Day #91 of Self-Isolation in Epidemic Central

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.

( don't believe me? See pictures for yourself )

Sign informing people of when cleaning the subways will take place, and when they will be shut down, and what alternatives are available.

( Read more... )

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.

( social distancing on the subway platforms )

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.

( Social distancing at the doctor's office )

At the office - I was a bit on the nervous side. ( Read more... )

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.
( Read more... )

Meanwhile in other news...Crazy Workplace sent us their "re-opening the office" plan.
( telling my mother about crazy workplace's reopening plan )

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.