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I know we need lots of open forums these days because a lot of times once y’all have to scroll back a long way, your thumbs get tired. šĀ So I thought I would talk about my favorite topic, me!
Yesterday, I couldn’t watch another ridiculous update from the white house, but when I am watching something on DVR and it ends,Ā it reverts back to CNN. And they were saying we were all on STAY HOME status. I didn’t realize that it was the same ass SHELTER IN PLACE and I thought the grocery stores were all closing. So today, I felt like I really needed to go to Publix. I have been putting it off for days. So around ten hours ago, I made the journey. And only now do I feel like talking about it.
Very early on in the pandemic, I purchased a face mask. Actually, someone told we what kind to buy. This was before we knew what kind to buy but they were all gone. It’s a very thick very fitted mask that is bright blue. I added a pair of sunglasses and headed out to the store. I wore one of those shelf bra kind of tank tops, a long sleeved t-shirt and a very heavy flannel shirt. It was 55 degrees which is cold to us southerners. Oh and I was also wearing long blue latex gloves. I looked like a martian disguised as a redneck lesbian. And it was kind of hard to breathe. Or talk.
And I was feeling claustrophobic.
But, on the arduous two mile drive to the Publix, I rolled down the window. The sun was shining. I was quite sure I had this. Just inside Publix there was a sweet young man sanitizing shopping carts. Some of y’all may recall when Ghetto Publix closed and moved a mile or so away and became another Rich People Publix. This mean some more higher end goods. It also meant you would stand our if you went in your pajamas. It’s also almost always PACKED.
Today, I would say there were about 50 people more or less there. I usually wait in fairly long lines at this store. I was second in line today. No one was social distancing, including me. Don’t judge, have you ever tried to stay six feet away from every person in a grocery store? Also, there is always THAT ONE PERSON I run into over and over while shopping. It’s a different person each time. But there is always someone who is constantly in my way and doesn’t seem to know what they are looking to buy. But,whatever it is always right where I want to grab stuff.Ā On every fucking aisle. So how do you social distance from that?
So things were going okay but I can never find the canned fruit in this store. So I was starting to get in a dither over pineapple. I was also sweating like a pig in long latex gloves. I started to feel water rolling down my back. I was hot. And sweating more than I did back a month ago when I was sane and training for a 5K. I was sweating more than a menopausal night sweat. I was sweating. ALOT. So that was embarrassing. I was feeling weird and really needed to get some air. But first, I had to load all my heavy crap onto the belt. The cashier was super fast and I was way behind. The good news is no one gets in line behind the lesbian Martian. So there was some less pressure.
The bad news was that I forgot and started unloading with the wine. They card everyone at Publix. They would card Betty White. This means I have to get out my wallet and my ID and put it away and then get my wallet and charge card out at the end. The sweating is getting worse. And now I am talking to people though the Martian Mask. Which is weird. So I try not to say to much. Until my psychotic yelling starts. Suddenly, I bend over and yell OW!Ā a couple of times. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I am suddenly having violent stomach cramps.Ā I really need to get out of there. The sweet little cashier is super kind and the bagger took my cart for me.
The second I was out of the store I started ripping off… my clothes. Because, hot. That heavy duty flannel shirt was just too much. The employees of this Publix are the absolute best though.Every time I go there. I got home and put up the refrigerated foods. Went through the entire hand washing and wipe down of the doorknobs and car key crap and sat down to die. I didn’t even open the wine. Instead, I drank a ton of cold water.
And suddenly, I felt great. Like I had sweated all the alcohol errr toxins out of my body. I briefly considered doing some dishes. Then I crashed and felt exhausted and slept for a bit. I haven’t felt like doing shit since. I’ve been watching a few things on DVR, napping and then waking up to watch a few things live. I plan to sleep for ten hours.
That said, I would suggest you get they to the grocery store before things get worse if you have crucial items. I truly did not buy enough wine. I’m going to have toĀ wine dot com some. Speaking of wine, my wine rep sent me two bottles of Merlot a while back. PeopleĀ try to court sites away from their agency when things get tight, like now. I had received wine from my previous rep. AndĀ it was um, not great. So I put the Merlot away for an emergency, that I had this week. It was REALLY GOOD WINE.Ā So I thought I would order that. But it was $50 a pop! LOL. I should probably thank her again.
Also, there was no toilet paper (I’m good on that) Like NO TOILET PAPER AT ALL. It was weird. There were also NO PAPER TOWELS (Kinda needed a double pack of those).Ā There were like twenty small boxes of tissues. I took two of those because, the pollen is insane right now. I got the last Meyers hand soap. But I have at least two other bottles of that. There were plenty of other kinds of hand soaps. Apparently, RICH PEOPLE like a Meyer’s hand soap.
Water was limited and I have plenty of that for a month or so. I did buy lead free ice. I wanted some Zinc but I have tried online and twice at Publix to figure out a supplement with Zinc and the online choices are pages long on Walmart.
So is anyone else still going to the grocery store? I should be good for a month or more (if I order more wine online.)Ā I am fine. I am not sick. I just had some weird kind of panic attack or something. It’s kind of weird breathing through a ventilated mask. I have complained to many a bed partner to “stop breathing all the good air!”
Hope you are all hanging in there.
We’re doing Instacart instead of going in the stores. We could probably live for weeks on my parents’ pantry and freezer – but the fresh veggies and fruit are what are zero point for me and I’m REALLY REALLY trying to stick to the Weight Watchers. My goal is not to really gain. I’ve been plateauing before all the shit hit the fan. Stress causes cortisol, and cortisol makes it hard to lose weight. Or so I’ve been told. Plus I have to eat as few points as possible so I can drink alcohol.
The only issue with Instacart is that we are spur of the moment shoppers. At least I am. The delivery dates are sometimes a week out so we have to anticipate what we’ll need. I bought the monthly plan so delivery of any list over $35 is no delivery fee. I tip at least 10 percent.
Actually did my hair right and put on makeup today – I had my first online meeting for work! We had a board meeting of this organization I’m on. Of course this is canceling a shit ton of our events and as we are an organization that supports small business, we couldn’t cancel a board meeting. I was a bit nervous on how it would work… we used GoToMeeting. My only experience with online meetings was a freebie visit with my Aunt and Uncle on Zoom and I struggled getting it to work for my parents and myself. I also had to clean my room – my dad and mom are of the age where the TV is LOUD and when someone calls my dad there are NO SECRETS in that conversation because he’s even louder than the TV. Thank God my old bedroom was extra sound proofed when they had it built. At the time, I am sure that my father was thinking he didn’t want to hear my noisy teenaged 80s music from my stereo. I didn’t even hear the security alarm go off the other morning! It went well. I put my little laptop on a big ol stack of my and my father’s old college textbooks. I wanted the camera looking slightly down on me instead of up my nose or something! I was worried about the double chin look.
Iām in Alabama a town 50 min approx west of Birmingham per Interstate 22. Iām a nurse practitioner and NO ONE is following anything!!! Our soon huge flux of patients is coming and our Gov Kay Ivey. (The governor woman that hates abortion) is Somehow not able to decree a state wide whatever. TT We pray for you over there in ATL and hope it slows heading west. Iām sick with fever each night. Had Covid test 7 days ago still waiting on results. Iāve posted before. Long time TT follower!
Good to have you back, Lucretia. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Our idiot governor made a statewide decree like yesterday or so… Perhaps your idiot governor will follow suit now that the orange one has stopped calling this whole thing a hoax.
Iām ok. Kinda glad to get it early and move on and help others. Iām assuming youāve got my personal email. I thought eventually we could trade more info so that when you might need help or assistance maybe I could help. Just let me know. Good night. I mean morning. WTH?
“a martian disguised as a redneck lesbian” You made me laugh out loud, TT!
Slayed me with that one. We are doing okay down here in SE VA. Nobody is staying home. I was at the Food Lion the other day with my Lysol wipe. Yes, they disinfect the carts and offer hand sanitizer but I bring my own to wipe my hands and products the entire time I am shopping. I was at the bacon section and perusing. All of a sudden a woman puts her hand on my cart and leans directly in front of me. I said āExcuse you, did you just put your hand on my cart and why are you only 6 inches away from me?ā She literally ran away from me. This is why I try to stay with Kroger pick up and always have but now everybody else does too. We also try to order at least once a week from our favorite restaurants to try to help them out. I miss breakfasts on the inlet at the sport fishing center. I miss going down to the local for a little bit of day drinking and catching up with people Iāve known for 30 years. Fuck you China, you murderous bastards, and your medieval and cruel wet markets. I want my āMurica back.
damn that is funny…I wish I had been at the store when that happened!
Today, for the first time in many days, my anxiety has lessened because wonderful friends have given me gloves and face masks and a neighbor has offered to get me some things at the grocery store. I have been ordering everything I think I’ll need for the next month online, but all the stuff to keep the virus offa me will not arrive…probably from China…before mid-April. So I have been in high anxiety getting gas and grocery shopping.
I have not left my condo in 4 days except to get my mail downstairs every other day. I live in a 36-unit condo building, on the 3rd (top) floor. I used to take the elevator, but it’s not a good place to be…an enclosed space, so small…if infected people have been in it recently. It’s healthier to take the stairs anyway, right?
So my fear comes from the fact that I’m old plus I have been asthmatic my whole life. Sometimes makes walking up three flights of stairs difficult, and this virus sounds so damn scary. But the masks, especially, make me feel so much less anxious. I feel very blessed to live in a state with a governor who was very proactive. We have been sheltering at home for 3.5 weeks. The worst is predicted to hit this area around April 24th. I am planning to shelter at home through May unless the news radically changes one way or the other.
I actually enjoy grocery shopping, and I’m sad that the experience has been tainted. And I’ll end by saying that this blog is one of the things I look forward to every day, so thank you TT! Everybody be safe out there! Do NOT go to church! I feel for Lucretia in Alabama. That governor is deplorable. Over and out.
I canāt remember when I left the house last. What day is it? And had a work related deadline that I knew would blow up before covid-19 was even a factor. The markets are crazy. I feel like a shitty person seeking a sense of normalcy. My OCD is in full force. I need to pull it together. It is a lot in a short period of time,
Thatās quite the āgoing outside gearā you describe. Iām a fan. Hubby has been home for a month, I think. Lost track. His shirt was inside out for the third time…that I noticed. I made so much fun of him after the second time. Then yesterday, I was wearing my day pajamas inside out. Not on purpose.
TT, thank you for shopping at Publix. My coworkers and I are grateful to still work through this time. We have all had conversations with our managers to help our customers in this time, so if anyone needs help with shopping or unloading, whatever go to customer service. We got ya’ll and are grateful to help.
You are not alone many of us have the same anxiety so know that.
Love ya
Thank you for working Karen! My family is also a Publix family and we are grateful for every one of you!
I think you had a panic attack inside the grocery store. I notice I sweat more when I have panic attacks. Everything you wrote is our new normal. I live in Indiana and I see 3 types of people during this pandemic.
.
1. People who just don’t care, they think God will save them or they are not going to catch the virus.(think idiots on vacation in Florida)
2. People who are taking precautions (wearing gloves) are stocking up, social distancing and still go out shopping for items.
3. The stay home people who think everything including grocery stores and gas stations should be closed.
This pandemic is devastating. I have seen the best in people and the worst in people. I am thankful I can find stores that have everything you need on the shelf, including toilet paper and paper towels. I was told about a lady who tried to return her toilet paper to cvs and they refused to refund her. I told her to donate it to a church. Idiot. Who buys so much toilet paper, then they want to return it?
I have been told not to wear mask outside unless you are medically fragile or ill. They explained it to my office that wearing a mask you transfer what germs you caught in one location to another location by wearing the mask everywhere you go. TT, I suggest you google how to clean your mask.
I am praying for all of you. Stay safe.
I’m very happy to report that my weekly coffee chat with my neighbor has restarted! It was the only thing I was missing as much as my grand kids. So now, twice a week I take my lawn chair over to her yard. She sits on one side of her picnic table and I sit on the other side. When we bought the picnic table she wanted an 8 foot long one so we are social distanced and chatting away! NJ is nuts right now but I generally only go to coffee chats when I leave my house on a normal basis. In all this craziness it’s nice to have my coffee chats back.
I love this!
I wish they had called it “physical distancing” instead of social distancing! We’re being social right now after all! You can do one on one things from a distance like your coffee with your neighbor!
My sister and I went shopping yesterday morning. When we were checking out, my sister said she felt sick. When we got home, I just made it to the bath room to thow up. My sister said she was sick but did not thow up. I think it was all the chemicals used in the store to kill the germs. Felt better after a couple of hours.
I 100% agree with this comment. In a few years, we will all have a rare cancer due to all the Lysol/chemicals we ingested during this time. We are out of anti-bacteria and our owner has us using pine-sol. Do you know how disgusting pine-sol smells?!
My SIL the RN is highly allergic to the scent of Pine Sol. FYI, antibacterial will not kill a virus. Disinfectant will if it is set up for a corona virus.
Iām also doing Instacart and staying home. Drizzlys will deliver alcohol usually within an hour or two, but I have not drank in a week now. My doctor has increased by PRN anxiety meds so Iām thankful for that. I donāt have any masks and ran out of gloves, but the only place I go is to take care of my horse. I do wonder if Iām able to get it outside in fresh air as there is a store right by where I live so that and brining groceries into my house seem to be my only risk as I havenāt went anywhere public for 13 days now.
I hope everyone is staying safe and sane in these scary times.
Your Publix odyssey confirmed my worst fears about what was once a pleasant outing. Lost so much sleep plotting the venture and all the necessary props, that I finally said āfuck it,ā and scheduled a pickup. First available slot was Sunday, the day I had planned to go anyway.
I have an entire bag of wipes, gloves, sanitizer spray, and a DIY mask devoted to the Big Grocery Store Caper. Had sketched out the whole scenario over and over, getting more anxious about it by the hour. Insane.
I cannot say how relieved I am not to have to go shoulder to shoulder at 6 am with the rest of the early birds scrounging for TP. You are one brave chica, TT. But smart to stock up now as this shitshow will get worse before we see relief.
Our second fridge crapped out and I am having a new one delivered Saturday. Will be geared up, Clorox bottle in hand to disinfect when the delivery guys leave.
Some idiot pranked me yesterday by telling liquor stores were closing Friday. I fell for it and started my list!
And Erica, also on WW, and fortunate to have lost in the past few weeks after months of plateaus. Exercise has helped, but itās a slog sometimes. Keep going!
Thank you! Even with the plateaus, I do love the program! I say this having a very good hunch that tomorrow’s weigh in will be a gain (I need to slug down some water today). But I think I’m at that part of my cycle where I gain a little anyway.
I did get my steps in yesterday just in setting up for my online meeting and in nervous pacing! LOL! But I think I’ll work on doing more starting this weekend.
I’ve seen Sheree Whitfield at our local Publix a couple of times. Don’t think I’ve seen her lately though. And speaking of RHOA (sorta) Tamara, did you see in our local newspaper about a month or so ago that Angela Stanton is planning on running against John Lewis? Lordy.
TT all of the photos and gifs you added to this blog are perfection. As much as I wanted to social distance in the grocery store you’re right it’s just bound to happen that you will come face to face with someone. Stay safe all!
Love you, TT. This is the best thing Iāve read in ages. Stay safe- we need you!
I ventured out into the wild new world on Monday the 30th after staying inside for weeks on end. I had a completely different experience FWIW. Weāve been doing instant deliveries but the produce has been pretty bad. I wanted to limit the amount of stores to go to (most are completely depleted of things we needed so it was like a treasure hunt the last time I went looking for stuff at multiple storesā and that was almost a month ago.
I decided to go to Whole Foods to get a pot roast and a few produce items so that I could just toss the less desirable carrots and potatoes in a big pot and slow cook the roast instead of wasting it.
Anyhoo, We actually have the second largest WF in the country… like itās enormous and tourists used to go to see it bc itās that big (and usually packed). Itās just a few city blocks from my home. Still, there was no traffic which is unheard of here. I felt like I walked out into an eery version of a movie on my quick trip to the store. I planned ahead: used a sanitized reusable bag for a purse. Put my cleaned phone inside a ziplock as well as my credit card and ID in a separate one. I put several pairs of disposable gloves in one ziplock and took along another for disposing of gloves for each time I took them off before getting back into my car. Oh, and I put a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my new makeshift purse. I did not wear a mask. Iām saving the few I have in case someone in the household actually gets sick and we would need them to contain inside. I opted for a scarf wrapped around to cover my face, sans my eyes.
There were 25 customers max in the store. The entire store was taped off at 6 feet intervals. But EVERYONE was wearing gloves, masks, medical bonnets or hats and many looked like they were scrubbed in for the OR. WF also had a very organized system of sanitizing the carts and none were just left out in the parking lot. The employees took used cart immediately and had a station for spraying them with a sanitation sprayer for every inch of the cart. They had closed all but one entrance to monitor each customer as they entered and made sure to give you a sanitized one. The loud speakers reminded people on a loop to stay 6 ft away from other customers as well as employees.
Everyone stood at the taped off lines and were patient to wait until one person was finished picking their produce selection before they took their turn. Once at checkout, again they had everything taped off with signs showing you where to stand in line where youād be 6ft away from the person in front and back of you. To my surprise, the scanner for the prime discount was able to read it off my phone through the plastic ziplock!
We still donāt have state orders but our mayor made the call for us. Even the few people I saw out walking dogs, etc. were wearing gear.I was impressed by what I saw even though it was a strange experience. But, I wondered how all these people got all this gear when PPE is running low everywhere for healthcare workers?
Itās interesting to hear how it is in other areas of the country. I fear for the ones who still donāt have orders from governors and are waiting to be told what to do rather than taking measures on their own. Itās not like the information and guidelines arenāt readily available. Le Sigh.
Also, FYI, itās not like TB. Even if itās a windy day and youāre downwind from someone who is possibly infectious itās not going to get you infected by a quick pass by them as long as they arenāt right next to you, and even then itās highly unlikely. They would have to cough or sneeze directly on you to cause concern. Itās in droplets, itās not aerosol. Hope that comforts some. Again, the safest place anyone can be is at home, whether your governor, mayor tells you to or not. š
* Instacart, not intstant. Lol Iām pretty sure instant doesnāt exist anymore. Even Instacart leaves half our orders unfulfilled as thereās no stock left of some essential items necessary for my mom.
I totally understand that some folks MUST go to a physical grocery store due to their financial situation or other reasons (pick up prescriptions, etc). But for the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone with 1) a credit card and 2) access to the internet would risk their own health and potentially risk the health of others by going to a brick & mortar grocery store where social distancing is impossible.
There are so many other options if you live in/near a city and have a CC and internet. You can have the groceries (including alcohol) delivered directly to your home. You can stick your ID in the door so you donāt have to interact with a delivery person, and you only have to do that if buying alcohol. If you donāt wanna have groceries delivered, you can order online and do curbside pickup at most stores, and theyāll load the groceries into the back of your car without interacting with you. Delivery spots were tight at first but are starting to get more plentiful, at least where I live.
I donāt understand why someone who doesnāt HAVE to go to a physical grocery store would go there and basically risk their life. I get that some people wanna touch/feel the fruits and vegetables before buying them, but the convenience of doing that canāt be worth risking your health and the health of others by not being able to social distance. You might get a couple bruised bananas with your delivery but youāll stay healthy!
PLEASE keep the grocery stores empty-ish for folks who HAVE to go there. Youāre HELPING them and yourself by staying away from the enclosed space of the store.
I know I sound preachy/angry/shaming but Iām NOT sorry. I told myself I would stop posting and only read on here because I felt like I was being shamed for trying to help before, but I was so upset by Tamaraās post about Publix above, I decided to post again (maybe for the last time). I care about TT and all of us commenters on here and want everyone to stay healthy.
Please donāt feel shamed. Iāve personally been preachy alternating with publicly losing my shit here. Itās a great place to vent and sometimes necessary to remain somewhat sane IRL. Thatās just my experience but if TT is upset about anything she wonāt hesitate to let any of us know. Some days this place seems like my lifeline! Stay engaged please because everyone who posts here helps someone. Iām sure of it.
Stay safe and be well. Itās okay. š
Harlan, you do you and we will all what we need to do.
It will be okay.
Harlan, I’m going to guess that you do not live in the bible belt. Also, and I know this is shocking, not everyone has a cell phone. So we have anxiety for weeks about going, dress like martians, and make a quick dash for it. It’s definitely not so we can grope the fruit everyone else has groped.
So when we finally get the balls to do it, hearing we are doing it on a selfish day, or putting our lives at risk is totally not helpful.
Also, I want to point out that it is taking DAYS in my city to get grocery delivery. I have no idea what I will want to need on Tuesday.
Living in rural Australia is really good at the moment. We live socially distant most of the time anyway. Over 70ās are meant to stay home, so Iām shopping for my parents and some neighbours too (no supermarkets are doing deliveries here anymore). I visit my parents every day, sitting in my camp chair in their front yard. Itās good for their mental health and mine while my son is with his dad this week.
Some of us were talking travel last month…. I guess we are all home now. My fiancĆ© is in Germany, no idea when Iāll see him again, we were meant to meet in Nashville next Tuesday.
Iām definitely drinking too much, not sure how to reign that in at the moment. I am grateful to work from home all the time and so far my work has only dropped off a little. Thatās fine, thereās nothing but the basics to spend money on. Thank goodness for Netflix, I just finished watching the drug documentary about the lady who was taking the drugs she was testing.
Thanks for the open forum, I hope youāre doing ok and every one else here too.
I live outside of a very small town in northern Michigan. The stores have been flat out of tissue, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Canned foods of all types are tough to find, but I’m finding the dollar stores have some things. The wonderful news is around here, people are heeding the social spacing guidelines really well!
I have a new passion for instacart. The upcharge is worth not going into the store. Most everyone still open in upstate NY is doing order online then pick up curbside. We got our dog food and cat food that way. Amazon delivers almost daily. The internet makes it easier, plus I am doing all my teaching online. Pandemic life is settling in. Just waiting to get sick or be freed from social distancing.
The one effed up thing is mail: we have a PO BOX. Only going once a week.
Oh, and our kids, who are giving us heart jitters by going out to the grocery and Wal Mart! They don’t live with us anymore, but I worry about them like they were still 15.
Hugs to all.
I had to go to Publix yesterday. I am in Jacksonville and it was packed. I worry but my husband is one of those if I die, then I just die people. š¤¦š½āāļøSo while I try not to have nightmares, he doesn’t think twice. He loved Instacart long before this started. We can’t purchase more than 2 gal of water at a time. Between the two of us water goes quickly. So I go to Publix to pick up 2 gallons and he orders instacart to get us another 2 gallons.
I worry even more because my parents are in Albany and they live in the county. It’s a 30-minute drive to the nearest grocery store and the only grocery store on their side of town is a Walmart. I have been to that Walmart and they barely kept it stocked before all of this began. Whenever I am in town I drive over to the other side of the city just to get to the single Publix in town. I buy them all the things they won’t spend money on themselves. It’s not because they can’t afford it. It’s simply because at their age they’ve decided they don’t need to splurge on specialty food items.
I am working from home at least until the end of the month. I work at a higher education institution and we have had one employee and one student that have tested positive for Covid. Our college has several campuses and both of them attend a different campus from the one I work.
I get anxious when a new “WHEREAS” goes into place. So I went to my Kroger on Tues. No problems and even got Toliet paper and Paper towels but probably not enough Black Box. My Kroger being supplied did alot to help my anxiety. I went to Tractor Supply yesterday because I get more anxious about running out of my two dog’s food than my own. I also ordered a new key to lock my outdoor chest freezer because I had lost the original key. And I love Myers hand soap especially the one with rosemary but they have been out of it at my Walmart and I dont love it enough to order it online.
Our trips to Publix involve my driving and hubby doing the shopping. I sit in the car with a spray bottle full of Volkov grain alcohol which is 153 proof/75.5% alcohol. We havenāt been able to find rubbing alcohol for 5 weeks now so liquor stores are our current go-to place for replacement. Florida doesnāt allow the sale of any grain alcohol stronger than the Volkov brand and 151 proof Everclear BUT you can check with your liquor stores in your state to see if they have anything on their shelves.
Hubs shops in a mask. Our Publix also has a young man spraying down the carts at the entrance. And the store has put tape on the floor at the registers and hubby says people are actually complying and staying on their spot which shocks me because FloriDUHHHHH! Hubs comes out and puts the groceries in our car. I spray him down and spray his seat and the floorboard. We come home, take groceries inside, I spray the interior of the car, we put stuff away, we spray each other down, wash hands, and then we collapse from the freaking mental exhaustion of all this. I send out loving, caring, and hopeful thoughts to everyone who is in quarantine by themselves.
By the way, we still do our own shopping because we live in a place with a lot of retirees and many of them live alone and so many of them donāt have a vehicle. Delivery drivers around here are always heavily over-worked so we donāt want to add to their burden at this very difficult time.
TT, our Publix is half ghetto/half āfawncyā so you never know what youāll encounter when you go in but I am always in pajamas 24/7 so when I go there will always be at least one person in pjās slogging through with no bra and sleep crusted over their eyes. I do my white trash best! lol
I love stories about shopping at Publix. Anyone who shops there has a Story Worth Telling for every visit.
Slainteā for yet another beloved Open Forum thread! <3
Iām in CT and weāve been on lockdown since 3/13. Iāve gone out for curbside pickup of booze and takeout but havenāt been to a grocery store in a week or so. I was so put-off by the people crowding me at my usual store I canāt bring myself to go back. Other stores near me sound like theyāre doing better with spacing and amount of people allowed in the store (Aldi, Whole Foods). Matter of fact, last night our Governor mandated that grocery stores must let no more than half of their capacity in at a time.
The wait in Columbus for picking up a grocery order is 5 days. Iāve been going to the grocery store and people here are being safe. What I find amazing is the number of people getting so much fast food or carry out. I think thatās way riskier than go to a grocery store. I think they are going to announce they are limiting the number of people permitted in a store at any given time today but Ohio has been very proactive. I joined the fan club for our health director. We love Dr Amy!
I went to my neighborhood Walmart and got a few things, but I was more horrified by the people working there obviously sick with something hacking coughing into their gloves. Yeah I’m not surprised by our numbers increasing daily here. No TP as usual but I managed to actually find antibacterial hand soap. No limits to shoppers here in Bakersfield, Ca and I’m hoping they start, these people just don’t listen here. I think my social anxiety is running overdrive due to the shit too.
Before this nightmare, I ordered a shit ton of food bc I hate grocery shopping. I accidentally ordered tp when I didn’t need any. So, I’m set for a bit. I did go to Target and noticed they had quite a bit of toilet paper and Meyers too (I love that stuff). I live downtown but I’m hearing that stores in the ‘burbs are constantly out of tp and eggs. I imagine larger families are in overdrive. I know everyone is panicked but some people are teetering on the verge of hoarding. Anyway the store was eerily quiet and you can feel the anxiety. I felt like I was in the Handmaid’s Tale or something. Strange days indeed.
I cycle in my normal life (ha ha) and find it’s the only thing that’s helping with my stress levels right now. I ride maybe every other day. Unfortunately, the trails and parks are now packed with people so I have to ride early in the morning when no one is there. I’m not a morning person so I’m not riding much. Only when I can pull myself out of bed. I know we’re all starved for human interaction but the amount of people congregating outside is alarming.
Thanks to all of you sharing your stories. This helps a lot. Stay sane and stay safe!!!!
Hello everyone! Iām in Texas and it is a shitshow around here. Everyone is still acting like the Virus doesnāt exist which is one reason I am livid and need some calming advise!
I live on the second floor of a large apt complex overlooking the water, so this past weekend a local COP ( who lives below me) and the leasing assistant of said complex decided to have a Crawfish boil!
At said party 10-12 people enjoyed the festivities, drinking, bragging about the previous swimming pools they have been to, etc! I contacted the Manager of these apts to tell her about this social gathering. Her reply was Thanking me for the info and it will be dealt with. This party happened Sunday, March 29th, as of today NOTHING as been done!
I am pissed beyond measures! I want something done to this Cop and leasing assistant NOW! Iām already a very impatient person! Should I go a step further and contact the Regional Manager along with the police department to inform them just what their employees have done!
Iām about to go postal here!
Thanks all in advance!
What is it exactly that you want done? If the party was Sunday what do you want a regional manager to today?
Do you want them kicked out and fired?
Hi All
I had a time out last week due to anxiety over every countries political leaders continually making the same mistakes plus my Covid-idiots made me so angry. I was living through Ground Hog Day.
So Week 3 in Lock Down.
We are basically under martial law, Am I bothered – NO
I can no longer go into my garden or outside PERIOD unless to the supermarket /farmacia which has now been designated ( there are 7 local however you MUST shop nearest your home ) and the supermarket’s fresh fruit and vege is not the best. The police check when we leave the urbanisation and we have to show our receipts to confirm we did not drive outside our designated area when we return – AM I bothered – NO
The first available home delivery is in 4 weeks – AM I bothered – NO
Dog walkers can only go 50 meters outside their front door allegedly. Am I bothered – YES the dirty feckers do not clean up their dog poo or tie the poo filled bags to fences.
The repeat Covid-idiots are getting tracked via GPS and fined or imprisoned. YEEEESSSS
The beaches are full of used masks, gloves, plastic bottles due to high winds and no lids on the rubbish bins. Am I bothered – YES however once the madness is over will go and clean them up.
They are disinfecting the streets which is affecting the wild life but is killing the vermin, dogs must wear socks/boots so they do not burn their paws or lick them – I suggest you all buy DOG BOOTS, CAT BOOTS before this starts in your area in around 9/10 days
if they choose to do this in your area.
Are we lowering the curve – YES so I will stay at home.
Keep safe everyone and looking forward to TOP CHEF RECAP as for Tiger King – watched 1st episode and thought Caged Tigers, bad breeding programmes, not interested as will probably lead to dead tigers
I watched Harriet fantastic movie and I am looking at a new show called SELF MADE inspired by Madam C.J. Walker.
I like my little safe bubble, check. in with neighbours/family via WHATS APP and I will connect with the outside world 26th April to confirm if Lock Down restrictions continuing or easing, hoping to be out and about end of May…. Yipppeeee
That sounds horrific, tuatha. But you seem to be handling it well. Props to you.
The selfish bastards make it worse for the rest of us, as usual, but this unprecedented situation brings out those differences in stark relief.
After reading what youāre going though, I cannot complain without feeling Whitney.
Sooo, thanks? Stay strong!
Whiney* š¤¦āāļø
People here are pretty much behaving themselves and staying in. I made a grocery run last weekend. Went to Publix and Trader Joe’s and was able to get everything I needed. Our Publix also had someone at the door wiping down the carts; that must be a chain-wide thing for them. There were people in the store, but it wasn’t overly crowded and everyone was keeping their distance.
A bunch of y’all have talked about your experience at Publix, so I’m going to tell y’all about my experience at Trader Joe’s. I was really impressed with how they were handling it. There were only allowing 30 people in the store at a time, so you had to wait in line to get in. Outside, they had put down lines with that blue painter’s tape every six feet, so you stayed behind your line until it was your turn to move up. It was a long line but moved fast – only took about 10 minutes to get through. Then when it was your turn to go into the store next, you held out your hands and they sprayed them with hand sanitizer. Then they handed you a wiped-down cart. You were allowed to bring in your own shopping bag, but if you did that they asked you to bag your groceries yourself. While inside, they had enough people working that you knew they hadn’t cut anyone’s hours. There were more than enough of them, which meant they had time to have fun – that helped lighten the whole mood. Only every other checkout line was open. Then when you left, they took your cart and wiped it down, and you could hold out your hands for more hand sanitizer if you wanted. I felt like they handled it as well as they possibly could. All of the shoppers complied and were in good spirits as well. While we were waiting in line outside, one woman made everyone say what their one thing was that had made them get out of their houses in the middle of a global pandemic and come stand in line at Trader Joe’s. It was pretty funny hearing everyone’s “must-have” items.
I took groceries to my parents (the main point of my trip out). I sat them down and stepped away, then they stepped up and picked them up wearing rubber gloves. They took them inside and immediately wiped them down with wipes while still wearing the gloves before they put them away. I had brought a bag chair along with me, so I sat that in their yard and they sat on their porch and we had a nice visit at a safe distance. I think it raised all of our spirits.
I am so curious, what is your “must have” item from TJ that made you go out? I finally found a TJ’s that didn’t have a crazy line and got my favorite chicken breakfast links (my muat have). My coworker said that the frozen chocolate croissants are a must. I saw them and picked them up. I did forget my other item that I went for, the raspberry dark chocolate bars. I did get more stuff but those were my must have items.That particular TJ was very organized from the line outside to checking out. There were not that many people in there and I didn’t have to wait in line to check out.
Going to Trader Joe’s is a “special day” thing for me when the weather is nice and the sanity is strong because it is over on the snooty side of the country and a bit of an excursion. I went on the day of the Oscars and bought four or five boxes of their store brand Pita Crackers. I am thrilled to have them during this time. I also love Silver Goat, Goat cheese which they carry. That lasted about a day in this house. I do still have some of their feta. I also always buy flowers and organic coffee. I am not sure what else I buy there but those are the standouts.
I once needed TWO carts to get all my things to the car. That was probably when I used to buy wine there. I manage to spend way too much on these excursions. So they only happen once or twice a year. š
My “must have” was the cauliflower stir-fry. I have been struggling with getting enough vegetables during all of this (I won’t do canned vegetables and don’t like most frozen) because you have to keep going out and getting them, and we’re not supposed to do that. So the cauliflower stir-fry is perfect. I was also shopping for my parents, and their must-have was the Belgian waffles. Of course I left the store with two whole bags of “must-haves”…
Their chocolate croissants are very good, but you have to put them out the night before you want to eat them and let them rise all night, and I never think to do that. The almond croissants are also very good, but same issue.
your open forum story times are so funny. It reminds me of the story time videos I watch on youtube. So hiarlious. Love you! Glad you survived the grocery!
I’m only going to the grocery store for things that Eric demands of me because he’s secretly not so secretly the high-maintenance one. He refuses to drink water from the faucet or bottled water. Only LaCroix. He also likes the frozen fritattas from Trader Joes. I hate going to the grocery store. I feel like if I get Corona anywhere, it’ll be there.
We’ve had takeout for about 95% of our meals.
Good for you Cho! Thanks for keeping all of those restaurants running! It’s a big deal!
Also, when I was at the grocery store last weekend, there was a really little boy there with an older man (Grandpa, maybe?) and all they were buying was a single box of this Entenmann’s mini muffins. That little boy was as happy as he could be hugging that box of muffins to his chest. The older man looked very stressed and was doing his best to keep the little boy from touching or getting close to anything. Can y’all imagine how much that little boy must have worried the hell out of that man before he took him to the store to get those muffins?
Iām in Northern California and thanks to our Governor, weāre going on our 3rd week of sheltering in place and the order has now been extended to May.
Grocery shopping is no joke; empty shelves everywhere! Bread, meat, chicken, frozen veggies and fruits all seem to vanish within minutes of s store opening. Last time I went shopping, I had to go to four different stores just to find āmain ingredientsā like steak or hamburger or chicken breasts. (I can send you pics but donāt know how to include them here.)
Costco lines are snaking around the building and wait times are up to an hour. But folks are applauding them for how efficiently theyāve been handling the situation. Most stores now limit the number of people allowed into a store at any given time so that theyāre not too crowded for appropriate social distancing.
Many stores have instituted Senior Hours where the most vulnerable population can shop without fear of mixing with the general population. Banks and other Essential Services are also monitoring how many people they allow into their building at one time.
Amazon shipments to my area are so overloaded that I still canāt find an open window for delivery even 30 days out. It took me 3 weeks to find toilet paper and sanitizing items. I know you said you donāt use a lot but…just know that when it is time for you to replace your supplies, it might not be all that easy. I have Crohns Disease so I use more than most people do anyway. But waiting three weeks to replenish my supply was beyond frustrating. I ended up staying awake all night (as a night owl, itās easier for me to do it that way) so I could be first in line when our stores opened at 7am. 8 minutes after opening, all supplies were gone.
All local and public parks, tennis courts, volleyball courts, dog parks, recreation areas, childrenās playgrounds are closed and/or locked up. Police tape is being used to rope off slides and swings and rock walls and other things that cannot be locked.
Most public services like banks, pharmacies, nursing homes, etc that are required to remain open will post a person at the door to screen you by asking,
āDo you/Have you had a fever?ā
āDo you have any shortness of breath?ā
āIs anyone in your household sick?ā
āHave you traveled to XYZ countries or been in contact with anyone who has?ā
Once you answer affirmatively, then and only then are you allowed into the building.
Our freeways are virtually empty as only āEssential Personnelā are the ones going to work.
We can walk and hike and bike to keep from going stir crazy but! There is a 5 Mile Rule also in effect; you are not allowed to travel more than 5 miles from your house to get your exercise. They had to put this into policy because people were driving out to beaches and national parks to walk around and in the process, FLOODING them with crowds.
It might sound restrictive but most of us are actually comforted to know that, in spite of the Cheetoh in Charge, we are actually DOING something to slow the spread of the virus.
Please stay safe and stay informed! Especially since it sounds like your Governor isnāt quite as informed as he should be.
Love to you and Banjo!
I felt every bit of this. I, too, went to Publix yesterday. Not very busy. But completely panicking in a mask silently. No gloves. Had a white wash clothes and spray bleach picking up and wiping every single thing as I put in cart. I never saw my bleach OCD issues extending to Publix… but here I am. And I know me so there is no turning back. This will be me every future trip ever to Publix.
Just reminiscing on this experience yesterday is taxing. Thatās all.
Barbra Streisand has released a song/video to Trump called Don’t Lie To Me. It made me cry which I think I needed. It’s on youtube.
Georgia governor only called a stay at home yesterday because he says he didn’t know asymptomatic people could spread the virus. Le sigh.
i have been alternating between that Publix, the big new Kroger and the Num Dae Mun… none have toilet paper. Also discovered today that all the Suntrust branches are closed.. ugh. But on the bright side Kroger had everything I needed today, which was nice as I’m pretty much a snack machine with the kids home. Waiting to see what the new shelter in place guidelines are and thankful that the kids can run outside in the yard!
I kind of implied that my peeps down here were being irresponsible. Theyāre not. I live in a place where there are at least 5 military bases and several shipyards. They are considered essential along with all of the supporting businesses. I would say 90% are acting responsibly and then you always have that 10%.
Today I am thankful that I already went through the meno-crazy because I would be certifiable right now if I was still in it. Iām just regular crazy and thatās still less sane than most. But, I donāt have to worry about braving the world to get tampax. That would really suck.
Never has menopause been such a blessing! Before my hysterectomy, I was bleeding 3 weeks out of 4. Spending a small fortune on tampons, pads, sleeping pads. No adult diapers, way too expensive!
I love Publix! My sister in law is a manager with them. They are a fantastic company to work for, the employees own the company.
I wish we had Publix out here in California. My main, and closest, store is Trader Joeās. On one side of a street, we have TJ and Sprouts. On the other side, WalMart and CVS. Itās about a 3-minute drive. All the food and Rx we need in one trip. Cigarettes for friends too. THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR PEOPLE TO QUIT SMOKING!
I must be weird (well, we all knew that already) because I have no fear of catching the virus. I take precautions, but I wear my train-robber bandana for other people, not me. As IJC pointed out, this is NOT TB. It is in droplets, not airborne. Do not let anyone close enough to sneeze on you. Wash your hands before and after going outside. SOAP, not alcohol or sanitizer is best. Sanitizer is for when there is no soap or water available.
And a special message for Lala: The worst outbreak in Sacramento is 71 people from one church. Donāt think you know what āyourā God has planned. It seems you have forgotten YOUR place. There are others ABOVE YOU.
@ Nanette : I am on the same page with you RE: LALA
Nanette, my Goddaughter is an ICU nurse here at a Trauma 1 hospital in Broward County. Covid-19 is hitting smokers the worst. Also those with COPD and asthma.
Now is indeed the time to quit.
I am so thankful that I kept a N95 mask that my coworker gave me a couple of years ago. Plus my aunt sent me a mask as well. I gave that one to a friend of mine who is still working outside the home and that has a compromised immune system (cancer). It is so hard to find masks here in Los Angeles. I have been looking for the Procedural Face Masks which are impossible to find. I finally had to order some reusable/washable masks on Amazon. They should be here next week. Most of the masks and gloves online are not available until May. A friend of mine in Spain cannot find gloves. I offered to send him some but he informed me that the Postal service has been halted for now. I can’t even help me, which is frustrating. It;s been interesting to see who are friends who are trying to help one another and those who are acting like this is the Hunger Games. I have a few people who are not trying to help anyone except themselves and are hoarding. They are now no longer friends.
We have been dealing with this for almost a month, I dont go out much, only to pharmacy, grocery store and walmart for cat food once a week. You get used to having the gloves and mask in the car and donning them before you go outside. People dont get the 6 foot distance at first but are getting better. I am the kind of person who would walk into a next aisle to avoid passing someone in the aisle I want to be in.
Also my husband was diagnosed with Covid today, he is in the hospital and I am freaking out a little. I cant go see him. This illness is no fucking joke.
So Sorry, Ingrid. Hang tough.
News says alcohol sales are up. No kidding. I went out a few days ago for some groceries. Pollen levels are high, so I’m sneezing and coughing and thinking I have it. Mask and gloves on. No fever, but that doesn’t mean I’m not spreading it.