Our trip to Trader Joe in Asheville NC. Life in the time of COVID.

[NRaleighLiberal]

My wife and I took a long morning hike in the local Arboretum (just gorgeous - in 3 hours saw all of 4 people, easily distanced from them).

We wanted to do a Trader Joe run. The store set up a very different way to get in, directing folks to line up - 6 feet apart - as they let 30 people into the store at a given time. Everyone in line (we were in line for 15 minutes) were masked. Woman was metering the folks into the store, giving each person a newly wiped down cart - she had gloves, and was masked. All in the store - all masked - kept their distance. It was so pleasant being in a Trader Joe that was not packed! The only thing obviously missing - flour!

At check out, the cashier had us wait behind a line - she was gloved, rang up our order, it was bagged and put in the carriage - we then stepped forward to pay - she was behind plexiglass.

Everyone seemed patient, in a good mood, just a pretty well thought out process and a positive experience.

Then again, Asheville is a very blue dot in a purple leaning to red state.

The previous day I had to pick up some things at Lowes. Face mask compliance with shoppers was in the 50% range. It was Hendersonville, not Asheville - much redder area.

[DonaldsRump]

1. Sad, I thought NC was purple leaning to blue n/t

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. we have a way to go, I think

[mwooldri]

37. Depends where you are.

In the metro areas (Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Asheville, Greensboro, maybe Winston-Salem) it's quite blue. Some rural counties are still Dixiecrat blue. Other parts are more ruby red than Dorothy's (Wizard of Oz) red slipper shoes...

Blend it all together and you do get purple. And thanks to Republican gerrymandering all the Democrats are in extremely blue areas. Fortunately the NC Supreme Court has forced new maps for this election season.

[Jamastiene]

49. It really does depend on where in the state you are.

The cities, most of them, are either purple leaning blue or outright blue.

The smaller towns in NC? It's a crap shoot, but most of the time, they are as right wing as you can get, regardless of political party. Where I live the Democrats fall all over themselves to try to out right wing the Republicans.

That is why when people talk about Democrats and Republicans not being much different, I know they have experienced some of the same kinds I have. People outside these areas have no idea what these areas are like. They cannot wrap their brain around it, because they have never experienced it.

The ones where I live are fucking full fledged Dixiecrats. It is a good thing I am a progressive. I have had to get a progressively larger and larger clothes pin to always vote for Democrats, when they are the local ones.

I'm glad I don't live in Hamlet though. Abbie Covington is one racist ass exception. I would go never Abbie on her. Fuck her racist, lying ass and the racists she gave cover to. It's well documented that she blatantly looked Jessie Jackson in the face and lied to him. Everyone here knows why those doors were locked. My mother worked at the place and left a few months before the fire. She said that policy was racist as fuck, because it was employees stuffing chicken in their socks and stealing the chicken, not the local black communities like Rowe claimed. Even my mother saw the racist ass policy in action and said that was what it was. If my mother says something is racist, it's slap you in the face, no one can deny it racist. People have forgotten about that, but I never have. I never will.

The rest where I live? Ok, whatever, clothes pin time. I despise the experience. It is why I loved Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton. I could vote without a clothes pin. No one is perfect, but at least they were not like the local asses where I live.

[rockfordfile]

3. Henderson is a small town

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. we are in Hendersonville (opposite side of the state). yes, small town.

Henderson is in the east, we are in the west

[woodsprite]

10. NRL, If you know any Hearns or Gustafsons in that area, I'm probably related to them.

Have a band of cousins down that way.

[NRaleighLiberal]

25. just moved here 3 mo. ago...will keep that in mind!

starting to sell plants from our yard. Fun!

[rockfordfile]

18. yeah what hurt that town was the Super Wal-Mart.

[Yavin4]

5. You should get some goggles.

I wear them along with the face mask and rubber gloves. I wear them so that I don't accidentally rub my eyes.

[BigmanPigman]

9. Smart move!

I found that when I wear my contacts or make up I rarely touch my eyes but this has been learned over 30 years of wearing them. People don't realize how often they touch their eyes.

[Yavin4]

12. MSNBC's Science Consultant contracted the virus through his eyes on a packed plane. n/t

[BigmanPigman]

14. I caught that too. I do NOT trust airplane air

from my own personal experiences (just like I know all too well how little kids are germ factories and I would not step foot into my old classroom now if you put a gun to my head).

I just ordered some goggles on-line for $4 (science goggles). I hope they fit well, I have a very small head. I know my dad had some at his workshop are but my mom doesn't know where to look and I do not want to go in the house and possibly infect her.

[EveDibb]

17. Please do not touch your face

I believe that is how I contracted COVID. I constantly rubbed my eyes. My symptoms started March 5th. My son touches his mouth. His symptoms started March 11th. My daughter touches her nose
Her symptoms started March 21st. My husband never touches his face. No symptoms to date.

[BigmanPigman]

19. Wow, you are a human covid tracker!

I am glad I live with my little dog. I think it is the safest environment to be in right now. When I go out it is with masks and gloves, and soon goggles (in 3-5 days, just ordered them). Personally, I would prefer a full hazmat suit for my wardrobe for the next year or so. I am sure I can accessorize it nicely since I have fashion experience.

[CloudWatcher]

36. I don't like flying either, but not because of the recycled air risk

See interesting post by someone that knows:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213432253

I'm somewhat reassured about the recycled air being dangerous, but there's still all the problems of people sitting too close together, the tray tables not being wiped down between flights, trying to keep distance at all the different airport queues and baggage claims and shuttle busses and ... the list seems endless.

[BigmanPigman]

40. I read that post too.

But from my own experiences flying, I do not trust the recycled air. I have gotten sick after being in groups like that (tour bus, plane) too often to chalk up as coincidence. Also, that photo of a packed plane making a very careful doctor go to the hospital with Covid, I say, "NO way!". Just use your eyes, do the math and use common sense. This stuff is contagious in the air from plain old breathing and it can enter through your eyes (that is how the doctor believes he got it).

I was sick 90% of the school year when I was teaching, and that is with yearly flu shots and hand sanitizer on all the kids' desks. Kids carry germs, like little incubators, to their families. I catch anything and everything. There should be NO flying and NO opening of schools until this is gone!

[llmart]

28. I saw this today.

That interview with him (I believe Dr. Joseph Fair) was eye opening (no pun intended). I came away thinking, "This guy has been in contact with Covid probably quite often and never came down with it until he took a flight home." What ticked me off the most is that he said the airline told ticket buyers they would have distancing on the planes and they had none. I'd sue the crap out of that airline if I was him.

The airline industry has been treating customers like cattle for way too long now and that needs to stop. Some of us are old enough to remember when they didn't cram us in like sardines and then charge us for everything on top of the basic fare.

[BigmanPigman]

42. I know, I would sue them until they really went broke, permanently

and without bailouts so CEO's can get a big raise. That doctor was on MSNBC last night and I was pissed off all over again, after having already read about him a few days ago. I know someone who just flew from DC and I am pissed off at her and her family who thinks it is OK. DC is VERY infected still.

[llmart]

43. I can understand there are some very, very valid reasons to fly...

but the ones who do for frivolous reasons really tick me off.

I used to enjoy flying and did quite a lot of travel in my adult life, both for business and for pleasure, but now that I'm retired the business part of it is gone (thank goodness) and I rarely fly for other reasons because it's just such a darned hassle and the prices are exorbitant. When did we have to start paying for one piece of luggage? Because of that people are now all having carryons to avoid the extra cost and that just causes a huge foot traffic jam when boarding.

Don't get me started on the people and how they behave on planes. I took a flight in November for the first time in several years and it was three to a row, and I had the window. The two youngish kids in the row next to me put their tray tables down and rested their heads on the tables for most of the flight. They also looked like they had just rolled out of bed and come to the airport. Disgusting.

[BigmanPigman]

45. I know, I know!

I could rarely afford to fly and have begun to realize that I do not have as much money as most Americans since they seem to think the prices are great and this accounts for the huge increase in flying by people of all ages. The "low cost" of flying that I hear on the TV all the time has me baffled. All the rest of the "flying experience" just plain sucks and I LOVED flying. It was a rare treat my whole life...I can even count the number of times I have flown and what I ate (I actually liked the airplane food when they used to serve it, that is). The people I know who are older than me and used to travel a lot and are in good health have cut down or eliminated all trips involving flying since it has gotten so very awful over the last 25 years.

[marble falls]

6. We've been doing that here in central Texas for over a month and it works fine. We wear mask ...

and glove (optional in Texas) but HRB does a good job of keeping things moving and safe where only a little more than half the customers and 80% of employees wear masks and gloves.

I feel safe enough, I take off one glove and open the car door with the other gloved hand shut the door with the ungloved hand and remove the other glove to a bag and use sanitizer.

[demmiblue]

7. Good precautions...

however, the gloves seem pointless (unless there is some sort of skin integrity issue).

[Jamastiene]

50. I do woodworking and have small nicks and cuts.

That is why I wear the gloves, just in case. Plus, all the hand washing has left me with dry skin and apparently everyone else thought of moisturizers before I did. Things are scarce where I live. You can no longer find some of the strangest things. Even dish washing liquid is store brand, IF they have even that in stock. It's weird right now.

[young_at_heart]

8. That's why we chose Asheville

We retired here in 1998. We had looked at Hendersonville and knew we wouldn't fit in....we are California natives. We've been very pleased with the progressive vibe here.

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. Asheville too pricey. We are fine in Hville, on a dead end road with only

6 houses. Through selling our seedlings finding lots of like minded people.

[young_at_heart]

27. Yes, it's too pricey for us now!

We got here before the boom. I'm glad to know that you have progressive folks down there.

[BigmanPigman]

11. My local Trader Joe's is the size of a phone booth.

I hadn't gone in over two months since the line (as you described) went all the way around the parking lot (even in the rain!). I decided to go at 9 AM and got up 3 hours early to see if my timing made a difference...it did! Since it is such a small but popular location it only allows about 5 people in at a time. I bought enough for another 2 months and used my entire gift card from Christmas (I am on a very strict and limited budget).

I wore my usual gloves and mask with TRUMP written on it in big, black Sharpie inside of a big, red circle with a slash through it. The people at Trader Joe's always love my anti-tRump earrings and bumper stickers. I live in a blue area of San Diego...not red-neck Santee where those two KKK hood and Swastika mask wearing white men like to wear them at their local supermarket. Both of those morons have been contacted by the sheriff (a lot of good that will do). But what IS good is that while both men wanted to show off how hateful they are in a visible way, they have been publicly shamed on the local media and social media...I wonder if they like the attention now?

[DesertRat]

13. Our Trader Joes here in Phoenix/Scottsdale area are the same as you describe

Ours additionally gives each person a squirt of hand sanitizer as well when we entered the store. The store has been well-stocked, everyone is friendly and patient. I miss the sampling station! Oh well. Life in the time of corona.

[MoonchildCA]

15. Our Trader Joe's in Ventura, CA has the same procedures in place.

My daughter is in Asheville. We will likely retire to that area in about 8 years, Hendersonville is on our list. We can help turn it a smidge more blue.

[marlakay]

16. Trader Joes in Medford Oregon

Same way, most wear masks but few customers don’t as this is conservative town but type of people who shop there are more liberal ones.

My hubby went today and you know how if you got something wrong you could just jump in car and go back? Not these days. He bought the sweetened almond milk instead of unsweetened. Tastes too sweet and I am trying to cut down on sugar...oh well...

[Martin Eden]

20. If I moved to the Southeast, Asheville would be my first choice

I live in Chicagoland, and over the years have driven many times to the mountains and waterfalls of western North Carolina for hiking vacations.

Oh, how I would love to have all that practically on my doorstep!

[llmart]

29. I seriously considered moving there when I retired.

I used to live in Charlotte and have been to Asheville many times. Always loved it and some of the surrounding towns. However, then a grandbaby arrived and now I feel like I would miss out on so much if I couldn't see her grow up. Of course I haven't gotten to spend quality time with her much in the past three months which is depressing.

[Martin Eden]

31. Not being able to spend quality time with your grandbaby

... is a harder pill to swallow than the cancellation of hiking trips I always do in the early spring.

[llmart]

32. Yes, I know.

I decided to stay in Michigan after the grandbaby was born and just vacation in Asheville or other places I considered living. Of course, now I'm not vacationing anywhere that I can't drive to reasonably.

The amount of joy I get from that little girl is beyond my comprehension. I never thought I'd be one of those grandmothers who is all ga-ga at everything she does, but I am. She's the future.

[Martin Eden]

34. I vote for the future

Which means a healthy planet with all the beauty of natural ecosystems and life, plus a functioning democracy which truly represents the interests of the people.

We have to make all of this sustainable for our grandchildren, and for theirs.

Today's Republican Party is an existential threat to everything we love the most.

[Jamastiene]

51. You can say that again.

"Today's Republican Party is an existential threat to everything we love the most."

I could not agree more.

[LuckyLib]

41. Our first grandchild was born 2 weeks ago. They are 1500 miles away.

We’ve seen him on Zoom but are heartbroken that we’re missing so much and can’t hold him.
😢

[Martin Eden]

46. Holding your grandbaby for the first time...

... is a joyous event you can still look forward to.

(just trying to put a positive spin on it)

[LuckyLib]

47. Thank you. We are grateful for social media and look forward to a day in the future

when we take the risk of getting out to see them.

[jmg257]

21. I think having patience is the key while shopping. People who want to

Rush in and fly around with their carts are way annoying.

Just go in knowing it’s gonna take a while, and wait ur turn.

[kentuck]

22. They have a similar procedure here:

in Colorado.

Older folks are let in between 8am and 9am. They are well organized and their food is good.

I would recommend their vegetable spring rolls, their meat lasagna, their alfredo fettucine, their rice with vegetables, and their kung pao chicken.

Their prices are very reasonable.

[NRaleighLiberal]

23. our typical haul (things we love unique to them)

dark choc PB cups
large bars of dark chocolate and dark chocolate with almonds
fennel
red sweet peppers
unexpected cheddar
cinnamon raisin bagels
mixed raisins
frozen Indian entrees
maple syrup
whole wheat spaghetti
Phigment red wine blend and Secco sparkling white

[kentuck]

24. They also have vegan banana bread.

That is really good.

We have tried the whole wheat spaghetti and their extra sharp Wisconsin cheddar also.

[TrogL]

30. That's standard operating procedure here except for the numbers

People are let in and out one at a time. Staff have some sort of app on iPads that keep track of everybody.

The aisles have one-way arrows and 6-foot lines.

[Johnny2X2X]

33. Grand rapids MI is pretty red, but people are wearing masks

Local stores are at about 95% masked now, and you get the sense that the people not wearing masks are embarrassed.

The spread has been slowed in MI save for some small towns up North. We're on the cusp of begining the next phase of reopening.

[Gamecock Lefty]

35. I Love Asheville!

Went to undergrad school a little north of there at Mars Hill and then grad school down at Carolina in Columbia. Asheville, Weaverville, up to Banner Elk and Boone - just a wonderful area.

I'm in St Louis now but remember the mountains rather fondly.

[CMYK]

38. Sitting in Rutherford County

Went to Lowes in Forest City yesterday. Half the employees were not wearing masks, the only customers wearing them were older (like me), and the place was packed. My wife and I venture out to the grocery store in this RED ASS area about once a month. I LOVE Asheville, but haven't been there since the shut-down. Nice to hear about your experience!

[NRaleighLiberal]

39. once this is over, would love to set up a DU meet up for the general area

[Buckeye_Democrat]

44. I'm tempted to drive to Yellow Springs OH...

... just to see if more people are wearing masks there.

That town has been known as an island of liberalism in my area. (The comedian, Dave Chappelle, lives there.)

Stuff is a bit more expensive there, unfortunately.

[AdamGG]

48. This has all ben S.O.P. in Massachusetts for 6 weeks

[Jamastiene]

52. If I ever win the lottery, that's probably where I will move.

I have always wanted to live in Asheville. I hear they even allow you to have other religions other than extremist right wing Christianity and they have other more liberal views there too. Plus, they get snow from time to time and there are lots of wilderness areas nearby. I think I would love living there.

Where I live, we have two Food Lions, an Aldi, and a ginormous Walmart Supercenter. Some employees are wearing masks, but only over their mouths and some have the masks around their neck. I guess it is policy that they wear the masks, but they can wear them around their neck. I haven't heard of any neck transmissions of the virus and I cannot ask them why the masks are around their necks. Where I live, simply asking a question can get you physically assaulted, or maybe shot.

[AirmensMom]

53. We go to Asheville

on day trips, for a break from the other side of the mountain. It's so refreshing to be among more enlightened folks. But, of course, we haven't been there since February. I miss it. I'm glad that Trader Joe is being careful. LOVE that store!

Even when things open up and it might feel a little safer, the thought of stopping at a rest area on the way and using public toilets all day long makes me cringe. What we could really use right now is a few carefree hours at Wicked Weed ... but Trader Joe first, of course! Ah, those were the days.