Seems like old news now to talk about the crazy scenes in grocery stores. {Side note: have you ever seen so many men in a grocery store line?}
It took me by surprise. Because I, like everyone else in the medical world, was focused on what we (as a medical community) were gearing up for health-wise. How would that affect our volumes in the hospital? How would staffing be affected? What about co-workers with ill and aging parents? Or school aged children? As I pondered how I was going to need to gear up for work, it didn't occur to me that I couldn't continue on with my after work hours life.
Whether or not I would be able to get toilet paper or basic groceries was not a huge concern for me. I knew the grocery stores would be busy last Friday, but I did not expect this. I kept thinking: something bad must be happening if there's this big a run on the grocery store.
I had a reasonable list. One cart, reasonably full. That was definitely not the norm. {I even picked up a new skillet I needed!} I walked through the store gingerly dodging the HEB Curbside folks filling giant rolling carts, employees desperately trying to off-load pallets, and so. many. people. Many of whom had this "deer in the headlights" expression.
For some people, I guess Chinet dinner napkins or paper towels are an OK substitute for toilet paper. {Better get a plumber on speed dial, lady.} I just don't get it. You aren't being quarantined right now unless you are sick, just follow the current guidelines. You don't need enough groceries or dinner napkins for the zombie apocalypse. The grocery stores right now are short on employees. And time. They have plenty of food in warehouses. Its coming. They just need to close the stores earlier to get it stocked. And their employees probably could use giant raises. And a break.
After all, they have families, too.
Here's a thought or two: I think we should all unplug from the news outlets on the internet, turn off the TV after the first 5 minutes of a newscast (thats when you get the updates), and try to relax a little. Use some common sense with all of this information and don't try to second guess or read into what you are told. (for your own sake, limit time on social media unless you are there to read funny X-ray tech memes) Spend time outdoors, taking a walk with your dog or simply unwinding with a glass of wine on the patio. We are whipping ourselves into a frenzy of fear that will have much longer-lasting and wide-ranging effects than a few weeks of social distancing.
Is this the Millenial's new 911? Is it everyone's?
