nothing exceeds like excess

We last did any shopping on Tuesday the 17th, except for a dozen bagels a week ago from a basically empty Brueggers. By today, we were not out of produce entirely (had 2 carrots, some celery, a couple of cukes, and a little cabbage, plus some clementines and pears). Still, it seemed that today might be a logical time to shop. We saw the famous video about how to be maximally fanatic in bringing food into one's home. We read a twitter thread refuting it. We (as mentioned) checked out what immune-system free person suggested. Made a careful shopping list, grouped by areas of the store. I went to the Stop & Shop, gloved and masked. I wiped the cart (mostly the handle) with an alcohol wipe. Did not take any bags, because re-usable bags are currently disallowed in MA. Bought entire bags of apples and avacados, so that I wouldn't touch produce that lots of other people had squeezed. Was in pain, because I think the edge of the mask was poking me in the eye. Cruised the aisles, backed out when occupied (mostly). Some people were maintaining distance, some clearly were not bothering, especially the workers (see below). I usually go to a checkout aisle that has a cashier, but this time did my own. Dutifully waited behind the blue tape line until the person in front of me finished bagging and cleared the area. Scanning went mostly smoothly, but I messed up with the kale - it had a bar code, but apparently that was a ruse, and one had to look up its number and have it weighed. The machine called for help, and a young guy leaned in very close to me to explain it and reset the scanner. Sigh. Decided to remove (carefully) one glove to get out my credit card, rather than using the presumably soiled glove to open my wallet. Bagged up, being careful to put all the frozen items into one bag. Took to car, turned in cart, removed glove and mask, put them into the trash. Back to car, used sanitizer, drove home. Called Arthur from the garage to confirm his level of infection control. Took the bag of freezer stuff to the side porch. Laid out cardboard on the floor. Wiped all the containers off with one (1) alcohol wipe, placed on cardboard while waiting to finish the process, took them individually to the freezer. Put bag into the compost bin, having never taken it into the house. Left everything else in the car, presuming virus die-off over the next day or two. We are stocked up to and including Passover and it's possible that we can hold out for as much as three weeks before having to shop again.
I ordered food for my parents yesterday from here, using Instacart. Some things were out of stock, but mostly the job was done. I added a 20% tip to the bill (Arthur about the shopper: "He's risking his life!"). The caregiver agreed not to put the bags on the counter, but I don't think any other disease prevention happened there, grocery-wise. With six caregivers, in shifts, all of whom go home to families and at least half of whom work in facilities, my parents might almost be in a busy marketplace, even as they stay entirely at home.