You can buy a tee shirt that says "Medically Fragile". It might work with some people. Best of luck.

Plenty of 'essential' workers have reported that they are most certainly terrified, in the strictest sense of the term. There have been some terrible incidents of people aggressively violating essential workers' personal safety.

Those of us who are paying attention to news, and information from health authorities are justifiably afraid - esp. because of blockheads who seem to have zero regard for anybody but their own selfish desires &/or political partisan fanaticism.

And that fear is for the health and safety of many others, not just ourselves.

Guess you'all are having reading difficulties because nowhere in my post does it say that hubby and I went to the same grocery store the same day. As for that matter, there's nothing wrong with doing so. I have to go to three grocery stores just to get all that I need, nothing unusual about that. Even in the big city it was necessary to go to multiple stores to get products in my preferred brands.

There are many of us willing to go without our preferred brands and buying what's available. It's not an enormous sacrifice, we're talking about a meal or two that might turn out a little different. Thankfully, compromising has been the name of the game here. Most are willing to be mildly inconvenienced and we've had a very low virus count in this community. I'd like to think that's at least in part because we've been exercising caution.

The last time I was in three stores in one day must have been back in early February, when I made an approx monthly trip an hour away to the closest Costco, stopping at Trader Joe's and Top Foods same trip as none of those stores are available to me here at home.

OT - just adding, how I miss Trader Joe's mirepoix. Our Safeway (only store) doesn't carry it premade. It's such a little thing, and its not like I can't chop my own, but only that some days - I don't want to!

I'm missing Trader Joe's too.

I honestly see complaining about or railing against my own inconveniences as so trivial and petty, compared to the horrible experiences far too many folks are enduring right now.

I have to go to three grocery stores just to get all that I need, nothing unusual about that.

Ordinarily, no. During a pandemic, each public place you visit increases your chances of becoming infected.

I go to zero grocery stores now.

I'm used to picking up cans or jars to read the nutrition label, mostly to avoid too much salt. Now I'll stand in front of the shelf, peering to see if there's a can or jar with that part of the label showing, so I don't have to touch. I don't think I've ever held anyone up, though.

Jumping to conclusions based on a glance at someone's face, or a skim through their written words -- it's easy to misunderstood, I think.

Hand up--please stop. I am socially distancing for my health as well as yours.

Chisue-- I'm sorry that you are having this problem. I am discouraged by the lack of seriousness by many with regards to social distancing.

How about that pool party in the Ozarks? Geez Louise.

Very frustrating. The parks were allowed to open as of yesterday. This is a large park in Toronto yesterday, and it was packed.

Sorry I agree if you are that medically fragile stay at home. You will spend more time being aggravated by others not distancing that it won’t be worth it. Where I am living there are plenty of people walking around without masks. What can you do?

I did it. I went outside!? Into a building even. I wanted to see if my barkeep for Sunday brunch was there. There was one entrance, one exit, with arrows for both. Every worker was wearing a mask. Every single person, except for one customer, wore a mask. Gave my barkeep a $25 tip for a $10 meal--haven't seen him since March, even though I used to go every Sunday.

The one exception was some idiot who blocked our entrance in. The state requires the restaurant to ask several questions. Great! Don't do it a foot from my face. I did complain, and I will go back to not going in. Whew. Once in months is ok with me. Back to my own or delivery.

chisue

cmm1964, It's the fact that people who ignoring the rules because they don't like to wear a mask, they don't want to be a sheep, the gov't can't tell them what to do and every other excuse they can think of, can possibly bring the virus home to their family. That's the infuriating part.

Funny how all the shops say No shoes, no Shirt, no Service, people have no issue with that, but wear a mask? Hell no!

I think the most people I've seen at one time in the grocery store since this started was fifteen - that's less than one person per aisle. No lines at the checkout either.

I've had more conversations with the checkers and some have had their hours cut and were happy to see people in the stores so they could keep their jobs. Are you supporting your local stores by shopping there?

Kittywhiskers - love it, grumpy cat for grumpy people!

cmm1964 did it ever dawn on you that there are people who are living alone in areas where there are no delivery services who do not have a friend or family member to do things for them???? Your comment reminded me of when I went for my yearly mamo last year and the clerk insisted I had to give the name and address of a close family member who lived in the area. If 5th cousins are close family members good luck with that.

Kitty, I need that mask!

This is a local food boutique/butcher/deli. They posted this pic this weekend along with their gratitude to their amazing customers who were lined up wearing masks for the well-being of their employees.

kittywhiskers, she needs a T-shirt with that on the front and back.

Wisconsin is filled with a bunch of covidiots! Less than 10% of the people in Sam's club yesterday had masks on, and gave us weird looks. I will wear my N95 mask that I purchased (not taken from the hospital I work at) to keep myself safe. I know that I'm not infected, and I will remain un-infected because I practice social distancing, hand hygiene, and wear a mask in public.

covidiots

I like that. I was just thinking that maybe I had stepped into the Twilight Zone, seeing all these people who are not following Covid guidelines and thereby, courting death for themselves and others. Thank you for reminding me that other people have a healthier perspective.

Less than 10% of the people in Sam's club yesterday had masks on, and gave us weird looks.

I was in Menard's a few days ago; 100% of the people were wearing masks. Store policy.

I win would just say_ please stay back, I’m on chemo. I bet anyone would stay way back or go down a different aisle.

All you need is a complete containment system that covers both hands and head.

^^^^

I would totally wear that if it came in pink......virus or no virus. I don't like strangers in my space.

Chisue, I don't think you need to be cloistered,but recognizing the nature of others,if I was in your position, I would avoid public spaces as much as possible until things improved. If that is not possible, a simple "Excuse me maam/sir, do you mind moving back/forward a bit? I am on chemo and need to be careful. "

Yes maifleur I was mostly referring to the original poster. In my area which is very wealthy and has every take out and delivery service option available I’m seeing many elderly and frail people in the grocery stores. There are also numerous people on a Facebook that offer to shop etc for people as well. A few days ago I saw an elderly gentleman with an obvious leg wound in a wheelchair with two things to buy in the check out line. These are people who live in a high rent area and drive luxury cars. Not everyone in my area is wearing a mask which I have no control over. I always offer to shop for my elderly neighbors every time I go to the store. They usually accept my offer as they are adamant about not going out.

I am wondering how Raye knows a person stands there for five minutes? By standing your self for five minutes?

No mystery because I encountered the same thing--how I know that the person was occupying one spot was because I shopped a couple of other adjacent aisles waiting for that person to clear out. She was still there, in the same spot, after I had gathered my other things.

Then there were two people engaged in conversation on opposite sides of a main aisle in the store at the appropriate 6' apart. But anyone who needed to get past had to violate their space. I waited a bit but they were oblivious to the fact that they had blocked the aisle so I ended up having to duck & plow past them.

Thanks ci_lantro, glad to see someone else has the intelligence to reason if a person is standing in the same spot over a period of time. And with one of them, their buggy was at the next set of freezer case doors blocking anyone from opening that case also.

I would just come out and say " 6 feet please, I am on chemo". I think most people would understand that. Of course there is always one or two that don't care about anyone else ...unfortunately .

Regarding someone standing looking at something for a long period of time, I encountered that the last time I went shopping. The bread isle is at the end of the store which makes it my last stop. I needed bread and just wanted to get out of the store but there was a guy ( older) looking right where ( of course) my bread was located. I could have said 'excuse'me and reached by him but I didn't want to get that close . Sooo I went back around to kill some time and tried to give him space and time. I know it was well over 5 minutes . Looked at things I didn't want or need ,and checked back and he was still there so finally I just stood with my cart so he knew I was waiting and finally he picked a loaf. In normal times I do that sometimes if I'm looking for something different but not now unless no one around as I'm sure they feel the same frustration as I do.

Am I the only person who had to google the word mirepoix?

Mirepoix (mirh-pwah) noun. In French
cooking, a mix of carrots, onions, and celery, usually finely diced,
and used as the seasoning base for a meat dish or sauce. ...

I feel saddened that people make harsh judgments without any thought to the other person whom they don't really know. You know who I mean. It would be far nicer to be considerate. It's far easier to do so too. BTY, I'm very high risk.

I rarely go out, but must do so sometimes. My small city requires masks indoors, and 95% of the people comply. The *distancing* thing is still being learned.

I can't wear those cute cloth masks; I need the greater filtration of an N95.

Speaking to another person inevitably draws them even closer, so that's not the best solution.

I'd like to find a little cloth hat that says "6 Feet", both front and back. That can be grasped at a glance and is a pretty innocuous reminder. Unlike a shirt, a hat would always be visible, and...I would actually wear such a hat. Maybe *pink*!

We are ALL vulnerable to the effects of this virus. ALL of us will be safer if ALL of us simply act courteously. The accepted amount of 'personal space' is already viewed differently in different cultures. Spacing in a time of pandemic can become a social norm.

It's been a help to discuss this on the KT. I guess I could take one of my reversible sun hats and just write on it! Loving hands at home, eh? I'd prefer a manufactured item -- less 'personal'. LOL

https://www.etsy.com/listing/790297585/social-distancing-stay-6-feet-away?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-accessories-hats_and_caps-baseball_and_trucker_caps&utm_custom1=161c093f-d0a3-4022-b826-acbed610f4d9&utm_content=go_2063076848_76452856015_367965823830_aud-318110574626:pla-354202314881_m__790297585&utm_custom2=2063076848&gclid=CjwKCAjw2a32BRBXEiwAUcugiD8FqYtyoeYSa4mEGvWR6RJY_LwOVmfK9dZ134AkYJ1XeAjaym_y1xoCd5kQAvD_BwE

https://www.etsy.com/listing/787018978/please-stay-6-feet-away-quarantine-2020?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=stay+6+feet+away&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&pro=1&frs=1&col=1

^^^

Those are just a few of many such products on etsy.

I can think of a number of reasons a person might stand and stare at a shelf in a store - among them being brain fog from illness or stress...

And I've yet to see those complaining about their "rights" and "freedom" being impinged by health and safety protocols express sincere concern, sympathy or empathy for the suffering.

'Just stay home' is so insensitive - what if someone cannot? Is it impossible for some to imagine how that might be a possibility?

Whatever happened to 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself'?

I don't read strangers' hats and t-shirts. Doubt I would read words embroidered on their masks either. I just don't pay such detailed attention to others' clothing, especially when I'm concentrating on a task such as shopping. The words on a hat from more than 6 feet away are probably too small anyway. And I feel intrusive reading words off someone's chest. If others are like me, expect embroidered messages to be missed.

amylou -- Impressive link, but I couldn't find a way to filter for *not baseball cap*. I'd like a hat like the narrow brim cotton hats I have. They might be called fisherman's hat -- maybe a foot across. Unstructured. You can fold them up.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/684146870/custom-bucket-hat-your-text-or-logo?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=custom+hats&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&organic_search_click=1&bes=1&col=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/527752995/custom-floppy-beach-hat-bachelorette?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=custom+hats&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&organic_search_click=1&bes=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/703472000/ink-stitch-customized-your-own?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=custom+hats&ref=sr_gallery-1-26&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&col=1

^^^^

3 different styles that you can customize. I think the 3rd one is the one closest to what you are describing....

I somehow doubt that people paid strict attention to this over Memorial Day weekend, but this photo made me break out laughing when I saw it. It's a great idea.

If we could only travel around outside with our own personal 6' circles, cartoon-style! I can see all the women in those giant hoop skirts, but whatever will the men do?!?

We have several friends who are immuno-compromised. Even when the lockdown ends, they are all saying they will be very reluctant to go out in public. Successive waves of infection look to be inevitable, I fear.

Anyway, this is the photo: Dolores Park, San Francisco, CA:

amylou -- THANK YOU! What I was trying to describe is evidently a 'bucket hat'. Now to see if they can make the logo BIG enough to be seen from six feet or more. (Why on earth don't they make a pink one? LOL)

That is my exact thought on everything ever that doesn't come in pink. WHY NOT?!?!!?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/769730860/personalized-tie-dye-bucket-hat-custom?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=personalized+bucket+hat&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&bes=1

This one comes in pink!

Wow! That tabard is very bold. No missing that message.

LOVE that photo of the park... grew up one block from there, went to Mission HS 58 years ago...

Are you going to the stores in the times designated for those that are vulnerable and over 60? At our stores, they have some times set aside for those people, usually early in the morning. Might try going then.

Reports here are those special times get very crowded. I'm doing curbside pickups and delivery only.

Carry a sign that you can quickly flash. It reads, "Back off - I am infected." Flash the sign and cough a bit.