My husband and I have made some trips to the market this week. I thought I had a good system in place with grocery delivery but our local stores have been overwhelmed with orders and sent an email notice they were unable to fill my order. So we decided to head out to a local market earlier this week. I was a bit anxious of possible exposure to coronavirus but it turned out the store was almost empty of people and stock. The bagger told me there had been a long line when the store opened that morning. It was disorienting to see empty shelves. We picked up what we could. No meat or chicken available but I found a few packages of fish. We had a couple of markets offer new ‘senior hours’ this week (7-8 AM) so we headed out for a second time. The first market had a long line filing in so we decided to try another that was not crowded. I was able to find a few more items I needed. I like the accommodation by markets for seniors and those with special needs. I am working on making do with what is available like non-fat milk.
I wrote this post prior to the news of the order from Governor Gavin Newsom that all the citizens in my beautiful state of California are ordered to shelter in place. From the LA Times:
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all Californians to stay at home….He also asked Congress for $1 billion to support the state’s medical response to the coronavirus, saying he expects more than half of all Californians — roughly 25.5 million — will be infected over an eight-week period [without mitigation efforts].”
God, what is happening to us?
The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy is anchored off the coast of Manila, the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo/Photographers Mate 2nd Class Troy Latham)
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked President Trump to immediately deploy a United States Navy hospital ship Mercy to the Port of Los Angeles to help beef up the health care delivery system in the region amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.” (Los Angeles Daily News)
We can still go out to buy food. Our kids are nearby for which we are grateful. The prompt word today is ‘welcome’ but hard to write about that. The latest here is ‘unwelcome’ news.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday, #SOCS, is hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt for this Saturday is ‘welcome.’
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
The new normal for you are already the normal for many people around in our world, Deborah. It isn’t any fun, but necessary to take care of the most vulnerable people.
The last new rule here is, that only one person in each car are allowed now, which can be challenging in these shopping times.
Wish you all the best.
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I am not complaining about something not being fun. I am sharing some of the difficulties we have been experiencing here and now we are under a greater threat. I do realize that unfortunately these restrictions seem to be necessary but it is very alarming to feel under threat by this infection and I can about my family, my country and my state of California. I know other people in the world are combating the same virus.
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I’m sorry, if I did express myself in a bad way, Deborah. It wasn’t my meaning to do so.
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I hope I don’t sound like an airhead just complaining either. It’s ok, Irene.
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I hope you can keep your spirits up, Deborah. I think this will get a little worse before we hit bottom. I hope we don’t stay there too long.
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We have to endure this somehow. I know California is doing everything it can to get ready with our hospitals. My husband has said it is like a bad dream/nightmare. I never thought I would see anything like this in my lifetime. Just have to take it one step at a time. Just to get through with this first period of social distancing/ quasi-quarantine. I hope we don’t stay down too long either. Hope you are able to keep your spirits strong too. Thank you, Dan.
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It’s the same on our side of the pond, Deborah. Stay well! xxx
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Are you asked to stay in your homes? Hope you stay well too, Anna. xxo
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Well, we can go out to do our shopping and collect medicines but, otherwise, we are supposed to self-isolate. Today, all schools, cafes, restaurants and other places where people congregate have been closed, and, from Monday, all buses and trains will operate on a reduced schedule. Our airspace has also been closed. Worrying times. I hope we all pull through. xxx
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Yes it is the same as here. I was just listening to the Mayor of Los Angeles and I am glad that our state and local officials are doing everything they can. It may last for months. I hope we all pull through too. xoxo
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Like your husband said, there is a nightmare quality to it – especially when you look around you at the gardens and trees and nature and there is no change. Be well Deborah –
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I was thinking about nature too. It looks like it is going to be sunny today but we are having a bit of a late winter with rain and gray days. We see birds and squirrels in our yard and I wondered if the birds could sense that there was something wrong. Be well too, Maggie.
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The measures are not as strong here in Quebec (yet) as they are now in California, but most people have gone into voluntary isolation for the last week. Like you, I have good days and bad days. These are definitely strange times. Stay safe and stay healthy.
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Right now we are adjusting to the shock that this is happening then that we don’t know how long it will last. So I try to, need to, take it in smaller portions…see what happens in the next 2 weeks. Stay safe and healthy as well! My great-uncle lived in Montreal, and a great-aunt and cousins on the other side of my family. My mother was born in Nova Scotia.
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I never thought I’d see anything like this in my lifetime either. Shelter in place by choice. Trying to keep spirits up and grateful my immediate family is in one place.
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I am trying to take it one day at a time and not think too far ahead. Apprehensive about the a possible surge in cases here in the next couple of weeks and hoping that what we are doing as a whole state will stem the spread. Stay well, Jill.
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I’m curious about this: “….he expects more than half of all Californians — roughly 25.5 million — will be infected over an eight-week period [without mitigation efforts].” I wonder if that means that with the mitigation of people staying home, (or other mitigation efforts) the numbers of those infected will be lower that half? Anyway, sometimes I think too much. Taking one day at a time is a good idea. We can take the best care of ourselves possible and cherish whatever good moments come our way. I’m glad your family is close. Wishing you good health and safety, Deborah.
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Yes, it is thought that us all staying home would reduce the spread and the numbers. Some are saying this is worse case scenario and the projection is based on how fast the cases are being diagnosed now. I believe. It is hoped that by staying home we will decrease the number of people impacting our hospitals. It is like waiting for the other shoe to drop over the next few weeks to see if we are slammed with a wave of infections. This is like some dystopic plot. Wishing the same good things JoAnna. xo
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