THE AGE OF PANDEMIC: SHOPPING Chapter 3

Who knew such adventure awaits the bold, the daring, the courageous...the hungry.  As we approach another milestone in quarantine world (just extended 2 weeks), many are anticipating, and dreading, their next public foraging for sustenance, i.e., a trip to the neighborhood grocery store.  No longer a carefree jaunt to fondle, ruminate and eventually purchase not only the items on their list, but other happy and unnecessary goods and materials. And if we forget an item or two because we stopped several times to converse with friends and neighbors, we can just go back tomorrow. Not.

In our new world we now need to garb ourselves in the latest accoutrements of plague defense. Like knights prepping for battle, we don mask and gloves placing our trusty sanitizer in our holsters, err, pockets. Friend or foe peeking over the top of a homemade mask? Who is speaking? Is this a hold-up or just a friendly trip for supplies. No longer lingering to trade family stories or complain about prices.  Get in, get out and take whatever you can find whether you need it or not. Why do we go to such measures to get some cereal and beer? So we don't DIE!

My original take on the whole situation was just get what you need when you need it; people are reasonable and hoarding is not necessary- WRONG! Way after it was trending I casually looked for hand sanitizer which apparently does not exist outside of the constant PSA's (public service announcements) expecting me to use it frequently. But with a little bit of isopropyl and aloe I am in business.  Two little bottles that now travel with me everywhere which means they sit on the counter most of the time. Because we CAN'T GO ANYWHERE.

A couple of observations. If you happen to own an ancient NF95 from a previous life as a safety consultant you are glared at with great animosity as those are reserved for front liners. True, but I wouldn't inflict my old paint mask on anyone. At any rate as I am not a Nana who sews we have had to resort to homemade experiments for face coverings for OH and me. The project kept the boy busy for a least a couple of hours which is very important when you can't go anywhere or do anything. My favorite face covering masquerades as a neck scarf in its previous life so I can whip it up or down depending on what establishment I am intending to rob/shop at that day.

I find as the quarantine goes on, first hair, then make-up and finally bras have gone by the wayside or perhaps in a different order. Anyway one of the changes after the pandemic ends that everybody keeps talking about is never having to wear underwear again but trust me, we'll know.