A High-Risk Elder Goes Grocery Shopping in Qatar

When Shopping 

Feels Like a Gamble

Yesterday, as cases spiked in Doha to nearly 1,000 per day, I went to the grocery store as soon as it opened. Every time I go, I feel I am tossing a coin. Heads, I win. Tails, I lose.

Qatari officials now require all shoppers and service workers to wear masks. I wore my new N95 mask. Again, a guy was wiping down the carts and was happy to let me use the bottle to spray the handle and seat with extra disinfectant. A woman took my temperature.

People were mindful to keep a distance, and were friendly when I asked them to stand a bit further from me. But, one women actually knocked into me in an aisle. And, there was plenty of room to avoid me.

I now have a tub near the door where I deposited my shoes and keys and sprayed them with disinfectant. I slipped into my house shoes and washed my hands. Then, I stripped out of my clothes in the kitchen and put them in the washer. Next, I showered. Dressed. Went back to the groceries.

I brought the bags to the kitchen. I did not sanitize individual packages, but did sanitize the floors in the kitchen and the hallway. Then, turned over my "trolley" and sanitized the bottom of it. I threw the reusable bags in the washer with my clothes and turned it on. Then, I spray my purse handles, purse bottom, wallet, and debit card with alcohol.

I won't know if these efforts pay off for 14 days. By then, I may need to go to the store again. Maybe it's too much precaution. Maybe it's not enough.

It's emotionally exhausting.

And, I am grateful that I have the resources to make the best of this awful situation.

Keep you and your families safe. Keep others safe, too.