The COVID Chronicle, November 2021

November 1 [Monday]

[My daughter] became a licensed driver! She's a senior in high school and passed her behind-the-wheel driving test, her second attempt. No Covid note, just documenting a significant event. Bummer about the forthcoming increase in Auto insurance premium, but a big deal for the budding independence of this wildcat.

November 7 [Sunday]

A visit to IHOP this morning to retrieve pancake combos for pickup. International House of Pancakes requires a mask for entrance, naturally. I didn't recall if I had one or not, I didn't remember stuffing a mask into my pocket. But in my time of need there it was, stuffed into my front left pocket because that's where I place the thing upon exiting home. A rote victory. Then onward to my pal Emmett's for delivery and consumption. We ate indoors like civilized humans because we are all vaccinated. I'd visited a few times last year and we dined outdoors on the patio. We were then at the height of Covid concern.

November 9 [Tuesday]

Covid is receiving plenty of notoriety this football season. There are Covid protocols and a bunch of players are missing games. Players are tested weekly and if diagnosed as positive then they are put on the injured list and miss a game. A Covid-positive is cleared after two negative tests in successive days, the players may then return to action. My Browns will miss two running backs this coming Sunday due to Covid. I sure hope their back-up remains clean.

November 12 [Friday]

[Wife Klem] got her booster vaccine shot, Pfizer! A minor side-effect of drowsiness induced a brief afternoon nap.

November 13 [Saturday]

I got my vaccine booster shot this morning, Pfizer. I was jealous of [Wife Klem's] afternoon nap yesterday, so I did the same to assuage a beachhead of drowsiness.

November 17 [Wednesday]

My employer [in the category of 100+ employees] advised that all employees must be either vaccinated or test weekly for Covid. This action plan is intended to be compliant with the federal OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] Nov. 5 mandate applicable to employers of 100+.

November 18 [Thursday]

There must have been some kind of internal challenge to my employer's Covid vaccine / testing mandate. Federal requirement or not, the employee requirement is being put on hold in the name of respecting individuals' privacy. No additional details provided.

November 20 [Saturday]

Covid social hour. [The boy] and I walked to the pharmacy down the street and he got his booster shot. Pfizer. Then we saw a few friends, parents we knew from the grade school years, Team Piras. The mom got in line for her booster. We said hello then talked of footballs and our sons with the dad.

November 21 [Sunday]

Dad's cousin passed away a year ago during Covid, though not because of Covid. A funeral service was disallowed during Shelter In Place, so a year afterward, this weekend, the memorial service took place. I drove Mom, Dad and Uncle Joe. A nice get together.

November 25 [Thursday]

Happy Thanksgiving! Mom says it's her last one. I think she means that it's the last one she's cooking, not that she's expecting to sign off in the next year. In the past we've occasionally ordered out for Thanksgiving, or was that Mothers Day, and will seek to do that for future feasting holidays. Of course, when Mom hears that we're going to order out at future family dinners, she'll probably feel guilty and bake a ham.