The Day Normal Disappeared

Do you remember the day you knew something drastic was up?  

We had heard about Coronavirus for less than a week, when everything changed that day in March 2020.  What do you remember about the first day it became real for you?

The week of March 9th was the turning point for me.  I went to the Zoo as I normally do on the days I leave the house.   This has been my routine for years, to visit the Animals and get a good walk in.   The Zoo is like my second home.  It's the only place I care about outside my house.   I know alot of people there, and they know me. 

I have always been hypersensitive to human ick.  Ick, that nastiness spread by humans with bad hygiene habits.  I bought Wet Ones by the case and carried them everywhere.  Wiping away Free Cougher particles and keeping my hands clean.  In short, keeping other people's nastiness off me as much as possible.

That week, news of the virus in Northern California was in the air.  Less than two weeks prior that concern was fading as the new news that a Grand Princess Cruise Ship carrying a ship-load of infected, wanted to dock in the City.  I remember hearing this on the radio as I drove and saying out-loud, Oh Hell No!  The City forbid it and it was later rerouted to Oakland.

A couple friends at the Zoo, were like, you're here?  Suggesting I would be afraid to come out with news of an unknown disease in the air.  Another was curious I came with my face exposed.  Remember, masks had not even been mentioned at this time.  I hadn't thought about it that seriously, until others said things, knowing how I am about human funk.   In those moments, I thought about the wildfire smoke warnings being more dangerous, and I still hadn't worn a mask for that. 

At about 3a Friday the 13th, I was awake and scrolling Twitter.  I had already wrapped up my days out for the week, but then I saw a photo of people lined up around the block at a Trader Joes in New York.  Followed by photos of empty shelves and warnings of Toilet Paper shortages.  I was like what the hell?  It was like something out of an Apocalyptic movie.  Out of a feeling that my regular products could be scarce, I set the alarm to go out early that morning.  

In and out of Food Markets was easy, no lines anywhere. Then there was Target.  When I thought to write about this today, I searched the date on Facebook to see what I posted. There was a video I made.  I don't even remember making this one, but I remember the incident.  I must have heeded the "disease" aspect of the news reports, when I ventured into stores, as I had a Bandana on.  Thankfully I had one in my car for those windy day beach walks.   

My lifelong irritation of self-entitled free coughers was in higher gear than usual, and rightfully so.  Why wasn't everyone being extra careful?  Little did I know, the middle finger attitude by the masses, was only beginning. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G1Z5gYal7Y

Regardless of the bullshit, this was a good plan!  Thank you, NYC for the heads-up!

Monday the 16th, was one of my days out.  It didn't turn out normal, but started out as the last normal day (out).  The Zoo was closed this day.  I can't remember what I did in the early part of the day, but I landed in the Safeway lot just before noon and sat for a few minutes before going in.  Listening to news radio there was a teaser for the Mayor's upcoming press conference, regarding "the outbreak".   It was reported by station jocks that rumors were she would announce a City Shutdown starting at midnight.  What?  What does that mean?  Obvious, something I have never experienced in my lifetime.  I wanted to listen to the broadcast live, but as I sat there, it seemed like more people were showing up to the market.  I thought I better get in and get out of there as soon as possible.  

I didn't have a face-covering, as I don't think I had planned to go into stores that day, and if I did, maybe I thought I'd just be in and out for lunch?  I remember using my jacket to cover my face.  At that time there was not the air of danger to the degree it got soon after.  As, I headed to the entrance, the amount of people flocking in the same direction increased.  Soon a line formed, I was maybe seventh.  If I hadn't seen the New York photo I'd be like what the hell?  A line to get in a store?

Once inside, it was pure mayhem!  Not sure why there was a line, there was no capacity limit at this point.  The check-out lines were longer than the aisles, and wrapping around into the next.  Shelves were being cleared fast.  You had to grab stuff quick or lose out.  My staple food list isn't long.  Maybe half dozen options, and a few other things.  Unfortunately, it seems my favorites were also others.  They were being wiped out fast.  Thankfully I was able to grab a good amount of Amy's Soup and Minute Rice.  Some of which I still have.  The lines were hell, people packed in, reaching around and over you to get to shelves.  I left at one point to look for something and got screwed, as I walked by a free cougher, without my face covered.  I went off on the guy.  This was obviously a turning point in the situation and this fucker was free coughing!   You know the ones, that just cough right out of their cake hole, with no regard for others in their airspace.  I have never understood why humans are so nasty, and now with this threat, apparently the nasty fucks weren't about to change their ways.  

San Francisco was on Stay At Home Order starting Tuesday at Midnight.   Happy St. Patrick's Day.  This Order, included a Shutdown of all non-essential businesses for the next three weeks.  What?  No Zoo for three weeks?  That was my only concern.  I got no problem staying home, I prefer it, but no Zoo Friends?   This was very upsetting. 

My Mother works in a Hospital, so it was business as usual for her.   I'm her ride, so Stay At Home was not much different for me.  I went out when she had to, and stayed home when she did.  When I picked her up to take her to work, I don't remember a visual difference.  Then, I drove threw the Park, and it was like a weekend or holiday.  Masses of people everywhere.  Stay At Home was a joke from the start.  The masses were not staying home.  

In the coming weeks, mask and distancing suggestions were put forth.  The Shutdown was extended.  It would be four months til I was able to go to the Zoo again.  A year later, I'm still waiting for the masses to Wear A Mask and Keep Their Distance.

*All posts are the Personal Opinion of this Old Gal.