March 03, 2021 – Why We’re Only Shopping at Sprouts For Groceries (and a few others) Here in Austin For Now, Hint: Covid-19

There’s few things my wife likes to do more than comparison shop the grocery stores here in Austin. She probably saves us the equivalence of a typical entry level job here, if you can find one, and it’s safe – you get the picture $$!!

So for us to choose to voluntarily restrict ourselves to Sprouts, and a few other stores I’ll highlight hopefully tomorrow, is a big deal. Fixed incomes of the qualifying-for-most-any-level of stimulus cut-off-money work that way 😊

Yesterday, in what some, whether true or not, are saying is a diversion from the focus on the horrific ice storm fiasco that shouldn’t’ve happened (much less potentially cost some Texans thousands in inflated electricity bills, lawsuits may decide that), our governor announced an end to our state-wide mask mandate effective March 10th. My own feeling is, why not re-examine the idea, and decide to keep the mask mandate through March, re-evaluate how Texas is doing then after the stress and trauma of our failed winter response, and make a more time-appropriate response. ‘Course, I’m speaking from a don’t-know-much-of-anything-but-what-I-read perspective, which I readily admit is fairly narrow. And waiting for my second Covid vaccine shot.

My problem, right? To the degree I don’t infect / harm someone else with the virus, yes.

Meanwhile, two of our other regular grocery store haunts (reg readers will know the names from my posts) say they’ll go to voluntary mask usage.

Now, I wear a mask (I’m told, as per CDC) to protect other people (mostly), and they wear masks to (mostly) protect me!

Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. The CDC recommends people wear face masks in public settings, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Wearing a face mask may limit exposure to respiratory droplets and large particles and may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus.Nov 24, 2020

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/face-masks-including-surgical-masks-and-respirators-covid-19

So, if I’m wearing a mask, and everyone around me isn’t – who’s at risk?

Me.

Solution?

Don’t shop there.

Sprouts Farmers Market (an indoor grocery store), I was told by a manager, and by a produce person (yes, I like to double-confirm if possible), would “take the flack” if needed, but continue to mandate mask usage inside its stores here in Austin (and I assume elsewhere but not sure).

Shopping the grocery specials is good, and actually renumerative. But staying healthy pays even better ♥️

Here’s a link to their corporate page –
https://www.sprouts.com/

And here’s the links to the two nearest us in Austin –
Manchaca Rd – https://www.sprouts.com/store/tx/austin/austin-manchaca-rd/
South Lamar – https://www.sprouts.com/store/tx/austin/austin-south-lamar-blvd/

And for it’s worth – I will be so glad when masks’ll be a thing of the past ☺️ And see eyes and lips and cheekbones all smile simultaneously again.

Thanks everyone – stay healthy as you can!

Adan

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Thanks again, everyone! 😊

Adan

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