Right now we are at a point in our history where unprecedented things are happening. While this is not the first pandemic, it seems to be the worst one in about a century. Our lives are changing here in America, and even globally. Today for the first time I waited in a line to get into the grocery store. I had a few needs and wants on my list; eggs, milk, ground beef, maybe some chicken. I left with none of that, only with the things that were available that I cautiously chose to get. I say cautious because I prefer fresh food, but not knowing if we as a country or state or city will be going on lockdown in the near future to try to slow the COVID-19 pandemic spread, I wanted things that would last a little longer, or could freeze. It is something I never have seen while shopping; empty shelves everywhere, some completely empty while others had a lingering can or two while others had more (usually items that few people buy or that are specialty items that cost a lot more than most peoples' budgets). While I know the supply chain is intact, it is an issue getting stuff to the stores daily because paranoid people keep wiping stores out of stock daily. My kudos to the grocery workers who are working so hard to get the product back on shelves, and the truckers working tirelessly to transport everything.
I'll be honest, it is freaky. While I am staying calm and not hoarding, I am being calculated in what I purchase, and how much. Not so much that others can't have, but enough that should something keep us home for awhile, we will be ok. I keep a fairly stocked pantry anyway, so when you open the door it doesn't look much different than normal, and I am quite proud of that. I am, however, in a different mindset, mood, or whatever you want to call it. There is a different feeling in the air that I can't explain, but know I don't like. I think it is all the information constantly flowing out about this pandemic that is changing daily, focusing on deaths, not people who have overcome the sickness, wondering if we should go to the store just in case something is there and we might need it in the future. Oddly, I am not worried about paying our bills during this time, and I find that to be very fortunate as so many people will have issues with that. While I am over talking about it, it is all we can talk about since the information is ever changing. I feel a need to know the educated information and share it with my mom who doesn't have ways to keep up with what is going on in hopes she is able to take precautions and weather through this as well.
Another thing I am noticing is while we see a lot of people hoarding items and giving into paranoia, we are seeing a lot of giving people willing to help out a stranger, the elderly, a neighbor. I am gaining a sense of hope with humanity that when it gets bad, people can help each other out, not because their religion tells them to, but because their innate humanity lets them feel it is right to do and they act on it. I have a feeling that this pandemic will change more than how we work in businesses, prepare ourselves at home for a crisis, but change how we see each other and how we treat each other. Not saying everyone will be nice and helpful and giving, but I think this will encourage a lot more people to think that way. It is scary not knowing what is going to happen tomorrow, or next week. We will survive, and hopefully be better from it.
