I am curious if your gym or workout “place” has been affected by the fear caused by COVID-19 hysteria. This morning my husband and I went to the YMCA for our morning exercise. It is something we’ve been trying to do on a regular basis at least 2-3 days a week. Usually, he swims and I use the treadmill. But, he recently had carpal tunnel surgery and cannot get back into the water yet. So, we’ve been walking the indoor track until we accomplish at least 2.5 miles, usually in about 45 minutes.
As we arrived today, we noted that the parking lot was very full. There were no spots in the side lot where we usually park, so we drove out to the lot in front of the building. There, we found a spot about three-quarters of the way out. Inside, it seemed calmer than it was on Tuesday morning with fewer people walking the track and using the weight machines. But, there are classes being conducted all morning – spinning, Zumba, pi-yo, yoga, water aerobics – to name just a few. The fullness of the parking lot indicated that many people were still participating in these classes. In addition, the lobby of our YMCA has a common area where people congregate at tables and play cards, visit, and read. This area was as full as it is on any given day in recent history.
Our assessment? The mass hysteria and concern over COVID-19 has not affected our local population’s desire to work out! This is awesome on the one hand and slightly (only slightly) concerning on the other. Many of the people that attend the YMCA during the morning are older – I mean it is a workday and most people of working age do work. So, like my husband and me, there are many retirees at the Y in the morning. I noticed that people are wiping down the machines diligently for the most part. There were two young ladies (much younger than I) who used the treadmills near me last month who never wiped them down after they were done and one had admitted to recently being sick. This made me angry! I do have concern for the older people using the facilities at the YMCA during this viral outbreak. It seems they are the most vulnerable to a poor outcome if the virus is contracted. But, maybe since we have not had many cases in Wisconsin, they feel their risk is minimal – and, it probably truly is.
So, our YMCA remains a busy and productive place on weekday mornings despite the COVID-19 concerns.
On the flip side, toilet paper is disappearing like the way quicksilver does after a thermometer breaks! You cannot seem to find it anywhere! It’s been reported that our local Sam’s Club is out of it. We were fortunate to get our supply before it was diminished. We are considering ourselves to be lucky with respect to that!
How are you fairing amid the COVID-19 concerns?
The Apples in My Orchard 
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