Hi, north! I hope all of your loved ones have remained well throughout all this.

The pandemic and resultant shutdowns situation has so far mainly effected my shopping habits, as I've, ever since my state went into lockdown mode, opted to 100% bypass Walmart - which long has been where I've done nearly all of my groceries and general merchandise type weekly shopping - opting, instead, lately, for a small grocery store that's a few blocks from my house. The nearby store is easy to get in and out of in much less time, and with far fewer shoppers around. Just feels like a wiser place to shop, somehow, these days.

I've taken to wearing a mask the last two times I went groceries shopping, and have been wearing disposable gloves when shopping each of the last three times I've gone. Feels REALLY strange wearing a mask, like "over-dressed" or whatever (especially considering that probably about 1/3 of the shoppers in stores I've been in still haven't taken to wearing a mask - or certain people go around shopping with one hanging from their neck).

I've become more careful with foods and supplies, than I otherwise would be, as during recent weeks have tried to stretch things farther and longer than I ever previously felt any need to do (when could just pop into any store any old time); have been making a point to shop no more frequently than once a week - and once every two weeks whenever can achieve that. Therefore, certain things that previously I'd have eaten or used without giving a second thought, now I often find myself thinking, "Had better skip that this time - or else will run out sooner than I want to." So, it's helped me appreciate everyday foods and supplies, and not take "routine" type stuff for granted.

Regarding social distancing, it's starting to feel gradually more second-nature to make a point to step or stand as far out of the way (within reason) as possible, when in a store or wherever, so each person can have their own moment in a particular space.

Hello, genplant!

I am glad to hear you are well, and I hope your family is well, too-- you wrote in an earlier post that you personally know several people (including family members) who are healthcare workers, and that they were taking care of COVID-19 patients.

As far as masks, I've been wearing one at work for the past couple of weeks-- I work in a food production facility that mandates them --and my State has just recently mandated masks for anyone who goes into an enclosed, public space (such as a grocery store or gas station)-- so I wear one in those places, too (actually have been, again, for the previous couple of weeks).

As you mentioned, it has become easier, by force of habit, to social distance, when possible. Unfortunately, due to the industrial nature of my workplace itself, it is not always possible to maintain the two meters of distance, but I wear a mask and try to do everything I can to stay hygienic . . . at home I isolate myself, and do not visit with family or anyone else. After New York and New Jersey, my State has been the hardest hit, and many of my colleagues have fallen ill . . . but so far I have been fortunate to avoid illness.

Thank you for sharing, genplant!

My brother-in-law (sister's husband) has been hospitalized with Covid-19 since circa 1:30a.m. yesterday morning, when my niece (who's one of my family's hospital nurses) saw him (my sister called her in the middle of the night to come over) and immediately said he has all the telltale signs, and called for an ambulance. [UPDATE: Tests subsequently confirmed that he is C-19 positive.]

The other day, in the grocery store, I was in an aisle shopping when a friendly lady, wearing a mask, walked by coming from the opposite direction and asked how I am and aren't these strange times. I smiled and was very friendly and responded in return - then continued on and thought, "If either of us were to run in to one another anywhere else, we'd never recognize each other, as we don't have a clue what the other person looks like!"

Hello, again, north, my friend.

Just wanting to say that I hope all continues to be well for you. There's certainly been a lot on the news about processing plant health concerns and safety during this week. In my area, at least one processing plant (a poultry one) that I have heard about is currently seriously short-staffed, due to Covid-19 spread amongst workers having resulted in dozens of workers testing positive (and other workers, not ill, opting to quit or walk out).

My brother-in-law is still in the hospital, after now one day shy of a week. It was a rough week for him, and he said is the most scared he's been in his entire life, not to mention the very worst (with nothing else coming even remotely close) he's ever felt and physically (as well as mentally) been. He's now steadily getting better by the day though, and it's sounding like should near certainly be able to return home circa early next week. He'll need to walk with a cane for however long, while working to get his strength built back up (also he'll need to continue with physical therapy for however long), as he was left weak and a bit unsteady on his legs.

My state has been in shutdown mode since around a month ago, though wearing a mask wasn't mandatory till starting at the beginning of this week [but was all along, prior to then, strongly advised and encouraged] due to things hereabout now being at their worst (so far), particularly in my county. My state will remain closed for other than essential business til at least May 15th, and I suspect that'll probably wind up extended to end of May.

Has anyone taken the extra home time...to pursue creative pursuits, such as writing or artwork?

In my case, not creative or artistic pursuits, though I've returned to being much more active regarding genealogical research and documentation lately. Also have been doing a lot of Spring spruce-up yard work (which everything about the current state of the world can feel fully normal while doing that out in the fresh air and sunshine).

Hello, genplant, my genial Internet friend!

I am so glad to hear that your brother-in-law is on the way to recovery, and that you yourself seem to be doing well.

You are right about the meat and poultry plants; many have shut down, to the point where thousands of hogs and millions of chickens have to be euthanized without being used for food, since there are fewer places to process them. I happen to work in a beef plant, and while several of those facilities have closed, they are now slowly starting to resume production. The facility I am assigned to as an inspector is running very slow, since dozens of workers have tested positive for COVID and hundreds more have stopped coming in out of fear (and, to be honest, some were just looking for an excuse not to come in, since the job-site is not the most appealing and the work is hard).

I will be glad when civilization gets going again, although I do think some of these societal changes we are seeing are here to stay, which I think is unfortunate.

In any case, genplant, enjoy the Springtime weather and I wish you nothing but success in your genealogical research!