Social distancing made impossible by social distancing
As long as I can remember, I've enjoyed shopping at stores late-at-night. First, I love the nighttime! Second, there is less traffic and fewer crowds. One can find a parking spot easier, breeze in, grab what is needed, and breeze out again with relatively little trouble. Besides a few other like-minded customers, the only people one sees are the clerks stocking the shelves — which must be much easier for them without the usual crowds.
So, a while ago I dressed, grabbed my purse, and headed out for a late-night shopping trip to pick up a few essentials. With the whole world on-guard because of COVID-19, I thought it would be the best way to practice the advised "social distancing" by not mingling with a crowd.
I was shocked when I arrived at the store and found it closed and the parking lot bare. The best time-of-day for "social distancing" with only a handful of people in a quite large store, and it was completely wasted! I'm sure the business owner must have limited the store's hours because of COVID-19, but by doing so has forced more shoppers and employees into the store during their limited open-hours. Isn't that defeating the whole purpose and creating the opposite of the desired effect...?
It did not occur to me to take a snapshot of the deserted parking lot for this post. So, I dug into my photo archives and found a never-used photo of a bare downtown street, late one night a couple of months ago. Bare street, bare sidewalk, bare trees. Kinda like tonight was.
😊
24-Mar-2020
Yes, you would think they would stay open late for that very reason
Another thing that makes no sense at all... hm
I'm with you on the late night in and out! That's the way I do it. Nothing makes sense when overthinking is applied to them. Here, I went to the hardware store to find a large group of people waiting in a line. They were told by the very large store that they would allow them in a few at a time, but they had to wait out side in a line to be called in. Hmmmm.. sort of defeated the purpose. Maybe early in morning could work?? Probably not.
Howdy thekittygirl! I didn't think about that repercussion but that situation is so true. An unintended consequence of the shortened hours. Hopefully this won't last long.
This is a good point! I preferred the later hours as well.
That is an interesting take on it. Hmm! I do think, along with the entire idea of social distancing, people are concerned about just being out, and so are looking for a reason to be home. That might have something to do with it too. 🤷♂
As a Gothic night Shift nurse I'm pretty used to a night life and social distancing.
very good post
When I worked at the call center from hell, I typically got off work at 10 PM. Stores that were open that late were a perfect fit due to the lack of crowds. And driving that late usually meant minimal traffic, too.
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That is a perspective I hadn't thought of and indeed make sense.
I think all countries should think about although I think one of the reasons it's not implemented would be to hinder people that love the nightlife party scene to be tempted, also get drink and end up spending the night drunkenly socializing with strangers.
I.e: just last week many in people in Kenya Went clubbing despite the unofficial lockdown at the time, this week to in South Africa even though the lockdown is in effect. Then u have people like the spring breakers in the U.S who seem to think they can't be affected.
Just my 2 cents, pypt