We hadn't been out of the house since Friday. I just had to get out and drive around to see what is going on around here. Along the way I passed a bunch of chemical plants and saw that the parking lots were full so I guess it is business as usual. There was about a normal amount of traffic along Bay Area Boulevard. I decided to have a grand tour of the local grocery stores we go to. There was quite a difference. The big new HEB had a line in front. They are controlling entry to assist with social distancing. They are also sanitizing the cart handles. One thing I saw was the people were leaving with lots of groceries. I was in there on Friday and saw the shelves well stocked except for sanitation supplies and starches (flour, beans, rice). Next stop was our customary Kroger store. No line because they don't have much on the shelves. There was some produce, but the meat and seafood department was shuttered. They were putting out some bags of frozen chicken parts. Of course, no starches, or cleaning supplies or paper products. Then to the other HEB store. No line and the store pretty well stocked there was lots of meat and seafood. Their meat department was open and operating. Again, no starches or cleaning supplies. Then I went to Aldi. They were pretty well stocked except for cleaning supplies. Last stop was the other Kroger. They were about the same as our local Kroger. No meat department although they did have some cuts of fresh beef in the display.

The last stop was my favorite liquor store, Specs. Business as usual and shelves well stocked. They had taped 6 foot markers at the checkouts to assist with social distancing.

Last stop was the gas station. The low oil prices are devastating the industry, but they sure are good for the consumer. As I was recording the purchase in our gas log, I noted that the last time we bought gas was February 20. Since then we only drove 280 miles. The times they are a changin'.