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shadowkat
Day 91 - I ventured out into the world for a doctor's appointment. Said doctor's appointment had been scheduled in February and was a follow-up to determine blood pressure, cholestrol and diabetes. All of which kind of need to be monitored and followed up on, and are also the reasons I've been playing it safe with COVID.
Trip on the subway was for the most part uneventful. Below is a picture of a masked man across from me half-asleep, and someone else, seated six feet away. No one sat near each other on the subways, and for the most part the subways were deserted. This was on the way home - on the F train. And it was the cleanest F train that I've ever been on in my life. The floor shined. No food, no debris, no coke cans. I had groceries with me, but no one else did. It was spotless.
On the way to the doctor's office it was also spotless, this was on the G train, and safe for the most part.
Sign informing people of when cleaning the subways will take place, and when they will be shut down, and what alternatives are available.
There was one thirty-something guy who wore no mask, and was chatting. I felt some spit or something land on my arm about ten feet away from him, which unnerved me, and I rapidly dosed my hands and it with sanitizer. I had scooted as far from him as I could get. Social distancing was in effect. But due to one or two, possibly three male idiots who felt the need to ride the subway without masks, it did not feel safe. (We now know why there's higher fatality rate for men than women - social darwinism, men are macho idiots.). That said, I did see an older woman coming down the steps and into the subway without a mask. Yes, masks are mandatory on the subways, but they have no way of ensuring it. The MTA was going to request the NYPD's assistance, but that's out for well, reasons, I don't think I need to explain. As a result, they can't enforce the dictate or make the idiots do it. I just try to avoid them. So far they are in the minority.
I give the MTA a lot of credit in this endeavor - they were asked to do the seemingly impossible with no money. And they did it. They also put in place directions on "social distancing" - which people did follow. I saw no one waiting for trains. People were very good at timing them. Of course I took the train at 3:38 pm and 5:45 Pm. But there was very few people on it.
And the doctor's office had all sorts of guidelines in place. For one thing they took my temperature before I entered the office. They had to do it twice - since I walked quickly there, had a bit of a hot-flash and was overheated. My doctor was amused when I informed her. So they gave me an alcohol swab to cool down my forehead and we tried again. Apparently this has happened before.
In the doctor's office - there was purell stations, and everyone was in masks. They had signs stating that old check in equipment was wiped down between patrons. And appointments were scheduled to promote social distancing. Also you couldn't get labwork without a doctor's appointment - the two had to happen at the same time. Previously you could schedule them separately. In addition to the above, certain seats had pieces of paper taped to them informing people not to sit in them to promote social distancing guidelines.
At the office - I was a bit on the nervous side. Blood pressure was reasonable however. And the Doctor gave the name of the blood pressure gauge that I should buy on Amazon, since my current one doesn't work. The Doctor has the older manual gauge. Also blood work was done, and they agreed to do the COVID antibody test. (I'm in New York - it's easy to get tested in New York. If it were up to our Governor everybody would be tested for COVID. Our Governor is test happy - he just randomly tested another twelve thousand people the other day for antibodies. To date, NY State has test over 3 million people for COVID. He knows that the more people he gets tested, the more he can control the spread of the virus. Also he likes facts and certainty, this is an invisible enemy - the tests make it visible. Also, the doctor knows I had something weird in November and I was working in and commuting out of a major international transportation hub on a daily basis. I could have easily come into contact with someone carrying it between November and March without knowing it.) I'll know if I have the anti-bodies within a few weeks. Then, I can stop wondering about it.
On the way home...I did a little grocery shopping (spent more money than I wanted to - but I always do on food - I can't eat the cheap stuff, so I skimp on everything else). And I passed the Cobble Hill Movie House - the cinema that I'd last gone to on March 7, to see the movie Emma. In fact, March 7 was the last time I was in this section of Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, across the street and next door, there were lines outside to get into small eateries. The chocolate store had a policy of one guest at a time inside, and they did deliveries. Also the Union Market - had a similar policy - you waited outside, until they told you it was okay to come inside, to promote social distancing. Unlike FoodTown, they limited the number of folks in the store, and they sprayed down the carts between each guest. One woman asked if they'd ever provide donuts again. All they had was small cupcakes. The man behind the counter informed her that they possibly would in the near future, he wasn't certain. The freshly made Rotisseri Chicken was gone completely. Although they still had sushi, fresh cut meat, and fish.
Across the street and few blocks down - there was a long line waiting outside the fresh fish market. It's too small to handle more than one person at a time. And many stores and shops were boarded up. Or completely closed down. A few restaurants stated they were open for pick-up and delivery only. And a bar - had a happy hour on the sidewalk, with people sitting outside. (I couldn't help but wonder if it was one of the one's that had been complained about.)
The Walk-In Urgent Care Facility had a long line of people waiting - all young folks in their twenties, many were couples. Reminding me of how the grocery store advised that people try to shop alone, if at all possible. And that my doctor's office forbade accompaniment or visitors. I couldn't help but wonder if the people outside the urgent care facility were lining up for COVID Tests, although I'd been told by my Doctor's office that if I wanted one - I'd have to go to Manhattan for it. The Antibody test they could in their own lab.
I wish I could say everyone wore a mask. But many weren't. I could avoid them for the most part. They were sitting on their stoop or on the sidewalk with their laptop, or walking with their kids. In front of the subway - and in front of a very expensive apartment complex, various families were socializing with no masks with their kids. I had to walk in the street and around the parked cars to avoid them on my way to the subway. Many men didn't have them at all. The women did for the most part, although there were quite a few who did not. And many of the side streets in the area were closed to traffic - with kids playing on bikes and scooters.
To say it was surreal is an understatement. It's nothing like I imagined a pandemic to be, yet at the same time makes perfect sense. People have short attention spans, and many need to be out with other people. They aren't loners like I am - perfectly happy to stay indoors by myself, or walk alone around a cemetery. I told my Doctor about my walks around the Cemetery.
Doctor: Oh I know a lot of people who are doing that. You didn't see anyone?
ME: Well, I do, just not that often or that many.
Doctor: It's really that big?
Me: Yes, about 549 acres.
Doctor: Maybe I should try that -
Me: It is great - since you aren't really allowed to do anything but walk and visit graves, hence less people. But...I did see people picnicking and making out on Sunday, so..
Doctor (appalled): Oh, how disgusting. And disrespectful. They were doing it among the graves??
ME: Yeah.
Doctor: Oh, I can't do it then. If I saw that - I'd have a temper tantrum.
Me: I'd avoid Sundays and weekends, otherwise not much of a problem - since they can't bring cars in during the weekdays.
I told this to my mother. Who noted that I didn't even bother taking a picture of them. No, I understood why they were doing it. Besides I doubt the dead mind.
Meanwhile in other news...Crazy Workplace sent us their "re-opening the office" plan.
Me: So Crazy workplace sent us their re-opening the office plan, which they are planning for July 7.
Mother: Oh, and?
Me: I opened it up, and it promptly gave me a headache.
Mother is amused.
Mother: That complicated, eh?
Me: MMMhmmm...yep. Understatement. They have the office workers split into two groups, Group A, and Group B. And within each group, people come in at staggered times, such as 7:30-3:30pm, 8:00-4PM, and 9-5pm. So no one is near each other. And there's no more than 15% of the workforce on the floor at any given time. ALSO...Group A comes in on Tuesday and Thursday on one week one, Group B comes in Monday, Wed, and Friday on week one, on week two - Group A comes in on Monday, Wed, and Friday, and Group B on Tuesday and Thursday. And on week three Group A comes in on Tuesday and Thursday...and you get a spreadsheet to see what group you are assigned to.
Mother: Good lord. What if you have to come in on a day that isn't your day?
Me: Then you get another desk that is reserved for people who have to come in on off days.
Mother: What about all the files and things at your desk?
Me: They don't appear to reference that. Except that you aren't allowed to have any personal items any longer and are asked to limit them.
Mother: Sounds complicated.
Me: Yep. Also, I'm not sure how we're going to limit personal items. Do we come in and take all our personal items home?
Mother: Isn't most of the stuff work-related anyhow such as files, etc?
ME: Oh yeah. People have offices filled with paper.\
I'm glad I'm not a manager.
I got a headache half way through it. They also have staggering for where you can stand waiting for the elevator. And staggering for the bathroom, along with monitoring of when you can use it and how many at a time. It's insane. I'm just staying home until I've no other choice. And honestly, I think management will most likely push for that. It's easier to monitor. The whole biometric clock bit is a thing of the past. And so is sharing food, using the fridge for much more than lunch or breakfast, no eating in break rooms, no meeting in them. No meeting in copy rooms. If you are near anyone, you have to have a mask on.
You have assigned cleaners - that you are to use only in the office and are provided.
The whole thing gave me a headache and made me anxious - so I thought, okay that's it, I'm going to request to work from home indefinitely. Because this sounds like hell.
Whomever is writing this pandemic story that we are all stuck in - definitely has a wicked and somewhat absurdist sense of humor. Although the above may explain to folks why I find Michael Schurr's comedies annoying - my workplace kind of puts Schurr's imagination to shame or gives it a run for its money, one or the other.
I leave you with...sunshine sparkling through the trees.
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Date: 2020-06-17 08:39 am (UTC)*This is not actually mentioned on the memorial which still stands in Old St Pancras Churchyard.
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Date: 2020-06-17 01:57 pm (UTC)It wasn't a bit gathering - less than ten people, if that, and most of them probably live together.
There's a lot of new burials in the cemetery right now, and a lot of communities, particularly Orthodox Jewish, Muslim, Pakistani, Bangladash, Irish, Carribbean, Italian, and Latino have the funeral rite as a major part of their religion and community. They can't just forgo it. Which was problematic with COVID. I don't think the Anglo-Saxon or Presbyterian do to quite the same extent, nor does the Unitarian, or Protestant. But Catholic does, as does many of the others.
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Date: 2020-06-18 12:11 am (UTC)So many people seem to be taking risks, I don't get it. I just heard today from a niece who plans to drive back to Massachusetts from Florida because the infection rate there is making her nervous. But her grandson is flying down from there to help her with the drive and they're going to have to stay overnight in places for two nights. They may be fine but it's not something I'd want to be doing right now.
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Date: 2020-06-18 03:08 am (UTC)So many people seem to be taking risks, I don't get it. I just heard today from a niece who plans to drive back to Massachusetts from Florida because the infection rate there is making her nervous. But her grandson is flying down from there to help her with the drive and they're going to have to stay overnight in places for two nights. They may be fine but it's not something I'd want to be doing right now.
Oh dear god.
She'd be safer just sticking it out at home. It was bad in NY, but I didn't try to flee. The virus is everywhere. You can't run from it. It's not a physical entity that is chasing you. It's a virus. LOL!
I'm just glad they aren't coming to NY. NY is wondering if it should hermetically seal itself off from the rest of the US, in particular Florida.
My mother told me over the phone that seventeen women who went out drinking at bar on Memorial Day in South Carolina, without masks, all got the virus.
She also said that even if you recover from it - you don't know what the lasting effects might be. (One of my aunts and two cousins had it - and they are both still struggling with health issues. My aunt who hadn't had heart issues prior to it, does now.)
I'm trying to be careful, within reason. Its as if half the population, all my friends and family and most of my co-workers, are hunkering down and playing it safe, while the other half (including various co-workers) don't think it's a big deal. Very odd.