I used to love going on grocery trips. Besides working out in the morning, it was one of the highlights of my day. No thanks to COVID-19 daily trips to the market to scout new and exciting ingredients for dinner are no longer an option. Since the pandemic, I’ve been stocking up on essentials and praying that I don’t miss anything on my list. Just thinking about going out into public gives me a little bit of a panic attack.
The first few weeks of sheltering in place was not that scary at all. I live in a sleepy little beach town in Florida where I still run into my kindergarten teacher and chat like we saw each other last week. I limited myself to running to get supplies about once a week, maybe twice if I couldn't find the items on my list. Although certain goods were low, the essentials were always available even if it were a different brand than I usually purchased. I came home, thoroughly washed my hands and all was well with the world.
As time progressed, so did the severity of the pandemic. Each shopping trip was becoming more and more stressful. What I used to find relaxing and meditative now turned into a war zone. It was me versus my thoughts about everyone else I was coming into contact with as I was shopping for the items I needed.
Each day I checked on the status of the pandemic in my county as well as look for updates from the CDC. The day finally came when the CDC recommended wearing a mask out in public. So I did what any other responsible human would do. I pulled out my vintage silk scarf and tied it on my face like a couture bandit. Armed with hand sanitizer and make shift mask I set out for my bounty. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. Neh I KNOW I looked ridiculous, but this is the world in which we now lived.
Dreading another supply run, I ate down almost everything I had in my fridge and freezer and prepared myself to go into battle, ugh I mean go run to resupply. Silk scarf wrapped around my face, my mission was to make three stops. First to the family owned market, second the wholesale store and finally to the chain supermarket. I felt ready ...or so I thought. Interestingly enough, I didn’t realize how much having a mask would affect my shopping experience besides the social awkwardness. Not only was it very hot under the bandana, I could no longer see anything below my nose.
On My first stop I walked right into a case of wine. Already awkward and making a commotion, I went very SLOWLY making sure not to knock into the displays in the center of the aisle. The butcher actually recognized me and we had a friendly conversation. It was nice to chat, but incredibly awkward to exchange pleasantries through face coverings. On a trip that would normally take maybe only 30 minutes now took me an hour.
On to the next stop. At the wholesale store I was one of the ONLY people with a mask making me feel that much more self conscience than I already was. Luckily for me this was a short 20 minute trip. There were only a few bulk items that I needed and thankfully all were in stock. The store was rather empty and easy to navigate. I wrapped up quickly and headed to my last destination.
At the supermarket I was pleasantly surprised to find almost the whole store stocked with goods, with the exception of toilet paper of course. Moving as fast as possible down the isles, I gathered what I needed and fought against the urges to buy crackers, crackers, and more crackers. Refrain Julia! . Once crackers enter the basket so does Manchego, Iberico, or Asiago cheese followed by the wine and then it’s all over folks. I managed to stay on the spirit path (although I did buy organic strawberry ice cream) and get home. I will spare you the details of wiping down everything I brought home with bleach water, but I will say it was another hour long process. That night I had a glass of wine and a long hot bath.
I’m stocked up on goods for at least another nine days and it will all be too soon before I make another trip like my last. There still seems to be a lack of severity of the pandemic in this small beach town. Most people were not wearing protection while in public. Today upon my daily status check I discovered that my town had a D+ rating for social distancing!!! No kidding. My only plight to these people is to please take heed and follow protocol so that we can all stay well. And we can all go back to normal grocery shopping trips and I can put my couture silk scarf on only for fashion, not for protection. To be continued….
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