By Joy C. de Leon
Having a Home Quarantine Pass is my travel-ticket to do the grocery-shopping for a household of seven. Within almost a month of circling the nearby stores, I finally felt the need to remind shoppers (including myself) that anti-Covid manners matter while shopping.
- Wear a face mask and other covering. Before you step out of the house, make sure you have the required basic PPEs: face mask, alcohol spray, sanitizing wipes and gloves, if you want. My other bag-basics nowadays include a rosary, hanky, tissue-paper, folding fan, lip balm, comb, small notebook and pen; wallet with money, bank cards and IDs, and my HCQ pass; in a separate pouch are my mom’s senior citizen booklets, IDs, medical prescriptions with an authorization letter, and as part of the new normal – folded small and large plastic bags for exchange of monies and other stuffs. Most importantly, a face mask is used to cover THE NOSE and the mouth.
- Dress appropriately. The summer heat sure makes us want to dress down but please take note of the health-workers’ PPEs. There’s a reason they are covered-up like that when everyone is a potential virus-carrier. The less skin exposed, the safer you are. Keep those short-shorts and backless blouses as homey-casuals for now.
- Observe physical distancing. For most of us who are not into scientific-lingo, anything that can stay in the air is what we call airborne. Regardless if the virus is aerosol, droplets, dust or mist – just stay at least six feet away from each other. If you don’t know what 6-feet is, just spread your arms sideways and you should not be touching anyone within that space or your family will know where your 6-feet below is.
Do not rush to clasp hands with someone you meet. Avoid huddling and stay away from those who group themselves according to affinity or barangay-level.
- Shop efficiently. Limit your time at the store with a grocery-list and use the store’s product aisle-map as a guide. Start from the farthest section first and inch towards frozen goods, then off to the cashier.
- Shop wisely. The stores and markets remain open so do not hoard essential supplies. Plan your meals and remain within your budget. Food products are sufficient, so the key is to just stock gradually in order to be prepared. Take note of the expiration period and minimize touching grocery items unless you are certain of buying it. You cannot be too praning when you don’t know who touched it before you, or if it was a highway for a mouse or cockroach. Avoid buying unnecessary items. Point in fact: I reached for a pack of cinnamon barks and the woman behind me asked what would I be using it for. I replied that it was for a masala recipe and for my brewed coffee. She took two packs. I hope her folks likes masala too. Only three of us at home really likes it.
- Keep your cart clean before (and after) use. Sure, the grocer-boy used some sort of sanitizing spray on the basket but not the cart as I have observed. Just discretely glide your sanitizing wipe on the handle without making a big production out of it. Make sure to dispose the used wipes in the trash can.
- Be considerate of store employees. I see them cleaning the shelves and floors often and have to step aside so they don’t have to clean the wet areas again. Don’t harass the cashier, she’s just as eager as you to finish all the transactions. Here’s a tip when you feel bad that there’s no more medium-sized adult diaper on the shelf. Ask the merchandiser nicely if there’s still some in stock and most likely, you will go home with 6 packs of your preferred brand. Sometimes, they’re too burdened to keep track of filling the shelves immediately. They are just as scared as you and me of contracting the virus, so it helps to ease their load by being considerate about their work. Remember to say, “THANK YOU” for their assistance, including the cashier and bagger.
- Remain courteous with other shoppers.
a. Observe the queue properly while waiting to get inside the store. Do not cut just because your BFF is already there and you make chika and pretend as if you arrived at the same time. Allow senior citizens, PWD and pregnant women their privilege. You won’t be lining-up forever anyway and at some point in this life-time, you will be accorded the same privileges.
b. Wait patiently and if you have to bash the inutile mayor, the hoarder barangay captain or your gluttonous clan, please keep your volume down. I am watching episode 38 of my K-drama behind you. Or I could be reading page 340 of Patience for Women In A Rush until I reach Mr. Security Guard with the thermal scanner and Ms. Sales Clerk with alcohol-spray.
c. There is enough cart and basket for everyone. There is no prize for Best Carter! You may also leave your cart at the corner while you shop at a one-cart aisle. You do not have to push that cart in every hole of the store. You must not also play bump-around with carts which are going the opposite way so stop pushing!
d. FINISH DOING YOUR GROCERY BEFORE LINING-UP AT THE CASHIER. Yes, it’s all-caps because this one is my pet-peeve at the grocery. Do not use your filled cart to reserve your place at the cashier’s lane – especially if you are already lining-up to pay and realize that you can buy 5 cans of 555 Sardines instead of just the 3 that you already got. Chances are, you will also see stuff at Aisle 45 then get something from Aisle 29 or check-out the discounted price of the body wash which you just might afford today. Not fair!!! When I got behind you there were only 8 items in your cart and for the 5 times you kept coming back and forth, you added 12 more items! This is just like having your yaya stand at the parking space while you circle around until the other car leaves its spot.
In a nutshell, these are dark times with confusing signals everywhere. One way to help us see this through is be a considerate shopper. So, don’t forget to bring your advantage to the store, bring your manners.
