General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo I have to go out today...
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
(51,308 posts)Then they bring the bags to your car.
They do a good job.
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)Closest one is in Gardnerville or Carson City
I live in Tahoe...very remote and not a lot of choices
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Im not a hoarder, so I dont have loads - but Ill always share.
Not in the least worried about the supply chain. This whole thing is a boon to the trucking and grocery industry.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)I think it would be ok if I got on to the website early in the day, like 6am.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)This panic time will past.
Let it roll.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)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
(7,572 posts)nothing from the refrigerator or freezer cases. They can only be bought inside the store.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)You can place an order on-line. Here in NY, they deliver free on orders over $30.00.
Freddie
(9,265 posts)To see what they have. Im hearing that people ordering from Peapod are being told most of what they want is out of stock.
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)and I am not driving 30+ miles to get stuff from there...don't have the gas either.
sunnybrook
(1,156 posts)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
(16,829 posts)I just threw them in the laundry after wearing them outside once.
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)Life sucks right now! lol
milestogo
(16,829 posts)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
(21,596 posts)milestogo
(16,829 posts)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
(21,596 posts)Ive got gloves, but no masks.
gibraltar72
(7,504 posts)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
(13,360 posts)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
(70,506 posts)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
(13,360 posts)Would I find them at the hardware store? I was thinking of using the rubber cleaning gloves?
gibraltar72
(7,504 posts)but I have several boxes.
Botany
(70,506 posts)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
(10,749 posts)Even if money is an issue, order gloves online. We havent gone the mask route yet but probably will soon. Use both properly.
Since youre going to have pretty close contact with people doing what you do, dont rely on anyone else to clean the surfaces that youre 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
(13,360 posts)...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
(7,683 posts)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
(33,643 posts)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
(36,745 posts)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
(36,464 posts)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
(3,557 posts)Its been hugely helpful to me. Youll definitely be helping people who are in need of help by getting your client set up so she can see her patients.
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)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
(3,557 posts)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! Im so proud of them.
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)too cute!
I would have been that nerdy kid too...good for her!
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)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!