I guess there's nothing like seeing the truth with your own eyes....

[Coventina]

People really are NOT taking COVID-19 seriously!

I just got back from Target. My first trip there since the restrictions began.

It was chock full of families with TONS of kids, running around yelling, touching everything.
It was a regular day at Target, pre-pandemic.

None of the adults there with kids was wearing a mask. None of the kids were either.

The only adults wearing masks were single adults, shopping like me. Alone, like I thought we were all supposed to be doing.
That was maybe 25% of the shoppers.

The other 75% were unmasked, some single, but most in groups of 3 or more. Not social distancing.

I saw the thread about the single moms and felt sorry for them. Now, after seeing what I saw, I kind of get why Walmart was taking a hard line. People are NOT taking things seriously, at least in this neck of the woods.

My mind is a bit blown.
I've really been isolated in my home, it seems.

[Claustrum]

1. Do you live in a red state?

I live in a blue state in a very very blue city. Even my republican parents are taking it seriously. They don't walk out of the door without masks and gloves.

The sad thing is, they are blaming democrats for not acting enough for coronavirus. I have no words when Trump has consistently downplaying it even now. But sure, it's the democrats fault. /s

[Coventina]

3. AZ, Yes, red state. You're probably right. n.t

[sfstaxprep]

7. Well, That's One Thing Then

I live in CA, and I've noticed those not taking it seriously. But they're more in the minority and there are more smart people so far.

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. I live in Ala.

A lot of folks down here are loud and proud about their freedumb.

"Ain't nobody gonna tell me I cain't.........I
.
Drive/hunt without a license
Stay in my home during a hurricane
Play with dynamite on my own dayum property"

Etc. etc.

[gratuitous]

2. This comes from a lack of strong leadership

It's natural for people to tire of a constricting routine. But strong leadership would be putting out a consistent message to people about the importance of following the guidelines and taking the recommended precautions. Instead, we're getting mixed messages from our nation's leaders, and people will absorb the one they want to hear. So you go to Target, and see the people who just can't be bothered to take care of themselves or act in their own self-interest if it means they'll be bored, or feel cooped up, or go stir crazy.

[kentuck]

5. Bingo!

He should be impeached.

[sfstaxprep]

4. Location Would Be Helpful nt

[Coventina]

8. Indian reservation in AZ.

But I should add in the caveat that this is a reservation that borders the greater Phoenix area, and most shoppers were not Native Americans.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Like some of us asked in that other thread-- where is this Target?

Target corporate is being responsible, or so they claim, but individual stores may not be. And the neighborhood may be rebellious.

On my part of Long Island, every store I've been in is full of masked people, customers and employees, and there's some security at the entrance to see the store doesn't get crowded.

And parents keeping their kids in line.

[Coventina]

10. See my reply in #8. Target employee mask usage was about 50/50. A few wore gloves.

Interestingly, the reason I had to go was to pick up my prescriptions, and the pharmacist was not wearing a mask or gloves!

However, he is very separate from the customers, so maybe not necessary?

No security at the store door, but they had an employee sanitizing carts and baskets and handing them out to folks as they came in.
Then, they had an employee at the self-checkout sanitizing every station between customers. That was nice.
But, it didn't keep large families from crowding one station and invading the space of other customers.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Seems like they're sort of trying, but it's not always that easy. And dealing with screaming kids...

is never easy.

[Coventina]

17. I think that's why the recommendation is to NOT BRING YOUR KIDS in the first place....

Like I said, I was sympathetic when I read the thread here yesterday about single moms, but really, the situation is clearly out of control. It's not about one mom bringing her one small babe in arms, its more like two moms bringing what seems to be 8 kids ranging from 15-2 for a big time on the town.

[mr_lebowski]

11. Coventina and I live in AZ, near Phoenix ...

Not together mind you, I just know she's not too far from me.

In many ways, this is the still the freaking wild west down here.

Although my local Safeway and Walgreens (the only places I've been) have been full of conscientious people so far, everyone avoiding getting close to others. There's marked 6 ft marks for the lines, lots of sanitizing going on, etc. More people than not wear masks. But I don't cause I don't have one, I do have one on the way though. But nobody has really come near me when I've been out, so I'm not that worried about having one.

[Coventina]

14. Hiya Mr. L! This was my first trip out and about since the restrictions went into effect.

I haven't been to a grocer or other businesses, so I can't really say what people are doing in other places.

Target, though, really surprised me. If it weren't for the fact that so many of the single customers were wearing masks, you would never know anything was unusual. It was a normal, "let's pile the kids in the Suburban and go to Target" kind of day!

[mr_lebowski]

23. Can't say I'm surprised, given the nature of this state ...

Just saying, o'er East here in Mormonton, people are being pretty responsible and respectful at the stores.

Still a lot of people on the roads though.

[stillcool]

9. where do you live?

I went shopping yesterday, and was quite impressed with all the masks I saw. Some were very creative..and age didn't matter. Young, old, everyone with a mask. Made me feel good.

[Coventina]

12. Scottsdale, AZ.

This is the first trip to a store I've made since the restrictions have gone into effect, so I have no idea what other businesses might be like.

[kairos12]

20. Did you see there is a planned protest against social distance

restrictions at the capital for April 20thl

I don't get it. Duzey will do anything Dump tells him.

[mr_lebowski]

24. That's definitely the wrong sort of gathering to celebrate 4/20 ...

[Olafjoy]

27. Sounds like you were at the Indian Bend Target 😊?

I live in Scottsdale too. Fountain Hills Target has no running around kids.

[Coventina]

34. Yep! Nailed it!

[marlakay]

15. I live in a red city in a blue state Oregon

I just had to drive across town to drop off husband at mechanic to pick up truck.

I rarely go out so felt weird. I couldn’t believe how many people were all over town and lots of cars everywhere. You wouldn’t even know things were different if it wasn’t for seeing some stores and the mall closed.

My poor dog I brought him with me and when I got home for first time he didn’t want to get out of car. It was like he was saying, is this all? No dog park in over a month? Mom!!

[matt819]

16. In contrast

Shoppers in my local grocery stores - 2 regional chains and a co-op - are abiding by the restrictions. Most have masks and gloves, sone only gloves, Few with nothing. Following one-way aisle signs and staying 6’ or more distant. I saw no one reaching past another person to get something. Most employees the same, and all three stores have installed plexiglass barriers.

Less stressful overall, and very much appreciated.

[onlyadream]

19. I wish my store did the one way aisles, it's a smart thing to do. Nt

[onlyadream]

18. Here on Long Island everyone had a face mask at the grocery store.

It was the first time I went out in about two weeks and the last time it was mixed, but today everyone had one on and it did seem very surreal.

[mcar]

21. Yes, we responsible ones are isolating and following precautions

I'm in red Florida. We are getting our groceries delivered, but every 10 day or so, I make my run to the local farm to get eggs, and to the ABC (liquor) store to get wine. The eggs are in a refrigerator on a porch. I wear a mask and gloves.

The wine pickup is car delivery. The worker brought it out wearing a mask and gloves. I wore my mask to show my ID (I'm 61 so not an issue).

However, there were about 8 people who walked in/out of the store while I was there. Only 1 was wearing a mask.

Idiots!

[spanone]

22. Leave it to trump to politicize a coronavirus.

it's a 'democrat hoax'

[Silent3]

25. The only kind of store I've been in for weeks is a grocery store, not a place like Target...

...and here in southern NH, for the most part, people seem to be more or less acting responsibly in the grocery stores I go to. Not as good as I'd like to see, but way better than what you describe. Mask usage was rare at first, but lately is up to around 50%. I certainly haven't seen "TONS of kids, running around yelling, touching everything" at all.

When I go walking in the park for exercise things are generally pretty good because it's not that crowded and most of the time I can keep my distance from others all on my own, even when others don't make the effort.

It does annoy me, however, that most people in the park seem OBLIVIOUS of their surroundings and their proximity to other people.

Only once, in many, many walks (I'm usually there 5 days a week, getting in about 5 1/2 miles of walking, so this covers a lot of observation of other people) have I noticed anyone else make a genuine effort to keep their distance from others. I end up going off the trail into the brush to keep my distance sometimes, and there's no sign of recognition from others that they even notice me doing that, or that they're ever thinking about WHY I'm doing it.

I particularly hate when people stroll slowly side-by-side right down the middle of the trails (bad enough with 2 people, sometimes with 3 or more doing this), so you can't possibly pass them without a close squeeze, or without telling them to move the fuck out of the way (OK, I politely say "On your left", as if I were riding a bike, but I'm thinking "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY YOU OBLIVIOUS ASSHOLES!" )

[Caliman73]

26. I think it really depends on the climate.

I live in California. Our County health officers and city officials have made it clear about restrictions and social distancing. Businesses have also been good about enforcing policies. I have been the one who has been going out to buy food and I have not seen any children running around any stores. Typically I see one adult and maybe a teenager together, or two adults. I have seen a baby in a car seat stroller but they are unlikely to be running around the store.

Also, I think that people are getting cabin fever and with the idiot Trump continuing to talk about "opening up" the country and Republican governors going along with the talk, that people are going to see it as an endorsement to get stupid.

Look at Florida, planning to reopen beaches. Our County and my city locked down all parks and beaches for about 2 weeks and are starting to reopen some select locations, but not others because of violations of social distancing observed at those locations.

We are on lock in my neck of the woods and government and private industry seem to be working well together. Unfortunately, I think a good chunk of people only take things seriously when it is modeled and expected that they take things seriously. People started getting up to 1200 dollar citations for loitering and congregating in public areas here. A 1200 dollar ticket will make you "act right".

[Upthevibe]

30. Caliman73....

I'm just now reading your post after I posted my experience. I think without question we here in California have been taking this VERY seriously and it definitely comes from the exemplary leadership exhibited by Governor Newsome.......

[Caliman73]

33. Yes we have.

Our governor has been excellent. I also have to say, my county and municipal leaders have also been on top of it. We are the most populous state in the nation by a lot, but only 5th in terms of cases. Credit goes to our leadership and the responsibility of our residents for doing what is safe for everyone.

[Upthevibe]

29. I'm sorry that's happening where you are....

I feel so fortunate where I am here in Los Angeles. My experience has been that almost everyone is wearing masks, gloves, and totally socially distancing (at least when I've gone out). When I go to the grocery store, the cart is wiped down by a store employee before I walk in. There are X's on the floor leading to the cash registers that are six feet apart so you go keep going to the X's until you reach the cashier who all have on masks, gloves, and in some cases there's a plastic shield separating the customer from the cashier.

I think if someone acted inappropriately they just might get a can of woop-ass opened on them - LOL! Obviously, that wouldn't happen but I do believe they would be dealt with by a store employee or customers would for sure say something to them. Just today I watched a recent Conan show (socially distanced, of course) and he was speaking with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. He asked her what her experience has been while she was out. She said that things have been fine except once she was in a CVS to pick up some prescriptions and there was a lady there who had on no mask, no gloves, and who wasn't complying with the six feet distancing. Julia immediately called her out and the lady kind of shuffled off.

[Dale Neiburg]

31. I was at Target today in central Maryland.

All staff were masked and gloved. Plexiglass barriers were up at checkout.

Most customers were alone -- not a very large crowd, everyone observing social distance. I didn't notice any shoppers without masks, but can't be sure there was 100% compliance.

[panader0]

32. I'm way down south of you.

I drove into Sierra Vista today to pick up a prescription at the local Fry's.
Maybe a quarter or a third of the people had masks (like me). A few days
ago I had to go to Lowes for water heater parts, saw guys I used to work
with, none masked. You know, tough construction guys like I was except I wear
a mask. 20 cases in Cochise County now. By itself, the county is as big as
Connecticut and Rhode Island put together. A sparsely populated county,
but Sierra Vista is home to Ft Huachuca, a large army base.
Soldiers come and go from the Fort from all over the world.
One case in my zip code so far.

[Coventina]

35. My husband and I seriously considered buying near you.

But, we just couldn't make it work.

Beautiful area!!

[Xolodno]

36. I'm in California...but when I do go to the store, virtually everyone has a mask.

...with that being said.

Went to the local gas station/liquor store last weekend to pick up some "essentials" (wine). There were some, white young male types who were filling up their gas cans for their off road vehicles. They went into the store with no mask. They were ahead of me in line...after they left, the clerk who has a mask and a window shield, wiped down the counter in front of her.

[Jamastiene]

37. Last time I went out, I was the only one wearing a mask.

There were childish giggles.....from other adults in the store. Fuck 'em. Let 'em play Russian Roulette with their health and laugh at me.

I was going to be ok, grocery wise, until the power outage after those bad storms. I wish I had bought a generator when my aunt was insisting on it.