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Family adjust to their "new normal" during COVID-19 pandemic

Family adjust to their "new normal" during COVID-19 pandemic
Posted at 6:51 PM, Apr 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-07 20:08:01-04

As we work through the coronavirus pandemic, families are adjusting to the "new normal."

The Woodards now have a college student and high schooler living under the same roof, which means the grocery bill has gone up.

"It was good to come home cause I got home cooked meals," said Melody Woodard.

Melody Woodard, a student at Northwestern State University, wasn't too disappointed when she found out she would have to move out of her dorm and come home with her mother and brother because of the coronavirus.

"It's free food all day instead of wondering where I'm gonna eat. It is a perk and she's been cooking so that's good," said Woodard.

Melody has been home for about a month and her mother, Cathy Woodard, says it's been an adjustment.

"I'm used to one child but having them both home, I'm making three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a million snacks in between. It's a lot more with them being here," explained Cathy Woodward.

As many stores are adding restrictions to the amount of people who can enter the store, Woodard has thought about shopping for groceries online.

"I don't know what it will be like now, but I did talk to them about probably making some online grocery orders and just driving up and picking them up," said Cathy Woodard

"There as been a surge in online grocery there's no doubt about it," said eMeals Vice President, Scott Jones.

Many people have made the switch to online applications like eMeals and Jones says it could change how we shop after the pandemic.

"Almost all of our respondents to our survey says once this is over they plan to continue using online grocery for pick up. The whole idea of online grocery and produce pickup is here to stay," said Jones.

"If I have some big grocery shopping I can just drive up and pick it up," said Cathy Woodard.