I haven’t been writing much because I felt like I didn’t have much to write about. But today, maybe I do.
I haven’t really been around people for about 3 weeks now (I started physical distancing before it was made mandatory). The last time I was at the grocery store was probably about 3 weeks ago. I got takeout at a local restaurant a few times since then to keep my tummy happy for dinner. The last time I drove anywhere was Monday (today it’s Friday).
I had told myself that I wasn’t going to go out. A few days ago I asked my neighbor to pick up my prescription for me next time she went to the supermarket.
But then last night I had a nightmare about going to the supermarket. So I decided to ‘be brave’ and go get my prescription, plus some other stuff, all by myself!
Yesterday I watched a video about how to get your (possibly contaminated) groceries into your house safely.
Here’s the link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjDuwc9KBps&fbclid=IwAR3zjSqpJdXqAbsO3XN4_N0NIkKUh314nmyWGW7uP3Mpz6ETlGHjO6zz_6o
I also checked Google for my supermarket to see when the busiest hours are during the day. Early morning is the least crowded time. The pharmacy there opens at 9am so I left the house about 8:40. Passed a gas station – nobody there. Saw some cars on the road, no biggie.
Got to the supermarket. Parking lot pretty empty. Walked in, grabbed a few disinfectant wipes and grabbed a carry basket after wiping the handles and the interior. Kept one wipe on the handles where I was holding it.
Produce area was being restocked and I found everything I needed. I got one of the vegetable bags and put it over my right hand. People were pretty much keeping their distance except for one lady who was yakking on her phone not paying close attention. But as soon as she saw movement out of the corner of her eye, she turned to me and smiled, and went the long way around me.
Pretty much found everything I was looking for, and got my prescription. I used my bagged hand to pick up everything I wanted and to hit the buttons during checkout. I bagged things according to category so I could methodically clean them when I got home (plastic bags or otherwise wipable items in one bag, fresh veggies in another bag). If you watch the video I shared the link for, you’ll see how to do it. I had previously put my supermarket and debit cards in my pocket so I wouldn’t have to futz with my wallet. Cash back? No thank you!
On the way home I decided to stop for gas. I had brought some plastic bags with me, so I took off the gas cap with my unbagged hand, then put the bag on to hit the buttons and grab the pump handle. When I was done pumping and pressing buttons I dropped the bag in the trash. Put the cap back on, and came home.
Walked the grocery bags to my sliding glass door on my deck (which accesses the kitchen). Walked back around to the front door, took my shoes off at the bottom of the steps and walked in in my socks.
Washed my hands for the requisite 20 seconds. Since I have been unable to find wipes (although, today I forgot to look for them) I have been using paper towels saturated with 409. So, got my paper towel and started wiping away. Once something was wiped down I put it on the kitchen counter or in the fridge, depending on where it needed to be. Gave the limes and avocados a nice bath. The other veggies got a thorough rinsing and are in a clean container not touching anything. I never used to wash my produce (I know – bad!)
Took my cards out of my pocket and wiped them down.
Since UV ‘kills’ the virus, I hung the plastic bags on the laundry line in the sun.
Went and got my shoes and sprayed the bottoms with 409. This was probably overkill 🙂
Washed my hands again. And am now washing the clothes I was wearing since it was time to do laundry anyway.
I’m glad I went out. It made things seem ‘normal.’ (other than the yellow tape on the floor showing people how far apart 6 feet is and other tell-tale signs of pandemic safety.)
But going out made me feel better. I could see that the world hasn’t changed. It’s just different now.