Captain’s Log #49 – Covid-19, Day 0.1

First, let me say I don’t have it, yet. I’m told by management that there is one confirmed case in Independent Living but that is being seriously downplayed. Yesterday The Administrator (“No… sir!”) announced a meeting in the parking lot so we could be 6’ apart. We wondered what she would say. One resourceful employee accessed The Sacramento Bee online and searched recent stories about State workers. She found one that said there will be layoffs, which seriously dampened the mood in the room. It stands to reason as the State’s going to drastically lose revenue. I announced that I’m still on probation and could be let go at any time for no reason. That got me worrying about applying for Social Security asap and wondering if I could get a job stocking shelves or driving delivery vans, anything. It was a pretty nervous 30 minutes waiting for the meeting. What she actually said is that ALL of us are essential (whew!) and outlined how, if we felt sick, we could call in and get Administrative Time Off, that’s paid leave that doesn’t affect your accrued sick leave. Yea! Of course, I still could be laid off at any time, but I intend to make myself indispensable, willing to do (almost) anything. I’m thinking about making sandwiches to be delivered to our members since they’re not allowed to congregate in the Dining Room.

Speaking of jobs, two weeks ago at a regular meeting with my supervisor, he strongly pressured me to improve my data entry speed. And then too, he said that the guy I’ve been complaining about with his explosive, uncovered sneezes has reported me for bullying/harassing him, that I am being put on notice to keep my mouth shut, again, otherwise he will be forced to escalate the complaint and certain paperwork will be presented to me, that I’ll be required to sign, that says I have been officially warned to stop bullying. He implied that it would go on my record and be a means of getting rid of me. Well, that got me fired up. I like my job, I need my job, I will keep my mouth shut. To be fair, it has been explained to me that there is no policy that management can use against the explosive sneezer and so, it’s my problem. Their hands are tied. I am a bully (hey, don’t encourage me!) The offender has demonstrated that he can sneeze into his elbow and I have graciously said “Bless you,” to which he graciously replied, “Thank you.” To make a long story shorter, being pissed off about being a bully and pressed to increase my data entry speed, something that was not on the Duty Statement of the job I hired for, I have applied for two other positions, one would be a demotion to Office Tech but at the Chapel (probably some good stories there, no?) The other would be a promotion and be responsible for the training programs of the non-nursing staff. It would be a lot of record keeping and some research, and a thousand dollars more a month! I did apply, on time, and with all the required paperwork and then they extended the time to apply! Ha! Who knows, I might have been the only one and they want some more people to choose from. I tested in the 95% range so I believe they’re obliged to interview me - if they’re going to fill that position, which they might not, budget cuts, etc. Interviewing is fun! More learning, more assimilating information, this is my idea of a good time! But everything is up in the air.

I am fortunate that I don’t have to interact with our members, new admissions have been stopped and no one is allowed in our hospital so I can’t get Admission Agreements signed. I am absolutely happy to hunker down and do my data entry all day, no complaints, and listen to the banter that goes on in the room. These people are social like you can’t believe! Do they get any work done? While their constant talking is annoying - it’s like living in a sitcom you can’t turn off - if I get another job and have to change offices I will miss the gossip about the all the employees and decisions made in the facility. These people are in the know. Our office could be the place’s Command and Control Center.

They have put the campus on lockdown. Absolutely no visitors, unless someone’s on hospice All the residential buildings are on isolation. The members are supposed to stay put but can go outside if they stay 6’ apart; the weather’s been beautiful. Fortunately, our management has locked the door to our 9-person office, entry by appointment only. I tell you, most of the old guys living here already have congestion in their lungs, and most of them are half deaf so they shout at you and because they’re half deaf they have to read your lips so you can’t wear a mask around them. A difficult situation. Honestly, I look at some of these guys and seriously doubt they’d survive the virus. Who of these people will die? (Do not ask for whom the bell tolls…) What percentage? I’m betting sick people will be transferred to the local hospitals since we’re not equipped or trained. It’s going to be a boom time for funeral homes, if they can keep their staff alive, and funeral services are going to be banned. My friend across the aisle from me who handles Estates, after people die here, is going to be busier than a one-armed paper hanger with an itch. And no family members allowed on campus? How will we deal with people’s possessions as family members are supposed to pick them up? This bug is going to continue until we get a vaccine, which could take 12 to 18 months (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-vaccine#when-will-it-be-ready) I believe it’s going to drastically reduce the population of our facility, possibly some of our friends, family and possibly ourselves. Get your Advanced Healthcare Directive, DNR paperwork and wills in order. I hear people are cleaning out their closets since they are self-isolating, not a bad idea.

Speaking of self-isolating, by now we all know the “essential” services: gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, banks, laundromats, law enforcement and some government services. What else is there? I don’t go to a quarter of these. Shelter in Place is my life-style. This is no hardship. Besides, we have electricity and hot water for showers. Compared to the fires we’ve had locally, this is a vacation, an opportunity to get back to my many hobbies, except that I’m working, for now. My heart goes out to all the people who’ve lost their jobs. I know that gut-wrenching, the world collapsing from under your feet, free falling into a black abyss, what am I going to do???  I was there in 2008, 9 and 10. I sold one house in 3 years. I was deciding which bridge to live under. Thankfully Kevin is a big saver - which is why we don’t go to restaurants or movies or anything! His Irish parsimony has its benefits, there is a pot of gold at the end of his rainbow. Thank you, Sweetie.

I’ll let you know how things evolve; this feels like slow motion Kabuki. Let me know what’s up with you.

Please note: I’m sending this from my new email address KarlaJNoyes@gmail.com. Please update your address book and delete the old one (karla@karlanoyes.com). I can’t wait to ditch the old one, all the spam!