Monica’s First Day Out

…during the pandemic, that is. Yes, I have gotten a couple of takeaways here and there (only things that I could blast in the microwave at home). I have gotten the occasional cup of coffee (warm, obvis). I even went to breakfast with my cousin for her birthday, which was not enjoyable when I noticed someone was not wearing their mask in the kitchen!

But, aside from the doctors/infusions visits and a trip to the pharmacy or grocery store, I have been holed up in my house for the duration.

I'm compelled to stay home

A while ago, I wrote a “remember you’ve got this” article to all immune-suppressed people that we are especially capable of riding out this COVID storm. That being said, I am also that weird troll girl who is curled up in the corner of my room with a huge bottle of spray alcohol, ready to attack any bacteria that comes my way.

As time goes on, people are becoming lax about their precautions. Whether this is just pandemic-fatigue or an "out of sight, out of mind" situation, I don’t know. But either way, they’re ensuring that I remain imprisoned in my house hoping to all hopes I won’t get sick.

Taking my car for an oil change

I’ve been putting off doctor’s appointments (peripheral ones that don’t affect my overall health) and other things that just don’t HAVE TO HAPPEN right now. Unfortunately, taking my car for an oil change was one of those things I couldn’t put off for very much longer.

I chose a garage that was near a coffee shop with outdoor seating so I could wait while the car was checked out. I wore my pandemic clothes, packed up a bag that I could easily throw in the wash afterward, packed up my sanitizer, my alcohol spray, and my disinfecting wipes. I also took a book, my textbook, my tablet, and my chargers so I could study. In retrospect, I wish I had taken less.

Observing others being laxed with COVID-19 precautions

So, I drop off my keys at the garage and the guy behind the counter made a joke about coughing on my keys. I didn’t find it particularly funny, especially since his mask didn’t fit properly and I’m in the vulnerable group. Also, a garage store is not very big or very well ventilated. So, uhm...WTF.

I walk across the street to the coffee shop, sidestepping all the horrible people not wearing masks in a public place. I make it to the shop in one piece and pick up my mobile order. The first thing I notice: there are a ton of tables outside, but none of them are particularly far from each other and each table is occupied by people not wearing masks. It’s a particularly windy day and the wind is blowing in every which way. I don’t know what’s being carried on the air. It’s like 85 degrees but I put up my sweatshirt hood, I roll down my sleeves and I try to shield as much of my body as I possibly can.

I sit there studying and sipping my coffee without incident. I watch people walking around and passing each other, without wearing masks. I wonder how many people are infected within this group.

Continuing COVID-19 precautions for myself

When my car is done, I head back over, pay, and get my keys. I had spoken to the mechanic and he told me that he would wipe down the interior after parking it in the lot. Did he? I don’t know but, just in case, I sprayed down my seats and every other surface with alcohol. I rolled down my window and blasted the air for five minutes before even getting into my car. I kept the windows rolled down as I drove home.

Sanitizing items that I brought with me

When I got home, I shed my clothes and put them in my “pandemic laundry basket”. Remember how I said I wish I had taken fewer things with me? Well, here’s why. I had to disinfect every single thing I took with me, even things I did not touch like my credit card, driver’s license, and extra pens. I then took a scalding hot shower and washed my hair. I rinsed out my nasal passages and drank hot water and lemon.

And then I crashed because that was just a lot of stuff to do very quickly.

I didn't enjoy that outing at all

And you know what? I enjoyed no part of this outing. At every point, there was a potential for contamination and disease. And, there was so much work going into going somewhere and when I got back. The benefits of the outing (talking to people, leaving my house) did not outweigh the risks.

I think it’s going to be a long, long time before I go out again.