Grocery store talk - pandemic edition (1 Viewer)

[Courtjester]

Operation Propane Tank was a success this morning. In and out--there was no one in the store. Zero cleaning supplies--I mean bomb went off in that area. Got my tank and hooked it up and then promptly ordered $300 worth of more meat and sides. Wife is going to get my prescriptions and five cases of beer and some wine for us (curbide) this morning. Grocery curbside pickup is set for tomorrow. Anything we don't get in that  order--we will supplement with another pickup next week sometime, but other than that we are ready to hunker down and not leave for another 2-3 weeks at least.  

 

[Doug B]

I mean, I have a little over a 2 months supply [of TP] right now ... but I still feel like every single time I see it, I gotta buy 12 rolls. I assume almost everyone else is the same. Isn't THAT where the TP is going -- on top of a bunch of medium-term household stockpiles?

I hope that not everybody else has the same philosophy. I haven't bought TP in like 2 months. I haven't even looked for it.

Due to being cheap, I always buy TP in large packs -- not in Costco/Sam's-style bulk, exactly, but almost always at least in 20- or 24-packs. Accordingly, having a stash is not unusual for us.

So, going into this thing -- the night the NBA shot down, Wed March 11 -- we had maybe 60- or 70-something rolls in the house. The night of 3/11, I made my last "easy" grocery shopping trip where everything was available in quantity except hand sanitizer. That night, I picked up two 12-packs of TP to top off the stash.

Though I've seen some TP at the local dollar store a few times since 3/11, I didn't pick up any. Between 3/11 and last Friday 4/10 ... I never saw any TP at all at any local chain grocery or the local WalMart Neighborhood Market (a stripped-down WalMart grocery store, not sure if familiar to everyone). So when I finally saw a fair amount of TP stocked at an actual grocery store last Friday, I picked up a 12-pack -- was tempted to pick up more, but there was an store-imposed limit and I knew we weren't down to our last little-bit at home.

 

[AAABatteries]

I'm not ashamed to spend too much time keeping my family safe.  I have regrets in life but knowing that I exposed my family to a deadly virus because I wanted to stock up on a couple quick things isn't going to be one of them.  

I'm late to the thread but when you bring the groceries in can you not just spray them down with Lysol and let them sit?

 

[Courtjester]

I'm late to the thread but when you bring the groceries in can you not just spray them down with Lysol and let them sit?

At least for us, perishables get wiped down and the other stuff sits in the garage for 48-72 hours--assuming it isn't something that is going freeze. 

 

[AAABatteries]

I just realized something: In a sense, your routine takes the place of something like "having to wash hands 30+ times a day". Does that sound right?

For me, personally, and I think many others ... the choice was made in the other direction: I wash/sanitize my hands 30-50 times a day. One 45-minute shopping trip is 15-20 "sanitizisations" alone for me.

Different strokes, to be sure.

This is a really good point.  We moved in to a new house and having daily deliveries for stuff and my son is still working 5 days a week at Publix.  I'm just washing my hands like crazy and not touching my face.  We are still pre-cautious with him after being at work but we aren't wiping stuff down.

 

[chet]

How about this entitled and selfish #####.

 

[Doug B]

How about this entitled and selfish #####.

Scroll down to Jane Lynch's reply (yes, that Jane Lynch) and the GIF of Prince drinking coffee. Why that GIF is so funny, I have no idea

 

[DallasDMac]

I am totally kidding. Are you almost out? 

No, we're fine. Glad you were kidding though. I don't like thinking poorly of fellow FBGers. Sometimes though during a crisis, when people show their true colors, it can be tough.

 

[parasaurolophus]

No, we're fine. Glad you were kidding though. I don't like thinking poorly of fellow FBGers. Sometimes though during a crisis, when people show their true colors, it can be tough.

I posted in the main thread last time I bought. Maybe a month ago? My wife keeps us well stocked(just like she does with everything) so we pretty much always have 70-110 rolls more if it is on sale. She buys it at costco. My local chain put toilet paper on sale for a crazy low price right when the shortages all kicked off. We figured they must have those ads printed super far in advance and couldnt change gears in time. We normally would have bought a ton, but I just grabbed one 30 pack. So we have actually reduced our purchasing. 

If you ever need ziploc bags from 3 christmases ago, i am your guy btw. 

 

[bostonfred]

Wife got a time slot for instacart tonight so she pounced on it. Ordered an insane amount of bull####.  3 large jars of artichoke hearts. 1 small jar of artichoke hearts.  A container of nutella. None of us eat nutella. 4 boxes of cake mix. My kid doesn't even eat cake. Refuses to take a bite.  She explained that he likes to blow out the candles. She and I don't really eat cake either.  

Total time to wipe everything down,  put perishables away (she empties a lot of stuff out of its original box to save fridge/freezer space), bring non perishables to the basement, throw the bags, empty containers and used wipes in the recycle/trash, spray some lysol in the entryway, wash hands, grind the dead neighbor's bodies in the woodchipper, throw my clothes in the laundry, take a shower and get some dinner and a beer was about two hours. Would have been a lot less if she wasn't clicking add to cart every time she remembered the name of a food she once saw. 

But even then, with my overboard caution, it took less time than a week and a half of groceries would normally take to shop for, bring home and put away. I get that's more time than others are spending and  it kind of defeats the purpose of grocery delivery, but she's getting it delivered to minimize her exposure and I'm wiping it down tp minimize all of ours. 

 

[matuski]

Wife got a time slot for instacart tonight so she pounced on it. Ordered an insane amount of bull####.  3 large jars of artichoke hearts. 1 small jar of artichoke hearts.  A container of nutella. None of us eat nutella. 4 boxes of cake mix. My kid doesn't even eat cake. Refuses to take a bite.  She explained that he likes to blow out the candles. She and I don't really eat cake either.  

Total time to wipe everything down,  put perishables away (she empties a lot of stuff out of its original box to save fridge/freezer space), bring non perishables to the basement, throw the bags, empty containers and used wipes in the recycle/trash, spray some lysol in the entryway, wash hands, grind the dead neighbor's bodies in the woodchipper, throw my clothes in the laundry, take a shower and get some dinner and a beer was about two hours. Would have been a lot less if she wasn't clicking add to cart every time she remembered the name of a food she once saw. 

But even then, with my overboard caution, it took less time than a week and a half of groceries would normally take to shop for, bring home and put away. I get that's more time than others are spending and  it kind of defeats the purpose of grocery delivery, but she's getting it delivered to minimize her exposure and I'm wiping it down tp minimize all of ours. 

I am trying to lighten up in regard to the stress I see people putting themselves through over groceries, but it is just fascinating regardless.

 

[bostonfred]

I am trying to lighten up in regard to the stress I see people putting themselves through over groceries, but it is just fascinating regardless.

I remember when you said testing wasn't important a month ago.  We just aren't going to see eye to eye on this. 

But I don't stress out over groceries specifically. I am cautious about bringing anything into my home.  Groceries are just the only reason I have to leave the house right now.  Keeping my home virus free means i don't need to stress about washing my hands and touching my face.  That's worthwhile considering my area is peaking right now in infections..

 

[matuski]

I remember when you said testing wasn't important a month ago.  We just aren't going to see eye to eye on this. 

But I don't stress out over groceries specifically. I am cautious about bringing anything into my home.  Groceries are just the only reason I have to leave the house right now.  Keeping my home virus free means i don't need to stress about washing my hands and touching my face.  That's worthwhile considering my area is peaking right now in infections..

Agreed.

I am coming to understand the fear that gets to people, but it doesn't change the simple facts (true a month ago).

Testing was necessary 4 months ago.  Lost cause now.  Aside from controlled environs (NBA games without a crowd), testing simply isn't a realistic option at this point.  The virus is out there among the masses.  We will all rot in our homes before a test that is cost effective (free) and immediate is available.  Testing everyone everyday just isn't gonna happen.

Regarding keeping your home virus free.. simply not realistic either outside of the fact you aren't going to get it that way (via a grocery bag).  You simply aren't going to keep your house sterile.  Your house is not sterile.

You should be washing your hands period.  Before covid, after covid.  It isn't all that stressful I assure you.  You will touch your face, everyone does... even the ones wearing masks.

 

[stbugs]

My local Ace refills the bottles you bring. Cheaper than the swap out at Walmart and they claim they fill them up more.

All this propane talk makes me really realize how glad I am that I hooked up to natural gas when I had a bar/built in grill put in my backyard. Haven't had to refill anything in 12 or so years. Really nice, especially now.

 

[matuski]

All this propane talk makes me really realize how glad I am that I hooked up to natural gas when I had a bar/built in grill put in my backyard. Haven't had to refill anything in 12 or so years. Really nice, especially now.

Life changing.

 

[Joe Summer]

Doug B said:

Scroll down to Jane Lynch's reply

I couldn't find Jane's tweet but I did scroll past veritable "Who's Who" in fringe whackjobs.

 

[Doug B]

You should be washing your hands period.  Before covid, after covid.  It isn't all that stressful I assure you.  You will touch your face, everyone does... even the ones wearing masks.

[specifically excluding bostonfred]

One thing reaction to this pandemic has revealed is just how many people just don't abide handwashing in general. Some people only wash their hands after they've been elbow-deep in obvious mess (mud, motor oil, etc.). Few people seem to have that instinctive need to wash hands after handling objects, after being in certain spaces, before eating (even in a restaurant), etc.

[/specifically excluding bostonfred]

 

[wlwiles]

More people are going in this direction.  How do they handle out of stocks?

At Kroger you have the option of saving a backup choice (e.g. give me Del Monte if Green Giant is out), or specifying "any replacement will work", or you can say "Do Not Substitute" if you prefer.  Sometimes it'll work in your favor.  My wife buys a specific flavor of K-cups for the Keurig, and if she orders the 12 pack but they're out, they'll sub the 24 pack for the price of the 12. 

 

[gianmarco]

[specifically excluding bostonfred]

One thing reaction to this pandemic has revealed is just how many people just don't abide handwashing in general. Some people only wash their hands after they've been elbow-deep in obvious mess (mud, motor oil, etc.). Few people seem to have that instinctive need to wash hands after handling objects, after being in certain spaces, before eating (even in a restaurant), etc.

[/specifically excluding bostonfred]

Hoping this becomes the new norm.  Seriously.  It's one of the simplest and most effective ways of curbing transmission of contagious disease.  It's one of the things that schools are finally doing right in teaching kids to do this early on.  It should be behavior we all model.

 

[Doug B]

Hoping this becomes the new norm.  Seriously.  It's one of the simplest and most effective ways of curbing transmission of contagious disease.  It's one of the things that schools are finally doing right in teaching kids to do this early on.  It should be behavior we all model.

I mean, some school were doing this forever ago. My elementary school in the 1970s had a handwashing station that you went through while in line for grub. No individual sinks or any handles to touch, just bars of soap and constantly-running jets of water. My daughter's school had a similar set up 30 years later, except with foaming hand soap replacing the bars.

Generally, I associate these cafeteria handwashing stations to old-school school buildings. My son's elementary school (didn't go to daughter's school) was refurbished right before he started attending, and there were no handwashing stations in or near the cafeteria. I think they went to big honking jugs of hand sanitizer.

 

[FBG26]

Article in The Verge from 2018 describing the automated grocery warehouse. Rather than having people grocery shop for you, the machines do it all. It'd just be a warehouse full of robots. I think this would be great in general, but would be especially helpful in times like this. 

 

[eoMMan]

No need to wipe down groceries or take-out (according to these expert/scientist people)

 

[bostonfred]

No need to wipe down groceries or take-out (according to these expert/scientist people)

I saw that article.  And I agree with what it said and felt the same way before I started doing all of this.  I still intend to make a grocery run this weekend and my process will remain the same. 

- The expert they're citing has multiple collrge age kids.  I've stayed quarantined. So when he says it's no more risky than the other stuff he's doing, he's dealing with a different base for comparison.  

- I'm in one of the highest areas for infection in the world right now.  The Boston area's been surging for some time. I might feel differently if i lived in a different area, but i doubt it. The Boston area wasn't surging when i started this and your area might be beginning a surge right now that you don't yet know about.  That's literally what happened here. 

- He didn't say there's no risk.  He said 

His advice might change, said Lloyd-Smith, if the person was at high risk from the virus, such as elderly or immunocompromised.

I consider my family high risk.

- He also continues to explain precautions related to groceries that he does take, and so do I. Which means that he acknowledges that there's some risk.  

"One reasonable and easy-to-implement precaution for groceries that don't need refrigeration is simply to let them sit for a day or more before unpacking them," he said. "This will vastly reduce the level of any contamination that is present."

- in other words, someone whose house is not a safe zone and leaves periodically and has family members who do the same recommends washing his hands thoroughly in his own home including after unpacking groceries and recommends keeping non perishables outside for a while.  

- but someone like me who lives in a hot spot, doesn't break quarantine except to her groceries and considers his family high risk can take a higher level of precaution to not have to worry about washing his hands thoroughly all the time while on lockdown.  

And I reiterate, I'm completely comfortable taking an extra hour or two per week to ensure my family's safety.  

The only thing I do plan to change is to start getting occasional takeout as soon as the surge here appears to have ended.  But not until.  

 

[nirad3]

Went to a local Wal-Mart at lunch today for some skivvies.  I'd say 90% of folks are in masks, and 100% of the Wal-Mart employees.  

 

[Courtjester]

I am going to continue to wipe my groceries down. 10-15 minutes buys me peace of mind on the perishable stuff and the rest stays in my car for 48 hours or so. 

We did pizza no-contact delivery last night (our 2nd take out experience during all this). Laid out metal pans--wife brought in the boxes and we slid the pizzas onto the pans and the boxes went outside in the trash. Don't think we could be more careful than that. Wife wasn't happy I tipped the guy $10.00, but I told her when we have people bringing us items that we don't feel safe going to get, it is worth a 25% tip. 

 

[stlrams]

Is it just me or did prices go up at grocery stores since pandemic?  My weekly bill around $120 now its over $150:

 

[Joe Summer]

Went shopping for the first time in 6 weeks today. Every employee at every store was wearing a mask, and about 75% of shoppers were wearing masks. Everyone was social distancing.

On a personal note, I hope Walgreens fires whoever is in charge of their website/inventory system. Their website claimed that three nearby stores had isopropyl alcohol and gloves in stock -- not only were all 3 stores out of stock, but the employees said that they hadn't had those items for weeks.

 

[mphtrilogy]

The journal has been updating this article, with the latest update being 4/24

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-the-coronavirus-11582834561

a snippet that can be considered for shopping as well imho:

Is it safe to get food delivered to my house?

Getting food delivered to your home is relatively low-risk. Although a recent study found the virus that causes Covid-19 can remain on cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic for up to two or three days, experts say practically speaking it’s likely less.

The main risk, they say, is the potential close interaction with the employees who deliver food. To minimize that, pay by credit card upfront, including the tip, and request a “no-contact” delivery, if possible. Remove all packaging and containers carefully with disposable gloves if you want to be extra cautious and throw it away. Always wash your hands before eating. 

The good news is there appears to be no risk of contracting the virus by eating it in cooked food.

 

[DallasDMac]

Went shopping for the first time in 6 weeks today. Every employee at every store was wearing a mask, and about 75% of shoppers were wearing masks. 

In San Antonio they will turn you away at the door if you don't have a mask. Saw a young couple get turned away from the grocery store because they thought being to cool to wear a mask would get them in anyways. They were wrong.

 

[FairWarning]

Is it just me or did prices go up at grocery stores since pandemic?  My weekly bill around $120 now its over $150:

Far fewer promotions and ads.  Its hard to run an ad when the suppliers cannot fill orders.  

 

[Dan Lambskin]

In San Antonio they will turn you away at the door if you don't have a mask. Saw a young couple get turned away from the grocery store because they thought being to cool to wear a mask would get them in anyways. They were wrong.

Michigan went to required masks today curious to see how enforcement goes

stopped at Home Depot earlier and there were still people without masks and I heard one of the workers ask what they were supposed to do 

this was probably an hour after the edict passed though so I’m sure there was no corporate strategy rolled out yet

 

[FairWarning]

Michigan went to required masks today curious to see how enforcement goes

stopped at Home Depot earlier and there were still people without masks and I heard one of the workers ask what they were supposed to do 

this was probably an hour after the edict passed though so I’m sure there was no corporate strategy rolled out yet

I didn't know that.  I just went to Meijer, no one said anything.  

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I didn't know that.  I just went to Meijer, no one said anything.  

Governor announced earlier today, like I said I’m curious how they enforce 

I think technically it just has to be a face covering so bandanna, wife’s underwear, etc

 

[FairWarning]

Governor announced earlier today, like I said I’m curious how they enforce 

I think technically it just has to be a face covering so bandanna, wife’s underwear, etc

There has been a lot of enforcement on the Ind/Mich border, especially with Air BnB's and Chicagoans.  I don't know if my local Meijer (stevensville ) will enforce this weekend.  It is pretty upscale clientele.

 

[El Floppo]

Michigan went to required masks today curious to see how enforcement goes

stopped at Home Depot earlier and there were still people without masks and I heard one of the workers ask what they were supposed to do 

this was probably an hour after the edict passed though so I’m sure there was no corporate strategy rolled out yet

I'm temporarily in MD...went to a home Depot two days ago. They had a sign at the entry that said:

No mask

No shoes

No dice

ETA...everybody had masks.

In the last two weeks down here I've been to Walmart twice. Two weeks ago, 1/5 customers had masks and none of the employees. Now everybody is using them...but I think MD is one of the states requiring you to wear them

 

[Rustoleum]

Is it just me or did prices go up at grocery stores since pandemic?  My weekly bill around $120 now its over $150:

Ours have stopped running many sales, so bills are a little higher since paying base price for more items. (Maybe a little price increase on some items, but nowhere near 25%

 

[DallasDMac]

Michigan went to required masks today curious to see how enforcement goes

stopped at Home Depot earlier and there were still people without masks and I heard one of the workers ask what they were supposed to do 

this was probably an hour after the edict passed though so I’m sure there was no corporate strategy rolled out yet

Usually when they announce it, you get a few days before it takes effect.

 

[Capella]

No need to wipe down groceries or take-out (according to these expert/scientist people)

Well we all know how right every expert has been on this so far. 

 

[matuski]

Well we all know how right every expert has been on this so far. 

If you wash your hands... a lot of these other steps born of paraoia are eleviated.

 

[skillz]

Governor announced earlier today, like I said I’m curious how they enforce 

I think technically it just has to be a face covering so bandanna, wife’s underwear, etc

She said stores can refuse to serve customers without face coverings.  No fines or criminal penalties for not wearing one though.  

 

[otb_lifer]

*NSFW*

Liquor Store Etiquette  is a bit more succinct

 

[The Flying Turtle]

Mask usage in South Carolina seems to be declining. I was seeing about 50%. Fresh Market has a sign saying masks required, but many people in the store without. I asked an employee and they said they were not allowed to say anything to the non-mask-wearers. 

 

[glvsav37]

Went out grocery shopping for the first time with my new mask. Figure if I have to wear one, might as well make it worth it. 

 

[DallasDMac]

Mask usage in South Carolina seems to be declining. I was seeing about 50%. Fresh Market has a sign saying masks required, but many people in the store without. I asked an employee and they said they were not allowed to say anything to the non-mask-wearers. 

Is South Carolina's motto "The Gutless State"? Just not the time to be wishy-washy on this stuff.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Went out grocery shopping for the first time with my new mask. Figure if I have to wear one, might as well make it worth it. 

First time i have seen a hat like that on somebody without a flat bill. 

You must be a good dude. 

 

[Redwes25]

my routine is similar to bfreds:

i bring masks/gloves, wipes and hand sanitizer in the car

wear old clothes i don’t really care about

wear mask and gloves into the store

credit card in pocket, no other belongings come into the store with me

wipe down shopping cart handle before touching

after checkout, pack groceries in trunk, return cart and dispose of gloves

wipe down car (trunk latch, door handles, etc).  

sanitize hands

put on new gloves

drive home

take groceries out of car and organize in the driveway

wipe everything down

start a small fire in the back yard, burn mask and gloves

(sounds excessive but i usually get a small fire going in the evenings anyway)

bring groceries into the garage

wash hands

remove clothes

wash hands and other body parts thoroughly

put on clean clothes

take the old clothes out back and throw them on the fire

wash hands

put groceries away in the kitchen/pantry

take a shower

take the towel from the shower out back throw onto the fire

set fire to the groceries

set the car on fire

burn down the house

wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds

I still think this is best Covid post.  Can't see how this one can be topped. 

 

[RG623]

Made a trip to my local grocery store today. As I made my way through the freezer section, saw a guy with no mask, (now a requirement in my state) and fingerless gloves (think Rocky Balboa) take out a small spray bottle with no label and spray the handle of the door before he opened it.

I was bothered by it as I don’t want people spraying their homemade sanitizers around the food I’m purchasing. Overreaction on my part?

 

[brun]

Scored a package of Charmin Ultra Soft at the grocery store this morning. 

 

[The Flying Turtle]

Scored a package of Charmin Ultra Soft at the grocery store this morning. 

Our Costco had Charmin the last time I went and that was at about noon. Had it in the middle of the front aisle with workers handing it out. Limit 1. 

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I saw that article.  And I agree with what it said and felt the same way before I started doing all of this.  I still intend to make a grocery run this weekend and my process will remain the same. 

- The expert they're citing has multiple collrge age kids.  I've stayed quarantined. So when he says it's no more risky than the other stuff he's doing, he's dealing with a different base for comparison.  

- I'm in one of the highest areas for infection in the world right now.  The Boston area's been surging for some time. I might feel differently if i lived in a different area, but i doubt it. The Boston area wasn't surging when i started this and your area might be beginning a surge right now that you don't yet know about.  That's literally what happened here. 

- He didn't say there's no risk.  He said 

His advice might change, said Lloyd-Smith, if the person was at high risk from the virus, such as elderly or immunocompromised.

I consider my family high risk.

- He also continues to explain precautions related to groceries that he does take, and so do I. Which means that he acknowledges that there's some risk.  

"One reasonable and easy-to-implement precaution for groceries that don't need refrigeration is simply to let them sit for a day or more before unpacking them," he said. "This will vastly reduce the level of any contamination that is present."

- in other words, someone whose house is not a safe zone and leaves periodically and has family members who do the same recommends washing his hands thoroughly in his own home including after unpacking groceries and recommends keeping non perishables outside for a while.  

- but someone like me who lives in a hot spot, doesn't break quarantine except to her groceries and considers his family high risk can take a higher level of precaution to not have to worry about washing his hands thoroughly all the time while on lockdown.  

And I reiterate, I'm completely comfortable taking an extra hour or two per week to ensure my family's safety.  

The only thing I do plan to change is to start getting occasional takeout as soon as the surge here appears to have ended.  But not until.  

I am very diligent in wiping down and sanitizing all deliveries, groceries and food delivery.  It was getting to be such a big task that i just broke down and shelled out $250 and got a uv-c sanitation chamber.  It helps a ton.   I put the chamber in the play room that one is forced to walk through entering or exiting our house through the backyard. I will bring all deliveries, mail to the backyard from the side yard (nothing gets walked through the house). I wear gloves and a mask—just give everything a quick wipe down and then will put stuff in the chamber for 15-30 minutes.   It’s really simplified the process for me.  Even for food delivery—i will only order food that is microwaveable—i wipe down the containers it comes in—then put it in the chamber—then transfer the food onto our own microwave safe dishes—and will microwave the food for 1-2 minutes to where it is steaming hot.   I also got a few uv-c lamps that have timers on them—and I will rotate sanitizing 2-3 different areas of the house daily.  Today I will do the kitchens and the bathrooms, yesterday I did my bedroom and the front entrance and the back entrance of my house.  Don’t get me wrong—it’s not a replacement for wiping things down and such—but it’s a nice way of supplementing general procedures that allows you to work smarter versus working harder.  You might want to consider grabbing a chamber.  

Just know that some of them feature both heat and uv-c— I went out of my way to purchase one where the heat can be controlled independent the uv-c.  The one I got is similar to the ones that dentists, and spas use to sanitize their equipment.  I wanted to have heat be separate because I do sanitize my remote controls, cell phone, cordless phone, iPads, my car keys with alarm fob in there—and I didn’t want to expose those things to to much heat.