Items

• 
  2020-04-08

  Hidden Market

  Today, unlike a week ago, the air was very clean and light. During the day I discovered that I ran out of cleaner and some food. Instead of going shopping with my family or friends I go alone. Limiting trips to the store has become normal for my parents and friends. Although I knew most of the supplies were out at some of the local markets I decided to call one of my friends. Using my cell phone I called my friend Malakar. Both of us talked about how we were laid off recently and didn't have much to do. We both discussed about how Mexico wasn't dealing with the pandemic very seriously. The president of Mexico gave a speech to reassure the public and remarked how they should treat it as a common cold. I remarked that Mexico has less ventilators for the sick than any given state in the U.S. Both of us sighed. Then I shared what I inferred. "If this keeps going until the summer the people in Mexico might come here for help." My friend shared the sentiment but also added that our borders would close long before the summer starts. During the summer temperatures in Arizona reach over one hundred ten degrees. If there are any surfaces outside the virus would be burned from the sun. He changed the subject to how the governmental loan for the small restaurant businesses are going to be in effect for 4/13/2020. Both of us agreed that we will have some money coming in from that and how the restaurants must employ us for seventy five percent of our regular hours or the loans must be repaid. After discussing what the next week would look like I asked him about any local markets I could find cleaners. Most of the paper goods and cleaning supplies were out at the local Food City and Fry's. Fortunately one of my friends pointed out a Halal Grocery store that had some cleaners and good bread still. Traveling to this store there was very little traffic. Most of their pita bread was gone but they still had some toilet paper. Most of the employees wore face masks and kept their distance. Inside there was a deli that had an assortment of fresh meats. Most of the prepacked food was still there. This place gives out punch cards if you're a regular customer. Inside there is also a restaurant that can make gyros and other lunch foods for a fair price. Thank goodness that there are reliable places like this in these trying times.