A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

I live in one of the three California counties that have declared themselves "open" in direct opposition to the state governor's directive.

The first "open" day here was a bit strange. I live a few blocks from "downtown", from my backyard, I could hear celebratory whooping and hollering, cars near and far revving their engines and honking, distant explosions (my county loves to set off fireworks, all year round).

I did a brief - very brief - drive around my part of town with my car windows rolled up and mask on my face. There seemed to be people everywhere walking around together in small groups - not a mask in sight, no 'social distancing' to be seen.

The local mall was mobbed, judging from photos and videos I have seen online (I did not go there) only about 50% of people were wearing masks.

Traffic in my area is pretty much bumper-to-bumper on the main streets - which leads me to the concern that people from surrounding counties (that are still closed) are coming here to the open businesses and to the mall. Why? Because they can. My county is about 35 - 45 miles from a major population center.

This pretty much freaks me out. I was scheduled for a grocery delivery tomorrow, but am now thinking I might cancel it in view of all of the above.

On the other hand, if I wait, and the influx of people from elsewhere causes a spike in the virus here, I might then be worse off. I need to get groceries sometime.

I know that there are brave souls here on the Forum that are braving going to the grocery store. I struggle with this. I have had severe pneumonia twice in my life - the second instance nearly did me in. Although this was years ago, this is an experience that I have never forgotten, and one I do not wish to repeat.

What to do?

Still trying to decide.

Anne

Anne, I totally understand your fears. The county we winter in in FL is doing the same thing starting tomorrow. Restaurants and retail stores were able to open at 25% this past Monday. Tomorrow they can open at 50% along with beauty salons, barbers, business offices & gyms. No business is being forced to open if they're not comfortable doing so.

Since Europe has started to reopen, their new cases of the virus have skyrocketed. I hope the same thing here and where you are, Anne, doesn't occur as well.

I live in a parish that has only had 38 cases of the virus and one death. I haven't felt all that worried about going to town but try to be careful. I managed to get a quart size bottle of hand sanitizer that I keep in my car and use it every time I come out of a store. I think it will be a while before I will eat at a restaurant. My camping group has started back to camping but I don't know when I will feel comfortable doing that. I'm afraid we are going to see more cases of the virus from people that are not practicing social distancing. There was a memorial service shown on the news for someone that was shot about a week ago in Abbeville and very few masks in sight.

We can't control what other people do. Just have to do what we feel comfortable doing.

Martha

Our county is one in Oregon that we are going to start slowly opening up a few things. I am going camping next week to one of the county parks with a small group of women campers but we are all still practicing social distancing. I dont intend to go anywhere but the grocery store if needed. So far I have plenty to eat.........translate MANY Covid calories LOL

Anne I think you are better off getting your groceries delivered if you have that many idiots out milling around. Everyone here is super vigilant and probably 80% are wearing their masks. Our county has been super good for our population of over 221,000 49 cases and 0 deaths. We are also the county doing the most testing in the state. So I think we are doing really well. And I intend to continue with my current regimen. I am not afraid, even tho I am in the high risk category, but I am diligent with the mask and wipes.

My county I think has the 3rd highest case rate in CA (or maybe just southern CA) and we have done more testing than most counties too. I have noticed that almost everyone around here wears a mask but most businesses won't let you in without one. I stopped for gas yesterday and was walking towards the store there to get something and a guy coming out reminded me that I needed a mask to go inside, I totally forgot to put it on! I did wipe my hands off with a wet wipe after pumping gas.

Will be interesting to see if the places that open early will have spikes soon because of it. I am glad I won't be going back to work until sometime in June. That will give it some time to see what happens before then.

I think we need to be careful diligent in where we go ... take the best care that we can
I am not ready to go every where I normally would but somethings one has to do like grocery's and get oil that they forgot to get yesterday
I am not ready to risk getting sick so I can't see my mom sometime soon or that new grandson when dd decides it's safe for us to see him
sheila

I’m going to continue as I have been, wearing a mask and shopping as needed. My family works in health care so will continue to keep my distance. I’m also at risk because of age and health issues. If I take care of me I am less risk and worry for family and those around me.

Anne, having everyone descend close to where I live would scare the heck out of me!

I initially tried ordering groceries online & picking them up but only got a few items that I needed so I eventually ventured into the grocery store during senior hours or as soon as they open. That way I can adjust my purchases based on what's available.

I did have to go to walmart Saturday afternoon & it was a mess. Everyone wore face masks since they are required, but the store didn't appear to be restricting the number of people inside. I got what I needed & got out of there. And of course used hand sanitizer as soon as I got to the car.

Here's an article that my sister shared on FB. You can click on the link at the beginning of it to learn more about the author. I thought it made sense & was understandable once you get past all the numbers. Anyway, I thougth I'd share it here. https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them?fbclid=IwAR3tPJvPByocudO77wZQ8rWUR2-4PcuRAIUKtHigNyv_60jThL5GNMKJLbc Take it or leave it, I'm not condoning it just offering it up for additional info.

Hope everyone stays safe & well & sane.
Catherine

Thanks Catherine. Lots of information and scary as well.