I talked to my mom a little while ago and she filled me in on the latest conspiracy theories. Trump et al. are taking the opportunity created by COVID-19 to finally root out all human trafficking in the US once and for all. In order to do this they will shut down the internet for 3 days, sometime in the next two weeks, so that they can scrub the dark web. She wanted to make sure that I was aware because I'm in "the center of it all" here in Manhattan.
Guys, she used to be a reasonable person.
My mom thinks COVID-19 is a man-made virus that has something to do with China's nuclear program. So that's great. I was like, "Yeah, it's not man-made, they've learned enough about it to know that. Gotta go, bye!"
My dad texted me and said "This 'movie' that is playing out has been well scripted, written, directed and produced. The plot is intriguing."
What the hell does that even mean? He has been saying all along the media is hyping it. He's over 65 with emphysema. I don't even know what to say back...
I went to go close our community playgrounds this morning. I posted signed and put up caution tape. Not sure how one “closes” a playground. But, we also have basketball courts. Even weirder, how do you close those?! I didn’t even have a ladder to take down the nets. I did take the basketball that was sitting out. While I was taping off the playground, someone came up and started playing with the basketball. I yelled that it was closed, order of the county. He put the ball down and left. WTH do I do with the basketball?! It’s sitting in my car floorboard right now.
A neighboring county has removed basketball hoops (like, taken the rim off of the backboard). Our county hasn’t done anything and I still see kids playing basketball at the park near our neighborhood every time I drive by (I still have to go into work).
I talked to my mom a little while ago and she filled me in on the latest conspiracy theories. Trump et al. are taking the opportunity created by COVID-19 to finally root out all human trafficking in the US once and for all. In order to do this they will shut down the internet for 3 days, sometime in the next two weeks, so that they can scrub the dark web. She wanted to make sure that I was aware because I'm in "the center of it all" here in Manhattan.
Guys, she used to be a reasonable person.
Does she also think Tom Hanks was actually arrested when he was in quarantine? I've seen that one around too.
The best specialty oreos were the limited edition rice crispy treat oreos sold only at Target about 7-8 years ago. I'm still sad they've never brought those back.
I ventured out to get groceries yesterday, including a giant Costco run for us, and I bought a few things for some friends (dropped on their porch). Costco was pretty well stocked, excepted cleaning supplies, and now I'm stocked up on meat, fruit, veggies, frozen burritos, and dishwasher tabs. They were really good about keeping people separated getting in and while waiting in line to check out, but the actual check out process things kind of fell apart - three people to unload, check, and box is too many, and nearly resulted in me not getting my Kleenex, and did result in me being double charged for eggs. Then with the egg confusion the cashier definitely broke the six feet rule. Most people tried really hard to stay out of each other's space, but there were the usual oblivious behavior (some dude literally ran into me), which sucked.
The grocery stores were much more chill with way fewer people and much better social distancing, but had much emptier shelves. I had to go to two stores but ended up with everything I had planned on my list. Now I'm staying put for another 3 weeks.
I had looked into doing a grocery delivery, but for Costco a lot of what was on my list was listed as sold out online, but I was able to get it in person, and for the grocery stores I couldn't get a delivery slot until the 6th or 7th (I looked at like 3 different chain options, including delivery and pick up).
ohgillian , do you have grocery delivery available?
(I've thought about the morality of just farming out my exposure to risk to someone else. But in theory, if the only people going to stores are healthy, and especially if they stay social distancing and the stores themselves are clean, like wiping down carts and things, the risk should be minimal. Most people are requesting their groceries just be left outside, even if usually an instacart person would help bring them in. Plus, for some people, delivery is their livelihood, so I figure I can just tip more than normal and help them pay their rent, you know?)
I've struggled with the same idea... I'm super high risk so I really shouldn't be going anywhere, especially a grocery store. I've been tipping all of my delivery drivers heavily the past few weeks as both an appreciation and hazard pay.
I just did instacart for pickup, and I was surprised there wasn't a spot to tip. I know it lets you tip on delivery. Should I tip cash at pickup??
I went to the store when it opened this morning since it's impossible to snag a pickup time right now.
Lots of people in gloves and masks, which surprised me for this area. I actually felt weird not having either item.
They were surprisingly well stocked although still no sanitizer and low on soap, dish soap, and laundry detergent.
I got some Reese's eggs as my item to get me through this time.
I was confused though because they've built what feels like a cattle shoot at the entrance and exit with carts and caution tape. They've split the entrance and exit sides and you have to go well out of your way to get in and out. Like, coming out you have to go way to the left, so if you're parked to the right of the door you then have to double back.
It's weird because it actually shrinks the walking room just enough to push people together but not enough to make it single file. And it seems awful from an access perspective. I was thinking about my grandma who uses a cane and has some walking issues and that would really suck for her.
yeah, same here. But I think if they closed the stores down to the public, that would free up a lot of employees to pick and deliver orders. Now, whether or not each store has the infrastructure to handle that kind of load, I doubt it. But it's a nice idea. LOL
I’d wonder if most employees would even have vehicles to drive or even want to be a driver. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your car and liability. They’d have to to come up with some way to deliver perishables too.
Definitely an obstacle and that's probably why delivery slots are filling up so quick - they may have staff volunteers willing to delivery but not enough with cars/licenses. Maybe more pick-up slots where they're fetching items for customers and bringing them out to a designated pick-up area or their car? Still though, that's a herculean task to set up during such a sudden situation.
Post by InBetweenDays on Apr 1, 2020 15:33:36 GMT -5
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
That was awesome! I was hoping the payoff at the end would be Jeffrey making an appearance, but that may have been better.
I thought the same - I was hoping he’d stroll in at the end and I was curious if he’d still wear the sweater or if he’s got casual wear. If she does a video post about roasting chicken then he’ll probably make an appearance lol
I’m glad I saw the IG post first, because now I see that “Ina Garten” is trending on Twitter and I would’ve been really upset to think she’s sick or had died (obviously ANYONE getting sick or dying is horrible; I just mean as far as celebrities go she’s one of my favorites).
I went to go close our community playgrounds this morning. I posted signed and put up caution tape. Not sure how one “closes” a playground. But, we also have basketball courts. Even weirder, how do you close those?! I didn’t even have a ladder to take down the nets. I did take the basketball that was sitting out. While I was taping off the playground, someone came up and started playing with the basketball. I yelled that it was closed, order of the county. He put the ball down and left. WTH do I do with the basketball?! It’s sitting in my car floorboard right now.
A neighboring county has removed basketball hoops (like, taken the rim off of the backboard). Our county hasn’t done anything and I still see kids playing basketball at the park near our neighborhood every time I drive by (I still have to go into work).
Oooh. Good idea! I wish I had a ladder. This stupid separation is getting to me, cause I keep finding out he took all the tools! I had to use a hand claw thingies to mix my dirt bc he had both garden rakes?!
Side note, thanks to everyone here, and these chat threads. I know I’ve popped in and out over the past N years, but it’s been a godsend to have a place to babble and see how others are coping 😘
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I've been wondering the same. But I assume it's that different households have different needs and priorities as far as food. We go through 3+ gallons of milk per week (household of 6) between coffee and cereal (much of which is my brother, who uses it in coffee, eats a ton of cereal and mixes protein stuff in it after working out) and can't fit 2+ weeks of it in our fridge as a result even if I could get 6+ gallons home. But I would guess that we're far on the higher end of milk consumption (back when we were newlyweds and 2 of us we went through about 1/2 gallon/week since between H and I we only use it for cofee).
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
We don't drink milk (so a gallon of ultra pasteurized will last for a month), we freeze extra bread (but really, we don't eat much bread), and sturdy fruits & veg like root veg, cabbage, apples, etc. are bought along with frozen (or canned, but I dislike canned veg. My kids love canned pineapple though) for weeks 2-3.
We do eat eggs, but it's easy enough to sub out other meal options (biscuits & gravy, grits, oatmeal w/ frozen fruit, etc)
It's not difficult, especially if you have an extra freezer or you're starting this with a totally empty freezer that you can fill with the appropriate things.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
We generally do shop 1 week at a time but I could see 2 weeks easy and 3 weeks if you have an extra freezer.
Eggs keep 2 weeks and so will bread. Milk is iffy but ultrapasteurization helps. You could get the shelf stable one or nut milks.
If you buy in bulk you can freeze most veggies or just buy frozen. Fruits like apples keep well over two weeks and everything else could be frozen/bought frozen. I think lots of people just don't eat the much fruit though. I buy just berries, apples and banana most of the time.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I went 3 weeks. I picked long lasting fruit like oranges and apples and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, winter squash, beets, potatoes, root vegetables. The oranges, cauliflower, cabbage and potatoes I have left are fine.
Organic milk has long dates, the jug I bought in early March was sell by May 2. Packaged bread lasts a long time if it isn’t too humid out or you can freeze it. You can freeze milk too (I don’t but my parents do). Eggs are generally good for 2-3 weeks minimum.
We make sure not to waste any food and repurposed all the leftovers. Normally we do dinner leftovers for lunch and a new dish for dinners but I switched to cooking meat once for two dinners and since we are home having a sandwich or tuna pasta salad or canned soup or scrambled eggs or something else for lunch that we could make on the spot quickly. It really stretched out our groceries.
The trick is shopping by the expiration dates and longevity vs what looks good in the moment.
I have a small top freezer refrigerator and an old tiny dorm fridge and it’s tight but doable.
Now that it’s spring and things are in season locally, I’m planning adding produce delivery again (we don’t do it in the fall/winter when nothing is in season) if you have that. They also offer eggs and some dry goods.
It does depend on your habits and what you are willing to adjust to. For example we made cornmeal muffins for breakfast vs using up eggs or making toast to cut down on egg and bread consumption.
I'm 3 days into my new temporary promotion to a supervisor job, and so far it consists mainly of people asking for my opinions on things I don't know anything about. So that's fun.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
This is the first time ever (?) doing it, but we will run out of fresh stuff before we go back. H went on the 23rd and we are thinking we have to go back on the 6th (even tough I am having extreme anxiety about either of us going out). We meal planned dinners for the 2 weeks and he bought stuff for that. Lunches are dinner leftovers, frozen stuff like chicken nuggets, or sandwiches.
We have a few bananas, apples, and H just cut up a watermelon yesterday that seems decent. We have a few bell peppers, carrots, and spinach that is still holding on. But yeah, by Friday I expect us to be out of milk, half and half for coffee, fresh veggies and most fruit.
I bought frozen veggies and we have things like applesauce and go go squeezes that will get us by.
ETA: @@@ my kids typically get fruit with every meal, but we've been scaling back portions and only giving them it at lunch or dinner or vice/versa. I should eat more fruit than I do, but I don't eat much more than a few bites when cutting it up for them. H and I don't drink milk, so that's easy. I have 7 y.o. twins, myself and H in our house.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
We generally do shop 1 week at a top but I could see 2 weeks easy and 3 weeks if you have an extra freezer.
Eggs keep 2 weeks and so will bread. Milk is iffy but ultrapasteurization helps. You could get the shelf stable one or nut milks.
If you buy in bulk you can freeze most veggies or just buy frozen. Fruits like apples keep well over two weeks and everything else could be frozen/bought frozen. I think lots of people just don't eat the much fruit though. I buy just berries, apples and banana most of the time.
@@@ Our kids love eggs. We went through two dozen in 5 days between breakfast and baking. But we're now trying to cut back on that. And milk lasts that long in term of not spoiling but we go through more than a gallon a week.
We may need to just restrict things more if we want to try to limit it to every two weeks.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I don’t eat bread or milk but veggies pretty much last me for 2 weeks. I’ve kinda always shopped like that. My SO does pretty much most of the cooking when he’s around and he’s not a meal planner just throws things together. Our staple produce every 10-14 days is apples, carrots, beets, greens (usually kale, chard and spinach), onions, potatoes, bananas, garlic, tomatoes and peppers. No the bananas don’t last for 2 weeks but most things are cooked by day 7-9, then it’s leftovers for a few days to get to 14 days. I currently live alone though and it’s working well for me.
I’d wonder if most employees would even have vehicles to drive or even want to be a driver. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your car and liability. They’d have to to come up with some way to deliver perishables too.
Definitely an obstacle and that's probably why delivery slots are filling up so quick - they may have staff volunteers willing to delivery but not enough with cars/licenses. Maybe more pick-up slots where they're fetching items for customers and bringing them out to a designated pick-up area or their car? Still though, that's a herculean task to set up during such a sudden situation.
I don’t envy them! I’ve never had good luck with grocery delivery or pick up personally (ending up with a bunch of food that was 1-2 days from spoiling, busted bags, expired canned goods, wrong items etc) before this and I think it must be a hard shift to make and do well from that angle as well.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
baking bread (literally right now), fake shelf-stable milks (almond, coconut), and fresh veggies? Haven’t had those in awhile. My last onion had mold (gross!) just under the skin LOL
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I don’t eat bread or milk but veggies pretty much last me for 2 weeks. I’ve kinda always shopped like that. My SO does pretty much most of the cooking when he’s around and he’s not a meal planner just throws things together. Our staple produce every 10-14 days is apples, carrots, beets, greens (usually kale, chard and spinach), onions, potatoes, bananas, garlic, tomatoes and peppers. No the bananas don’t last for 2 weeks but most things are cooked by day 7-9, then it’s leftovers for a few days to get to 14 days. I currently live alone though and it’s working well for me.
Yeah, I should have clarified for us it isn't an issue of the food going bad, it's that we go through it so quickly with 4 of us eating all our meals at home.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I typically shop for 2 weeks at a time anyway, so that part isn't a challenge for me. The challenge has been the shortages. However trying to suddenly start doing this right now is a lot to deal with, so don't feel bad if it's just not something you can do easily right now.
We do tend to run out of things like bananas but I try to get things like that and eat them first but also grab things like oranges that will last longer to eat when the more perishable things are gone. We will also eat fresh vegetables first and then go to frozen by week two. We're fine with frozen but I know some people aren't a fan.
I've never had a problem with milk, bread, or eggs going bad on me. But we get lactose free milk, so it may have a longer shelf life.
I usually am a very thorough meal planner and will make sure I have recipes that will use up as much of what I buy as possible. So if I need half a thing of broth for one recipe I try to find another for a few days later that will use the rest. I also prep any meat and freeze it, which helps a lot.
How are people able to go 2-3 weeks without getting groceries? We have enough stuff in our freezer for dinners for that long, but we need weekly trips for eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, etc.
I bought two weeks of milk, eggs, butter, frozen/canned fruit, yogurt, and bread before things got crazy. We are down to only frozen veggies, but we will make do. I would be fine without meat but my husband is picky so I've been putting half the usual meat it things like spaghetti and he hasn't noticed I also bought organic milk in the cartons because it has long expiration dates. I wasn't able to snag a delivery order this week and am going to have to go soon, my plan is to get enough to make it till my grocery delivery on April 9th. Grocery delivery was a bit of a crap shoot and we barely got the veggies that I requested, but I am just being more flexible in my cooking.