For many people, this pandemic has been a time of boredom, of extra time - an opportunity to rest, to explore new opportunities, to try new hobbies. Many writers are probably making very good use of this extra time away from regular activities. So, you would think that I might be finding time to write here more regularly. Alas, this is not the case. Family, estate matters and house tasks keep my mind and body constantly occupied. So I will not take the time here, to re-write this draft which I composed a while ago. I humbly offer it, as a tiny glimpse into our busy lives at this stressful time.
Years from now, will the images, the tensions of this troubled pandemic time leave us? Will we forget the intensity of this time? Or will we, for the rest of our lives, live with the knowledge that a virus can turn our lives upside down, at very short notice?
While clearing up my assorted notes from this past week, I came across the health card information for 4 families. That's because I spent part of last weekend (March 20) and much of this past Monday (March 22nd) on the phone and laptop, trying to secure vaccine appointments for ourselves and others. Securing an appointment to get a vaccine is like winning the lottery these days.
Last weekend Norah told us about the pharmacy program. Although the websites said it was only for 60 to 64 year olds, she heard that many of her friends' parents had scored appointments. She called incessantly and actually got us an appointment at a No Frills grocery store in Toronto! While we were grateful to have those appointments, we didn't relish the drive to Toronto and a hotel stay. While we would have wanted to visit our Toronto grandchildren, they were in isolation because of a covid case at their school. It would have been a distanced driveway visit at best.
I spent much of Saturday calling the other pharmacies taking part in the program. (Doug Ford, in his wisdom, set up this program in and around Kingston, Toronto and Windsor. As a Brampton friend pointed out to me, Peel, one of the hardest hit areas, was not given that opportunity. How was the choice of locations made? ) When I called the pharmacies, their messages usually said something like, "If you are 60 or over and live, work or study in Ontario, you are eligible to make an appointment. " So that's what we did.
Monday was a marathon morning. At 7, I tried once again to snag a camping spot at Sandbanks but of course, came up empty-handed. Camping spots are another covid must have! At 8, I started calling our local health unit to try for an appointment for a friend over 75. It was the first day for that age group in Ontario. By 8:25 I was successful! There was some frustration involved but also some good luck.
At 8:30 I started calling two Kingston pharmacies that had been closed on the weekend. After about an hour I got a real live person who took my email address and promised to send a link. Again, there was some frustration with that website but magically, I was able to secure two appointments for Wednesday!
Then it was back on the phone to No Frills, to cancel our Toronto appointments. They allowed me to transfer those appointments to my Oakville cousin. By the time I finished, about 1:30, I felt like I had scored a home run. Along with my extended phone/laptop activity we also babysat toddler Lauren for an hour and a half, while her Dad went to a dental appointment. Eliza, was at home in Toronto because of a covid case at her school. There was no online learning available so we had a zoom meeting with her for about an hour while we read Amelia Bedelia books together. It was an action-packed morning!
And so, on Wednesday, March 24th, we drove to Kingston, went into one of the world's smallest pharmacies and were vaccinated!
Is it fair that we did this? Should we have waited? At the time we just jumped on the available bandwagon and went for it. Do we deserve this more than others? No. This is yet another one of the many moral dilemmas that we all face in these uncertain times: Should we go there? Should I tell him to pull his mask up over his nose? Do we go into the house while they are there? Should we ask her to move over? Should we invite another couple to sit on our verandah?
Fast forward to today, April 11th. Most of our siblings and friends have either been vaccinated or have appointments. It gives us a feeling of slight optimism. However, there are the troubling stories of vaccinated people testing positive, long after receiving their shots. And so, the reminders that a vaccination is just one part of the armour, along with masking and distancing.
At my mother's home we go through a group of items a week. One week it might be the china and silver. Last week it was records, cds, religious articles and some framed photos. We settle our choices over zoom meetings - a slow process, certainly not as efficient or satisfying as a real meeting. It is sometimes surprising, which articles conjure up memories and the feelings of loss. It is not necessarily the fancy china or silver. Sometimes it is a worn casserole dish that lost its matching lid many years ago. But Mom used that dish forever and so it has elevated status in our hearts.
And so I feel like I am living under two clouds - the ever-present, oppressive pandemic plus the sad and challenging task of grieving and settling Mom's estate. I look forward to the days when both situations are finished, resolved, over. Then I will relax and get on with my new life.
