I've tried to not write about it but I find that I seem to have a need to express my feelings in these very strange days in which we are living. The speed of the growth of this thing is almost unreal. A little over a week ago there were around 100,000 cases worldwide. There are today more than 500,000 worldwide. If you are interested in tracking it you can do so here: Covid-19 Global Cases No, I'm not trying to scare anyone but I genuinely find it interesting to see this map and learn a little of the scientific side of this.
I live in the suburbs of Kansas City and we have seen the number of cases triple in less than a week. We were under voluntary "stay at home" recommendations. Well, that is history now. As of the first of this week we are under "orders" to stay home and isolate except for going to the grocery store, pharmacy, or medical office. There is even a phone number people can use to report persons not following this order and there can be a fine or even jail time for breaking it. The police are not going around looking for isolation breakers but have the rules there to prevent large groups of people from gathering. Not that there would be anywhere to go as all the theaters, restaurants, bars, etc. etc. are closed.
I have plenty of jobs and hobbies to keep me busy so I do okay staying home. We do need certain basics in groceries but we did not want to go out and empty the store shelves like some have done. That is not fair to others that are shopping. We figured it was safer to go out in the early days of all this, so we set up a plan to go to the store once a week starting three weeks ago. Each trip we bought more than we normally would buy but we did not overdo it. This morning was our last trip out for awhile. We worked out a pretty good system for our shopping. The stores open an hour early for people over 60 and those with health problems. We tried that last week and the size of the crowd was ridiculous. So today we went early but one hour after the early opening. It worked out well as there were not many people in the store. When we got home we followed the guidelines about handling our groceries. We brought them all in and put the bags on our kitchen table and then washed our hands. We then unbagged everything and wiped down what grocery items we could with sanitiser wipes. This may sound silly but this is what authorities have recommended we do. I then put the groceries away and cleaned the table and all the surfaces in the kitchen. I am also cleaning door knobs, light switches and such every day. With a careful trip out once a week for the past three weeks, I feel like we are now stocked up enough to do fine for over a month if necessary. I may take a solitary walk around the neighborhood or we might even take a drive in the country if we feel the need to go out. Other than that, we are now in to stay and will avoid all public places.
So much has happened and we have to take precautions. It won't last forever but I think there will be some permanent changes as a result of all this. How are you doing with all these changes in our world?
I've just posted this in a comment at Joanne's blog (Cup on the Bus) and will post here too - an article from The Guardian explaining how soap and water inactivates the virus by breaking down its fatty membrane:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/the-science-of-soap-%e2%80%93-heres-how-it-kills-the-coronavirus/ar-BB11Hks9?li=AAggV0S&ocid=mailsignoutmd
If folks are still seeing empty shelves where the alcohol, hand sanitizer, wipes and bleach used to be, this article is reassuring in that it explains that soap and water is just as good at rendering the virus inactive. Hopefully everybody has soap. I find knowing the science behind these things is very helpful as well. It sounds like you and your husband are well-prepared and sensible, and that is a great way for us all to do our part in stopping the spread of this illness.
I thought I would be able to blog exclusively about other things, too, but then I realized some of the things I wanted to write about might be helpful to others as well as helping me to process it all, so I understand your feelings very well. I think it helps everybody to have a way to process it; it would be weird to not mention it at all since it's affecting everyone. Sometimes I have to pull back from reading about it, but after a break I am ready to read more. Knowledge is safety, in my opinion.
Thank you for the link, it is a good article. We have even had a little trouble finding hand soap! The last I found was the very last bottle in that store. We only have one bottle of hand sanitiser and are reserving that for when or if we do have to go out. I keep a small bottle in my purse we can use when not around water.
DeleteI was trying to not blog about all this too much but then I realized that reading other's blogs about it helped me to not feel so alone. We are all in the same situation and it is one that we've never been in before, so it helps to share. I like to see how others are dealing with it and maybe get ideas from them on better ways to handle things.
You are correct when you say knowledge is safety. Learning and following the safe recommendations is our best way of fighting this. It also helps to have people to share our thoughts with too.
When I have to go to the store, I go early. I had to go to Walmart to pick up a prescription and got a few things while there. I wasn't out of milk and bread but did get some just in case. I won't let Roger go in the stores...he doesn't fuss but at first could not comprehend why not.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing with this, we are doing better with getting leftovers eaten...
It's funny you say that about leftovers! We have become much better about eating all leftovers and not wasting anything. The longer we can get our food to stretch the better right now. We are hoping we have finally gotten enough food in reserve to not go to the store for several weeks. The number of virus cases in our immediate area has been increasing very quickly and since we are in our late 60s I'm becoming uneasy about going to the store at all. I could go a long time on a few groceries but my husband is a big eater so I have to maintain enough for him.
DeleteYou and Roger be careful!
I thought about the early hours, then decided I wouldn't get up that early for anything. Now I'm hearing that I did OK with that call. Cleaning everything is not going to please me a bit, but it is what it is. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the early hours! I hate going out early. Today we went about an hour after the early opening and it was not bad at all. (still earlier that I'd prefer going!) The cashier told us when they first opened there was a huge crowd lined up at the door. That can't be good for anyone to have people crowded at the door like that.
DeleteToday is the first time I have cleaned all the groceries. At first I thought is was extreme but then I saw an official giving that recomendation on the news. This particular virus lives for such a long time on surfaces and that is scary to me. You stay safe too Joanne.
I wish the rest of us could be as meticulous as you are in cleaning your grocery items.
ReplyDeleteWell, today is the first time I've done that Red. They have actually been recommending on the news that we do that since the virus lives for so long on surfaces. Plus we have been seeing a big increase in the number of cases in our area this week. I am going to try and stay away from the store now as long as we can get things to last.
DeleteYou and the Micro Manager take care and be safe!
I should be cleaning grocery items after unpacking them. I didn't think of it until recently, but I've been carefully washing my hands and changing my clothes after running out to the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about not rereading The Stand right now! Reality these days is actually scarier than a Stephen King novel.
I'm glad to hear that you're doing well and staying as safe as possible.
As I told Red, this is the first time I've cleaned the grocery items but it has been recommended here to do that. We've seen such an increase in the number of the cases here that I'm not even going to go to the store any more until I absolutely have to. I hope we are stocked up enough to last a few weeks, but we'll see.
DeleteI usually love Stephen King novels but I think I'll be reading a different author for awhile now!
You and your husband take care and be safe!
I only leave my apartment to check mail and bring out trash to the dumpster. When I get back I wash my hands and my keys--LOL! But I don't go out and have no visitors. Not even my cleaning girl for now and don't see McFamily. We do video calls here and there. I'm not worried about regular mail as I don't go get the mail till evening and they say the virus won't live more than a few hours on paper. Packages sit in the pantry for a day or two. If there's something inside that I can wipe down, I do. That's as safe as I can possibly get--LOL!
ReplyDeleteCases are on the rise in our country and we don't even have enough test kits to know what the numbers really are. Plus there's no federal guidance. They're leaving it up to the states to do what they want and some have done nothing...so then individual companies and school districts, etc, have had to make the decisions themselves. Chaotic. No federal help for supplies for medical help. It does seem like a bad movie. Will get worse before it gets better.
Eventually there will be a vaccine--in another year to year and a half. But in the meantime...makes you wonder how this is all going to play out. Most people are going to survive, that we know. The entire world is going to be pretty much broke and things are going to shift a lot. Humans are very adaptable and inventive. But it is going to get really rough for a while.
Yes, this is difficult to see, both from a medical viewpoint and from a financial. I think there will be permanent changes even when the worst of it is past us. I'm glad to hear you are being safe and not seeing anyone. You've had enough medical problems and certainly don't need anymore! I bet those grand boys love the video calls! Please take good care Rita.
DeleteAll your measures sound sensible, you are being very cautious about wiping down your groceries etc.
ReplyDeleteMy local supermarket has new rules in place: Only a limited number of shopping trolleys are provided, and one is NOT allowed to enter without a trolley. That is one way to keep numbers down. Also, there is a person at the entrance, counting the number of people going in and stopping them if there are too many in the store already. So far, I have always found what I wanted, with the exception of fresh spinach. Of course, for one person, there is not that much I need.
O.K. is coming for the weekend. We both feel well and have no close contact with anyone else, plus he comes by car (not risking infection on public transport like it would be for me if I were to travel to him), so we think we are still acting responsibly.
My Mum and Dad are doing well in finding more and more home delivery sources, such as their favourite butcher's who also has a good selection of cheese and salads. Usually, they offer party catering, now they deliver to anyone - a good way for them to keep the business going, and a relief for those who, like my parents, should avoid the shops.
Your store has a brilliant solution for limiting the number of shoppers in the store! By limiting the shopping carts it almost does it for them. We were going to the store once a week but I am hoping we can now stay away for some time as we are both older and have some high risk health issues. However, each time we did go there were basic items we were not able to find. And of course toliet paper is still not available! I'm glad we had a little in reserve.
DeleteI am so happy for both you and O.K. that your individual situations still allow for you to get together on weekends. That has to make a huge difference for both of you to have that to look forward to. Since he is driving, you both are healthy and not around any other people it seems fine for you to get together.
I am glad also your parents are doing well and have sources that can deliver groceries. As we see more cases in our area I am becoming afraid to go to the store so I just hope we have stored up enough for now. I am hoping we can get a source for milk but I'm still checking on that.
Please take care and enjoy your weekend with O.K.!
Sounds like you are doing the same things as we are. Pray too!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are trying to do what we can with the situations we have to deal with. I think about you and Far Guy a lot as I know it is particularly critical that he be protected from this. I know it has to be an additional strain on you and I am always amazed at how well you handle everything. Yes, prayers are not forgotten and I always have a special one for you two!
DeleteThe police in some counties here are telling people not to drive from home unless for shopping etc - they say it is not essential travel to drive into the countryside to go for a walk or other exercise. Evidently they are concerned that car accidents could bring people into close contact.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an important point Tasker. This is a particularly bad time for car accidents. As far as I know it is still okay where I live to drive to the country and also to public trails as long as people are not grouped together. I would not be surprised to see this changed but it has not yet. I do expect to see stricter rules soon as we are seeing more cases in the area and the governer has called the National Guard into action here.
DeleteIn northern England, as my fellow Yorkshireman Lord Tasker of Cleckheaton says, the cops are starting to clamp down on people like me who like to walk in the countryside. It's just plain spiteful and an unnecessary re-interpretation of the somewhat hazy regulations. Yet it's okay for horse riders and cyclists to go galloping or speeding about. They might have accidents too!
ReplyDeleteIt does not seem that solitary walking could be a problem. Have you been stopped on any of your walks? Maybe you could claim you are walking to the store for groceries. I believe food shopping is permissable everywhere - so far!
DeleteHi, Bonnie. First time commenting on your blog. I agree 100% with you on this, it's awful how the world has changed, and... pretty fast, too. Hope it changes back. Soon. For the better, of course. Also, hope to see you around, girl!
ReplyDeleteInteresting web site you have there. No doubt you are increasing your pageviews.
DeleteAn interesting post Bonnie. I won't leave a long comment as we have been in touch today over at my post and you know what my thoughts are, stay indoors! Thank you for coming over to talk to me regularly, I much appreciate it. xxx
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and I especially enjoy keeping up with you.xxx
DeleteHanging in there and making the best of it. Trips to the grocery store are only interactions with the public and we are trying to go on adventures that take us far away from the public. As much as I want to think it's going to get better, I still believe we haven't seen the worst of it yet. Stay safe, take care and thanks for your comments on my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Mr. Shife. I agree with you, I don't think we have seen the worst yet. This could be a rough summer. You have kids at home and I have to think that is difficult for both them and you and your wife. Your adventures out sound great and a good way for everyone to get fresh air and exercise. You and your family take care too.
DeleteI need the weather to cooperate to let us get out on those adventures. The saying goes that we have 11 seasons in Idaho, https://www.facebook.com/BoiseBull/posts/1114840408698217
DeleteIn the words of the song..."It's a strange world we live in, Master Jack!"
ReplyDeleteWe'll fight through this...with common sense and resilience.
Take good care, Bonnie. :)
Yes, we are capable of a lot - with common sense and resilience! This is quite a test for us all. You take care too Lee.
DeleteIt seems we are doing the same as you here in England Bonnie. I shop locally by myself once a week - walking to the shops. When I get home I let the shopping sit a while on the counter top and then I wipe everything with a cloth saturated in antibacterial spray before putting it away and then I spray the counter top and wipe down again. I am continually washing my hands that now look very old indeed! x
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing when we see all the changes that have taken place in the past few weeks. I never thought I would be wiping down all my groceries like that but that is the current recommendation. My hands are looking awful too with all the washing and use of antibacterial cleaners. I'm using lotion but my hands soak it up like a sponge!x
DeleteI Love the Teddy Bear Idea and the one dressed in Scrubs! I have to do the Monthly Shopping thing since all 3 of us are Medically Fragile and it would be too risky to go more often... who knew Grocery Shopping would become Dangerous?! I used to enjoy Grocery Shopping and now I Dread it... and try to get in and get out quickly and not be near anyone, so am Mindful of where ALL the people are at in the Store, it's very Paranoid inducing!
ReplyDeleteI love the Teddy Bear in the window trend and I have kept a Teddy Bear in a window almost every day. I figure if it gives even one child a smile it will have done it's job. I never did like grocery shopping but now I really don't like it. It should not be frightening in that way to simply buy your food. We are both 67 and have medical issues that make us high-risk also. I tried the early morning hour that is reserved for high risk people and I think that may be the worst time to go due to the number of people. We have found that a couple of hours after the store opens seems to be the best time here.
DeleteHi Bonnie! Hubby and I did the same back a few weeks and started to buy more than normal but not take everything. Though, honestly, our stores are doing excellent jobs staying stocked. No one store has everything but many of our stores have plenty to go around. I am thankful. That said, we no longer go once per week and are now living off what we already bought. This includes making homemade dog food.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I work from home anyway and this is my Happy Place. Hubby still has to go out five days per week, for now. When he gets home, All clothes go into the wash and he showers.
I love the teddy bears, that's so fun.
Cheers and boogie boogie, Ivy
How nice to hear your stores are able to stay well stocked. I think grocery shopping has become one of the big challenges these days. That's great you are able to make your own dog food.
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