This week's supermarket trip.

[MineralMan]

It was the usual thing, with me masked and sanitizing everything I touched, including myself.

I go with a list that will let me not shop again for another week.

Store clerks were masked and sanitizing everything between customers. That's good. Shelf-stockers, however, were not masked and were blocking half of the aisles, to boot. I passed them quickly.

Once I had my shopping card loaded with everything on my list and with nothing that wasn't, I headed for the checkout aisle. Wow. Most of the customers had carts loaded and overflowing. $300+ loads of stuff. I got in line. At one of the aisles there was a mid-50s couple in front of me. Both were obese and not wearing masks. I noticed that both were wheezing a bit and breathing hard. I changed aisles. The problem is that that supermarket uses side by side double belts at each register, so I would have been standing next to those folks as I bagged my groceries. Wheezing and heavy breathing. No thanks.

So, I got in line in another lane, behind another couple who were both wearing masks and gloves. They smiled with their eyes at me, a 74-year-old white-bearded old hippie. I smiled back with mine. I thanked my masked checker for working, and she smiled at me with her eyes, as well.

At least 50% of the shoppers were unmasked. That hasn't improved.

[ooky]

1. This is why I am using the grocery drive up services available in my area.

Pretty sure there are places it isn't an option, but as long as it is I'm not going inside anything except my house and my car.

[MineralMan]

2. The one at my supermarket is backed up for days.

They are short of workers to do the shopping, apparently.

Not an option for me, really.

[ooky]

8. Understand.

The Food Lion service in our area is like that. It is so backed up you can't place an order. Fortunately the Harris Teeter and Walmart services are workable and I've been working both of them. I actually copped 6 single rolls of paper towels this week from HT. Yay.

Good luck to you.

[Steelrolled]

62. I've heard that in my area the

Great Toilet Paper Scare of 2020 is finally over. We can unclench now and rest assured that this autumn, the kids can "TP" houses again.

[Grammy23]

11. Same at our store, MM.

I check periodically but they are usually booked up for either pick up or home delivery. First available date is usually a week out. So my husband makes the grocery run since he has slightly fewer risks than I do. P.S. It sucks to get old and have enough medical issues that even going to buy groceries turns out to be a bad idea.

P.S. Our grocery store has had at least one employee test positive for Covid-19.

[MissB]

55. I'm just doing the week out thing.

I know that on Wednesday night, there will be an opening for a next Thursday pickup (8 days away). So I have a weekly Thursday pickup.

Fred Meyers (Kroger) lets you check out a list with only a couple of items on it. Then you have until midnight the night before pickup to alter the order, which I do throughout the week.

It’s just a way to deal with the pickups being a week out.

[Windy City Charlie]

29. That's why

That's why I don't understand why the people doing all the protesting about wanting the economy to reopen don't take a temporary job at a place like this. I'm sure the store could use all the help they can get.

[MineralMan]

34. Most of those people doing the protesting don't actually want a job.

A lot of them are on SSDI, actually, or are getting disability payments from workman's comp. It's interesting to talk to those people once in a while.

They aren't looking for jobs, though.

[Nay]

36. Same in our town. Making an appt a week out is not feasible, really.

I also had the experience of being in facing checkout lanes -- sure, I stood 6 feet behind the people in front of me, but the people in the fast checkout lane were 2 ft away from me! I stayed back long enough to let that line finish, then stepped forward. I noticed at my next grocery run that they made sure the fast lane and the regular checkouts were separated.

If you are a shopper that basically gets boxed, prepared, or packaged goods, ordering online and picking up can be fine if you don't mind the wait. We eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits, specialty items, and other odd stuff, so I feel an online order would be a nightmare.

[MineralMan]

40. Before the pandemic, I normally shop every other day.

That way, I can change up the menu to suit my mood and my wife's mood about food. But, you're right. If you actually prepare your own food, shopping in person lets you adjust what you are planning, based on what's available and looking good at the time.

I usually make one pasta recipe a week. That is based on what I see in the produce department, etc. My wife says that I never make the same pasta recipe twice, and she's sort of right. It all depends on how the produce looks when I shop. But, the actual preparation is the same, regardless of the ingredients. The end result depends on what goes into it. If the ingredients are good, the pasta dish will be good. But it will always be a little different.

[Grammy23]

57. Sounds like how the folks in Europe shop.

I love the fact that they get bread fresh daily and enjoy fresh veggies that come in seasonally. We are spoiled by having things all year round because they bring things in from wherever it is growing. Also Europeans have such small refrigerators and limited storage that buying up a bunch of food in advance does not make sense for them. Many people here are habituated to shopping by their payday. Just go to a grocery store on Friday or Saturday. Yikes! Since we’ve been retired, we avoid those times. We just go when we feel like it ....until Covid-19. Now my husband goes once a week or so. Sometimes less if we get enough meat and veg to last for a while. Oh....and cream and coffee. Can’t ever run out of those! 😉

[Happy Hoosier]

53. Mine too, but here's my strategy....

My store allows you to edit the order until 1 hour before scheduled delivery.

I plan 2 deliveries a week and I need to grab a slot just after midnight for 2 days out.

I put one thing in my cart and then schedule the slot.

Over the next day and half, I add the items I need to my cart.

Bob's your uncle... I get what I need a couple days later.

[Totally Tunsie]

64. Thanks, Happy Hoosier. You're my "education" for today.

I have never, repeat, NEVER, heard the phrase "Bob's your uncle" before, and you made me look it up. That's a totally new one to me!

For those who are also curious:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob%27s_your_uncle

[LeftInTX]

74. I tried editing my order, but I couldn't figure out how!!

I wanted to remove several items, but it just seemed to want to schedule another curbside.

Hubby and I both ended up going to the store. I shopped on Friday and curbside was scheduled for Thursday. Hubby picked up some stuff on Monday.

Now I'm sitting with 3 pounds of carrots, 10 pounds of apples and a carton of soy milk that I don't want.

All the other extras are non-perishables, so I'll store them.

It is awkward trying to plan a week ahead for what you will need in a week.

[Happy Hoosier]

75. If it's like mine....

Go to you My Account page and look for an order button or tab. Mine has the order I placed and scheduled and I can edit it.

Good Luck!

[Rorey]

3. Mandatory masks

My governor issued an order for essential workers to wear masks, but I wish that the stores would require masks for customers.

Tomorrow we're going from "Stay At Home" to "Safer At Home", but as he as he announced that this was happening, I notice a lot more people without masks.

[MineralMan]

6. I don't like wearing a mask, frankly. I'm using the shaped drywaller's blue

masks. I have a stack of them I bought for dusty work like lawn mowing, but hated wearing them. So, I'm using those for shopping. They're hot and make you feel like you're not getting enough air through them. No big deal, but I dislike wearing masks. I put them on before going into the store and take them off once I'm outside and can avoid people completely. My wife uses Walgreen's "surgical" masks. we have a supply of those from when her mother was ill.

Not to protect myself, but to help people feel better about seeing me in the store. I have a bunch of blue nitrile gloves, too, but I'm not wearing those. I've trained myself to keep my hands away from my face, so I rely on hand-washing and frequent sanitizing. We found a half-gallon bottle of Purell in the back of our hall closet a couple of weeks ago, so we filled all of our little bottles from it. I keep one in my jacket pocket for use when I venture out. We filled up a neighbor's hand sanitizer bottles from it as well.

[Rorey]

13. I make my cloth masks with three layers

I use a pattern that has a pocket for a filter, so I think it's pretty good.

I actually kind of like wearing a mask. It reminds me not to touch my face and to keep distance. I'm not so good at doing it on my own. apparently. I forget.

[LeftInTX]

60. And the masks make it harder to concentrate in the store too

I bought a can of pineapple. After I got home and put it away, I noticed a huge dent. There is no way I would not notice a dent under normal situations.

Those N95s aren't really designed to be worn for long periods of time. When using them at home, you have the luxury of taking breaks.

[live love laugh]

4. AND the unmasked are distracted and on cell phones.

I try not to talk as I read that may be a source of transmission. But the cell talkers are ridiculous.

[Rorey]

23. I just want to swat it out of their hand

They take longer to get things done, and are oblivious to the fact that they're impeding other shoppers by standing and talking, or sauntering.

[PJMcK]

5. Our supermarket has strict rules

Everyone must have a face covering. Gloves are optional but highly urged. 6-foot perimeters almost all the time, the exception being when you pass in an aisle. The aisles are one way. Lines on the floor at the checkout counters to maintain social distancing. Constant disinfectant use on all surfaces and doors. They've done a really good job during this health crisis.

On the other hand, I do see lots of people walking around without any protections. I guess they're immune. Or stupid.

[MineralMan]

9. I've noticed that the guys in big 4WD pickups never wear masks.

I'll let you figure out why they don't, but most of them also have Trumpish bumper stickers or NRA stuff on their trucks.

[Nay]

37. Do they have 'truck nuts,' too? Cuz that's the type of manly man who doesn't need a mask.

[Rorey]

16. I think when we start slipping back into an increase in numbers, it'll be required

I don't think of them as stupid as much as I think of them as arrogant assholes.

[Jersey Devil]

7. We use Harris Teeter drive up in NC

Shop on line, then pickup about 3 days later. They give you a time, you pull into a special drive up lane, press a button on an intercom, give your name and they come out and drop the groceries into your trunk. Never any wait or problems. If something you ordered is not available, they will call you to suggest substitutes. You pay online. No physical contact with anyone, unless you count the delivery of your receipt on pickup.

[ooky]

14. Yea I'm using HT in NC and they have been super good.

They deserve the shout outs.

[hlthe2b]

10. Apparently a lot of people have not simplified their eating. I SURELY have...

Home-made yogurt with fruit and/or peanut butter every day. A bean dish (usually with a little brown rice) every or nearly every day. A couple of whole-grain flatbread crackers melted with cheese or with tuna/salmon salad to make an open-faced "sandwich"... Lots of steamed frozen veggies. Frozen soups and stews. A high protein smoothie. Maybe some of my cooked/frozen turkey breast alongside the veggies.

When I have been asked to pick up things for fragile friends, I'm amazed at what they are asking for. Things like horse-radish sauce (I guess some can't live without prime rib), imported kinds of honey, specific wines... on and on.


Eating simply lets one get in and out to buy a handful of things VERY quickly. I don't feel especially deprived, but clearly others do.

[MineralMan]

18. I made tuna melt sandwiches for my wife and me for yesterday's supper.

Last edited Sat Apr 25, 2020, 05:07 PM - Edit history (1)

I do all the cooking in our house. I had never made tuna melts before, but she requested them.

Very yummy comfort food. My tuna salad has green onions, capers, and chopped tomatoes in it. Mayo and coarse-ground brown german mustard, too. I grated some sharp cheddar, which went under and on top of the buttered, toasted sourdough bread. Then, five minutes in a 325 degree covered electric skillet handled the melting and the toasting of the bottom slice of bread. A 2-can recipe for tuna salad made three thick sandwiches. Three halves were plenty.

"Make those again, OK?" my wife said.

You're right. I'm preparing simple meals these days. Pasta dishes, egg scrambles with lots of stuff mixed in, sandwiches, and other simple recipes. As you say, that makes it easier to shop quickly and get out. We do eat some frozen things, too, like Pizzas.

[hlthe2b]

25. Tuna melts are the best. Yours is more creative than mine, but I alternate tuna with packaged salmon

to try to keep mercury intake down.

[MineralMan]

31. My wife also likes egg salad. The recipe is almost identical, really.

Chicken salad, too. Another good ingredient in tuna, chicken, or salmon salad is chopped green olives with pimentos (Spanish olives). You can even add a little of the pickling juice from the olives to the salad. I sometimes use celery, too, for the crunch, but not very often, since I have very few other uses for celery. I keep green olives, black olives, sweet and dill pickles around all the time. They can brighten up a lot of things, really. Capers, too. My little jar of those is empty now. I'll have to pick up another one next week.

[SWBTATTReg]

33. I loved the simply PB sandwitches. Almost can't get any simplier. Also, I'm going to try your ...

tuna melts. I do have a few cans of tuna. Thanks for the recipe.

[MineralMan]

35. You can't go wrong with any of those.

[cwydro]

43. I've been cooking like a fiend.

Made homemade chicken pot pies, peach cobbler, corn casserole. Going to make a cabbage dish today. Because of my chickens, I’m overloaded with eggs, so making egg salad, omelets, etc.

Unfortunately, ye old waistline is showing the results.

I order from Walmart curbside. They do a fantastic job, and I never even get out of the car. Usually can’t get a next day appointment, but I have no problem shopping every two weeks or so.

Hell, probably saving money!

[MineralMan]

46. Yup. Might as well cook something nice.

I've been cooking now for over 50 years. For some reason, my spouses (2) have claimed not to know how to cook. I don't mind. It's part of the shared responsibility for chores, really. I cook and clean up after, and I do the laundry and all the yard and home maintenance work. My wife does the rest of the stuff, to whatever degree she wishes.

It all works out just fine. I like to cook. I like to eat what I cook. My wife likes my cooking and appreciates that she doesn't have to do the washing up afterwards. I don't mind laundry and the other chores, although I sometimes put things off until I feel like doing them.

[IcyPeas]

52. did you see the Tuna Melt sandwich throwdown video by

Senator Mark Warner? It is hilarious. Then Kamala Harris showed him how to make her version: I love camaraderie like this, makes me smile.

[LAS14]

59. MineralMan, MineralMan... You are so literate! And yet...

"for my wife and I." I bet you've told people in your life, "just remove the other person." Would you say "For I?"

[Steelrolled]

63. That rule works so well!

I think people use "I" incorrectly, as overcompensation for being often corrected in the opposite way.

[MineralMan]

69. Oh, well. I write quickly here.

I don't proofread carefully at times. I have now corrected my error.

[Rorey]

20. I can eat the same thing for days on end

I'm stocked up for months, but with things that would be considered boring for a lot of folks.

The only things I really need to go to the store for are milk and produce. While I'm there getting that, I'll generally restock on the things I've used so I always have that supply.

[hlthe2b]

24. Ditto. Milk and produce, fresh or frozen (more often now).

[Baclava]

12. I must confess, I haven't been in a grocery store in over a month

I stocked up right before all the madness hit and have been popping into a convenience once a week for milk, bread, eggs to keep me going.

Less exposure, 2 minutes in n out, I have simple needs. Still got pounds of rice and pasta, not a big meat eater.

[KentuckyWoman]

15. cart loaded with everything on my list and with nothing that wasn't

Can I just say, I really like your shopping attitude.

Thanks for the report.

[MineralMan]

21. Thanks. I've always shopped that way, really.

I have a week's worth of meals in my head and make a list of the stuff I'll need. Mostly, I don't even look at the list. I like to shop in the same store, because I know exactly where everything I need is on the shelves. My wife hates going shopping with me. I move too fast for her, and she always puts things in the cart I know we won't use.

Anyhow, she almost always just leaves it to me, since I'm the cook in the house.

[Ohiogal]

17. The stores should

only open up every other lane, to keep people apart. My son’s store does that.

Still, it’s awful, the clods you see refusing to wear masks even still. Bringing the whole family out ... jabbering on their cell phones ...For Gods sake, tie an old t shirt around your face, people!

Hardware stores are the worst! Mr. O says he is often the only one masked in those places.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. How was everybody else built tho.

[MineralMan]

26. I could give you a run-down, but I'm not going to do that.

I mentioned the obese, wheezing couple for a very specific reason. They should be protecting themselves better. Since they didn't seem to be, I changed to a different check-out lane. People who are obese and have breathing problems are at high risk for complications from the COVID-19 virus. I didn't change lanes to protect myself, but to protect them, just in case I have the virus. That's why I wear a mask, too.

Thanks for asking. I could give you a description of at least 20 of the people I was near in the store. I see no point in doing so, though.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

32. Wheezing is definitely an issue. Weight is not an indicator of health.

So far, data indicates that the obesity rate of those hospitalized with COVID-19 is equal to the obesity rate of the U.S. population as a whole.

[brewens]

22. I was sticking to my bi-weekly run before we had a couple more meat plants go down.

I went out two more times this week to get some more non meat protein backup. I don't have a large freezer, just the top of a mid sized fridge. I couldn't buy any more meat, at least not that I didn't have to use up or swap out for something I already had frozen. No more room. I had to take out one of my two ice cube trays to wedge more bacon in there last week.

I had figured I had enough meat to last two months, but better start rationing and make it three. I've been on a diet for 18 months and am almost at my goal, so I could have carbs for breakfast again. So I grabbed another big bag of pancake mix and another gallon or so of peanut butter. Then beans and peas to make soups and a few other things. So now I think maybe I could hold out for four months if I had to.

Hopefully I can replace what I use every other week. I'm not real picky. That's good because it may come down to having to buy whatever meat products I can get. I wouldn't be surprised to see food rationing before it's all over. In that case, I should be okay. I can't see it going on forever, but it might be a year or more before everything is back to normal if we're lucky.

That Tyson plant in eastern Washington that just closed down is 120 miles from here, so that can't be good. One of my girlfriends best friends is married to a supervisor there. We were hearing they had 35 employees sick and my GF talked to him and couldn't get anything out of him. That made her think it was bad. Then they go to 100 infected, then shut down real quick. The plan is to thoroughly disinfect, test everyone, then allow those that are cleared back to work from what we're hearing. They should be back up and running but at lower capacity because of safety measures. Hopefully soon.

[MineralMan]

27. The only meat I bought today was a rotisserie chicken.

That will be part of three meals. We don't eat a lot of red meat. I have some Italian sausage in the freezer for use in pasta dishes, along with some cold cut meats we use occasionally for sandwiches.

I shop weekly because of the produce I buy.

[brewens]

39. I was going weekly for the produce but realized I could hold out longer. Lettuce won't

make it two weeks so I have coleslaw the last few days instead of green salads. No bananas after a few days but the rest of my fruit is good for two weeks.

What meat I used last week was quickly replaced in the freezer by packages of the ham I baked a couple days ago. I'm going to hope to get another one a week from Tuesday when I go shopping again. I think I can get by with a little over five pounds of meat per week. That's only like one big chicken breast per day.

I vowed to never buy another can of soup or chili months ago, so have been improving my soup making. I've been saving recipes and adding the ingredients I'll need to my list. I already bought some spices that I can't remember what were for, but when I get to that recipe, I'll have it.

[csziggy]

49. For fruit, I've been freezing it and using for smoothies

Bananas work really good for that. My husband likes almost green bananas, so he buys them that way and eats them for a couple of days. Then I eat a banana or two (one a day). By that time they are completely ripe, so I cut each banana into six pieces, pay them out on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper and freeze, then put them into a plastic bag.

To make a banana smoothie, I use 1/4 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of vanilla yogurt, some nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon, two scoops of vanilla protein powder, six chunks of banana, and a scoop or two of ice (scoop is about 1 cup). Blend until the ice is chopped up into little bits With the spices, I call it a Banana Nog Smoothie.

I lucked into a bunch of strawberries and have about a dozen bags, 4 cups each, in the freezer. I cleaned them, roughly chopped them up, spread onto cookie sheets covered with wax paper, and froze. This way I can take out however many I need. I make strawberry smoothies, pretty much the same recipe as for the banana ones, without the spices.

Raspberries were on sale last week so I bought some of them and froze them. Not sure if they will go into smoothies or something else.

[LeftInTX]

71. Good practical suggestions!

I don't do alot of stuff like this!

I used to freeze bananas years ago, but I had forgotten. Duh!!
I like your suggestions about cutting them first.

[csziggy]

76. Cutting up the bananas does make it easier

I was randomly cutting each banana into chunks but that made it harder to estimate how much banana I was taking out. Six pieces gave good size chunks for my blender and I just count out that many for each smoothie - and if I want to make banana bread, eighteen pieces is just right. Chopped up strawberries work better in my blender for smoothies than the whole ones I was buying frozen from the store.

I even use this method for freezing meat. My husband got a big bag of chicken leg quarters a few weeks ago. I cut them into thighs and legs, spread them out on baking sheets, froze them, and bagged them. Yesterday I made Italian marinated chicken thighs and it was easy to pull out just the four I needed, thaw them, and I was set for my recipe. I didn't do it with the pork chops I cut from a Costco pork loin and that was a mistake. It's hard to get all of the chops thawed equally unless I remember to take them out at least a day before but that is just a matter of planning.

[Rorey]

30. Food rationing

I think a lot of people are easing up, but I'm preparing for it to get worse. It doesn't hurt anything if I buy things that will keep for a long time that I'm going to use anyway. It helps that I love things like rice and beans and pasta, all of which keep for a very long time.

Whenever I'm at the store, I usually will grab a few extra things, but never if there are only a couple on the shelf.

[Steelrolled]

65. The food stores are almost back to normal where I live

and on average people have a lot more food stored up. So I think we are in good shape regarding food supply.

[Rorey]

68. Creative stocking at my store

Things look a lot better at my local King Soopers (Kroger), but I did notice some creative stocking. A couple of days ago I noticed that the ENTIRE toilet paper aisle was Angel Soft, one deep. When I went to Walmart, I noticed that they've finally gotten their toilet paper aisle stocked again. It'll likely go on a pretty good sale in the next few weeks, and I'll be doing some stocking up.

I hope I can shake this feeling of impending doom soon. Gettin' tired of it.

[Steelrolled]

73. That creative stocking is probably for the best

as if it looks like there is plenty, people will be less likely to hoard it.

You are right that in a few weeks, there will be a big oversupply of toilet paper and they will start to discount it, with big signs that say "stock up, no limit"

[Mike 03]

28. Great report. Thanks.

I chickened out and used Instacart last week.

[Historic NY]

38. The big market by me has patron line up 6ft apart...

and they are call one by one to an open cashier, it actually works pretty good. I even notice that the cashiers seemed less stressed. In no NY no mask, no entry.

[Baltimike]

41. What state are you in? Here in MD, everyone is masked

and it *feels* better out there.

[greenjar_01]

42. "I thanked my masked checker for working" I sprayed more droplets and potential viral load

at my cashier than I had any need to.

People, can we all agree to just shut the fuck up in the supermarket unless we absolutely need to speak?

I see these people going as couples, chatting stupidly at each other, while others are yapping away into their airpods.

Please, shut up. What if I told you that you could do 90-100% of your shopping without saying a fucking word? Outside of ordering at the deli counter or butcher, you really don't need to be spraying out any more droplets at all. Shut up, please.

[MineralMan]

44. No droplets. I was wearing a mask, as well.

Those were the only words I spoke at the supermarket. The checker was also behind a plexiglas shield.

Grumpy today, are you? I'm sorry to see that.

[greenjar_01]

45. You sprayed more than you needed to; the mask is only so effective

I'm not grumpy at all.

[MineralMan]

47. Oh, bother...

[greenjar_01]

48. It's not hard

Do your thing; improve safety.

[stopdiggin]

50. Wow. What a rant.

Thanks for "educating" all us poor slobs ..
Let's see .. mask, sanitizer, gloves, no touching items not bought, physical distancing.

Gee .. I'm just SO ashamed of my obviously sub-par performance!
--- ---

[Steelrolled]

72. I agree 100%. Minimize talking in places like supermarkets where people are nearby

as even people who don't visibly spit while talking still probably do so to a small degree.

I get that you feel strongly about this, but you really could tone it down a little

[IcyPeas]

51. I had a rant here yesterday about my supermarket trip

in a nutshell: I hate the jerks talking on their phones, spreading their germs, while everyone else is masked

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213336544

[Dem2]

54. This is why I go every other week, to a particularly non-busy store at an unpopular time

Few people, no lines. I pay more for my groceries, but my peace of mind is well worth it.

[beaglelover]

56. Not allowed in the grocery stores here in Los Angeles without a mask.

And they mark on the floor when to stand to guarantee social distancing. Seems to be working pretty well.

[LAS14]

58. Do you have seniors-only hours available?

I feel like that is one of the best techniques stores/municipalities have taken. If anyone has been sheltering in place religiously, it's seniors, so I feel like they're less likely to be infected and infect me!

[MineralMan]

70. Yes. 6-7 AM. One of the benefits of being over 70 is

not having to get up early.

[Gothmog]

61. We have been using curbside pickup

It has been fairly effective

[Steelrolled]

66. Shopping is different with masks, but starting to feel routine.

Not an adventure like it was the first couple weeks. We still use the pickup service on occasion.

[Demovictory9]

67. signs on door in Southern Calif "must have mask to enter", some have guards at door

at most I'll see one person (always a young male) without a mask inside.