iStock
THE CURRENT coronavirus overtaking the globe has certainly put a damper on ordinary life. Thanks to the media, which I have been ingesting nonstop, thoughts of overcrowded hospitals lacking respirators and nurses fill my head, making it impossible to summon up a good mood. And last Saturday night I gave my last dinner party for the foreseeable future, if I even have a future. (At times like this I envy cats.)
One of the two invited guests—let’s call her The Spreader—had the temerity to arrive blatantly sick. Assessing her condition at the door I was naturally alarmed and gave her the third degree, but she swore it was just a common cold with an accompanying cough, not the dreaded virus. So when she called me yesterday to say that someone present at a meeting she attended late last week was diagnosed with Covid-19, prompting her to get herself tested, I was dismayed, depressed and angry. Now I am simply waiting to die. This is a silly reaction on my part I know, yet there it is.
As for the bright side: My husband, grasping at straws which as we all know are pretty hard to find these days, posited that if The Spreader turns out to be positive, he and I will rightfully be tested, and if we get sick this early in the pandemic, at least here in Maine, we likely will be able to score a couple of respirators in the hospital.
—Andrea Rouda
Andrea Rouda blogs at The Daily Droid.
Once again I must say how glad I am that I moved away from Washington. Such humorless and self-inflated people. Try laughing once in a while, it helps.
I am seeing this years later and once again cannot believe the incredibly thin-skinned and completely humorless people who commented. How do you all get through this life?
I never comment on pieces that I read online but I feel I must say something about this post. I do not find it informative or humorous. The bright side for Andrea and her husband is that they will get a respirator. What about the people who are losing their jobs, their homes, their lives due to this pandemic? There is no bright side for them. This piece reflects an obliviousness that I find deeply offensive at a time when we all need to pull together and think of what we can do for those who do not have what we have.
Hey people, lighten up! I am simply stunned at the wild over-reaction to what is obvious sarcasm.
Sue has a valid complaint. Yet, some gallows humor is always warranted.
This essay is incredibly irresponsible. Such bad behavior all around. The author should have been aware enough of the social distancing guidelines on Saturday not to host a dinner party! Her guest that was sick should have been aware that no one who is sick (no matter what they “think” they are sick with) should be out in public! Andrea should have been aware enough of the health protocol and guidelines not to let the sick guest attend. Then she laughs that if she gets covid -19 it will be early enough that she will be able to snag one of the few available respirators only thinking of herself!!
Unbelievably irresponsible and selfish on the part of all involved. You live near my very old parents who may later not be able to get a respirator when they need it.
Loved LB!!
You’re a great editor and have crew of gifted writers. Really have to dig deep since everyone at home. So clever. I would have been FURIOUS at The Spreader. What nerve!!