Yes, we can see the light at the end of the covid-19 tunnel but for the sake of you, your family & perfect strangers around you — do NOT let your guard down yet.
Last week, I was at a rare in person meeting for a special project I am on. We all took precautions, 6 feet apart and masks, but two people played a little fast and loose with the masking by keeping them down as they drank coffee. Not keeping the mask down just to take a sip and place it back up but down until they were done with the cup. One was even bragging how they were going to get a shot the next day & was going to make it through the pandemic without a scratch. In my mind I was just screaming “PUT YOUR DAMN MASK BACK ON!!!” but being new to the group I didn’t want to be seen as a trouble maker.
I should have been a trouble maker.
Sure enough — we all got an email this week that one of the “mask-lite” people has tested positive and was very likely shedding covid at the meeting. Additionally, we should get tested if we were showing symptoms.
The absolute rage I felt throughout my entire being at this email is indescribable. For over a year I have been so safe — working from home, getting curbside pickup/delivery, washing my hands, not touching my face, not physically visiting friends or family outside my home, not traveling, haven’t dined inside or outside a restaurant since March 2020, and hell, I even had 5 family members pass away this past year and didn’t go to any of the funerals because the risk was too high. (On an ironic note, none of them passed away due to covid).
And the one time I let my guard down and didn’t stand up for myself & those around me, we could all be screwed.
Now, it is very likely that nothing adverse will happen to me. Practicing 100% mask wearing & socially distancing, lowers your risk. Also, it has been nine days since that meeting and I’m not showing any symptoms. Plus I had gotten my first shot which is 85% effective (still going to get the second shot).
However, that doesn’t make the risk zero and now I’m going through a hellscape of “what if” scenarios.
What if I get sick?
What if I make someone else sick?
What if all the sacrifices I and my family have made for the past year are for naught?
Don’t do this to yourself. Be as vigilant as ever. Speak up for yourself. Remember — if you can’t be a good example, you’ll have to be a terrible warning.
Hi Everyone~
Thank you for all the warm wishes and great advice in the comments (plus some fantastic convos). I was just floored this morning by the shared stories & the support among each other in this community.
For an update: the whole family got tested and we found out this morning that everyone is negative. No one is showing any symptom but we are still going to quarantine until the end of the 14 days since exposure & test one more time.
In many ways, we were very lucky. Not only does it looks like we dodged a bullet but also having the ability to stay home and not have our livelihood disrupted. So many people do not have this option & have to put their lives on the line everyday because of some twit’s definition of “freedom”.
