, and light traffic, which was wonderful. Again, awareness, lots of old people. distancing, manners, patience. Shelves were stocked.

Hit Safeway. Lots of employees keeping stocked, register open and again. Light traffic. I did not have one person not aware of distancing. Most product available. Unfortunately, I forgot key ingredients for all I bought and I do not want to go out any more. I am using instacart for the first time for stuff I forgot.

People are walking the neighborhood a lot. That is what I like about this place, lots of walking. People talking from sidewalk up to the person on the second floor, thru window. Everyone yelling across at each other, so all fun.

Yesterday I was asking myself if going overboard. I think I will continue and see how this develops.

[cilla4progress]

2. Cool, thanks, Lizbeth, for your perspective.

My 27 year old daughter was terribly depressed and panicky for a day or two. She's a teacher and out of work for several weeks, at least. Awful. She lives in a progressive town, so, I'm sure they are taking good precautions.

Yes, I think I will too, for now. I think over the next 2-3 weeks things will become clearer. They also say expect this thing to come in rolling waves over time...maybe for the rest of the year!

I think the fewer people one can interact with, the better!

Putting in an Amazon order later. If they "shut down" the US, I don't want to be unprepared. I can wait a couple weeks for delivery now, too.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!

[LizBeth]

5. Right, I am in a progressive state also. That is very comforting. I stepped off payroll to isolate

It is money out. It is scary. I do appreciate the fact I have the money to do it, so nothing but blessings. We can still live, love and laugh. That works well for me.

[cilla4progress]

7. Similar to us.

Although my husband had coincidentally moved his retirement up by one month, once he found out his medical insurance and medicare would provide coverage. So he was going to work until the end of March, and take cash for his unused vacation and sick leave, so we are sacrificing that. Well worth it. I'm able to do some work from home. We are both 65 this month and next, so, Social Security and his pension on board.

We feel very fortunate. That's part of the incentive to donate to local small businesses, farmers, as I did today! Share our gifts!

[KT2000]

3. You are being safe

and that is what we all should be doing for ourselves and others. Better you take those steps than ending up in a triage situation at the hospital. Some will be triaged out of care. Even when people recover, they can end up with lost ling function!
There are still many people - AND states that believe this is nothing, but we know better.

I have been informed by my friend/neighbor that I am not to go anywhere. She doesn't want me to tax my immune system by mowing the lawn due to the pollen. We will continue to visit each other but only outside and with distance. She is a doctor so I take her suggestions seriously.

[jberryhill]

4. We've been in for a week and a half

We are in an area with a good deal of open space, so we go out for a walk each day and can avoid others.

I've thought about going out to buy this or that, but then think "Do I really NEED that? Can I make do without it today?"

And every time, the answer is yes.

[cilla4progress]

8. Us too,

jberry. We live near national forest, so have been getting out on hikes, rides. Never anyone around.

Odd times indeed. Kind of suited to us loners, but still, scary and disorienting. I feel very bad for young folks, and for those who must continue to be at their jobs. They deserve our thanks and I am going to figure out how best to do it! Probably give my trump bribe to my daughter too. She can't work - she's a preschool teacher.

[spinbaby]

6. I'm appalled by what friends on Facebook are doing

Not in the hard-hit states, for sure, but they’re posting about going to the gym, the dog park, and shopping. One went to several different stores to find brand-name Tylenol. Another claims she needs to shop every day because she requires fresh food. And out viewing cherry blossoms in crowds.

[Merlot]

9. I think you're doing what's right for you

Just look at Italy, they wish they had done more sooner.

I'm ahead of the curve of all my friends as well. They are dialing back, but not stepping back completely. I decided to self-isolate for the 14 days to make sure, after that I'll probably venture out, but still in a more circumspect way. I could not stand that thought that i might be giving it to someone.

Waiting for my groceries to be delivered (I bumped up the instacart tip). First time for grocery delivery, I miss going to Trader Joes more than anything else.

I am a work-at home person already, so this isn't a big shift.

[MLAA]

10. I ask myself

Would I rather be too careful or dead? Seriously better to do more than you had to rather than less than you needed to 🙂

Other than walks in the neighborhood and drive through pharmacy to pick up prescriptions husband and I are in for the foreseeable future. Using chloroform wipes, sprays etc. keep doing what you are doing.