The Free Store

The Free Store

Sunday, April 26, 2020

The Arkwardness of Social Distencing in Public



It's the end of April and we have been Social Distencing for six weeks now. Masks are now required in PA and everyone is wearing them.

Going Grocery shopping has changed now everyone has PPE on. You no longer go up and down the aisle both ways anymore it's now One Way. This is like coming to a intersection when one driver waves the other one through.  People are getting better at Social Distencing but unlike with a cart no one has the Right of Way. Most people wave the other through and then both people back up if your coming down or move to the left if your going east to west.

I was at my daughter's house on Friday. We've been together since the Shut Down began. I was coming down the Steps the same time the cable man was coming in and neighbor was leaving her apartment to let the Cable Guy. We all had masks on our faces. We all took a step back as we figured it out. I said "Strange times" to the both of them. 
" But blessed to be here," 
I said "Amen" and we parted. 

There is always a line now outside of Walmart and the Larger Giant Eagles. They let 50 customers in and Everytime one or two people leave they let you enter.

This is our life at the moment and on the most part I see Americans doing the right thing and staying home. We will get through this together.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Before Everything Went Crazy. Life the Day Before and During a Pandemic

March 11, 2020
The day before things went Crazy was an ordinary Wednesday. I went out to get a new phone and a pair of pants and Tennis shoes. I didn't know then that in Two weeks both the Cricket store and Cititrends would be closed a week later. 

As I was walking my son Jamel called me to ask me if I we're going to be home I would be there later, I informed him.
My grandson Jeremyia

A couple hours later my son My daughter in law and 3 year old grandson came to visit we went to eat and then to Walmart ending up at my daughter's house. It was the first time I saw the new apartment. Then I said good bye to my children. I did not know I would not see my son again since then.

We knew about the Corona Virus and were growing more concerned. That day I thought about Small Groups the night before and talking about it. I told my group of my Church Family that I would be Self Isolating because I am high risk. 

On Thursday March 12 Governor Wolf announced that we now had 3 Unconfirmed Positive cases of Covid 19 also known as Corona Virus. 
The Health Secretary Dr Rachel Levine introduced us to something called Social Distancing. We were told we ought to stay home in order to flatten the Curb.
Woodland Hills announced that the schools will be closed until Monday. The next day they were closed until the end of March then April 
  
Downtown Pittsburgh during peak Weekend Hours.

I got as much food as possible so I could shelter. I also got cleaning products. Something told me to buy toilet paper so I brought enough for 30 days. I didn't know that soon it would be impossible to find Toilet paper and Hand Sanitizer as well as cleaning products. 

My Mentor Carol went to Argentina and ended up quarntiened there. She had to deal with Military keeping an eye on them and worried about how she was getting home. She didn't leave Argentina until April 4. I worried with her and prayed.

On Sunday March 15 I went to church. I didn't know that would be the last time we would see each other. We didn't hug that day and that was the first time we streamed the Sermon.
 The rest of the week most of us began Social Distencing and learning a whole new lifestyle.