Stay at Home (Mostly) Part 13

We stopped counting the days since the first day of lockdown. We finished distance learning. We’re going to the grocery store (wearing masks). Life is a strange limbo where it’s not nearly as dramatic as those first months, and still nowhere near normal either.

I don’t feel like taking photographs for fun.

We don’t have anything to complain about. Our home is made for summer. And we’re making the most of being outdoors. We splurged on a small digital projector so the neighbors could come and the kids could watch movies outdoors with social distance. We’re in a “managed risk” plan, where every activity is weighed against possible outcomes and risks. It’s tiring. And frustrating because kids want to hang out with friends but we’re still staying away from most activities.

And almost all summer activities are canceled. The fair, the Children’s Festival, street fairs…

The cases here in Northern California were doing really well until about two weeks ago. Our county had zero new cases for about 6 weeks. And then it’s gone up and up.

I read articles about a collective shrug leading to this “wave” which is really a new surge because the past wave never went down. From my perspective, two contributing factors aren’t getting as much attention as I see happening around our area. One is that the policies were not necessarily the practice. We had a day before the mandated California mask order where we noticed people wear masks into a store, then take the mask off inside the store.

The local grocery that we often visit has one-way signs for aisles and social distancing stickers for lines. However, on a given day, a good number of people either ignore the signs or are oblivious. Very few are hostile, but it creates tension for everyone. Especially as the overhead announcement says, “We care about your health and safety so important measures are in place in accordance with CDC guidelines.” And every time I think about the pirate movies- “It’s more of a guideline.”

And then the lines have stickers going down aisles to stand six feet apart. But you’re standing in front of food down the aisle, so, if the aisle is “directed” the other way, everyone’s passing in opposite directions. And then items are blocked by people standing in line so you need to ask for room to grab whatever may be blocked.

Most people are civil and gracious as we all try to accommodate these new expectations. It just highlights the dichotomy between the guidance and the reality.

Myself, I try to go at off times to avoid as many people as possible. I’m curious to see whether the mask mandate will make a difference. It was about 70% wearing masks and 30% without a couple of weeks ago. I still only go once a week. The last visit, a few days ago, I did notice a few more masks, but still a few not wearing masks (even with the mandate).

My other observation was that, early in the pandemic, I noticed people mostly buying pantry supplies- pasta, canned goods, fruits, and veggies. The last shopping trips before lock-down featured carts full of non-perishable goods. I can’t speak to March and April because we didn’t leave home. We started getting groceries again in Mid-May. Once the weather warmed up, shopping trips seemed to change as well. Nowadays, it’s a lot more picnic snacks and party food. I say that without judgment- just an observation. I notice purchases that are meant to be shared- 30 burger buns or racks of ribs. I am a relentless observer. We’re all measuring risks these days- it’s just a way to share what I see happening as folks wonder, where did California go wrong?

The other thing that I feel like isn’t addressed in discussions about people going out and doing things is that, and this is important, people need money. Strange concept, I know, but if you have to go work among people all day because you need to pay bills, then what’s the point of avoiding people on the weekend? I mean, yes, fewer interactions mean fewer chances of infection, but our brains struggle to reconcile why it shouldn’t panic about going to work in a restaurant, then avoid eating on the terrace after your shift. The government sent $1200 in April. So, given that this has lasted since March, we’re to, what, $300 a month? We, quite simply, need to work to pay bills. Right now I hear that bars and gatherings are big vectors of transmission, but another reason that the younger demographic may be getting more cases is that, at that age, you have to work. Most of us cannot opt-out of paying bills or mortgage or rent. I am curious how many cases are actually passed around by people that would be home if they had the means to stay home. Once work reopens, you cannot quit and collect unemployment. And unemployment agencies are swamped. Many people depend on their job for healthcare as well, so they don’t have the freedom to choose personal safety over their paycheck (and health insurance). Some people are having to make really difficult decisions. And calling that “boredom” minimizes the crush of bills and living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Ok, one more thing- people have been creative about circumventing mandates. I heard about places that were “open for curbside” while offering a “waiting for food area” where folks would sit with friends for an hour and munch on their food out of the take-out bag. I saw full picnic tables in front of restaurants on my Facebook feed. So while the rules said one thing, the reality was something else. And, again, I’m not judging. I’m simply adding to the conversation as the future wonders how we “let” this get out of control.

Nothing about these times is easy. We’re trying our best. And it’s a long time. With an odd other-worldly threat where we don’t see the danger until it’s far too late. I mean, we hear it but it’s also difficult to be hyper-vigilant day-after-day-week-after-week-month-after-month.

I did take a few flower photos as I took rainbow fairy photos for Forest Fairy Crafts. I need to try and pick up the camera again. I know I’m tired. But inspiration helps.

We do our best. And we hope that’s enough. Wishing you all well!