The year is 2020 and in many ways the beginning of a new era. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so many things in our country. Due to Stay at Home Orders and lots of different reports on the transferability of COVID-19 the way we do business, and shop has changed. The biggest changes have come through shopping markets where we shop in person. The biggest changes have come due to the regulations handed down from our Federal Government. One of this suggested regulation is that we should stay 6 feet away from one another and not touch things other have touched. This has affected the way groceries are shelved and can make it a little weird if you want to read the nutrition label on your local candy box at the store.
Last week I went to our local Costco for the first time since my states stay at home order. We were finally low on groceries and it was time to make my essential trip for supplies. I was greeted by a line out the door that stretched around the building. I looked at the parking lot and noticed it wasnt that different from a normal day. There were markings on the ground roughly 6 feet apart from each other going all along the gound near the store. There was also a sign that said only 400 people were allowed in the store at once.
Immediately, I started thinking about my travels to other third world countries where there is only one grocery store and limited supplies available due to communism. Well after waiting for several minutes I was allowed in and the shelves were indeed reminding me of my world travels. Things were missing. Lists of unavailable items were posted on the store doors and people were acting differently. It was like everyone was afraid to touch another person. Everyone feared each other. You would go to pick an item up and read it. I looked for my favorite type of candy. I picked the candy box up to make sure it was going to fit my current diet, and I set it back down. I was glared at like I had committed a mortal sin. The change in environment has made shopping not only stressful, but more time consuming as well.
My next trip to the shopping market will not be looked forward to. It is unfortunate that fear has crept in our lives at an alarming rate. The shopping markets are attempting to help lower the spread of COVID-19, but every action has consequences and the local changes have people on edge.