GROCERY STORES: This week's West Seattle notes

Jennie April 18, 2020 (7:39 am)

Does anyone know if Trader Joe’s has adopted ‘one-way’ aisles? With the store being so small and so many pinch points even before all of this happened, it seems like a great store to just always have a one-way flow.

Elton April 18, 2020 (8:24 am)

I was there last night and didn’t see any signs about 1 way aisles. They limit entry into the store though so I didn’t find any part of the store particularly crowded.

anonyme April 18, 2020 (7:40 am)

Whole Foods delivery through Prime has shut down, even for established customers. I’ve been trying (and failing) to place an order for over a week now. That makes it very difficult for those of us who don’t have a big stash of cash at home to pay volunteer shoppers, or who can’t afford delivery fees at other stores.

Elton April 18, 2020 (8:23 am)

I assume that most volunteer shoppers would take venmo instead of actual cash.
Teri April 18, 2020 (8:40 am)

Hey, I had this problem, seems the phone app is not working. Try a desktop or laptop.
- Donna Snow April 18, 2020 (9:33 am)
  
  Some of us don’t have desktop or laptop!
  - MercyMoi April 18, 2020 (11:12 am)
    
    No, but even from a smartphone you can access the “desktop site” that eliminates all the fit-to-screen views and mobile conveniences. Could be with a try.
  - JES April 18, 2020 (2:43 pm)
    
    I’m happy to pick up and deliver groceries for no fee (over the weekend preferably, I work during the week). I have a Venmo account or we can sort out payment. I just made an new email so I didn’t have to put my regular email here, let me know if I can help: westseahelp @ Gmail (dot) com
LyndaB April 18, 2020 (8:45 am)

I went there last night 45 minutes before it closed. It didn’t have very many people inside. You could quickly go in and get your items.
LyndaB April 18, 2020 (8:48 am)

I went there last night 45 minute before it closed and there weren’t very many shoppers in there. I’d say even before COVID it was pretty sparse before closing as well.
Michelle April 18, 2020 (9:09 am)

Thriftway does curbside pick up. If you’re able to drive there, you can order by phone. They have a good selection of organic items. Maybe that could be a good substitute until Prime Now returns.
Sillygoose April 18, 2020 (9:49 am)

I’m curious why you dont just shop yourself?
- Graciano April 18, 2020 (12:24 pm)
  
  If I remember correctly I do believe anonyme just had surgery or is disabled and this is why unable to just go shopping
- J April 18, 2020 (12:58 pm)
  
  We had illness in our home and didn’t want to spread virus to others in the store, so we relied on delivery. I imagine there are many that have advanced age, and/or underlying health conditions or live or work with vulnerable people, so they wand to reduce exposure to COVID in the air at grocery stores. They may either not want to become sick, or not want to become a vector and transmit the disease to others.
- JES April 18, 2020 (2:53 pm)
  
  Many people aren’t able to shop for themselves if they don’t drive, have mobility issues, sight issues, underlying health issues, etc.
LT April 18, 2020 (9:58 am)

I’ve been able to order through Amazon and do Pickup at Whole Foods. There have been some days it’s not available, and some days you have to wait a day but I was able to pickup in 2 hours on Thursday. You just walk into the entrance to customer service and your bagged groceries are waiting for you to grab. In and out!
Trickycoolj April 18, 2020 (1:55 pm)

For Amazon Whole Foods you have to go “sign up” in the app to have it turned back on. Really frustrating but news reports were saying that the order pickers we’re creating too many crowded conditions for in-person shopping. They do still have regular Amazon Fresh orders available for pickup in Sodo… while not as easy access anymore is an option.
Cathy April 18, 2020 (4:16 pm)

Try calling the senior center of west seattle. They have people that can help.(206)932-4044
Ellen Carleton April 18, 2020 (5:43 pm)

Hi, there, ShopT worked for me when Safeway delivery and qf delivery were impossible to schedule. Gave me a personal shopper, nice young woman, who had organized perishables from canned goods from produce in separate bags. I gave her a $5 tip, the least I could do for someone who’s risking getting covid-19 groceries. I’m a 65 year old in my 5th week of self-isolation. Anyway, you buy a membership at which cost me $8 a month when I bought it for a year, can be cancelled at any time, to get the service. I figured that was a good deal. I ordered in the morning and received the groceries in the evening same day.
Ginger April 18, 2020 (9:14 pm)

Hey! I would volunteer to shop for someone that needs it. You can send me your list to my email, ginger @ my2020home . com (no spaces between words) and payment for groceries can be done through Google Pay or a check when I deliver them. No delivery or shopping fee. Happy to volunteer for those in need that are physically disabled and cannot get out and shop themselves.

The Rog April 18, 2020 (8:07 am)

Honestly, I work at a grocery store (not in West Seattle) and we are all exhausted. We were not permitted to wear masks until a week ago, and are now required to wear them. We do not have good markings on the floors, and even the few we have people do not observe. I regularly see guest walk up within a foot of me, pull their mask down to ask a question, shop, come back within inches of my face, remove the mask and ask another question. I face palm on a regular basis. Folks shop in groups and hang out looking at their phones in the middle of a crowded aisle or in front of someone clearly elderly or working, lolly gagging around and socializing. We regularly pick up gloves people just toss on the ground, sometimes along with a mask, inside and outside the store. People are using so many plastic bags I wonder how they dispose of these. A plastic bag around a cereal box is overkill. Customers are buying more canned and non perishables items than they could possibly need, yet our food banks are in dire need right now. My point is this- before this pandemic people were behaving badly, but now we have certain facts and guidelines to observe and people still don’t seem to respect common decency or critical thinking. I know everyone feels cooped up, but perhaps you can consider how the workers feel- I’d love to sit down and have a break to sew my own mask, or donate blood, or make a food bank run before they close, or see my 70+ coworkers able to stay home with pay. I’d love to see people picking up trash around the neighborhood and writing productive letters to our city and state about something they’re passionate about. I’d love for people to respect that every time you trivialize this, especially now with the lag in PPE in areas and no vaccine, you are responsible for my nurse friends and my dad. I see the good out there too, and there are no words for my gratitude to the fire department, nurses, cleaners, doctors, truckers, postal carriers, food bank workers, farmers, scientists, my co-workers and bosses, the police and so many more. I appreciate you west seattle for being my refuge, and to everyone going stir crazy- you’re my heroes, and please keep it up a bit longer. Let’s all find our chill now, because we’re going to need a lot of patience, love and understanding once our commute gets more busy.

miws April 18, 2020 (8:47 am)

The Rog, Thank you for what you are doing, thank you for your perspective, and please stay as safe as possible… —Mike
LyndaB April 18, 2020 (8:56 am)

The Rog, well, said. I haven’t donated blood in a while, too. Thanks for the reminder but not sure when I can make an appointment. I’m a HCW. I hope our neighbors who are healthy and able will donate a pint or two on our behalf.
flimflam April 18, 2020 (9:22 am)

@the rog – i’m sure it is exhausting being exposed to dozens, hundreds of people everyday. the customers at the store i shop in seem to be mostly doing a good job of being courteous and safe with each other and store staff – of course there are the oblivious folks that will just stop dead center in an aisle or charge around “speed-walking”. the discarding of used gloves in the parking lot, left behind in carts is inexcusable.i have noticed the cashiers are getting weary; still pleasant, but weary. i know some places have bumped pay up by $2 and hour as hazard pay but i’m not sure that is enough to be honest. i’d love to hand out some tips but i tried that around the christmas rush and the cashier/bagger looked terrified as it is against corporate policy.hang in there, rog – the vast majority appreciate you and your co-workers immensely.
Azimuth April 18, 2020 (9:41 am)

THE Rog, question/thoughts. I tried to give a tip to my grocery cashier at Fred Meyer and he said he would be fired if he accepted it. I didn’t follow up with a manager but I’m curious if this is true at your store, wherever that may be.
- Graciano April 18, 2020 (12:27 pm)
  
  YES most businesses will not let their employees accept tips, gifts of any kind even in these times. Your mail delivery person is not to accept anything either but i know some have ;>)
Theresa April 18, 2020 (10:26 am)

That you so much for your perspective and insight. Seems to me that we all need to be more thoughtful about our actions or lack thereof when we go outside of our cocoons.
bettertogether April 18, 2020 (10:53 am)

Hi Rog- Thank you for your post. If you would like a homemade mask and a few for your co-workers, we have a few washable, 2-ply cotton with elastic over the ears that we made and would be glad to provide free to you. Really appreciate what you’re doing. Please reach out to bettertogether206@gmail.com
West Seattle since 1979 April 18, 2020 (4:25 pm)

The Rog, thanks for what you’re doing.

Sunuva April 18, 2020 (9:00 am)

I really don’t like the task of going grocery shopping any longer. It makes me so paranoid. I like seeing the changes as it helps bring down my anxiety a bit. The plexiglass dividers, the 6 foot markers, the signs limiting certain purchases to 1 per person are all welcome changes.

Unfortunately, not all is working as good as one would hope. The items marked as “1 per household/person” are still always completely sold out at Safeway, so I’m not sure if they are actually enforcing it. The one-way lanes seem like a good idea at first, but most people aren’t following them and I found it just makes me have to spend more time in the store. For example, I only want one item in an aisle and I’m near the item but the direction is the opposite, I would have to loop all the way down the next aisle and back to get this one item. In practice, it just isn’t efficient and doesn’t work when not many people were heeding the suggested direction.

I’m trying to follow the directions though and do appreciate all that our local stores are doing to try to make us all safer. Keep it up!

WSB April 18, 2020 (10:51 am)

If you can, try early morning shopping. Thriftway for example (a sponsor but also the closest store to us) opens at 5 am. We went at 6:30 this past Tues (even before the special shopping hours, for which both of us are eligible). Nothing we needed was out of stock. Good luck! – TR
LyndaB April 18, 2020 (12:44 pm)

I usually shop early Sundays to pick up goodies for work. Recently, I encountered the new one way aisles one morning. I was a rebel I grabbed my item coming from the opposite side. Granted there were hardly any shoppers around. So, I second early shopping.
Erithan April 18, 2020 (5:58 pm)

Qfc in the junction has been doing good keeping tp in stock if you’re ever in need. I try to let people know when I can.

DD April 18, 2020 (9:00 am)

Well said, the Rog! . Just want to add that I ventured out to Trader Joe’s this week during one of their senior hours. It was very well organized, staff were vigilant about cleanliness and controlling the flow of people , as well as handling the check out process. There were a few semi close encounters, but that was among shoppers. I was very glad to see employees protected with masks and the shields at check out stations. This was the best shopping experience, and best controlled setting, I have been in. I am minimizing my shopping trips as I am at risk…….but the next one will likely be to TJ’s. Thanks to all staff who are on the front lines and taking daily risks to keep us healthy.

Deb April 18, 2020 (9:19 am)

To Anonyme: This website was set up to connect people willing to help with shopping, etc westseattlecovid.recovers.org.The Rog- Thank you for your huge heart. I appreciate your honesty and your compassion. Sometimes the truth ain’t pretty. You Rock!!

Goddess Andraste April 18, 2020 (10:20 am)

The one-way aisles only work if people use them. We were at Safeway yesterday, the aisles were clearly marked, AND EVERYONE IGNORED THEM. My mom and I were getting so anxious and angry because people were just too freaking close in every aisle. (And please, no mansplaining about online ordering and delivery pickup. That’s a lesson in frustration right now, too.)

Bill April 18, 2020 (12:06 pm)

I think that the one way aisles are OK — they just started this last week — and I believe that the signs being on the floors were not immediately noticed — give it a week and things should smooth out. The biggest problem I noticed at Roxbury Safeway was that only one door was open — Both doors should open – with one being in and the other out. The entrance way was pretty jammed up a couple of times!
- ACG April 18, 2020 (2:42 pm)
  
  I totally did that, Bill. I was in the grocery store a few days ago, was wanting a few quick things and was busy watching others to keep my distance. I never noticed that there were the new one way signs on the floor until I was leaving. I felt terrible that I didn’t see that until I was leaving.
- 1994 April 18, 2020 (11:20 pm)
  
  I believe the one open door at the Roxbury Safeway is so the person stationed at the entry can keep track of how people enter and exit. If one door is an entry and the other an exit, it is not efficient for 1 person to keep the count. An entry and exit does seem logical and could prevent theft too.

That Guy April 18, 2020 (10:36 am)

I say we should only support the stores who make their employees safe! Like wearing face masks!

GoTJ! April 18, 2020 (10:48 am)

I want to give a shout out to Trader Joes because their system is the best I’ve seen. I was there for the first time on Friday and they are strict about limiting shoppers, everyone is wearing masks, there are staff specifically assigned to wiping down each cart used and their store is perfectly organized. I can only imagine the kind of work it takes to keep this up. Thanks to them and to the other markets and employees working so hard to keep our community fed and our minds at ease.

anonyme April 18, 2020 (11:08 am)

I don’t shop myself because I am a senior recovering from surgery with no transportation. I’m ordering on my laptop, so that’s not the problem with Prime. Customer service has no answers. What is Venmo?

CAM April 19, 2020 (11:49 am)

Venmo is a cashless payment app for your phone. It transfers money automatically between parties almost like a check would have. You need to link your bank account to it and then when you receive money you transfer the money back into your bank account. Zelle is another option that most bank accounts have built in now as well. If someone gives you their phone or email address you can send money directly from your account to them electronically and it is automatically deposited in their account.
I’ll add that I find venmo a little harder to navigate but only because you have to find the person within the app and sometimes that is more challenging depending on how many people have similar names.

Steve April 18, 2020 (11:34 am)

What seems to be the officer problem? I didn’t see that one way there.

barbara s spector April 18, 2020 (11:36 am)

I went to costco on wed. this week. They are lining people up outside, wiping down carts and counting the people allowed inside. Then someone lets more people in after telling them what is not available and to behave.They don’t have tp, flour, rice, and wipes. I did manage to buy their tp online after a few tries. I’d say half the people shoppers and worker were wearing masks.

bloo April 18, 2020 (12:34 pm)

I doubt I will go back to the Admiral Safeway after a couple of crowded and stressful trips until the pandemic is over. Almost everything they have, I can find elsewhere. I can get frozen marrow bones for my dog at Mud Bay and I am willing to go without my regular yogurt drink just to have a safe shopping experience. Fred Meyer pick-up in Burien is fantastic! After I parked in one of the designated stalls and called the Pick-up phone line, it took just 3 minutes for a very nice, friendly, mask-wearing person to bring my groceries to me and load them in my car. You really can’t beat that. I will be using them for most of my grocery needs and still go to Trader Joe’s and Met Market for items I can only find in their stores.

Earlybird April 18, 2020 (1:28 pm)

Agree – Admiral Safeway is the most challenging place to shop safely. Total disregard for floor markings and lots of people leisurely browsing and making it hard to navigate while maintaining distance. Met, PCC, Thriftway and Trader Joe’s have been better.
Calires April 18, 2020 (6:47 pm)

I’ve been going to Admiral Safeway around 9 p.m. and there aren’t many people there so it’s possible to stay at a distance. Other times, I’ve looked at the number of cars in the parking lot and not gone in. Jefferson Square Safeway yesterday was ridiculous. The aisles seem to be narrower since they remodeled and remain two-way. They do have markings on the floor, but there is no way to keep any kind of horizontal distance in the aisles. They were well stocked with items I haven’t seen since early March at Safeway stores.

Blbl April 18, 2020 (12:38 pm)

I second the compliments for Trader Joes. They are doing a great job and it makes me feel safer.

Mj April 18, 2020 (12:54 pm)

Enough already. Take reasonable precautions and stop wining about others. The vast majority of people who are unlucky and get the virus recover and gain antibodies as such are less likely to get it again. Years ago they used to have Chickenpox parties so young people could catch it when the disease would be mild. This created here immunity.

psps April 18, 2020 (1:14 pm)

I’m surprised the moderators allowed this hash of dangerous misinformation. Well, not that surprised.
Sb2780 April 18, 2020 (1:17 pm)

Lies. It’s not scientifically verifiable yet that antibodies will provide any immunity, let alone permanent immunity. This is the reality we are going to be faced with every time we go out in public until there is a vaccine or treatment intervention.
Chairman April 18, 2020 (1:24 pm)

Ok doctor mj
Trickycoolj April 18, 2020 (2:04 pm)

Not everyone holds immunity from natural chicken pox as a child and it can be deadly in pregnant women and adults! I was tested for immunity in college when the dorms were exposed. Turns out I was not immune even though I had spots for 2 weeks when my 1st grade class had it. UW Health immediately called me in for a vaccine.
JES April 18, 2020 (2:57 pm)

How could you possibly know anything about immunity when an antibody test doesn’t exist for this yet? That’s an irresponsible comment.
miws April 18, 2020 (4:57 pm)

Oh, FFS, Hooper. COVID and chickenpox are two different things. There’s a vaccine for chickenpox, not one for COVID. And, they are still learning about COVID. —Mike
Wut April 18, 2020 (5:40 pm)

Chicken pox parties did not cause herd immunity. The vaccine for chicken pox did.
Calires April 18, 2020 (6:39 pm)

They also used to bleed people to let the ill humors out of them. Some things in the good old days weren’t that good.
J April 18, 2020 (8:33 pm)

Some of us value human life, and will work to protect ourselves and others.
Trumpaganda April 19, 2020 (7:29 am)

WSB Please take down Mj’s dangerous message! This sort of false information can get people killed.

Mj April 18, 2020 (3:03 pm)

People who have had the disease have developed antibodies. In fact doctors are using these antibodies to help people who currently have it! If you are afraid stay home and do not socialize, the pragmatic option is to take reasoned precautions, sanitizing wipes and social distancing and try to get on with your life.

WSB April 18, 2020 (3:38 pm)

The possible treatment is *being studied*.
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/swedish-expands-collection-plasma-donations-recovered-covid-19-patients/Q63VNEQNSZGBBDKV3Q6P2J3A6E/

The WHO says they do NOT know whether antibodies = immunity
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/17/who-issues-warning-on-coronavirus-testing-theres-no-evidence-antibody-tests-show-immunity.html

Sandra April 18, 2020 (3:48 pm)

On Thursday morning I waited 20 minutes to get into the WS Trader Joe’s store. On Friday morning I waited 50 minutes to get into Costco. Once inside, both stores were well run.

Infantry72 April 18, 2020 (3:49 pm)

Whew! Thank you, dr mj, for your deeply researched & insightful diagnosis. Should I send you my $20 co-pay now, or wait until I get my chickenpox/COVID-19 cocktail? Asking for a friend….

Ice April 18, 2020 (9:47 pm)

Only a 20 dollar copay?! You must have some really great insurance if it is so cheap for a consult with an absolute quack.

ACG April 18, 2020 (5:56 pm)

Is Trader Joe’s pretty well stocked? I need to get stuff, but have been holding off as I didn’t want to go all the way there and have the items I need gone.

The Rog April 18, 2020 (8:27 pm)

Dear West Seattle, I ♥️ you. As to the tips/ gifts- my store doesn’t allow that, and I don’t blame them. That’s a messy tax/ favoritism mess. Donating to someone who doesn’t get to work right now would be an awesome way to show appreciation for those working though. Or even an animal shelter or senior center. I know there are a lot of restaurants and coffee shops reaching out. We leave extra big tips if we get food pickup lately. I hope everyone finds help getting groceries delivered. As for Mj- you clearly have not been weathered enough by this world to understand how caring works. I do not see fear or whining in these threads. What I do see is people airing what is and is not working, so as to better establish a way to start thinking and living so we can move forward. Sometimes it’s not about fear or choices. Hopefully someday you will be touched by something meaningful, so that you will be able to understand that there’s so much more to some conditions than meets the eye. Shout out the the journalists, photographers, public transit, ferry/ water taxi workers, and the longshoremen who live dangerously every day.

Mj April 18, 2020 (9:57 pm)

Infantry72 – I never said I was a doctor.

Milton J April 19, 2020 (6:54 pm)

Please stop sniping at each other. Were in this mess together. Not a doc MJJ

anonyme April 20, 2020 (9:30 am)

Eleven days, still can’t get a Whole Foods order through. Thanks for Venmo info, I don’t have a smartphone and don’t trust banking info on my phone. Also, no paper checks to pay people with. It’s a dilemma. At this point, I would almost risk taking several buses and trying to get to a store during senior hours – except that the buses aren’t running anymore, either. Week ten of quarantine for me, so resources are running thin. Weird how the smallest details you’d never think of turn out to be such obstacles. Guess this a learning experience for the next disaster!