I've never really liked crowds, per se, but tolerated them when I had to be in them. Something inexplicable happened when my husband died several years ago, however, and I find myself no longer able to tolerate crowds. Even a gathering of friends or family make me anxious if there are more than four or five people. I become nervous, my stomach feels like it's in knots, heart rate increases, I don't feel safe, and have to retreat to the outskirts of the venue.
Because of this, I have fallen into the habit of only going out into the world every two or three weeks, when necessary. I make a run to the recycling center/landfill to dispose of the small amount of recyclables and garbage I generate, to buy some groceries & personal items, and then dash back home.
So, this whole "sheltering in place" that has become a worldwide thing with COVID-19 is just life-as-normal for me. I have practiced "social distancing" almost exclusively after my caregiving duties ended when my parents died. It isn't difficult to do, either, since I am in my mid-sixties and retired.
The only difference now is the empty shelves at the stores, which is ridiculous, when I do go out. Before the whole COVID-19 event, we had plenty of bread, eggs, canned goods, and toilet paper in the stores. Toilet paper has been totally absent from all stores the past month, but there had been plenty of everything else. The last visit to the store, though, I saw there were no eggs, no paper towels, very little bread, and only one can of chicken on the shelf. People are being selfish and stupid with this whole thing, and making some of their fellow citizens do without.
So, when you go out for supplies, please be courteous and give thought to all the other people who need things, just as you do. Buy small quantities when you can and leave something for others. Maybe check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and infirm, and make sure they are not lacking for anything — especially medication, food, and toilet paper. Thank you!
02-Apr-2020
