Today I ventured out to the supermarket for the first time since the lockdown and introduction of social distancing measures. Fionnuala suggested this would be ‘good experience’ and handed me a list of items to purchase. I’m anxious when tasked by my wife at the best of times so this was a particularly challenging event. Armed with said list and debit card I drove out of our village for the first time in over a month! How time flies.
Thankfully I could still drive a car and made it safely to the supermarket. Driving along the main street I observed how few shops were open. A greengrocers, a pet shop, hardware store, but the town was eerily quiet. I parked outside the supermarket and noticed a handful of fellow shoppers wearing masks and latex gloves. Nobody batted an eyelid at them. A month ago they would have been carted off to the nearest secure psychiatric facility.
I had to queue outside the store, two metres behind the lady in front of me, before a staff member indicated I could enter. Inside, gloves and hand sanitizers were available for customers and a one way system was in operation. Shoppers kept their distance and I complied as well, despite my dubious trolley steering skills. The shelves were well stocked and I was able to pick up everything on the list within ten minutes.
At the checkout the cashier sat behind a perspex screen and I paid by card, thus avoiding any physical contact or risk of cross contamination. I left the store and returned to the car park via a circuitous route which kept me away from people still queuing to enter. It was all very organised and calm; no scenes of feral women wrestling on the ground over the last roll of toilet roll. There is plenty for everyone; this weird new world has become our norm.
Black Thoughts 
So, was your list ‘in order’ to save you doubling back (and crashing into the person behind)? If so, respect to Fionnuala. 👍👍 Our ‘supermarket’ is not so organised to have a one system (and nor is my shopping). I go hither and thither, up and down different aisles, to avoid being anywhere near the (max) dozen or so people in the shop and wait ‘patiently’ (sometimes) when someone is trying to make a decision about which this or that to buy. If only everyone had such wonderful lists! 😊
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Yes, her list was idiot proof and I muddled through 😂
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Today I went to my local dollar store for the first time since getting the virus 15 days ago. It was a sunny day, too! It felt so good.
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Hope you’re feeling better soon 😊
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Weird world indeed. Couldn’t have imagined it 2 months ago.
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Definitely not
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I have panic attacks at supermarkets under normal circumstances. I really struggle with this now.
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Hopefully we all get back to normal one day 🙂
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Some items are still hard to come by around here. They do limit some things although some medium chain stores like Dollar General are more flexible on some items.
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Hope you are able to find everything you need.
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That is one clean, well organized store! It’s like that around here too on the south side of the island – gloves and 6’ apart, and you get the stink eye if not wearing a mask. On the north end (with a different demographic) hardly anyone wears a mask and people are outside enjoying life, just staying farther apart from each other, not gathering in groups and washing hands a bit more often. There are definitely some different schools of thought on display.
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That’s interesting. Where do you live?
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Whidbey Island, Washington state, USA
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It’s a part of the world I’d love to visit one day 🙂
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Likewise! I feel at one with you guys regarding both the virus turmoil and your northern latitude weather. Take care
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I’m glad you stayed safe while shopping. I had to go to Wal-Mart and Winn-Dixie (shopping centers a few times), I followed the guidelines and got what I needed.
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I love Walmart!
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So you’re not going to admit you weren’t disappointed about not seeing feral women? 😂
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*you were disappointed* I mean
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Possibly 😂
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Hey, Stephen, it’s me! Thanks for the follow 🙂 I received your book the other day and I’m looking forward to settling into your story. The first chapter is an intriguing vignette 🙂 Great detail and foreshadowing. Have a great weekend x
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Hi Melanie. That’s great to hear. I hope you enjoy the rest as much. Please keep me updated as to your progress 🙂
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