So today in The Time of #COVID19 I braved the grocery story for the first time in a couple of weeks.
Step 1: A mask. I did this quickie DIY no-sew version, subbing a couple of scrunchies for the rubber bands, adding a coffee filter.
The results were … certainly a dashing style decision. Alas, the print on my Chronic Cellars bandana was mostly covered over, otherwise some nifty skulls would have added a cheery note.
Scrunchies + glasses were a problematic combo, but it held together pretty well. Off to the local King Soopers (Kroger)!
Crowds were mid-afternoon light, lighter than usual.
While nearly every customer I saw was wearing a mask of some sort (and some had on gloves), most of the workers were not, which I thought was kind of interesting. Not that I expect Clean Room standards or anything, but it still felt weird.
The paper aisle is still stripped to the bone, unless I want organic wax paper (which is definitely not suitable for some of the purposes I would be going to the paper aisle for).
Most of the staples — bread, eggs, milk, produce, ice cream — were in good shape. There was even some flour in stock. But almost no pasta, and all canned tomato products were very popular.
It was eerie being so alert about other folk … pausing while someone stood in front of the lettuce, rather than walking up and reaching around them … letting them stroll along rather than passing them within the magic 6 feet.
And when I got back to the car, loaded the groceries to the trunk, got in, took off the mask, Purelled my hands … I found myself still worrying about contamination on the bags, the boxes, the produce, etc. Lots of hand washing before and after putting the groceries away.
We’re fortunate in having enough food in the freezer and pantry that we can go to the store on an infrequent basis. So we’re probably good for another couple of weeks, unless we run out of something unexpected.
But at least we know how to make a mask now.
(Originally posted on Twitter)