It has been almost a month since my last post and it amazed me how fast time has flown by. How quickly and yet how slowly the past few weeks have slipped past as the world has seemed to have spiraled into various levels of chaos and confusion over the Coronovirus pandemic. I have read some of the articles and watched some of the news programs but I try not to be all COVID-19 stuff 24-7 for my own mental well-being. What I have observed more are the actions and activities of my own little community in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
We are not a huge town but we’re not small at about 16,000 people without counting the college student population. During a normal long semester, the college students would increase the local population by another 8,000 people. With the COVID-19 pandemic really hitting home during Spring Break, I am not sure how many students came back to town. We have two main grocery stores, three dollar stores, and an assortment of convenience gas stations that also offer a small selection of grocery items. To say it has been interesting to see how people have reacted around here with the passing of local “stay at home” orders and the additional federal orders that prohibit gatherings of 10 or more people, spacing of 6 feet apart, etc. would be an understatement.
I did a large grocery run last week, list in hand, to our local HEB and I was impressed with the precautions they had implemented for the health of their customers. When I walked up to get a cart, they had an employee spraying down the carts – handles and baskets – with disinfectant between customers. Large red and white signage on the floors reminded shoppers about the social distance spacing and when I went to check out, additional floor signage directed me on where to stand to put my groceries on the conveyor belt, where to stand while waiting to pay, etc. They had large plexiglass panels up between the cashier and the customer.
Panic buying and stockpiling of paper goods in the beginning has led to notices posted with limitations on certain kinds of goods. HEB had signage up limiting several things like toilet paper, paper towels, beans, cans of veggies, bags of rice. I was still able to get most of the items on my list but perhaps not the brands I typically buy.
The experience as a whole was enlightening as it reminded of how much we rely on our nation’s infrastructure, our farmers, truckers, manufacturing, and more to bring the things we use every day to our fingertips. You may ask what this has to do with going green but for me, the entire pandemic experience has shown how important it is to think green in terms of reusable. I think I have mentioned my dad’s blue bandana that he used time and again in lieu of disposable tissues for his sinuses. We keep a decent supply of kitchen towels on hand which would negate the use of so many paper towels. With toilet paper being either hard to find or limited when you can locate it, reusable options may become something to consider as well.
What about paper plates? Do you use those instead of your more traditional plates? What about flatware? Once we are able to socialize again, do you opt for disposable forks and knives or napkins? While it would require more washing, reusable flatware and napkins are more sustainable. For women, the use of items like diva cups or “period panties” might come in handy if disposable pads or tampons become hard to obtain.
Something that I recently ordered – but it hasn’t arrived yet – are reusable masks with an insert to make them better filters. I suspect that we will be encouraged more and more to not go out without a mask and I have seen several news articles talking about how there is a shortage of face masks or that those should be going towards the people in health care professions. There are several options now popping up for ways to make your own masks, some even no sewing required, but I opted to order from a small business. This serves two purposes: I am getting masks created by a company skilled in sewing (they typically make kilts so I’m going to have awesome tartan face masks) and I am supporting small business, which have been hit hard financially because of sanctions placed to stop the Coronavirus spread.
Essentially, think about the things that you use once and then throw away; this creates a perpetual need to resupply. Therefore, if you can find a reusable alternative for that item, you won’t need to panic about running out in times like now when supplies may not be as readily available.
I think in the days to come we may all want to rethink the items that we use and toss as a one-time item and consider how those items of convenience may have a reusable alternative that won’t require us searching across town to find it in stock. The less time spent in stores in public, the less chance of exposure to the Coronavirus or other contagions like the flu.
Stay healthy, my dear reader, and I hope social distancing treats you well.
Going Green In Texas 