My friends who would do that? Yes I would. They are even more careful than I am.

These were left for me by a good friend. And yes I will eat them. I have been eating delivered restaurant food, well heated, so. I would eat something a good friend prepared.

Something purchased containing raw vegetables or fruit....maybe not. It might depend on purchased 'where'....

I've received a gift of individual lasagnas, pottery ramekins to be returned. And I did the returning yesterday. The lasagna was quite good.

A loaf of banana bread. A friend called and said 'I'm pulling into your driveway and not getting out'. DH accepted it through her car window. Still warm and delicious with our morning coffee.

Yesterday my SIL came over with cookies and muffins. She'd been baking all morning. She handed me a bag with outreached arm at the door. The cookies are gone, some muffins are left.

We're on 'shelter in place' that has been extended to May 4. Sometime in the next month I may roast a turkey that I have, do deliveries of turkey and rolls. Those I have in mind to share it with know we've been practicing social distancing and being careful, going out only to the grocery store and only infrequently.

We were trying to think of someplace easy with amazing food for take out lunch today. We didn't come up with anything that excited us enough to go out for ;0 We're having steak and roast potatoes here - it's our anniversary. A very quiet anniversary but that's OK, we're healthy and so is everyone we know.

Here is why I ask. In no particular order...

1. I am part of a cooking club. We are going to meet virtually. I have been thinking that it might be fun to share some of what we each make by leaving it on our doorsteps (we all live within 15 min or so). For example, if I made chili, I could just make extra drop some off at a few houses. WDYT? What rules? How would you organize?

2. Similarly, I am scheduled to host our next bookclub in 4 weeks. What if I delivered a little "brunch for 1" for each person in the group ... say a mini quiche, a clementine, an artisanal caramel (wrapped), a mini OJ and a mini Prosecco? .. the night before on their doorstep?

3. For years, even before I had kids, I held Easter Egg hunts. I now own several hundred thousand plastic eggs. Ok perhaps I am exaggerating. Anyway, I told my kids I was thinking of doing an Easter Egg hunt for them this year. They laughed and said ... no but it would be fun to do them for some of our neighbors w little ones. So my kids want to put little candies (individually wrapped ) and/or little toys like Japanese erasers or superballs (as age appropriate given choking hazards etc) in the plastic eggs. The eggs close securely, but to be on the safe side they might put them in little glassine bags (like I use for cookies) with bows. Then the kids would go and hide them on neighbors' lawns. The neighbors could wait a few days before hunting, reducing any risk of virus on surfaces. Obviously we'd ask first, but WDYT? DOable? Suggested improvements?

Happy anniversary Morz!

wow I need a friend like you, mtn. I am sure I would enjoy with no worries.

Ha! Where are you, Satine?

I know you know this, but be sure to text the recipients when you leave your package.

Totally do the Easter egg hunt. We live on a new road, it will eventually be 10 houses, but right now only 7 are built, one house has 2 kids, so they are our streets kids, ages 5 and 7. We are doing a butterfly scavenger hunt tomorrow, we all make butterflies and put them on the road, then the girls will go out and collect them(without touching them, they have to use a butterfly net) Need to help the parents entertain the girls. Fortunately the sun is finally shining here it has been raining for the last three days.

Re Book club, I worry that you will set a precedent the next host may not want or be able to fulfill.

Re Cooking Club, it’s a club so you would all need to come to consensus. You know them, but do you really know how well they’ve been distancing- the whole 6 degrees thing. Plus you’re all driving to deliver. Not sure it is in the right spirit of social distancing.

I’m sure you’ll figure out the best thing

Your ideas make me happy and I hope that you are able to pull off at least some of them. I think localeater has raised some legitimate concerns and has the right idea in that you know your group and spirit in which they would take some of the offerings (ie, a welcome gift or setting a precedent).

There is so much to consider in these crazy times. I thought about sending my students greeting cards via snail mail, but then reading on here about how some are worried about opening mail, made me think twice (I've decided to do it anyways).

Mtn, don't think Im anywhere near you. Im in Maryland not sure where you are. Anyway, you are being a good friend to your friends. Hope they appreciate it.

I’d have no problem with the food drop off as long as I am the recipient and not the one who has to cook, wrap and deliver. I was supposed to host our next book club, but it will be virtual. Now I’m feeling like I should provide refreshments. A bottle of wine for each? Not happening, especially since several members have impressive wine cellars.

The egg project sounds like fun as long as the landscapers don’t mow or mulch over them! Go for it.

Mtn, this is what you do and who you are. I’m pretty sure that those that know you would only feel gratitude and joy at receiving food gifts from you.

If you have large Easter eggs and act quickly, you can fill a few eggs For the moms and dads. We had a neighborhood grown up hunt once...huge hit. (Sorry no link, but I found these moments ago )

Jojoco - What a fun idea for adults, I may steal it for next Easter, assuming we will be able to gather again. We have no little ones in our family so this would be perfect.

mtn, I think they are all lovely ideas!

I'd love to watch the kiddos gather eggs!

I think your ideas are all wonderful. We need people like you who go the extra mile to still make life fun and special. I’d do them all. I’d make the book club treats a surprise, and I’d consult with the cooking club about how to implement your idea for the group. The egg hunt is a darling idea...kids and parents will love it.

Localeater, that is so sweet what your neighborhood is doing for those little girls! 😊

I agree with nini. We need more people like you. Do you ship? :-).

I also think the egg hunt would be wonderful. The thought of the smiling children on their hunt warms my heart.

Yes to your original question and a definite yes to the things you are thinking of doing!

We have some neighborhoods near us (we are a bit more rural) who are doing the putting the bear in the window thing. We (US TWO ADULTS LOL) are going to drive through some of the areas this weekend to see the bears in windows!

The last couple of years at our church, we have had a "valentine tree" with the names of children in the church on a heart. You get a "valentine" and for the next year, you send cards, gifts, encouragement, etc. to that child. I had already started an easter basket for the little girl we have this year. So sometime in the next week, we are going to have to do a porch delivery with her easter basket!

I think all your ideas are great. I was talking with my MIL last night, we are insisting she stay home, and she told me she has been sending out cards, making phone calls, etc. especially to older friends (or shut-ins from church) who live alone (as she does). Those little things make a difference! Especially someone living alone. So that's something each of us could do. Call a friend, relative, neighbor, etc. and check on them!

With a stay at home order requiring you to leave your house only for essentials (food, pharmacy, solo exercise) I would not do any of the activities under consideration. Stay At Home

An egg hunt for your family would be fun!

You may also have friends who have a different level of defined distancing or interaction than you do. It may be more narrow than yours. But I'm glad you asked the question.

Though I have not gone anywhere other than for food for 3 weeks, I see nothing wrong with taking a ride in the car. Mental health is very very important, too, and taking a little joyride to see the spring flowers or to drop off gifts on someone's porch... well I am not asking anyone for permission to do that.

Jojoco, totally love the idea of an adult Easter hunt someday!

I forgot about landscapers! OMG I need to think that one through. That makes timing trickier.

As far as bookclub, that is a good point about establishing a precedent. I have to think about it. Then again, people know i am really "extra" so they might just think "Oh there goes Mountain again." I would hope they would enjoy the pleasant surprise more than feel ... competitive? obligated? IDK

In re sending cards: yes! If people are squeamish about mail it can sit a few days.

THx everyone!

Haven't read the replies, but here's my take:

Only food if I could reheat/rebake to a temp of 165. CDC info is here, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#how-covid19-spreads

But they also still list coughing and sneezing as the main transmission modes, even though this have been debunked now: Speaking is probably a, if not the. main transmission mode.

So then your question being If a good friend dropped a package at your door, and it contained food, would you eat that food? -

My answer is no I would not. I don;t know if someone sneezed or coughed or spoke over it while preparing it. I don't know where they have been or who they have seen, nor do I know where their family members have been or who they have seen. I don't know how sanitized their kitchen is being kept.

I was glad that you asked the question because I've been thinking that it would be fun to have our next door neightbours over. Our driveway is really wide and fairly long and I we could easily set up chairs and tables and be 6" away but we would have them bring their own glasses, drink and snacks. Not quite the same thing I know but reading this thread and thinking about it has given me pause.

My issue is with using up ingredients in "elaborate" meals when most supermarkets have a shortage or are limiting purchases. Your friends will never tell you that they didn't eat your food and it went in the trash. It would be a pity to be wasting food.

We are eating simpler meals and being a lot more mindful of using up leftovers and not wasting food at this time.

Bonnie and Chispa are kind of right, you know. I'm sure some neighborhoods don't have shortages but making unnecessary purchases still puts everyone involved at slightly more risk than they would be otherwise. Even an extra drive puts in a little extra chance for an ER trip.

The egg hunt in the neighborhood? Awesome idea, and you don't even HAVE to stuff the eggs.

I'd eat with reasonable precautions

I am bringing eggs over to my community center. I am using egg cartons that arrived here about 3 months ago (at least until those are gone). I collect the eggs and put them in the fridge in regular cartons which I have been handling not at all for the last several months.

On delivery date, I SHOWER with lots of soap, then dress in new clothing. Move out into the kitchen. I wash down each egg with a specific egg wash/wipe. Put into a NEW carton. Carry out to my car using my left (non-dominant) hand, drive over to the community center using just my right hand to drive. (I do have some wipes but I'm being extra careful for sharing).

Bring in the eggs into the community center just carried in the left hand, doing whatever they request for check in. Hand those over. I let them know my procedures.

THAT, my friends, are FOOD GIFTS. The community center can cook these as they will.

I started to respond to this last night after catching up on national news. And then reminded myself that that was *not* a good time to engage and went to bed instead.

After further thought, though, I keep coming back to the concept of social responsibility, and what I'm trying to instill in my young adult children. One glimmer of hope that I see during this crisis is the message from my local and state leaders that we are all in this together. Individual actions matter, and we each have to do our part. The rules apply to everyone. And with that, I would not make non-essential trips. Plus, I'm seeing examples of social responsibility from people with far fewer means than I have. If they can do it, so can I.

Saying that, I'm also trying my best not to judge others' actions during this unprecedented time, as I can lean toward holier than thou. We all are finding ways to manage our mental health to get us through this. Even as I promote the idea of social responsibility to my kids, they also remind me to "let it go, mom," most recently when I was irate about my neighbors having a backyard barbeque with friends, a clear violation of our stay-at-home orders.

I'll agree the egg hunt is a fun idea. But it's not something we would do because the moms of young kids in my neighborhood seem to be on top of things more than I am. Plus, there still is so much that isn't understood about how the virus is spread that I fear some would take offense to my leaving objects in their lawns.

Feathers,

As I said in my post, I would def ask first about the eggs ... just thinking it thru before I even offer. And w/o going into any details, I'm virtually certain this would not overlap w existing plans, but again I'd ask.

Though I have not gone anywhere other than for food for 3 weeks, I see nothing wrong with taking a ride in the car. Mental health is very very important, too, and taking a little joyride to see the spring flowers or to drop off gifts on someone's porch... well I am not asking anyone for permission to do that.

Yeah, i don't agree at all that driving within my town to drop things off at friend's homes from time to time, with social distancing, is a violation of my state's rules, either in form or intent. Again, I think these things are important to everyone'e mental health.

Artemis, I am on the email distribution of our local food bank and one in a nearby more urban, needy area. They have requested specific items, or better yet, and electronic gift card. That is what we do, figuring it has the most utility. Giving eggs must be very satisfying!

Chispa, in any times, we try not to waste food. I am not sure what your point is about "elaborate" food? Quiche, a clementine, OJ and Prosecco? Maybe the Prosecco but from what I read most people are def drinking now. But even if I did make something "elaborate" (which I certainly have over these 3 weeks), I don't get at all why you think that is an issue? Why can't we cook? I don't think anyone is advocating wasting food. And as for food shortages; who has those? We don't and I haven't heard that anyone does; temporary imbalances caused by hoarding maybe but not shortages. Again not sure how my making a burger instead of Steak Diane would play into that anyway.

BLFenton -- you think a good friend might have "sneezed or coughed or spoke over it while preparing it." Yikes! Virus or no, I'd never eat outside my home then.

Anyway, thank you all for you comments (and Local, love love the butterfly idea!). With takeout being so popular, I wasn't sure where people stood!

I am going to ask about the easter egg hunt (they would be up front with any issues, I know), not do the book club thing, and discuss over Zoom cooking club ideas. I for one would love it if we each made a big pot of soup and then exchanged some.

You’re lucky mtnrd, I haven’t been able to buy a bag of whole wheat flour for weeks. Depending on luck, eggs and milk are often sold out.

In my little mind, I worry about giving something (Food) to someone and that person becomes ill. It probably would have nothing to do with me, but I would always wonder. And would they?

My husband drove down to the tomato fields yesterday, came home with 50 pounds of tomatoes. He then portioned and bagged them, texted the neighbors that he was leaving tomatoes of their porches...I just hope that no one becomes ill....

I agree about the mental health issue, Mtn. My son, early on, was given some leeway to socialize with one of his friends (following the social distance guidelines) because his friend has a difficult home life. Although I didn't consider it "essential," hanging out with my son was a positive outlet for his friend, and I really couldn't say no to that. We're now in a different situation, but I understand where you're coming from.

This pandemic has certainly challenged my perspective of others' discretion in determining how guidelines and rules apply to them. But I have to, as my kids say, let it go. Or, pack up and move to China.

Up until 3 months ago they wouldn't have had covid19. Just saying, right now, no I wouldn't.

Mtn, I’m not super vigilant, but I wouldn’t do any of the things you mentioned. For one thing, if anyone in any of the recipient households comes down with the virus, I would never know if I was an asymptomatic carrier. And that’s not an uncertainty I’d be able to handle. Second, coughing (not coughing over) or talking while preparing food is not something I can guarantee I will never do. Third, the methods of transmission aren’t completely well-defined, as the experts seem to add more details as they learn more. Just my thoughts, YMMV.

But even w.o a virus, BLF, yuck!LOL

Is your state not on lockdown? I think your ideas are lovely, but the implementation of them would break our orders to shelter in place here.

I'm sure many of us could think of things we'd love to do to make others' time at home more bearable, but that is NOT in the spirit of just stay home, except for essential trips. Why people think they get to be the exception, IDK.

I'm in the LA suburbs and the supply of fresh vegetables and fruit is ok, but everything else is in short supply, rationed and/or not always available. Some isles are completely empty, and not just the TP, paper towel and cleaning product ones. Maybe we just have a lot more population per square mile and many of them are hoarding.

When I lived in the Boston suburbs our town's minimum lot size was 1 acre. My LA town is probably 1/4 acre and some even less, so that is 4 times as many people to feed in a similar area, with similar number of supermarkets available, so yes, some of us are finding shortages of certain foods. I haven't seen a can of soup in weeks and there was no flour/sugar at my last supermarket visit. Actually, the whole baking isle was pretty empty.

Will probably go out today and see how things have changed.

On a positive note, I did find a couple more N95 masks, in my car earthquake backpack kit, that I didn't know I had!

If it is something that I can just let sit for 5 days before handling or eating, sure. If it's something that would need reheating, sure, though I would handle it with the same care I give groceries and other purchases (wipe it down, wash my hands, etc.)

If a business can deliver a hot meal with social distancing, why can't a person? Sorry, it defies logic.

Chispa, why do you think there are food shortages? Have you read much about the cause? TP/PT/Disinfectin wipes, yes. Sometimes a preferred brand might be out, but o/w no issues locally. I'm curious what to expect.

"If a business can deliver a hot meal with social distancing, why can't a person?"

It's not just social distancing, it's STAY AT HOME except for essential businesses. A restaurant is an essential business. Homemade food delivery is not. Please just stay home.

“If a business can deliver a hot meal with social distancing, why can’t a person? Sorry, it defies logic.”

I think we have to accept that we are all in this together, and the concept of flattening the curve requires that we all sacrifice personal wants, whatever they may be and however we may choose to justify them, for the common good. It really is that simple.

Restaurant delivery, an essential service under stay at home orders, is crucial for many people.

Restaurant employees also have to be trained and meet food safety standards at all times, not just in Covid-19 times. Home kitchens and home cooks do not.

Once again, I just think that we all need to think globally. While dropping off brunch seems like a lovely idea, it is not within the guidelines of Please Stay Home. People will live without mimosa brunches for a while. For every inch that we step out of the recommended guidelines, the consequences spread a mile. Again, just stay home! It's not difficult or impossible for most of us.

Mtn, I went to the larger market chain after I wrote my post and still a lot of empty shelves. No eggs, limited supply of milk, no paper goods (limited to one package if there are any) . No chicken. Limited variety of canned soups. Plenty of vegetables and fruit, and this time they had a "normal" selection of bread. I also found some fresh turkey thighs that DH loves and will be happy to cook in his Green Egg.

So I think part of the problem is that I would need to stop in at the 4 local supermarkets to get everything I would normally use, which isn't a great idea at the moment.

The expensive market has a good selection of beef, but you will pay $32/lb for a steak, so not in the budget for many.

I think it is just a matter of population density and some hoarding.

But OMG, there was a woman at the supermarket with 4 kids. A baby in a stroller, maybe a 6 and 10 year old and an older teen girl. No masks or gloves on any of them. Why wouldn't you leave the kids with the older teen, even if you just left them all in the car outside?

Everyone else was keeping their distance, most were wearing masks and a fair number also had gloves on. They had a line outside to limit people in the store and to give everyone a cart that had been wiped down.

I take your points, and if you see my post above had already decided against some of these things. The post was to get a read on how people would view these things, and it is mixed enough to give pause.

That's an interesting point above about restaurant workers and hygiene protocols, but TBH I trust my friends a lot more than the pizza guy. I'm not being sarcastic either ... I know they say take out and delivery are safe but I haven't done it yet. And let's not kid ourselves, while take out may be branded with the word "essential," the vast majority of people doing take out are essentially tired of cooking. I view the policy as a way to try to help restaurants survive, recognizing the consensus view that the public health risk of PU and TO food is minimal.

At least in my state, what happens to be labelled "essential" is interesting. Dry cleaning for one. And what is open and running is also interesting - public golf courses for another. Hotels are also essential, which I found odd (weekend away anyone) but then they clarified it a few days later and limited it essentially to health care workers and the displaced, which makes sense. The list is very long, though i can see the logic in it.

Yes, we all agree the official guidelines of what's essential are contradictory. Our local, state and federal entities don't have their acts together. This is why individual accountability is so important. In the infamous words of Samuel Jackson, stay the f*#k at home.