This Is The Best Time To Grocery Shop During COVID
If there is one thing we're all getting used to these days, it's social distancing while accomplishing necessary tasks like grocery shopping. Of course, this becomes a lot more difficult when the store is packed with other shoppers, which is why many are trying to schedule these errands for the least crowded hours possible, and it seems Google is here to help. The corporation has recently posted a blog that details the best times to go shopping, or grab a cup of coffee, according to data gathered from Google Maps (via Google).
The main piece of advice to glean from the post is to avoid scheduling these activities on a Saturday, which makes sense considering many people are off work on Saturdays. In fact, the busiest time to get a coffee would be Saturday around 10 a.m., while you'll find the longest lines at the grocery stores on Saturday between 12-3 p.m. Instead, try scheduling that caffeine hit for Tuesday at around 4 p.m., and the grocery run for Monday at 8 a.m. (via Delish).
More insights to avoid crowded public spaces
As we all continue to watch the infection rates rise around the country, while new myths about the spread and ways to treat it seem almost as infectious, the simplest way to flatten the curve is to continue practicing social distancing. For instance, to avoid standing in a line of sick people at the pharmacy while you wait for your prescription on Friday at 3 p.m., try to stop by on Monday right as it opens. According to Google, this is the least-busy time, meaning you'll probably be in and out in just a few minutes.
If, on the other hand, you're stressing about the crowds out of doors, you're not alone. Interest in nature has increased with caseloads, and people are flocking to parks from Los Angeles to Boston. If crowds risk getting in the way of your workout or social function, try scheduling those for weekdays at around 7 a.m., since that would be the least busy time according to Google. It might seem like a lot of effort to reschedule your regular plans for weekdays, but if you're already working from home anyway, what's one more change to the new normal?