Can you, while in quarantine, do the grocery shopping every day because it’s your only outing?
There are questions you might want to ask, but don’t always dare to. Luckily, we’re here for you. Not only to ask these pressing questions about life, but also to answer them as best we can. This time, a corona special: can you, while in quarantine, do the grocery shopping every day because it’s your only outing?
Adeline: “No. No. No. Although I know how nice it is to spend a little time in a supermarket. Maybe I lingered for a few minutes by the wine aisle, just maybe.”
Lauretta: “Actually, no. But while in quarantine, I still secretly go to the supermarket almost every day. I’m not very good at stocking up on food for several days anyway. It’s gone within a day and a half. Besides, it really is a relief to see something other than your own living room. I do try to avoid the busy times when people have to wait in line outside.”
Sharon: “Apart from the fact that I don’t find grocery shopping an enjoyable outing at all, it’s obviously not a good idea. The fewer people in the supermarket, the better. If only for the supermarket staff (talk about heroes!), who are exposed to other people all day long—people who often don’t keep 1.5 metres’ distance at all, either. Have your groceries delivered through Picnic or Albert Heijn or another supermarket, and turn a walk into an outing. Enjoy the remarkably clean air and call your friends and family while you’re at it—the people you’re now unable to see. Bake a cake for that elderly neighbour or finally try that recipe you never had or made time for before. And get used to supermarkets becoming less and less of an outing anyway, because in the future, supermarkets as we know them will slowly but surely disappear…”
Delilah: “Difficult. You can have no symptoms and still carry and spread the virus. If you leave a week between visits, you’re more likely to know after that week whether you’re experiencing any symptoms. Rather than going every day and increasing the risk of infection. Aside from that, I can’t imagine putting myself through the anxiety every day of wondering whether the carts have actually been properly disinfected. Or, if you have to do it yourself, not even wanting to touch the spray bottle. In short, I’m sparing myself the hassle…”
Laura: “No! The supermarket is still very much a place where there are often too many people. Think a little in advance about what you’re going to buy and get enough for a few days. Your daily outing can be: a walk around the block! Perhaps with a cocktail in your hand.”
Sabina: “Do you remember that TV show with the obstacle course and the rotating obstacles? My favourite supermarket has now become a kind of Whipe Out. They don’t really follow the guidelines there, shelf stackers jump around the store like fleas and other customers cheerfully squeeze past me. After hyperventilating in the car park twice, I decided not to go there for a while. I’ll use the big supermarkets instead. Not exactly a relaxing shopping trip either, but still. I may just be overly cautious or anxious, but grocery shopping isn’t really an outing for me right now. The very best tip: a tour of West Friesland, stopping at all the roadside stalls!”
Steffi: “An outing? I think it’s absolute hell. So stressful. I’m really not holier-than-thou, but if there’s one place where people don’t follow the 1.5-metre rule, it’s the supermarket. Sometimes simply because it isn’t possible. Still, I’m no star at planning my grocery shopping in advance either, so I alternate it with ordering food. Under the banner of Support your locals—a perfectly good excuse, right?”
Read also:
- Can you ever: fake an engagement so you can ‘sample’ cake for free?
- Can you ever: send a Tikkie for less than 3 euros?
- Can you, while in quarantine, hide snacks from your housemates?
