CoVID-19 "seniors" shopping hour

[rslade]

So, what with back pain and worry about the whole situation, I couldn't sleep this morning, and decided to try out "seniors" shopping hour.

First off, from the looks of some of the patrons going in ahead of me, I'm not sure why it's "seniors" shopping hour, unless the definition of "senior" was dropped to 35 while I was sleeping.  (There were some patiently waiting when I came out, and we had a brief chat [from a distance of at least two metres].  It is heartening to see that some people are definitely trying to do the right thing.)

As far as the staff are concerned, "seniors" hour seems to be "restocking" hour.  It was difficult to slalom a cart (that I was basically using as a walker) down the aisle between all the pallets.  (When I left the cart alone, for a moment, and went around a corner, the cart was gone when I got back.  I assume one of the staff was tidying up ...)  I don't know what they were restocking, because they are still out of toilet paper, canned beans, flour, "Wet Ones" for Sensitive Skin, and Chunky Chicken with Rice soup, like they have been for more than a week.  (When I was restocking shelves in a grocery store, we did it on night shift, but I realize that was a while ago, when cans were labelled in Latin.)

I do note that the staff, when they do deign to talk to you, are much less surly first thing in the morning.  (Yes, I do understand that having to deal with idiot panic buyers all day can get wearing.)

I also note that this is one of the first days of the "no, you can't use your own reusable bags" policy, and that this policy also means that cans and bottles are not being accepted for deposit returns.  I also note that both the deposit and the deposit handling fee are still being charged on bottles and cans.  Trust Jimmy Pattison to be able to make a profit (no matter how small) out of a crisis.