Well......it was time to venture out and see if the rest of the world was still there. So I checked Maryland's coronavirus website to see how many folks in my county have tested positive so far. The answer was one. One reported case out of a population of 113,000 folks in the county, and the site is updated every morning. So I checked our two neighboring counties and they had one and five cases reported respectively. So.........I figure it's only going to get worse, so I might as well get going while the gettin's good.
First I hit CVS to pickup three prescriptions. Turned out I didn't need one of them and they never received one. So I ended up just getting one, but it's the one I actually need. And instead of costing $90 like last time....it only cost $6. Don't ask me why....but I just took it and ran. Now driving to CVS was interesting.......it was during what used to be "rush hour"......but the roads were empty. There was just one other person in CVS too. So far so good.....next stop WAWA for some daily fresh baked soft pretzels and some gas.
WAWA is usually nuts with people this time of day.......but not today. There were 2 other people in there while I was there......but the pretzels were long gone. Damn. Ok, time to hit the credit union to deposit a check. Lobby is closed.....so have to use the ATM. There was no one around, so it just took a second or two and I was on my way. Next up...the Piece De Resistance.....Walmart!
Now Walmart is just a block away from the credit union, but you have to get on the six lane highway (3 lanes in each direction) to get there (and remember it's rush hour). Well....you normally have to wait a few minutes for a break in the traffic to get on the highway......but not today. The road was eerily empty, and I was in the Walmart parking lot in like 30 seconds. Next was finding a parking spot close to the door. Normally that's impossible, but always fun to try. Today I parked 3 spots from the door.....NICE!
Ok, in I go. I got my shopping cart and once inside it was strangely quiet......and empty. Where the heck is everybody? Oh yeah.....coronavirus....almost forgot. So walking around was weird. If there was anyone in an aisle I turned down they'd look at me and then turn their cart around and leave the isle. I think I only ever actually walked past anyone twice the whole time I was there. They had plenty of stuff with the exception of toilet paper (what the hell is everyone doing with all the toilet paper?) And fresh meat (chicken and beef). They had milk, bread and paper towel. I got almost everything on my list and figured maybe I should push my luck and hit McDonalds on my way home.
But I couldn't shake the thought of Johnny the teenage burger flipper coughing or sneezing on the food he was cooking, even though he's wearing his gloves and hair net. Sooo....I'm going to pass on McDonalds.......for today. But on my way home I realized I forgot to get a propane tank refill while I was at Walmart.....crap. But I just didn't feel like turning around, so I went to my local supermarket called Weis Markets. Parked right in front and found almost no one inside shopping (again). So I filled my cart again, but they were out of propane. Not an issue as I have 2 full spare tanks.....but it would have been nice to get my 3rd tank exchanged. Ok, that's enough....Home James! I think I passed a total of 6 cars on the way home.
So overall it was weird. It was nice not dealing with traffic, parking or idiot shoppers..........but strange. I believe our Governor is officially locking down the state starting tomorrow, so it's only going to get stranger. But the good news is the world is still there. YEAH!
Stay safe folks,
Bob