Read on Twitter
Out of mandatory isolation so I went to the grocery store for the first time in nearly a month. Huge kudos to the workers at my Superstore; they were so organized and everybody was still so pleasant even though I cannot imagine the stress. So first, THANK YOU.
Carts were being wiped and offered to people on the way in, a handwashing and sanitizing station was set up for those who needed it and traffic was being directed into the store. It was a good start. I had a list, written carefully in topographical order so as not to backtrack.
But the minute I walk in -- BOOM. A woman is standing right in the traffic area, looking at her phone. LADY. Now is not the time. I didn't even bring a purse--driver's license in one pocket, debit card in the other. Phone for emergencies but I didn't take it out.
Most people were like me--quick, methodical, giving others a wide berth. But there were too many families and couples out for a good time (it was 8am!), and maybe you're going stir crazy, but NO. Go walk around an empty church parking lot and stay out of the fucking cereal aisle.
There was another troublesome cohort and I'm going to be insensitive here--old people who were shuffling about like they had never been in a grocery store before and certainly had not heard of social distancing, moving quickly or not touching their face. It was bad.
I ran into a dad from school and it was wonderful because he was just as neurotic as me, which we quickly discussed from at least 6ft apart, still moving down the aisle on separate sides because we both knew this was not the time to dilly dally, human connection be damned.
They were out of dried lentils and beans. It made me proud.
I got most things on my list, but I was surprised by the shortages--burgers, the above-mentioned legumes, canola oil, tetra-pack broth, frozen veggies except for spinach and broccoli, which were the only ones I wanted! Covid-panic score.
My only real fuck up was that halfway through my shop I remembered I had a prescription for my asthma meds (hence the neurosis) I meant to drop it off as soon as I walked in. But I course corrected and was back on track in no time. The price of my meds has gone up. Coincidence?
Anyway, the whole thing was like a big ol' terrible game of hide and seek that nobody was playing properly, which made me sweat, or maybe it was the winter gloves I was wearing.
Spent so much money I got the bonus gift you get for spending so much money, but the real gift is that I will now count backwards again from 14 looking for covid symptoms daily because I left the house. I don't need to go anywhere; I have bacon and mini eggs.
Then I spent another hour or so lysol-wiping the groceries down and IDGAF if it is useless, it lets my monkey mind get back to a place of relative safety and the cat enjoys the excitement.
Again THANK YOU so much to our essential workers; you are truly appreciated and I hope I only made your day a little bit easier. Back to my bubble, I go. xo
