Life is different now. Not just for my mother trying to learn how to live without her soulmate or my kids missing their grandfather but for everyone. Life changes. How we live it changes too.
Now when I leave the house I wear a necklace containing my father’s ashes and his thumb print. I also wear a mask. Not for my health but for the health of those around me. I don’t want to be the person who unknowingly spreads a potentially deadly virus to someone who is immunocompromised because I am not showing symptoms.
North Carolina is starting to open again. Slowly and in phases businesses are opening their doors. They are facing a new normal too. Many places require face coverings. Markings on the floor indicate 6’ spacing. The amount of people inside is limited to half capacity. Restaurants are still take out only.
Work is different too. This is how I respond to some calls now. Any potential for airborne droplets require an N95, eye protection, face shield, gown, and gloves. Any call that is a respiratory, any patient with a fever, any potential COVID-19 response has the same gear but a surgical mask in place of the N95.
Normal at my house now includes four dogs and six people, kids trying their best with online distance learning, and a husband working out of the garage. Normal is not what it used to be. I’m sure normal will change again in the near future. I guess we all have to sit back and enjoy the journey.
Oily Minded Medic 