The COVID-19 Diary: Thursday 19 March
Rachel and I ran errands separately today. We’ll see if either of us brought home the plague. I needed to get an emissions inspection so I decided to take care of a couple of other things while I was out.
First I went to the local Pak Mail to ship something to Maryann. The manager had just come from the Publix in the same strip center. I asked him how it was in there. He said the candy aisle was a disaster, probably because kids are home from school and parents are desperate to keep them occupied. I told him that reminded me of the George Carlin bit about going to a grocery store in a college neighborhood or any other area where people tend to engage in recreational substances; the cookie aisle always looks like a war zone.
The emissions inspection was next. The place I go normally has you wait in the lobby while they test your car, but the lobby was closed, so I got to sit in the car and help with the test. They plug your car into the computer and have you rev the engine to 1500 RPMs and hold it for a few seconds. Then you repeat for 2000 RPMs. The problem is that there’s a few seconds of delay between you getting the engine to the right RPMs and the computer registering it. So I’m sitting there with the engine at 1500 and the guy’s yelling “Faster!” I go faster and he yells “Slower!” We went back and forth a few times, starting laughing, and finally got in sync. I don’t think they’ll be hiring me anytime soon. My car passed, though.
Finally, I went to CVS to take care of a couple of prescriptions. I was a little surprised at how quiet it was in the store. There was only one other customer in the pharmacy department. I took a cursory stroll down the aisle where they stock paper goods and of course that section of shelves was bare.
The outside world didn’t appear all that different. Road construction crews were still working. The strip mall parking lot didn’t appear any more or less full than usual. It was only when I started noticing that some restaurants and stores were dark that it became apparent that we’re living in this strange time. Also, the virus hasn’t hit my area very hard yet, so it may get weirder out there as time goes on.
Stay safe and enjoy today’s collection.
It’s Spring!
That’s One Solution for Number Two
Gold Standard My Butt
It’s Not You, It’s Me
The 19th Commandment?
This Is Why We Wash Our Hands
Former NASA Engineer Shows How Germs Spread Using Blacklight.
From Annoyed to Anxious
You Know, Hopefully
Listen to Mr. Sulu
A Little to the Left – No, MY Left
Update Your Update
And Don’t Talk
Dogs + Kids = Joy
My Emissions Testing Place
Great Idea
Wipe Down the Speaker First
Moe and Curly, Pay Attention
Works for Me
Laettner Still Sucks
How About Battle of the Network Stars?
Don’t Let this Happen to You
A little over a week ago I ordered some clothes. I was planning to be out of town so I had them delivered to the local store. Now I’m not going anywhere. Today I get this in my email.
