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My shopping in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, a story in two parts.
(Thread)
For those who need a refresher, I'm in a state where we have had 54,365 confirmed cases of Covid 19 and 5,223 deaths as of 5/24.
We are also this state: https://www.npr.org/2020/05/14/855918852/heavily-armed-protesters-gather-again-at-michigans-capitol-denouncing-home-order
(Thread)
For those who need a refresher, I'm in a state where we have had 54,365 confirmed cases of Covid 19 and 5,223 deaths as of 5/24.
We are also this state: https://www.npr.org/2020/05/14/855918852/heavily-armed-protesters-gather-again-at-michigans-capitol-denouncing-home-order
Several protests in Lansing have erupted over the last month over Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order, defying the mandates both as they gathered en masse AND mostly kept their masks off.
Of course, they spread the virus in our state as a result: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/05/04/cellphone-data-shows-operation-gridlock-protesters-dispersed-across-michigan-raising-concerns-of-spreading-coronavirus%3fmedia=AMP%2bHTML
Of course, they spread the virus in our state as a result: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/05/04/cellphone-data-shows-operation-gridlock-protesters-dispersed-across-michigan-raising-concerns-of-spreading-coronavirus%3fmedia=AMP%2bHTML
Today I needed to be in Lansing. For one, I had some masks I needed to drop off for my former dissertation chair (and to see how she was doing); I also had to hit a couple of grocery stores as I live in a wee MI town that is void of foreign groceries, decent salsa, & good coffee.
About once a month we usually drive up to the state capitol to get our dose of advanced civilization. I stock up on foreign groceries, the coffee we like, and often a good meal. Due to the virus hitting when it did, we haven't gotten up to Lansing since February. We were overdue.
Today I went out on my own, as I do most of the cooking. I took a bottle of Purell and my mask, and headed up the highway into the city.
Part I: The Oriental Market
I drive up to the foreign grocery store I like and I'm immediately struck by the large signs that greet me.
Part I: The Oriental Market
I drive up to the foreign grocery store I like and I'm immediately struck by the large signs that greet me.
In big letters it says, "NO MASK, NO ENTRY." I let out a sigh of relief. Even before Covid 19, the cashiers here all wore masks and gloves. It was just a part of the Asian culture, which has normalized PPE in public spaces. I was thrilled they were enforcing it now for everyone.
When I get inside, EVERYONE is wearing a mask, from the customers to the stock boy. Masks are for sale all over. Even child masks. Everything is super clean. Wipes are available for baskets. People wait patiently at a safe distance to get at items on the shelf. Safety is serious.
The unnis and nainais behind the counter carefully bagged the groceries behind a wall of plexiglass. You could tell they would take no shit from anyone entering the store without a mask. Not that many arrogant, ignorant white people would go here anyway, but my point was this:
In the Oriental Market, everyone was taking the state mandate seriously and I felt 100% safe.
Part II: Horrocks Market
The only way to describe Horrocks is an overwhelming palette for the culinary artist. Every vegetable, fruit, spice, and delicacy you can think of is there.
Part II: Horrocks Market
The only way to describe Horrocks is an overwhelming palette for the culinary artist. Every vegetable, fruit, spice, and delicacy you can think of is there.
Fresh produce runneth over here. Their fresh ground gourmet coffee, popcorn bar, and extensive wine collection tempt every foodie. A lot of people in Michigan shop here.
I go to get produce I can't find anywhere else. I go to get lost in their salsa and pickled food aisle.
I go to get produce I can't find anywhere else. I go to get lost in their salsa and pickled food aisle.
Cheese from every corner of the world is piled high in bins. Fresh handmade sausages lure you into the deli. Every known lentil, bean, and spice is available in bulk. It is heaven.
Until Covid 19 hit.
Shopping here now stressed me out.
Until Covid 19 hit.
Shopping here now stressed me out.
The store itself went above and beyond in terms of making a safe space for customers. For instance, when you walk in, you are greeted with a sanitation stations where wipes, hand sanitizer, and masks were yours for the taking.
Unfortunately, about HALF of the people didn't.
Unfortunately, about HALF of the people didn't.
I take that back. I watched a well-groomed young white guy grab a wipe to wipe off the shopping cart handle. He had no mask, however, and didn't take one.
WTF he thought he would accomplish by this was beyond me. I just quickly steered clear of him.
WTF he thought he would accomplish by this was beyond me. I just quickly steered clear of him.
I couldn't help but notice that EVERY MASKLESS PERSON was white. They seemed to fall into two camps: the redneck &t the hippie. I watched a family of redneck non-mask-wearers make their way through the produce aisles, picking up whatever they wanted without giving an F about us.
The second grouping looked like hippies who do more drugs than showering. (I am in judgement because THEY WEREN'T WEARING FREAKING MASKS.) I saw a white guy with dreads open a spice bin, PUT HIS NOSE IN TO SNIFF IT, then ladle of the breathed on spice in a bag.
The sad part was that the employees there HAD NO CHOICE but to work despite the crazy assholes. They had on masks and probably left each day horrified at what they were exposed to. I counted at least 24 white people without masks on today. There were about 50 of us in the store.
My point here is this: Many people are idiots & the self-righteous ones who are not wearing masks are putting innocent people at risk. It just so happens, at least in MI, many of these self-proclaimed patriots who protest our govenor are also xenophobic: https://www.michiganadvance.com/blog/michigan-lawmakers-call-out-xenophobic-reactions-to-coronavirus/
The protests right now against our govenor in Michigan have very little to do with human rights and have more to do with fear/hate of foreigners and sexism against our govenor.
I felt SAFER in the Asian market than I did in the mostly white westside market. These stupid, selfish, ignorant protestors whom Trump supports are going to kill us all.
We need to pull the science-deniers out of office. This shit is too dangerous.
We need to pull the science-deniers out of office. This shit is too dangerous.
Too many are being affected by Covid 19, either by getting sick or dying. These fuckers who think they are better than everyone can fuck right off. There is a special place in hell for deliberate Covid Marys.
I am so fucking mad. No wonder so many of my students are sick and so many Michiganders have died. These anti-mask conspiracy theorists can go to hell. 
Save a life.
Wear a mask.
Stay home.
Be a goddamn decent human being.
#endrant
Save a life.
Wear a mask.
Stay home.
Be a goddamn decent human being.
#endrant
