Waiting for the pandemic to come to my town sort of feels as
if I am standing on the train tracks - knowing that a train is coming and that
if I do not stay out of the way - it might hit me. If the pandemic is like a
VIA train - I do not have the foggiest notion when it will arrive. But we all
know that more people will get sick before the CONVID-19 virus has run its
course. In the meantime, I will do what I can to limit my exposure while still
maintaining some sort of life. It is interesting to observe other people make
adjustments to their routines.
I had to get a blood test done earlier this week. The receptionist
was wearing a full, clear plastic mask - acting as if nothing was unusual about
her appearance. The mask was rather hard to ignore. She asked me if I had
visited any countries where people were sick and when I said no - she asked me
if I had been around anyone who had visited any countries where people were
sick. Again I said no. I was struck by the fact that despite the seriousness of
the pandemic - that at this point people were prepared to trust each other and
assume that we were all being honest. I am not sure if that is true in all
countries, or how long it will remain true in Canada if more and more people
get sick.
It is sometimes hard to trust people when one reads about
the couple who cleaned out the shelves at their local Costco store of
disinfectant wipes - they bought two pallet loads so they could sell them on eBay
for a huge profit. They, according to the news item, were proud of themselves
for seizing the opportunity to take advantage of people's fears. One would have hoped that the Costco staff
would have said something. But then apparently, people are allowed to walk out
of various stores with more hand soap or toilet paper than a family could use
in a year with no one saying anything.
A day or so after my blood work, I had a doctor's
appointment. The reception staff are always behind glass so they did not feel
the need to wear a mask. No one asked me anything. On Wednesday I had an
appointment at the neurologist - no masks and no glass barriers between the
reception on the public - but I did notice that in both the waiting rooms, all
of the magazines had been removed. The neurologist was a good doctor and I appreciated
the information he gave and the way he answered my questions. I think in other
times we would have shaken hands as I left- we didn't do it this time.
I have noticed that the US media uses "
coronavirus" to discuss issues and concerns whereas the Canadian press
seems to prefer COVID-19. I wonder why?
I am amazed at how fast various events have been cancelled.
On Vancouver Island where there is (I
It is difficult to know
how people are adapting. There certainly were fewer people at Habitat's ReStore
on Friday and the Saturday Duncan Farmer's Market looked rather empty (it was
also bloody cold) but the Supercenter was so crowded that I decided not to
bother shopping. I suspect that people will be cautious and practice some form
of social distancing. Many will do so because some if not most of their
activities have been cancelled. think) only one reported case, all events have
been cancelled. Which would suggest that either people are over-reacting or
that people are determined to mitigate the spread of the virus? Schools are on
a scheduled two-week spring break so there is another week or so before a
decision needs to be made.
I have a bit of a runny nose and my throat might be a bit scratchy.
Is that train getting closer or do I just have a bit of a cold?
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