Shopping trips during the pandemic aren’t fast or short

A fast shopping trip to pick up a few items during COVID- 19 is an oxymoron. I have friends who have compromised immune systems and their doctors have stressed they not leave their homes. I offer to pick up a few items for them when I’m out. If and when they do get out, they get things for me. Recently, I really didn’t need anything, BUT I wanted one item. My logic, if my friends didn’t need or want anything, I’d not make the trip. They needed things, but said they could wait. I couldn’t let them do without. Plus, I wanted my forbidden treat. Trying to be prepared, I keep a mask in the car. I request a text message containing a shopping list from them. I want to leave nothing to memory. Great, the list contained four items. Plus my one item, that equals a quick trip. During my drive, I hear my phone beep, OK, an item or two more! Still a doable list for a fast trip. I park my car close to a cart rack so I don’t have to return the cart to the building. Nearing the store, I pull up my mask smiling underneath as I enter. Grabbing a wipe to clean the cart handles just as my glasses fog. OK, I can see well enough without the glasses to at least find the aisles. Oh, yes, I need to check the texts. So the glasses go on. I cross the store in search of antibacterial hand soap, special wipes and hand sanitizer. The text said “Be certain to get the big size.” So I snap photos and text to confirm I’ve gotten the correct product and size, etc. About to head back across the store, I receive the text: “is there more than one? If so get as many as they allow!” OK, no sign limiting the amount so I grab three. Returning across the store, I detour to check on a hard-to-find cleaning product and score the last two bottles. I had been told a case was coming in the night before. Now, back to the original list. Tossing items into the cart, I think I can still make it a short trip if not fast. Text, “hey, could you stop by the deli case.....” OK, detour to the deli. Short line, only one person in front of me. Got the American cheese. Wrong color, but it’s American. OK, on to get other items. Decided to text photos to be certain I have the right mac and cheese. Text reply, “yes, that’s right.” On to the jars of beets. I ask for help since I can’t find the right brand. Nice employee checks his hand-held computer. “We no longer carry that brand. These are the styles we have now.” Text: They no longer carry that brand. Sending photo of what they do have. After briefly waiting, I head on to the next item. Text: We want the southern style beets. When I turn around, I realize I’m going the wrong way on the aisle. Taking my foggy glasses off, I turn the cart in the right direction and head for the beets. Score, the beets are in the cart. Ding! Text: would you mind going back to the deli. We want a half pound of chopped ham, if you don’t mind. This time I’m third in line at the deli. Just as I begin to order, the phone rings. No text this time. “If they have the chopped ham, we want a pound.” I changed the order. The lady in the deli sliced the meat and was weighing it. She said, oh. no, I sliced 3/4 pound. I replied, “Wrap it. I’ll take it; they’ll be happy.” Last item on their list! I can head for the freezer section and get my treat. Just as I put it in the cart, the phone rings. “Would you mind picking up those special small bagels for Mary Beth.....” My reply ‘no problem’ as I resisted opening my treat and eating it as I searched for the last item and headed to the checkout! I delivered the groceries and made it home before I dug into the carton of vanilla bean ice cream. The trip wasn’t fast or short, but the ice cream was delicious. Barbara Ann Horton is a reporter for the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.