Thread by @patrickhopkins

1/ So I went food shopping today in Italy. It was my first time really since Lockdown 2.0 was enacted. I must say it was quite an adventure and therefore I think very useful for you as we all enter full #COVIDWinter.

Stay with me, this is going to be a longish thread with video!

2/ I went shopping alone because we saw on the store's website that only one family member was allowed at a time (no kids).

As I was driving I ended up behind a police car that was going in the same direction. Near the entrance to the small town where the store is, we passed...

3/ a police checkpoint that had already stopped someone and was checking why they were outside driving.

At the next curve the police car pulled over, and then it immediately got back on the road and followed me all the way to the parking lot.

As soon as I got out of the car...

4/ they asked me where I was going. Shopping over there. I had an empty form with me because our paper/ink supplies are limited so I didn't fill it in beforehand. They offered me a blank form and pen so I put my gloves and bandana on and filled it out.

My official residence...

5/ is in Bologna so I had to declare that even though we're not living there right now, so I was a bit worried that they would start pushing me about being in the hills instead of Bologna, but they didn't seem interested in that.

They checked my ID and kept the form and that...

6/ was it.

Here's a video of the town's main road, usually filled with people. (Forgive me, but looking at these shots I realize I am NOT a good cameraman.)

7/ I walked to the market and there was a line of people outside spaced by about 1-2 m.

8/ This is a quick shot of the entrance. A few things to note:

- Signs at the entrance saying, among other things, only 1 family member allowed. We're open with x hours. Keep your distance.

- People entering only when called by the cashier.

- A box of disposable gloves.

9/ Once in I must say that there were a few bare shelves, but they told me that today's restocking truck was running late (and it did arrive while I was there). So what I learned is don't go to this store on Fridays as stocks are at their lowest.

10/ This is the fruits/veg section. Empty spots that I trust were later filled once the truck arrived. Prices seem a TAD higher, but they've always been more expensive here than in the city, and the cheaper stuff probably sold out first. For Americans, take the prices and...

11/ divide by 2 for a very rough idea of prices in $ per pound (which are still probably lower than in the US).

Here is a video of the meat/cheese/bread counter. Note the tape on the floor to keep distance. Here I got yelled at by the staff because the checkout line...

12/ was long (cuz of spacing) and ran into those of us at the counter so at the counter we had to move back and wait until the other line moved. So lots of tape and people and lines to be mindful of and keep your distance from, something new to think about.

13/ Here is a view of the checkout line and counter. Note again the tape on the floor for spacing of people in line, and the signs in the aisle reminding you to keep your distance.

14/ I talked to the cashier and she said there were a lot more people in town than usual (off-season for them) and then restocking trucks were running a few hrs late because of gummed up procedures in warehouses.

My final lessons/tips for shopping during lockdown are:

15/ - Don't bring just 2 gloves with you, bring at least 1-2 extra. One of mine broke and I didn't have another one.

- There's no such thing as quick shopping. Lines outside, lines inside, worrying about distances etc eat up a lot of time. Be patient, it'll take a while.

16/ - You will not be on autopilot when shopping. Your brain will be dealing with tons of new stimuli and worries. Gloves, masks, lines, tape on the ground, signs, distances etc. I'm usually laid back but it was quite a bit to handle psychologically even for me, so be ready.

17/ - I wore a doubled bandana instead of a mask because the mask I had is cheap. I know bandanas aren't the best protection but I must say that when I took it off before getting in the car I noticed the smell of burning wood which I didn't smell before, which was comforting.

18/ So after this adventure it was actually quite nice and calming to see a beautiful view from the city's main square, which I filmed so you can enjoy it to. /end