Masks? What Masks? A Trip to the Farm Supply Store

[MineralMan]

Our 50 lb. bag of raw peanuts in the shell was empty this morning, and the suet block feeder in the front yard is bare. So, it fell to me to drive to the farm supply store about 20 minutes away to buy new supplies for our non-farm feeding station. I live on the northeastern edge of St. Paul, MN, so rural places are not very far away, and there the local Mills Fleet Farm can be found.

So, I drove there, donned my Covid mask, had my cart sanitizing wipe in hand, and went into the store. I picked up what I needed and rolled my sanitized cart to the checkout area. I saw a number of other shoppers, although the store was far from crowded. I noticed that maybe one in ten people shopping had masks on. I was, apparently, an outlier. So, I checked out, returned to my car, loaded my loot into the car and sanitized my hands before getting back in the driver's seat.

I got some looks while in the store, though. People avoided me and suddenly found something they needed down a different aisle, I suppose. After all, I'm a white-bearded, mask-wearing old hippie freak, so I'm probably diseased and an Obama voter. I am the source of all their fears, apparently.

Now, the rural areas around St. Paul are Republican territory, in the Congressional District once held by the infamous Michele Bachmann. Apparently, the dwellers in that rural land have not heard of COVID-19 and aren't aware of social distancing, masks, gloves and other such precautions. Trump voters, one and all, I suppose.

It's OK. I distanced my anti-social self, kept my hands off my face, and sanitized everything in sight, including my hands. I'll be OK, but I'm not so sure about that 90% of people who are too Trump-like to wear masks.

Oh, well...

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended.

Parallel universe theory. You inadvertently entered one very similar to our own.

[42bambi]

2. It saddens me to say this, but there are certain people who just

don't care about/or think about anyone other than themselves.

[NurseJackie]

23. They're in for a very rude awakening... and a big surprise.

[Scarsdale]

41. We call those people

REPUBLICANS. If this is Michelle Bachman territory, the Gawd will protect them, doncha know?

[Ohiogal]

3. My husband had to make a return to the hardware store

This was 3 days ago. I stayed in the car while he went in the store. He wore his bandanna mask that I sewed for him.

As I waited, I observed at least a dozen other customers arriving...pulled up, parked, went into the store. Not one mask on any of them. All men, I might add, although I’m not sure that fact is relevant.

Around here, if you see half of the customers in any given store wearing masks, you’re doing good....

[kimbutgar]

6. They won't let anyone return anything to the stores her in the SF Bay Area because it might have

CV on it. I brought some wine glasses and they turned out to be plastic because I was shopping very quickly. Now I’m stuck with plastic glasses I’ll never use.

But yesterday I stood in a line at a produce market and half the people had masks on. And outside of the produce market workers I was the only one wearing a mask and gloves. Stupid ass people think they are invincible. No one is invincible.

[cayugafalls]

4. This is a new reality. Here in north Houston, I am an outlier.

I wear a mask and gloves and am amazed at how many people are just ignoring everything. I can't afford to ignore it.

My wife won't even let me go into a store. I have to do pickup or order online.

I wish I had hand sanitizer...

Stay well.

[MineralMan]

5. We're still rationing out our hand sanitizer from before

the pandemic. My wife buys large bottles of it at Costco and uses them to fill our smaller containers. We also had a box of little Purell fold-and-squeeze single use hand sanitizer packets.

We still have plenty. We're a sanitary sort of couple.

[cayugafalls]

11. We had one little bottle we got from my son's orientation at UT Austin.

One little 1 ounce bottle.

I used to have more sanitizer when I did Pokemon and other high contact social activities, but since my retirement and lack of socialization I let my purchases lapse.

Oh well, I just have to be careful and not touch my face and wash my hands and watch out for cross contamination.

[El Mimbreno]

29. Home brew

If you have or can find 90% rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel you can make your own; 2 parts alcohol to one part gel, couple of drops of scent if you want. It's thinner than Purell, but it's supposed to work.

[cayugafalls]

36. Thanks for that information.

I was able to find hand sanitizer at Bulk Apothecary online. 1 gallon is a lot of sanitizer!

$64 after shipping is kind of spendy though, but it is something. Just need approval from my wife, lol.

Stay well.

[CrispyQ]

33. I can't find any hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, Clorox, or disinfectant wipes.

I managed to snag two 32 ounce bottles of hydrogen peroxide and I have a quart of Clorox in the laundry room. Fortunately we're home-bodies and hardly go out anyway. We also order online & pickup outside the store.

[cayugafalls]

35. I am having the same problem.

I do have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a small bottle of bleach as well as some 70% alcohol, so I suppose I could rig something up in a pinch, just have to moisturize my hands after use.

We don't go out much at all either. We have a nice backyard that has been our sanctuary through all this mess.

I was able to locate some hand sanitizer this morning at Bulk Apothecary that looks like it is in stock but the quantity is 1 gallon and we don't have mister bottles. I might order it if the wife says it is ok. $64 with shipping is kind of spendy though, so she will probably shoot me down, even though I really think I could use it over the next year.

Stay well.

[burrowowl]

37. To make a spray

1 part 5% clorox to 99 parts water.

[El Mimbreno]

40. If you can't find chlorine bleach...

Look for pool/spa chlorine liquid. We found some at wal-mart, but read the cautions on the label and remember it is 10% chlorine instead of the 6% bleach. Be careful and don't get carried away.

[bluecollar2]

7. Went to Publix this morning

Finally had to go to the store for the fortnightly trek out.

Everybody had on a medical grade mask except two or three of us old hippies using bandanas.

I'm in South Dade county, Florida and even the panhandlers have nice clean N95 masks.

Just an observation...

[marble falls]

8. Same exact story here in rural Marble Falls. This will not end a smoothly as some think ...

it will.

When I get asked about my homemade mask, I tell them its not to protect me from them, its to protect them from me. All of a sudden I'm socially distanced.

[MineralMan]

13. Yes. A lot of people are simply ignoring the whole thing, really.

In the end, that could be their downfall, literally.

While taking precautions isn't a sure way to avoid the virus, it's better than pretending the virus doesn't exist, which many people seem to be doing.

I still do what shopping I need to do, but I'm very careful about it, and don't go out otherwise.

Trump's apparent casual attitude influences some people. The reality is that he's actually being very careful. Everyone around him is getting tested daily, I'm sure, with the new fast test. He never really goes into public. But, he acts like there's nothing to be afraid of, and people follow his lead.

It's a recipe for disaster, I think.

[marble falls]

19. We've been told that there are less than 10 cases in the three counties I spend my time in ...

during "normal times". But we have a high senor citizen population (we're a retirement and resort area) and "old folks homes", its only a matter of time until it gets into one of these communities.

We have friends who are "at risk" and they just do not believe the danger. We've been in self quarantine for over four weeks and we are not tempted to break it yet, other than a once a week trip for necessaries. But we understand "flattening the curve" and we saw how successful it was in S Korea and how too many Koreans thought this meant is was over and now infection rates are starting to increase.

It isn't as if this information is difficult to find or understand, but we have a President and some Governors who are providing bum information to their willfully ignorant and low information followers.

There's great op piece in the NYT today that documents how many lives were put in danger because at best Trump wanted to "prevent panic" or at worst dithered while he tried to find a personal financial bright side nugget in this shit pie.

It not over but it could have been much closer to over. The object isn't to survive the infection, its to prevent being infected in the first place; having the population being "washed over" as the "President" suggested in just not an option.

Sorry for ranting your cool and calm reflections back at you, but we're in this together and we're brothers so I'll trust you understand.

[murielm99]

9. The same thing is happening

in my rural area. I have seen it in the grocery store and in a convenience store where I had to go for milk. People stand around outside and talk as well.

My husband has invented excuses to do unnecessary errands on three separate occasions. I think I may have gotten through to him that he cannot wander around just because he is bored. I make sure he washes his hands. These farmers!

[cwydro]

10. Well to be fair, if I start down an aisle and see someone else these days, I go another way.

I wouldn’t take it personally. I don’t want anyone near me.

Fauci and his gang fucked up royally in the beginning saying masks were pointless; many people apparently took this to heart - I doubt they’re supporters of the madman.

[RobinA]

34. Maybe They Were

telling the truth when they said masks were pointless? When I looked into wearing masks on the street a couple years ago they were at that time...pointless. Suddenly they are the only thing standing between us a certain death. Considering that they were deemed pointless back before they became a cause celebre, I know which side I come down on. Which is not to say I don't wear one. I have my well-used, unsized N95 for work and my "show mask" for when I'm out and don't want to cause trouble. Where I live it's mandatory. I find the efficacy of both to be questionable, but I don't need the hassle right now of not following the rules.

[Worried2020]

12. I am anxiously awaiting face masks I ordered over a week ago -

I expect it will be a few more weeks, but they'll get here -

then I will venture out, and expect to meet with some weird stares, as I haven't seen ONE person wearing a mask yet, but then again, I have not gone shopping in over a month.

I'm a hermit by nature, so staying home and observing social distancing when I'm outside for the occasional wander is no hardship for me. No cabin fever here

At my age, if I get the virus, I'm dead meat - 50+ years of drinking and smoking? - It's taking it's toll.

I'm sadly grateful my marriage failed decades ago, and never had the family I wanted. I cannot imagine the fear and pain some parents must have now.

Our future is uncertain, and fraught with hurdles

(sigh)

W

[MineralMan]

14. The other day, my wife remembered that she had bought some

masks from Walgreens a couple of years ago while her mother was ill and in a convalescent hospital. She dug two boxes of 12 out from the back of our hall closet. So, we're using those. They're not N95 masks. Just the cheap ones sold in Walgreens. We have two styles: one box are conical-style masks, which don't work for me because of my beard. The others are surgical-style ones with elastic ear straps. Those work OK, although my glasses still fog.

[Worried2020]

16. Mine will be the 3 layer surgical ones, but not n95

I think.

I'll demand that any visitors wear one as well, which shouldn't be a problem, as I have few, and others know my penchant for not appreciating unannounced visitors.

It's sorta sad that in my 7 decades on this planet, I find very few of my own species that I want as company.

hmm - the beard thingy - I'll hafta see how they work with mine. If it's a problem for the masks, I'll lose the beard - it's a vanity thing - my face looks sorta scrawny without it, but hey - it'll grow back if I survive this thing.

Right?



CC

[morillon]

15. The Piggly Wiggly here is like that

The store has never been very clean and occasionally smells really bad, so we almost never went near the place. But every time we drive by, we see lots of people coming and going, all very close together, and not one of them wearing masks or gloves.

The county officially has only a few cases, but the larger counties around us have a lot. These folks are stupidly reckless.

[Green Line]

17. I live just a few miles north of Boston

Everyone I see, even people just walking their dogs are wearing masks. I saw one woman with her 2 young children, one in a carriage, they both had masks on. My city and neighboring cities all have mandates about masks, no entry to any essential business without one. It should be this way everywhere.

[MineralMan]

18. I have a very different experience in the city.

Masks and gloves are far more prevalent. Of course, St. Paul is a Democratic enclave, really. The rural areas around it, though, are Trump country. There is a difference. A clear difference.

[Bayard]

20. Small town, Kentucky

I had to break down and go for supplies earlier. I walked into the grocery in mask, gloves, my cloth bags, and my Biden sweatshirt. I got a few dirty looks from men (probably the shirt), but mostly quizzical ones. Instead of the usual PA music playing, they kept playing an announcement about social distancing, per Governor Beshear. I did see most people trying not to get too close to each other.

The checkout lanes had tape on the floor, 6 ft. apart, and plastic guards up in front of the cashiers (the only other people wearing masks).

[peggysue2]

21. I live outside Knoxville, TN

At Krogers, I'd say about 50% of the customers are wearing masks. Ninety percent of the cashiers are masked as well Plastic guards have been installed at the cash registers and presumably they're limiting the number of people allowed in at one time. I haven't had to stand in line, so far. The flow in and out has been moderate. To my surprise (pleasant) I saw the first TP pallet in Krogers, Scott brand, and was actually able to purchase paper napkins and a double roll of paper towels, one pack per customer.

I'm still waiting for my mask to arrive but I have taken to wearing nitrile gloves and slathering on sanitizer to packages, steering wheel and door handles. So far, so good. Our county has been relatively low in confirmed cases and deaths. But the virus is definitely out there and precautions are not that hard to follow. Of course, I say that without having little kids running around, bored hyper and/or cranky.

[NutmegYankee]

22. My experience at a Connecticut Agway was the opposite.

Even though cases are far fewer in the rural east of the state, people were taking the appropriate precautions.

[MineralMan]

26. Good to hear.

[jmg257]

24. Try Chewy.com. I did not want to make a non-essential trip for feed, so ordered online.

Showed up within a week, with free shipping.

[MineralMan]

25. Chewy does not have 50 lb. bags of peanuts in the shell.

The farm supply store does. So, I went there. While there, I picked up a box of 10 suet blocks, as well.

We have plenty of bird seed, which we also buy in 50 lb. bags, from the same farm supply store.

I can go out safely. So, I do, about once a week.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

27. Similar observations at a local grocery store here.

That particular store (Kroger) was surrounded by homes that had Trump signs in their yards in 2016.

It might be different at a Wal-Mart on the other end of town, but I don’t like dealing with the cops at the exit who check the bags for stolen items.

[randr]

28. I needed chicken feed last week and called ahead

We have an account so no need to go in to pay. They had my feed ready and loaded it when I arrive without me getting out of vehicle. Noticed not everybody in this rural area wearing masks, only 30% at best.
My supplier will be getting a special thanks when this is over for the courtesy.
Be safe, be well!

[MineralMan]

31. Nice! Mills Fleet Farm is more than just a feed store.

It's a department store, really, with sporting goods, automotive supplies, shoes, clothing, hardware, building supplies, home supplies, snack foods, guns, and some farm supplies. That makes it an essential business, I guess.

I shop there a lot, actually, but right now, just for the peanuts and wild bird food. I don't need any of that other stuff.

[El Mimbreno]

30. Varies a lot

Here in SW New Mexico there are about 15 cases in our 3-county area. Since the first case appeared, mask usage has gone from near-zero to maybe 40%. WalMart is limiting the number of shoppers in the building, sanitizing cart handles, and trying to spread people out, at least as they enter. Walmart, Tractor Supply, lumberyard, and others are offering curbside pickup and the lumberyard is also offering free delivery. The big copper mine is closed after 4 cases showed up there.

We've seen people wearing gloves finish their shopping, get in their cars, and drive off, still wearing the gloves. Now anything they might have picked up in the store is now on their door handle, steering wheel, shifter, etc. We skip the gloves and sanitize before touching the vehicle.

We're good on masks, as I use them in my woodworking, and we're sharing with friends and neighbors.

Bottom line though; too many people are not taking this seriously.

[MineralMan]

32. Yes. I sanitize my hands before touching the car or getting in.

I skip the gloves, as well, and carefully avoid touching my face until I have sanitized my hands.

One really nasty thing I've noticed, though, is people removing their disposable gloves and just dropping them in the parking lot before getting in their cars. Why would they do something like that? Gross.

[El Mimbreno]

39. Seen posts about that...

but haven't actually witnessed it. But then, we do litter pickup on NM's adopt-a-highway program. Diapers, tampon.. Um, sleeves? inserters?
People can be such pigs. Apologies to those who give all for our bacon.

[LTG]

38. Mask and gloves

When I go to town, (4 times in the last 2 months, 2 of which were Dr. appts) I wear a mask and gloves. The gloves are medical nitrile gloves as they are heavier and less likely to tear than standard medical gloves.

I sanitize everything going in to the store, everything coming out of the store. Strip and bag the gloves and sanitize my hands. I go through the sanitizing routine going into the house.

I have a number of non N-95 masks I use for what I feel will be spread out and have fewer people. Recently in more concerning areas I have worn the mask I use in high dust and noxious fumes environments when doing home projects.

It is a half face style with container style filters on each side which are NIOS P100 rated. (99+% of particles down to .3 microns. Last week I picked up a number of P100 pancake style, non container, filters for it. Makes it look a lot less gas maskish.

Going into the store last week I passed to women in the 18-22 range laugh as I passed them. I smiled under my mask thinking the joke could be on them. Only 10 - 15% wore masks.

The store, on the other hand was using reasonable precautions. There were social distancing, glove and mask recommendations etc posted on the doors. They had floor tape for checkout intervals, plexiglass between checker and customer and only every other check stand. The one that was new was the taped arrows indicating one way aisles. No more need for stopping or passing in close proximity.

[phylny]

42. I live in a very Trumpian, rural place.

I, too, went to the farm store. I was pleasantly surprised. The store had set up an outdoor hand-washing station for customers, complete with running water, soap, paper towels, and a trash can, with a sign saying everyone had to wash hands before entering. The entire staff had facemasks on. About 2/3 of the customers did, and everyone got out of everyone else's way. Finally, the staff member who checked me out was behind a plexiglass shield and we were outside.

They did a fantastic job.

[Hortensis]

43. Their poor 50-100 year olds. Younger people too, but by the 50s

mortality rates, already far beyond unacceptable, are soaring. Current death rate in the U.S. is estimated at 4.3% and believed to be underestimated.

A Republican senator was on Hannity last night explaining that sending kids back to school would only cause an increase in mortality of 2-3% (and why would we believe HIS figure?) and would be more than worth it. The people trying to eliminate school lunch programs are now concerned about children missing those lunches. No estimation of how many children wold be orphaned, and grandparents are disposable.

Went to the market yesterday. This is a predominantly conservative county in FL, but with a lot of retired people. Saw lots of masks, including on the checkers (typically middle aged) and baggers who were clearly now very aware of the dangerous conditions they were required to work in.

Conservatives old enough to be rightfully frightened can take care of themselves as well as anyone else, but are likely to be outvoted in some areas as the Republicans work up enough political cover and support for what amount to genocidal plans.