For the last few weeks I barely left my home, saddled with a mild cough. Knowing that the ‘Rona sometimes had mild symptoms, I tried to stay away. Since recovering, my wife threw her back out and it became my job to venture out of the house for family needs. Multiple extended family members and friends needed fruits and vegetables so I would visit a few stores. I honestly felt anxiety leaving the house, with my disinfectant wipes and my facemask in tow. Glasses fogged up, I entered my first store. This was the more expensive store. It was largely empty, mellow and kinda eerie (like the ski resort in the Shining, eerie). My son with feeding issues needed the fancy organic chocolate milk from this store. I was so thankful to see a woman unboxing them and I got two. The cashier told me she had been treated well, and I felt a pride in our collective humanity. This trip would be easier than anticipated.
Next, upon entrance to the inexpensive store there was another vibe altogether. The air was dense with desperation and fear. If you’ve seen the show “Super Market Sweep” from the 90’s, it was much like that; heads down, rushing through the aisles, grabbing as much as possible. No one was running, but everyone was deliberate, even stalking the workers for the essentials. The usual caviler conversations were exchanged for heavy silence and sweat. While checking out, I asked the cashier how she had been treated, “HORRIBLE” she muttered. As I consoled and thanked her, behind me someone started shouting at the manager about him showing preferential treatment. People nearby were in an altercation about someone not keeping the six feet of space rule. When I began packing up my groceries, another person yelled at the manager, who held his head down, trying to stay above obvious despair. Before leaving, another person chewed him out, saying they had been overcharged.
Why such a dichotomy between these two stores, I thought?
A simple sign, that has given us the chance to love our neighbors during the Coronavirus.
The more I considered, the more it made sense. “Wealthier” people, myself included, have been able to stock up on our essentials for weeks. We have been able to save and use our finances for moments such as these. Many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, or only using EBT. They cannot think ahead when they only have enough money for the moment in front of them. They cannot shop at the expensive empty stores, because they have to stretch their finances to meet the needs of everyone.
This is why we have a note in front of our home offering food and supplies to anyone who needs it. For the middle class buying up all the toilet paper weeks ago, they will be fine. Others didn’t have the money to go out and buy TP when the hoarding began.
If you are able to buy a few extra groceries, consider who in your community might need it. Consider checking in on them today. Maybe even make a sign offering help. Who can you share with? It may mean a world of difference to them.