Living with Being a High Risk
I have resolved myself to being isolated as a form of protection from the outside world. In this crisis of COVID-19, I am considered a high risk because of my age, my chronic disease of diabetes and sleep apnea. Being overweight doesn’t help. During this time of social distancing, I only go out when absolutely necessary.
I have a post office box to check periodically. There’s an app that lets me know when I have mail and a scan of what it is so I can determine whether it’s worth the risk to go get it. I usually wait in the parking lot next to the building for someone to come out and forget to close the door. That way I don’t have to touch anything to get inside. I use my key to open the letter box door, lock it back up and head back out the same open door. When no one leaves the door open, I have to use my gloves to open the door and enter like normal…like normal…what’s that mean nowadays?
“Let me know if you see the same thing so I don’t think I’m crazy from the isolation.”
Some of my mail includes checks, which I drive to my bank to deposit at the drive-thru ATM. I use my gloves to push the buttons, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I use a hand wipe afterwords if I have to touch the screen. It’s weird recently, if there’s a line of cars they all seem to be practicing social distancing, about half a cars length from each other. I saw the same thing at the stoplights…weird observation. Let me know if you see the same thing so I don’t think I’m crazy from the isolation.
If I feel like it, I stop at a local fast-food drive thru to pick up a quick meal. I don’t like to eat on the run nor do I like to have to take it home to eat it because it’s usually cold by the time I get home. I’m normally a sit down to the table kind of guy, I love the interaction with the staff and I’m treated well because the places I go to I’m basically a regular. They know my name and are willing to respond to any special requests or make suggestions they think I’ll like. I like to keep them on their toes because they try to anticipate what i’m going to order. I know they’re working hard for their tips but mostly they are genuine and caring waitstaff. Once they find out what I do for a living they often come to me for advice which I freely give because that’s the kind of person I am. For some of them, I have made individual counselling sessions. Paying it forward so to speak.
I haven’t filled the tank in the van for about a month. I normally spend about four hundred dollars a month on gas. (more about what I’m saving later). When I have to get gas, I use the gloves again and clean my hands with wipes. The greatest threat to my health is when I have to go grocery shopping. I try to stick to one place and only go when it’s not so busy, or I have my wife or son pick my supplies. I’ve been living dangerously the last few times by going in without a mask. I have to dig out one of my old bandannas, keeping in mind which color I’m wearing…stay away from the blue or red…don’t want to be repping anything I shouldn’t. Weird that I have to even think about that. Same thing for when I’m driving the van. Keep the wallet in easy access in case I get pulled over for anything…no sudden movements. Not that i get pulled over a lot, it’s just a knee jerk precaution. Never can tell. If the corona-virus don’t kill me, I don’t want to be exterminated driving while Native. I guess that’s the risk I’ll have to live with.
