Coronavirus Update: Stay at Home Order Alternatives
Under Governor Inslee's Stay-at-Home Order, we are permitted to shop for groceries, visit pharmacies and gas stations, order take-out meals and do banking. But even these limited activities are risky at this time. There are some alternatives that will help to minimize the risk. Remember, it's touching things and being close to other people that spreads the virus.
In no particular order, here are some other options I have found. I will add more to the list as I find them. If you know of others not included here, please send them to me. Use the email form in the sidebar of this site.
Costco offers 1-day and 2-day home delivery of grocery items for members. I have noticed many items are out of stock and this can change moment to moment. Check their site frequently. Dog food availability has been a particular problem.
Costco Pharmacy also offers home delivery of prescriptions for members.
The Market at Anacortes is offering curbside pickup for phoned-in grocery orders. This is a temporary service offered in response to the pandemic. They provide a downloadable shopping list to facilitate placing an order. See their website for the procedure they would like you to follow ("How it Works").
UPDATE 3-28-2020: I tried this service at The Market today, and it went very well. I phoned in the order at 8:30 am and picked it up at 1:00 pm. They have three designated parking spots for curbside pickup next to the coffee shop. There was one car ahead of me. The whole process took about 15 minutes and they even sanitized my debit card before handing it back. Overall, I was very pleased. Had a nice socially distant chat with the guy who came after me about pickup trucks and cars. DW
At the present time, Safeway in Anacortes does NOT offer curbside pickup of groceries. Curbside pickup is available at Safeway in Mount Vernon. Home delivery of groceries is not available from Safeway in this area.
Walgreens and Rite Aid Pharmacies in Anacortes both offer drive-thru prescription pickup. I have read that Walgreens will also allow OTC drug and other store item pickup in their drive-thru. Ask about their policies when you call. Home delivery for Safeway Pharmacy patients is not mentioned on their website. Ask about the service when you call for refills. Also, independent pharmacies may provide home delivery or curbside pickup, so be sure to ask when you call them.
Amazon Pantry has offered selected grocery items for home delivery, but at the moment, the service is shut down due to inability to keep up with demand. Check their website for any changes to this policy. Amazon Prime Now and Amazon Prime Fresh are not available in this area. Their normal online offerings continue, but availability of items and shipping times appear to be variable. Finally, Amazon has "de-emphasized" shipping certain classes of merchandise for now, such as books. It may take a month or two to receive them. Check their site frequently.
Banking by phone, online or via app is encouraged for now, if possible.
Watch this video on how to bring groceries and take-out into your home safely:
Meanwhile, here is the latest Covid-19 virus Q&A from the Washington Department of Health. Ignore the medium.com sign-in pestering.
Dave Wenning