Was it the news from Ruthin Town FC that sparked today's Tesco rush? Was this enough to engender if not alarm then a mass wave of customers? Or was it the prime minister's statement yesterday? No one seemed panicked, rushed or ill-mannered but there was also a steely resolve about shopping in what was at that point a very busy store.
Lunchtime and there were only two parking spaces spare when I came in. This was unusual for this day and time. It reminded me of Christmas Eve. Again, without the joy.
Meanwhile, just beforehand, there was just a handful of people on the streets in town. Friday is usually the busiest day. Clearly, grocery shopping was taking precedence (unless you were after lavatory roll... just why are these in such short supply? Perhaps it's edible).
Certainly today seemed to escalate the importance and significance of the Covid 19 outbreak. Overnight, it has suddenly become more real, more undeniable, more immediate. Ironic, really, that this should be Friday 13th (for those who mistakenly set store by such superstitions).
In the event, the Football Association of Wales suspended all matches. Later, we heard that there was virtually no sport anywhere. And so our world shrinks a little further.
Meanwhile, the price of petrol has reduced in Rhuthun/Ruthin and the lowest offer is £5.48 per gallon for unleaded and £5.62 for diesel. In January, we reported a mini-spike in fuel costs at £5.76 for unleaded. Since then, it's fallen by five per cent.
Meanwhile, just beforehand, there was just a handful of people on the streets in town. Friday is usually the busiest day. Clearly, grocery shopping was taking precedence (unless you were after lavatory roll... just why are these in such short supply? Perhaps it's edible).
Tesco: not a sheet of lavatory paper in sight. Even the last remnants of the "Springforce: exclusively at Tesco" stuff had vanished. Is it a case of everyone else is stockpiling... why aren't I? Hadn't I better?
Certainly today seemed to escalate the importance and significance of the Covid 19 outbreak. Overnight, it has suddenly become more real, more undeniable, more immediate. Ironic, really, that this should be Friday 13th (for those who mistakenly set store by such superstitions).
In the event, the Football Association of Wales suspended all matches. Later, we heard that there was virtually no sport anywhere. And so our world shrinks a little further.
Meanwhile, the price of petrol has reduced in Rhuthun/Ruthin and the lowest offer is £5.48 per gallon for unleaded and £5.62 for diesel. In January, we reported a mini-spike in fuel costs at £5.76 for unleaded. Since then, it's fallen by five per cent.