Over 70 And Self-Quarantining: OC Life In The Time Of Coronavirus

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — Jill McAlester checks her phone for word that her groceries are ready for pickup. She opens an inbound email from her preferred San Juan Capistrano-area Pavilions store and reads it once, then twice as the news sinks in.

Your delivery is canceled.

Canceled?

"They suggested I should shop in person in one of their stores instead," she told Patch. "So much for self-isolation."

Jill and Trevor McAlester are among the thousands of Orange County residents who are over 65 and have been told to stay indoors and out of crowds. She is in the "high risk" category when it comes to the risk of catching the COVID-19 virus.

The pair have lived in San Juan Capistrano for the better part of 25 years. She relocated from the UK in 1980. She tells us she's older than 70, and Patch knows better than to pry further.

They've lived in the same home for 27 years and are downsizing about a mile down the road next month, she says. Jill is a longtime member of the Gardening Angels at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Now, she's at home.

The Mission closed to visitors on Monday, she said.

Instead of gathering with her gardening group, they texted each other all day, sharing ideas and tips about restaurants, hairdressers, garden centers and grocery stores.

"We're keeping each other's spirits up," she says.

McAlester counts herself lucky that she has a freezer full of food to eat, and a son and daughter nearby. According to her, she has "old geezer" friends equally her age who have offered to shop for her.

"I've told them to stay out of the stores! Stay home!" she said.

For now, the sundries she ordered can wait: dishwashing liquid and birthday cake mix, along with assorted items for her grandson's now-postponed birthday party. Plus, one small "normal" pack of toilet paper rolls.

"Shame on all the people who hoarded!" she said. Born in the 40s and raised by a mother used to rationing during World War II, the idea of hoarding instead of rationing befuddles her.

This is not a time for fear and panic, according to Jill. Her mother survived the bombings in London in the war.

When asked what her mother would say about how people are acting, Jill told me, "She'd say, 'Well, you just get on with it, don't you? Nothing else you can do."

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At area stores, grocery workers are refilling depleted shelves as quickly as possible. While some necessary sundry items remain challenging to find, there is no food shortage, a large-chain manager told Patch.

Like the majority of her friends, family and neighbors, she and her husband find themselves glued to the news, joining the ranks of the armchair experts.

"I see things getting much worse, like Italy, Spain, and Iran," she says of the COVID-19 spread. "We were late to the game of preparedness, and what's worrying the lines of people at the gun shops," she says. "People are going to protect their stockpiles to death!"

She draws some comfort knowing that, for now, the McAlesters have what they need. They are used to being independent, she says. She doesn't want to rely on her children to "shop and drop a few bits."

Still, she is grateful for them. She doesn't need any help at all, she tells us.

"I'm more concerned about those living alone with no relatives," she says.

Having already begun preparations for a move, she still plans to be all packed and ready to leave their longtime home in April and is grateful for the distraction of boxing up her life.

There are nine bookcases stuffed with books to sort, save, pack and donate.

When she's not packing, she spends time hand-addressing stacks of greeting cards to friends and family.

The world has been advised not to share hugs or hold hands, so a piece of mail from someone you love becomes priceless.

At the end of the day, Jill and her husband maintain their "keep on" attitude, which is contagious with their friends and family.

The garden angels have forwarded good news. Toilet paper is appearing back in the stores, albeit under ration. Tomorrow is another day.