So I have to go out today...

[FirstLight]

Low on cash, and one of my clients needs me to help set her up on Zoom (she's 72 - LCSW and her patients need her to be online) So after that I plan to hit the store and get a couple things since we are almost out of meat...

We plan on taking some precautions at her place - wiping down surfaces, leaving shoes outside, no hugs, etc.

I have made a couple errands to the corner store in a pinch, but don't have a mask or gloves.

I *do* have a good scarf I can tie up tight around my face and I have my sanitizer on hand in the car which I will take with me into the store...

But I am truly scared. The first couple weeks I was less inclined to worry, but now it is definitely spreading and in our town now... I have Immune issues and don't want to really go in "public" at all. BUT I also dont have the $$ to "order online" because the only store up here that does that is twice as expensive as the Grocery Outlet. (trying not to freak out about income right now, but yeah.)

I know scarves are not really helpful, but I still think that any covering is better than none. And maybe if I am wearing a covering, people will steer clear of me.

SHeesh... going to the store is now feeling like making a "run" in Zombieland

[cwydro]

1. You can order Walmart online.

Then they bring the bags to your car.

They do a good job.

[FirstLight]

2. no Wal-Mart here...

Closest one is in Gardnerville or Carson City

I live in Tahoe...very remote and not a lot of choices

[cwydro]

24. Dayum, if you find yourself without something vital, please dm me.

I’m not a hoarder, so I don’t have loads - but I’ll always share.

Not in the least worried about the supply chain. This whole thing is a boon to the trucking and grocery industry.

[milestogo]

3. My Walmart allows you set this up but the slots for pickup and delivery are usually full.

I think it would be ok if I got on to the website early in the day, like 6am.

[cwydro]

23. Yeah, mine have been filling up fast.

This panic time will past.

Let it roll.

[milestogo]

25. There were slots available at 4am when I checked one night when I couldn't sleep...

Then I realized you can't get anything you want - only certain items are available for these services. So I made the big trip today and shouldn't need to shop for a while.

[northoftheborder]

30. Walmart here only allows non-perishable pantry items for curbside pickup -

nothing from the refrigerator or freezer cases. They can only be bought inside the store.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Is there a Walmart near you? They aren't price gouging.

You can place an order on-line. Here in NY, they deliver free on orders over $30.00.

[Freddie]

5. Unfortunately you have to go in the store

To see what they have. I’m hearing that people ordering from Peapod are being told most of what they want is out of stock.

[FirstLight]

6. nope.... the Grocery Outlet is the cheapest thing here... actually better prices than Wally-World

and I am not driving 30+ miles to get stuff from there...don't have the gas either.

[sunnybrook]

7. Maybe cloth gloves?

Might be better than no gloves at all. Would definitely cover your face with a scarf. Best of luck, just get in and out as quickly as possible.

[milestogo]

9. Up until today I was just wearing winter gloves.

I just threw them in the laundry after wearing them outside once.

[FirstLight]

11. I would do the same... but my damn washer broke a month ago!

Life sucks right now! lol

[milestogo]

8. I went shopping earlier today.

I just got gloves and masks, so I used them. I would say about one third of the people in the store had masks - mostly people over 50. I took my gloves off when it was time to pay so I wouldn't transfer anything to my credit card.

I bought WAY more food than I usually do, but now I am truly prepared to hunker down.

Honestly, I think you're ok with no gloves or mask if you follow the guidelines:

Do not touch your face.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds.
Stay 6 feet away from other people.

[CottonBear]

19. Where/how do you get masks? N/T

[milestogo]

21. I ordered mine from Amazon.

As soon as I realized what we were dealing with I ordered gloves, masks, a thermometer, and cold/flu medicine on Amazon. Took over 2 weeks to be delivered, but I am pleased.

The masks came from China. So I think that's why they took a few weeks.

[CottonBear]

22. Thanks. I might try to place a small order.

I’ve got gloves, but no masks.

[gibraltar72]

10. Cash is about the dirtiest thing you can touch.

We had to go to drug store today wife said she wanted to get some cash I said you mean you want to deposit checks. She looked at me kinda strange. I said hit my stash don't risk bringing in new cash we know where mine has been last two years.

[FirstLight]

13. yeah, I have a whole ritual with the sanitizer and cards too

1. saturate card before and after interting into machine
2. saturate hands before touching buttons or screen
3. saturate hands after touching screen or buttons and when putting card back in wallet

4. saturate hands AGAIN!

I hate hand sanitizer, btw...but I have been using it like crazy!

[Botany]

12. Get those cheap brown cloth gloves

Wear them before you get out of the car and take 'em off and put them in a paper bag when you get back into
your car .... after you get back home put the gloves into the dryer or microwave. Do not wear your shoes
back into your house ..... get an old towel or a rag and soak it in a 5 to 10% bleach solution and put it outside
and place your shoes on it.

Wear the gloves at the store especially when you are pushing your cart, inputting something on a key pad,
or picking something up to buy.

Always wear the gloves when you leave your house.

Good luck and no guarantees.

[FirstLight]

14. I don't know what those are?

Would I find them at the hardware store? I was thinking of using the rubber cleaning gloves?

[gibraltar72]

15. Think they are called Brown Jersey. Probably hardware. I go with blue nitrile

but I have several boxes.

[Botany]

18. Hardware store, garden store, or on line

Wear them once and then think of 'em as dirty and then throw 'em into the dryer or microwave (make
sure they don't have any metal or staples in them)

again no guarantees because you can't see the virus


https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Grade-Gloves-Brown-Jersey/dp/B003XURX54

[matt819]

16. Gloves

Even if money is an issue, order gloves online. We haven’t gone the mask route yet but probably will soon. Use both properly.

Since you’re going to have pretty close contact with people doing what you do, don’t rely on anyone else to clean the surfaces that you’re going to be touching. Wipe them down yourself with your supplies.

Not only will you stay safe but you demonstrate to your clients your seriousness and professionalism and maybe even educate them in the process.

[FirstLight]

20. yea, it will be worth the investment if I can get some

...and yes, wiping down is something I am doing to also show how seriously I am taking this.

Not fun at all this is a crazy time!

[fierywoman]

17. Scarves don't do 100% protection like the proper surgical masks, but they start

to "flatten the curve" of what you might pick up. Doubling the material, some think, increases the protective %s. If you could insert a piece of non-woven material (interfacing? -- which is used when sewing garments -- or those throw away household wipes?)

Bottom line: scarves are better than nothing. Even 50% more protection is better than nothing.

[mr_lebowski]

26. Stay away from people, don't touch your face, and wash your hands afterwards well

I'm betting you're going to be just fine.

That's all I've been doing and I've been to the store a number of times in the past 2 weeks.

Granted I don't have immune issues, so ... I understand your worry. Scarf is def. a good idea.

Best of luck ...

[roamer65]

27. Use credit cards and our cupronickel-based coins for small purchases.

I have stocked up on dollar coins, quarters and halves.

Copper produces an ionic onslaught to any viruses or bacteria that land on it.

SARS-CoV-2 only lasts about 3 hours on copper.

Copper residue on your hands from handling the coins helps sanitize your hands.

[CrispyQ]

28. There are sites with patterns and instructions for DIY face masks.

I'm going to make this one. It has an optional filter slot and nose guard. Better than nothing, I hope.

https://jennifermaker.com/face-mask-patterns-cricut/

[Victor_c3]

29. I've been doing many of my psychiatry appointments via video chat

It’s been hugely helpful to me. You’ll definitely be helping people who are in need of help by getting your client set up so she can see her patients.

[FirstLight]

32. yes, I got her hooked up and helped purchase a new webcam

I will help install on friday if her brother can't figure it out (he lives with her, so better for them)

I also fixed it up on her tablet, so if the webcam doesnt work or arrive in time for her speaking engagement, she can use that.
She is also a minister, and was going to speak at the Unity and host a meditation, but now they are going to be doing it with their congregation via Zoom...which will be really cool. (I am looking intio also doing a series in partnership with them for some classes I have offered.)

For her clients, I got her Skype up and running too. Since Zoom only allows 45 mins free and her sessions tend to run longer. I also sent out a group email to all her People letting them know about the available technology...so hopefully she can start re-booking those who cancelled.

She also usually hold a weekly Group/meditation once a week, I'm going to figure out how to get the groups hooked up too.

This is good, we are using the technology to continue offering solace and gathering. After all, we humans ARE social creatures!

[Victor_c3]

33. My 11year old daughter has been using zoom to connect with her friends

Everyday, 4 of her friends all meet from 11:30 to 12:30 and talk, giggle, and do whatever else girls at that age do.

They are all kind of smart and nerdy and each of them play instruments in their school band/orchestra. Without any prompting from parents or teachers, the girls got their instruments together and attempted to form a quartet of their own. It truly sounded awful, but it was equally amazing! I’m so proud of them.

[FirstLight]

34. omg I love that!

too cute!
I would have been that nerdy kid too...good for her!

[FirstLight]

31. Got home ok... found some vinyl gloves in the cleaning section of cvS

So i was at least able to use those for the store, sanitized like a crazy person before and after the bank atm...
Doubled uo my scarf for the face cover...

Cannot believe how many people are NOT taking any precautions! Only saw ONE elderly lady shopping with a mask. Saw maybe 2 other with gloves but no other covering.

AND...while the meat and dairy and cheese were stocked, bread, tortillas, rice and beans were depleted. A guy in line in front of me bought like 10 bags of dried beans and nothing else!

ALL paper products were gone from both CVS and Grocery Outlet
I was able to get a box of Kleenex, though...told my teen we are rationing paper products now!

Ugh,
Hopefully got enough to get through most of another week. We are going to have to eat some stuff in the drawers we maybe don't "like" as much, but whatevs.

Now for a stiff drink & some herb!