A Notable Early Moment
Dublin Core
Title
A Notable Early Moment
Description
The week of March 9, 2020 was when so many things shifted into a very real, very experiential phase of the pandemic. When that week began, it felt like everyone was watching the Johns Hopkins Covid infection map constantly, seeing numbers in the US increase from 4 to 20 to 60 to 100, mostly in places like Oregon, California, and Chicago. Numbers in Pennsylvania were pretty low, likely in the double digits.
That Thursday, March 12, 2020 I walked to the gym after work. The giant warehouse didn't seem different, though I felt extra watchful of whether or not people wiped down equipment after their treadmill session. Nobody was wearing a mask. Not everyone wiped. I actually haven't been back there since.
After the gym, I walked two blocks to Trader Joe's and called Matt to let him know where to pick me up. And to see if he wanted anything specific: Hummus? Tamales? Toasted, sliced almonds? How are we on half and half?
There probably wasn't a line outside; those didn't start until much later. I don't remember if it was particularly crowded, but the occupants of that store, on that day, in that after-work/early-evening moment probably all remember the feeling. There was shock at the empty freezer cases. Everyone pulled out their cameras to take a picture. Was it exciting? Shamefully `grammable? I took pics. My mouth was probably wide open the whole time. I think I bought some high-protein pancake mix.
That Thursday, March 12, 2020 I walked to the gym after work. The giant warehouse didn't seem different, though I felt extra watchful of whether or not people wiped down equipment after their treadmill session. Nobody was wearing a mask. Not everyone wiped. I actually haven't been back there since.
After the gym, I walked two blocks to Trader Joe's and called Matt to let him know where to pick me up. And to see if he wanted anything specific: Hummus? Tamales? Toasted, sliced almonds? How are we on half and half?
There probably wasn't a line outside; those didn't start until much later. I don't remember if it was particularly crowded, but the occupants of that store, on that day, in that after-work/early-evening moment probably all remember the feeling. There was shock at the empty freezer cases. Everyone pulled out their cameras to take a picture. Was it exciting? Shamefully `grammable? I took pics. My mouth was probably wide open the whole time. I think I bought some high-protein pancake mix.
Date
March 12, 2020
Citation
Anonymous, “A Notable Early Moment,” Chatham Covid 19 Collection Project, accessed April 20, 2024, https://covid19.chathamarchivesdigital.org/items/show/66.