I went out this morning looking for tins of meat for a more varied diet than more tins of fish. But alas no tinned meat anywhere. I did find four small tins of white herring, and for a treat I found a few packets of apple crisps and pineapple crisps (air dried fruit), a bit expensive and a bit high in carbs but I thought I would treat myself.
However when I got to the only till open the till lady began coughing. Badly, a hacking cough. I pulled my bandana up over my face and positioned my glasses over the top bit on the bandana. And as I was also wearing a snood, I pulled that up as well. And I held my breath...
She managed to cough over every item, not even attempting to cover her mouth or anything. And then proceeded to cough cough cough into the open till over the change. I pointed to the charity box, her eyes opened because presumably not many say put just under £5 change in the charity box.
I can't afford that but no way was I touching that money, and yes I did have gloves on with latex type gloves underneath.
I realised that at that point the coughing till assistant looked quite ill. Her face was a strange colour. I was trying not to look at her.
My shopping is now in quarentine. I didn't fancy eating those air dried fruit crisps any more.
My clothes all came off when I got back home and put in the washing machine. And the Amazon parcel was due any moment...
It is because of ignorant people coughing with no attempt at any hygiene that I don't want to go out.
Prior to that last experience this morning, I had earlier been to chemist to collect my meds. I had a little wait while they made it up, and strangers/people were chatty, friendly, opening doors and helping each other, with probably more contact than is currently advisable, but there was a good atmosphere with no coughing.
There was no social distancing anywhere this morning. An elderly man approached me in Savers wanting to talk, saying he found all this too much and he couldn't find the items he wanted because they had gone off the shelves, he was quite upset and confused. So, I talked with him. He appeared to live alone.
Then another independent shop where I always get my kitchen roll, the same one has been £1.99. It was now £4. I left the shop without getting any and I won't be back there.
Then when I got back to the car, I was very tired and I was struggling to lift my 4 wheeled walker on to the back seat. Then an elderly gentleman, with more strength than me, patted my arm (I hadn't heard him behind me offering to help), and he just lifted it easily on to the back seat. He patted my arm again and told me to take care. I thanked him.
A strange mixed bag of a morning.
And yes, in case you were wondering, I did just managed to get dressed before the Amazon guy arrived...
