The Farmer’s Market Is Still There
Journal Day 8: My little corner of NYC in the age of the Coronavirus, Sunday, March 29, 2020
At my small weekly neighborhood farmer’s market, a few vendors came out, braving the virus and the rain. Although I’ve been trying to avoid any close contact with other humans, I was craving fresh food, so I went and got a loaf of cinnamon bread (which I have already almost finished eating), potatoes and onions for a chicken soup/stew I am planning to make tonight, and mesclun salad greens, which are usually sold loose but today were pre-bagged.
The vendors all had tape across the front of their booths, and the booths had shifted from their usual spots on the sidewalk into the street. Customers told the vendors what they wanted, and the vendors got it, instead of customers rummaging through the bins themselves. So there was an attempt at distancing, but some vendors were better than others about standing back or putting food and change on the table rather than directly into customers’ hands.
I worried a bit about that (when do I not worry?) but on the other hand, I now have some fresh vegetables, which I needed or at least badly wanted, and the vendors got a bit of business, which they needed, so I guess it was worth the risk. It’s hard to be 100% perfect at social distancing without living in a bubble.
That was my only outing today, and it was a short one, so I will try to walk in circles around my living room later to meet my (modest) weekly steps goal. Maybe I will do that while I am watching Saint Cuomo of the Albany, whose daily news briefing/inspirational sermon I taped and haven’t yet watched.
Meanwhile, Trump backed down on his idea of quarantining the tri-state area. Even if that was legal, which apparently it wasn’t, I don’t think it would have had the effect he wanted. Most people who would leave the area have already done so. Today, Trump was bragging on Twitter about the TV ratings for his press conferences. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not.
I’m feeling sluggish today. It’s already after 5:00, and I still need to listen to Cuomo, make dinner, get a bit of exercise, and work on my stories. I’m going to try to get up earlier. I’ve been getting up late, and then the day is over before I know it.
