Libraries have taken a hard hit during the health crisis. Our library is no exception. Admin has spent a good portion of our budget buying books for our digital platforms.

Since we are on a semi-open basis (curbside service only), we are told not to go into the admin hallway and get supplies so that we can keep everyone safe. Supplies will be brought down to us. They decide to send an interesting email out to the staff.

Admin: “The recent crisis has stretched our budget thin this year. We are asking that all staff be aware of the supplies and materials that you are taking from the admin hallway supply closet. We are almost out of receipt paper, as well as copier paper.”

Me: “How are we supposed to be aware of the materials we have if we can’t see the materials we have to begin with?”

Shift Leader: “Well, they’re just asking for us to realize our budget is stretched thin.”

Me: *Sarcastically* “I would have never guessed.”

We are about eight months into the global health crisis and everyone is still on edge. I’m a teacher who recently returned to work and my fiancé works retail.

One morning, I wake up feeling a little off so I go to the doctor. Everything checks out, so they send me home. 

A few hours later, I start shaking uncontrollably and know I have a fever. 

My fiancé is at work, so I tell him to come home because I have a fever and his job has protocols when symptoms of the health crisis are present. 

He comes home four hours later. I am in bed sweating and shaking. He picks up a thermometer and we find out that my temperature is 104°F.

Fiancé: “We need to be tested. One of my coworkers lives with his mom who just tested positive. And he continued to come to work after the results came back.”

I am scared and upset and it is already 10:00 pm. We go to an urgent care clinic and get tested for the flu and the other issue. The flu comes back positive and the other test comes back negative. 

A few days later, I still have a bad fever, and I’m sleeping when my fiancé gets a call from work. After some time, he comes into the room angry.

Fiancé: “My coworker lied about his mom. She died a few years ago!”

I went into a rage and started yelling about how inconsiderate this is and threatened to call his corporate office. 

I didn’t need to call corporate. Thankfully, he got fired. 

Moral of the story: don’t lie, especially about the current health crisis.

Lockdown has not been kind to my roomie. She has always been a bit lazy, but now, given the excuse not to exercise or go outside, she spends every hour she’s not working sat in one spot on the sofa, normally snacking.

She tells us she is not happy and wants to lose weight and that we “need” to help her. We are happy to help. 

So far, by her request:

We’ve removed all of our snacks from the communal kitchen and then the alcohol; this doesn’t work. We’ve started to make an extra portion of any healthy food we made for ourselves; she won’t eat it. We’ve invited her to join in our running and workout apps and DVDs; she can’t be bothered. We’ve discouraged her when she wanted takeaway, etc.; she just gets angry.

After a few months, we are all fed up with her and ready to give up on her. I go to talk to her one more time and find her sulking into a tub of ice cream. 

Roommate: “Why is it so hard to lose weight? I’ve tried everything!”

You can’t help people who don’t want to be helped. She keeps complaining and sulking but we tune her out.

I am a receptionist at a secondary school. This happens during December 2020, when we have several students and staff contracting a well-known illness. Every day, more students are having to go home and isolate and MOST of them are doing their best to stick to the rules.

The phone rings.

Me: “Hello, [School]. How can I help?”

Caller: “Hi, I’m the mother of [Student]. I’ve just had her test result back and it’s positive.”

Me: “Okay, I’m sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting us know. Could I speak to [Student] to get a list of her close friends as they will need to self-isolate?”

Caller: “What do you mean? She’s not here; she’s in school.”

Me: “Excuse me? You sent her into school whilst waiting for her test result?!”

After spending a few seconds headdesking, I told the parent to come and pick up her child immediately and rushed up to collect them. I realise the rules are confusing, but the guidance — and common sense — is clear that if you are tested, you need to stay at home until you get your result!

I am an at-home caregiver for two family members of poor health who haven’t been out of the house all year due to the health crisis. As such, I make sure I am as vigilant as possible when I need to go out for shopping or errands with a mask, hand sanitizer, and the works. Also, due to the cold weather, I am covered nearly head to toe with only my hands and eyes showing.

I am mailing packages to family members with their presents and cards because I told them there was NO way we are entertaining this year. Way too many kids and grandkids!

The borough’s post office is in an old, hundred-year-old brick building. When you walk in the large glass and wood doors, there’s a makeshift vestibule that you turn left or right to get into the lobby.

I don’t even make it through the first door, and there’s another man waiting there in line. Everyone’s got masks on, but even without stickers on the floor, everyone’s staying away from each other a few feet.

I set the boxes down as I’m waiting, but the line’s moving fairly quickly, so I take to just holding them as I wait. I am halfway through the line when the man behind me — way too close for my comfort — pipes up.

Customer: “You could probably set your packages down there while you wait.”

Me: “No, I’m good.”

Seriously, they are only about fifteen pounds and not oversized. A few seconds lapse.

Customer: “You could set them on that trash can there.”

He points to one a few feet in front of us.

Me: *Rather sternly* “They’re not heavy.”

I’m normally chatty and nice, but I’m in a hurry and have a bit of anxiety around people in general.

Once more, he pipes up.

Customer: “I only have to ask the lady one question.”

I don’t even bother responding. I assume he wants me to give up my place in line because he only had “one small question,” but hey, we’re all in a hurry. It’s the holidays, it’s cold out, and we’re in the middle of a health crisis.

I steadfastly keep my place in line, and what do you know, within a few seconds, I’m at the counter. My packages take only a minute or two to mail as they are all going priority. One swipe of a credit card, a receipt, and we’re good to go.

I leave and pause outside the door to tuck the receipt in my wallet, and the guy barrels past me. Sorry, dude. We all have to wait our turn!