'Bought toilet paper and vitamin C': a Russian-speaking immigrant spoke about quarantine in the United States
'30.03.2020'
Source: Woman.ru
The whole world is experiencing considerable difficulties due to the pandemic of coronavirus infection. Many countries already comply with quarantine and strict security regulations. Woman.ru talked with Rostovite Anna Rybachenko, who lives near the US capital, and found out about the situation in America.
I live very close to Washington, in the suburbs. Now in our district there are about 600 odd cases of coronavirus. In general, people are not particularly panicked about the pandemic situation.
For example, I did not see anyone walking down the street in a mask or a protective suit, as the stars demonstrate. And officially we have not yet been put in strict quarantine - for now, the authorities simply recommend that we stay at home. We can freely go outside, no documents or passes are needed for this.
True, we have nowhere else to go especially, so everywhere is so deserted.
Since the end of last week, grocery stores began to operate in the same strict mode as in Europe. Now there are two employees at the entrance to any supermarket: one lets several people inside, the other gives out carts, having previously disinfected their handles.
There is a huge queue in front of the shops, because they are supposed to keep a distance of one meter between people. It takes a very long time to wait in line. But in the store, at least in the place where we always buy, everything is there.
There is no shortage - other than toilet paper, of course. But people go to stores now much less.
It seems that in Russia everyone began to worry about the situation in America only after Oksana Samoilova showed empty stores in Miami on her Instagram stories. Well, yes, people bought up all the vitamins - but this is not a “drug not found.” In addition, all the more or less serious drugs here can be bought only by prescription, and they are not displayed like this on the shelves. In general, Samoilova’s microblog already has a lot of drama, so you should not take this information very seriously.
Yes, the grocery has empty shelves - especially if you come shopping in the evening and in a large store. There before the coronavirus in the evening it was very often empty, and now people are buying the most.
On the subject: “I'm not a terrorist, but a medical worker!”: The neighbors asked the nurse to move because of her profession
They just row everything, supposedly “just in case”. Most of all they buy toilet paper and side dishes - there is no panic with buckwheat, since there is no such “national product”. And they bought Vitamin C a long time ago, they are thinking of defending themselves with it.
Personally, I have a fear that if I don’t buy, for example, rice, then others will buy it all up, and I just won’t get it the next time. But I understand the delusions of my fears: the products will be in stores, and the stores will work, even if strict quarantine is announced. Therefore, I still do not see the point in packing for the future. Yes, and in stores they introduced a limit on the purchase of scarce categories of goods - they are given no more than two in hand.
Since March 25, in our state, all, let’s say, leisure facilities have been closed: sports halls, cinemas, restaurants, shopping centers. Now only government organizations, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks are working here. In general, only what is strictly necessary for survival.
All schools are completely closed until the end of the school year. Therefore, many parents complain that children torment them at home, because they have nothing to do - they can’t go out, all the playgrounds and amusement parks are officially closed.
Especially everyone is concerned about the financial situation. Most of all, it's scary for those doing business. So far, the authorities have obliged to close all establishments for 30 days, but it is not known what the situation will be like next - everything can last. Someone was already unemployed - they simply fired him, because there is nothing to pay.
The governor of Virginia has officially received a decree prohibiting all those who work outside the areas important for “survival” from going to work. For example, my husband works in a dance studio and they close. While we are trying not to think about the consequences of this instruction and are counting on small savings (by the way, I myself do not work - while my type of visa does not allow this).
Familiar Americans constantly ask us if we bought food, canned goods. They worry about us, since we are still young and we live quite modestly, just starting to get used to a new country.
Probably, someone really already does not have enough funds for the most necessary. For example, a large bottle of antiseptic, which was at the reception, was stolen from my spouse at work! And in the same office building, they opened a room where household chemicals are stored, and stole all bathroom accessories from there - toilet paper in the first place.
On the subject: 'Do not play with fate': 39-year-old sick COVID-19 recorded a video message from intensive care
What are the authorities doing?
Now everyone can make a test for coronavirus for free. There are a lot of points for such checks, and the test itself can be passed without leaving your car.
Also, the US government promises to give everyone money.
Everyone who earns less than 75 thousand dollars a year will receive $ 1 from the authorities. The more you earn, the less support you owe. For example, if your salary is 200 thousand, you will receive a thousand, if 80 - even less. If the income is more than 90 thousand a year, then they won’t give you anything - you’re already doing fine and you’ll manage everything. Bonus awaits those who have children. For each child in the family will give another 99 dollars. These amounts, of course, are not the most significant for America. But in such a situation, any help will not hurt.
Public transport, by the way, works for free. However, now the buses are almost not loaded with passengers - and the point here is not only that few people use them. The front door of the buses does not work, and the passage to the driver is specially blocked - this is so that passengers do not contact the driver and do not infect him accidentally. Some buses have antiseptics and wet wipes, and anyone can simply pick up and handle their hands if necessary.
