We have discovered that shopping these days is certainly different with all the Covid precautions. Up until this week the only shopping we have done has been for groceries. In our area all the other stores opened this week but we learned it is not at all the same shopping now as it was pre-Covid.
Our printer went out on us and we thought it would be nice to support a local electronics business instead of just ordering one online. We picked one out on the store's website and checked if it was in stock locally. The website said it was indeed in stock so Tom drove down to the store to buy it. When he went to the store's entrance (wearing a mask) he was told he had to have an appointment to come in and someone would escort him to whatever he wanted to buy. They could not let him in then, but made him an appointment a couple of hours later. Just to be safe he asked them to double check if they had that printer in stock. It turns out they did not, so no appointment was needed. He came home and we ordered it online. I would say it might be good advice to call and check with any business before you go! We should have done that and did not. I know it must be quite difficult to try and operate any kind of a business right now and I do feel for them and understand they are trying to be safe. There are many local regulations for businesses especially regarding how many can be in the store at one time.
My dentist office opened up this week too and I have an appointment for my checkup next week. I understand there are many precautions for any kind of a medical/dental visit right now. I have already received two emails about the coming visit and then today they called me with instructions. When I go I am to sit in my car and call them when I arrive. They will tell me when I can go inside and of course I should wear a mask. I have a feeling there will be much more once I go inside. I would guess a temperature check and a list of questions to answer. I am a little nervous about going to the dentist right now but I don't want to cancel my appointment as they are not easy to get. I'm glad they are taking precautions but it is something for us to all get used to.
Now that more businesses and services are beginning to open I have a feeling we are all going to have to learn a whole new way of shopping and doing most anything else in public. I'm not complaining. I'm glad they are being safe but there will be a learning curve for all these changes. Has anyone else discovered many different ways of doing the everyday things we used to do? Our world is certainly changing.
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| I didn't have any pictures today so added Sophie & Zeus baby pictures! |
These kitty photos melt my heart! So sweet. I've had one dr.'s office appt. and also had to go into the hospital lab. It is all different and a little frightening. I mostly limit my outings to grocery store only for now. We've had an unusually cool/wet spring but the hot temps are coming. I dislike the heat!!! Hope you have a nice evening.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the heat! I love the Spring and Fall when we can have the windows open. Medical appointments have really changed haven't they? I do appreciate that they are trying to keep everyone safe though.
DeleteAw! Nice picture to finish with. I would love to visit a dentist as a rear filling fell out and I have mild pain on the other side. I know I could get an appointment at an emergency dentist but is this an emergency? Have a nice weekend Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sorry to hear about your tooth problems. I would say if you are in pain it is an emergency. Something like that could easily get much worse and it might be easier to take care of it now. Good luck with it! You have a good weekend too!
DeleteGreat idea to end with kittens. They're especially welcome nowadays when we're all adapting and adapting.
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't have any pictures for this post but I know I always like to see pet pictures on other blogs!
DeleteI've been to the dentist, and it is as you were instructed. Inside, questions, temp, sanitizer and walk to the chair. Then we exited by a different door. I suppose not every office will be able to maintain one way traffic. Saw no one except the hygienist and the dentist.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience Joanne. I imagine they want me to stay in the car in case someone else is in the waiting room maybe? I think a lot of things are going to be different for a long time.
DeleteYes, I've met up with different procedures. One thing that bothers me is the inconsistency. Some places are very well set up and others are a disaster.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Red. I have seen that inconsistency too. I know this has to be difficult for the businesses but since they are all following a set of rules you would expect more places to have a similar set up.
DeleteAmen!
DeleteAww, those baby pictures are just so sweet! What pretty kittens (who grew up to be pretty cats).
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we all have to learn to adapt right now. The good thing is that we're not alone. Everybody is under the same kind of stress and process of learning. And as you pointed out, it's not easy for businesses either. I expect they are getting abuse from some customers or patients. I do hope most people are being patient, as you and your husband have been. All the new procedures are going to mean businesses will be making less income, too - for example, if there's only one patient in the dental office at one time, and they are sanitizing between appointments, it will greatly reduce their ability to make a living.
I haven't been anywhere yet except the grocery store and Walmart and I'm feeling a bit apprehensive what it's going to feel like when other businesses finally open up.
Good luck with your dental appointment! Hope all goes well.
I do feel bad for the businesses. I spent many years when I was young in the retail business and then almost twenty years in a medical office and I know that both can be difficult under good circumstances. Now with all the Covid restrictions I just can't imagine what it must be for them. And you are right, they can't possibly make as much money with the restrictions.
DeleteMy dental appointment is just a checkup but I am a bit nervous about any possible exposure even though I know they are taking all kinds of precautions. Have a good weekend!
My yes--things have changed, I guess. Sounds like calling ahead is the plan now.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to let us know how it is going to the dentist. Going to be strange I would think.
Has been beautiful here the past couple of days, too. Just perfect! :)
Yes, we definitely have to get in the habit of calling ahead. We've only recently started occasionally getting take out food again and we've found differences in how that operates. Just about everything we've seen is handled differently these days. The world has changed.
DeleteSweet, sweet little baby kitties! Could you resist cuddling them for more than a few minutes when they were little?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit different over here, but many things are similar. The advice to check out things by phone beforehand (instead of relying on information on the website of any business right now) definitely applies here, too - from opening times to what might or might not be in stock.
I've been to the hairdresser's (finally!), and it was not much fun, but soooo necessary; also, I am glad to support my neigbhour who owns and runs the small salon round the corner from my house, now that they are finally allowed to open again.
The door was unlocked for me and locked behind me again; I had to wear my mask all the time, even while my hair was being washed; there was no coffee or water as usual; the chairs (at the wash basin and the one at the mirror) were washed down with soap every time a customer got up; there were only three customers allowed at the same time; everything took a lot longer and was rather awkward, so I was very relieved when I was finished.
Shopping is not much fun these days, either; I don't like the way many other customers are not taking care of keeping the minimum distance, and some are wearing their masks only over their mouths, leaving their nose free.
No, I could not resist cuddling those babies when they were little and I still do today too!
DeleteThanks for sharing about your trip to the hairdresser's. I have not done that yet but I really need to get my hair cut. I do feel sorry for all the workers in every business. It seems like there is so much more work for them now with all the extra cleaning and all. It does sound like it is much more tiring rather than relaxing to get your hair done now.
I still have only gone to the grocery store but Tom has gone to a couple of other stores. Around here only a portion of the people wear masks, usually the older ones like us. I have seen people covering only their mouth as you said. I wonder if they don't understand the whole purpose of the mask?
The main thing we have learned so far is to always call ahead because there seem to be different ways to handle things and many more places do require appointments.
I took my car to be serviced last week. Anyone would think they were the dentists the palaver I had to go through.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is scared these days. If they are not scared of Covid they are scared of the possible lawsuit they could get from not following all the reglations. Or maybe they are scared of the business getting shutdown. I know over here if a business does not follow the rules they can be shut down.
DeleteI can see keeping the distance from people and wearing a mask but servicing the car should not require an extensive amount of precautions. We just can't know what to expect these days but if it keeps people safe that is the important thing.
Yes...everything has and is changing..our way of doing certain things etc. This sure has given us a lot to think about.
ReplyDeleteAnything I can't buy here locally, I buy online. For me I find it so much easier, and less of a hassle to do so, rather than having to drive down to the hectic pace of the Gold Coast. Delivery to my door suits me just fine...plus the delivery times are pretty good...not a lot of waiting...three or four days...maybe more sometimes...but never too long.
I love that pic of the cats...how beautiful! :)
Keep taking good care, Bonnie. :)
We usually buy most of our things online too but in this case we were intentionally trying to give some business to a local shop. It just didn't work out. I am afraid this is going to put a lot of places out of business.
DeleteYou take care too Lee!
ReplyDeleteI wish life were as simple for us as it is for those kittens!
My dad used to say wish in one hand and spit in the other and see what you get the most of.
There were so many old phrases like that in the past! You still hear some but not as often. You and the Mrs. take good care RWP!
DeleteLike Joanne, I went to the dentist last week for a rescheduled checkup/cleaning. She (dentist) is only allowing in one patient at a time and is alternating days between those who need dental work and patients who only need to see the hygienist. Wore a mask, had a temp check, two sets of questions marked off separate papers (assuming health dept requires they complete them) and must let them know if I get sick within 14 days of the visit. Both the dentist and hygienist were fully covered in scrubs and not only wearing masks but also hard face shields. When cleaning the teeth, a new, small flat device was placed in the opposite side of my mouth from where the brushing was taking place. Was a bit loud when turned on, but told it reduces dental aerosols. They clean every surface they can between patients and they change out their PPE clothing before leaving the office (putting it in a scrub bag which they take home and immediately wash) and they also scrub down the floors each night You can imagine how all this has impacted their work. The hygienist alone had over 240 appointments to reschedule from the lock down and now everything takes so much more time. God bless em. Good luck with your visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, it is good to see you back! I appreciate hearing about your trip to the dentist. I am expecting something like you have described here but I have never heard of the little thing made to reduce aerosols. It makes sense if it works. I do feel sorry for all the workers having so much more to have to do aside from their regular job. Before I retired I worked front desk in a medical office and I have to say I am sure glad I'm retired now!
DeleteYou take care of yourself Mary.
Your cats are pretty darn cute. Yes it will be interesting navigating this new world of ours. I just hope folks are a little more patient as we are all trying to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteWe learned one thing for sure - call ahead before you go anywhere because the rules can be different in different places. And yes, we all need to be patient - both the workers in the stores and those of us shopping. It is difficult for everyone!
DeleteI have not been any place other than the grocery and walmart...and that at slow times so I have no experience. Like you, I have a feeling things are going to be different. And most times I think drastically different. And I understand wanting to be safe...but I do not get real worried if some passes close by me. But where I shop, there has been very few cases.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to the grocery store people do tend to get closer than they should but I have not been concerned. Only about a third of the shoppers in our grocery store wear masks but all of the workers wear them. We live in a small town and it is usually only the older people like us wearing masks.
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