Skeeter Feeder

 

It was the proverbial tropical wonderland. The ocean was crystal clear with consistently excellent sets of waves rolling in, one after the other. The temperature was never too hot and was almost always t-shirts, shorts and sandals weather. The place was truly a beauty. Though a long way from idyllic. The job market was not set with career jobs. These were mostly transient jobs that seasonally chased tourists.

 

The young man loved his homeland and wanted to make a go of it. He wanted to be one of the few locals fortunate enough to find professional work, a job that would support him and a future family. Not that he was married, he wasn’t, nor kids, he hadn’t. Not even a girlfriend yet, but he had plans.

 

There was industry on the island that boasted of such jobs. Well, one industry. Research. Permanent well paying work was scarcely available on the island, but what there was went through the research lab and it was constantly flush with work.

 

He was in the local college studying Biology. His grand idea hinged on a job in the research laboratory. That would be a major victory. A job that paid well enough to support a family and maybe even buy a home. A home on the island where his backyard was the ocean. Such a thing would be an anomaly. Those kinds of jobs went to the mainlanders. This one, though, he had a good deal of determination matching up with his action plan.

 

He already had work in the lab, but it was not a salaried position. It was hourly wage work cleaning test tubes, plus other janitorial type laboratory work. This was not the white lab coat-type work he envisioned for his future. But he wanted more. Needed more.

 

He was well liked and thought there was a possibility of attaining his goal. Something more permanent to keep him employed after graduation. That’s when the job posting went up for the mosquito lab that would be starting up soon. Construction had been recently completed and the mosquito-specific research build-out completed. Then the teasing commenced from his professional-grade colleagues, those mainlanders.

 

“Hey, you’ve seen the new job post? You going for it? Could lead to something more, you know.”

 

“I hope you put in for the new mosquito research. We all like you, I’m sure the ‘skeeters will, too.”

 

He didn’t fully understand the job posting. It was short saying only ‘Help needed to feed the mosquitos. Pays well.’ What did mosquitos eat other than blood? What would the labs feed them? With the encouragement of his fellow lab workers he put in for the job. To his eventual delight, with his sights on future permanent employ, he got the job!

 

 

He arrived at his new post and was greeted with an enthusiastic tour of the research lab.

 

“The work we’re doing here is important research. So many of the locals here, plus elsewhere in tropical climates and worldwide, are ravaged every year by mosquitos and the diseases they spread,” explained the lab director never breaking stride.

 

“The research in this lab involves malaria and dengue fever. These have been major problems for tropical islanders and many parts of the world going back as far as documents go. Before then even. And next door they’re researching West Nile virus and Zika.”

 

They entered the next room through double doors into an impressive pristine white room. Containers lined both walls. Each bin about the size of a small refrigerator. Each had a glass front and was adorned with a hole covered with rubber.

 

“And here you’ll see our residents. Each container has 100 or so mosquitos. I may say, bravo to you putting in for the position of feeding the mosquitos. I know this seems unconventional, our feeding process, but I assure you, all these mosquitos are tested and they are disease free. They are bred under the highest standards. You are not at risk of contracting any illness at this post,” pausing to let that sink in as the new lab technician wondered what exactly he’d been employed to do. Then the lab director continued. 

 

“OK, so with that preamble, if you’ll please roll up your sleeve and stick your arm through, all the way to your torso, your armpit, if you will. That’ll seal the hole flush and prevent any escapees. Stick your arm in, leave it for ten minutes. When the bell dings, you’ll carefully and very slowly retract your arm. The movement should encourage the mosquitos to detach. Else, some minor flexing or wiggling of your forearm will also help, if needed. Then, move on the next container of which there are twenty. You may choose to alternate arms with each feeding. So, if you will, please,” motioning for the young man to step toward the containers and begin the feeding process.

 

The young man did not step up. He stood fast with a quizzically raised eyebrow. “I anticipated the feeding process to be more regimented, not so immersive as this.”

 

“Yes, well, I assure you, you are at no risk of illness. You may feel a minor sting, very minor, but they don’t drink much blood. You won’t experience any wooziness, if that’s the cause of your hesitation. And afterwards, we have a salve to apply to your arms,” advised the director matter of factly. “Plus you can help yourself to an orange juice in the community refrigerator afterwards.”

 

“This was not explained in the job post, the details of the feeding process.”

 

“Right, you’re entirely correct. The one-page flyer allowed for only so much space negating the opportunity to be verbose. In fact, I’m glad you’re here now. I wanted to be present the first time to make sure this is done correctly. Each container receives one feeding in the morning, then again in the afternoon. We have a back up feeder for weekends or if you are ill.”

 

The young man continued to hold his ground. Uncertainty swirled in his head.

 

“They’re ready for you. They’re hungry. And if you’re good here, I understand an upcoming research project opening in a month is going to need a spider feeder. I’ll gladly put in a good word for you. So, if you will, please,” again motioning for the young man to step forward to the first mosquito container.

 

He stared blankly at the black rubber cover where he was expected to insert his bare arm all the way in. He stared at it with the precautionary concern as if it were the gaping entry hole of a tree trimmer’s stump grinder.

 

The clock ticked. Talk behind them from the researchers started to rise.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“He’s the ‘skeeter feeder.”

 

 

The COVID Chronicle, September 1-15, 2021

 

September 7 [Tuesday]

President Biden has unfolded a plan requiring businesses with 100+ employees to ensure that their workers are ‘either vaccinated or tested once a week, requires all employees of the Federal government be vaccinated ’. This may be difficult for employers to comply with. Sounds like lots of potential confusion and inconvenience with the weekly test since employers are unable to require employees to get vaccinated. Sure, I know, people will have to relent to a vaccination or subject themselves to the unpleasantness of the Q-tip deep into one’s nostrils. Or at what point do we let people make their own safety decisions and move forward?

 

 

September 9 [Thursday]

I’ve enjoyed a good long break from imbibing of the news. The sabbatical dates back to last year’s Presidential election. I got back on board this week by committing to at least one article daily on ‘school days’ from the Wall Street Journal Business page. I’m of the mind that it’s good to be informed. Informed, though not inflamed.

            I come to understand many large companies including Microsoft and Google are still working virtually. Several companies had dates approaching by when offices would be re-occupied, but many companies moved those prospective re-open dates back to early 2022. This furnishes me with some comfort. It’s not just us, my employer, there are many others with elongated work-from-home timeframes. And quite frankly, I’m thriving in this casual work environment.

 

 

September 12 [Sunday]

The second Covid-era NFL football season gets underway today! It may be interesting to see what, if any, new or updated Covid protocols are in place for the players. Meanwhile, I watched a game on TV, the crowds appeared to be at capacity. Much thicker crowds than last season.

[Some of the NFL protocols: Players and staff are tested weekly for Covid, even if vaccinated. Unvaccinated players will test daily. Vaccinated players are not required to wear face coverings outdoors, but yes for indoors.]

 

 

September 15 [Wednesday]

Ten students out of 1,800 at [my daughter’s] Bonita High School are down with Covid. Or, as [Wife Klem] points out, those are the admitted Covid-afflicted. There are likely others, just not admitting to the virus. No Covid numbers for staff and teachers specifically at Bonita. This is not being released.

The COVID Chronicle, August 16-31, 2021

August 18 [Wednesday]

[The boy] moved into his on-campus apartment today at CS Fullerton. He returns to live-action college with graduation pending for the spring! [A three-year college plan because he couldn’t hang with his old man’s five-year plan.] Proof of vaccinations are required to move in to the on-campus housing. Residents are also encouraged to pack a Go bag, two days worth of gear in case a lock down incident occurs. But really, in that case I’d prefer he simply break out and come home [we’re 20-miles away]. Anyway, classes commence Monday.

 

August 19 [Thursday]

My work remains virtual. Some non-field colleagues in other departments are returning to the office in limited capacity. As for me and my field colleagues, my employer has asked for our input about returning to field activities. Are we comfortable going back to our field tasks? What aspects give us pause? What tasks are we comfortable resuming presently? I’d like to return to my field tasks, but in-office appointments I prefer to continue on a virtual basis. I’m interested in seeing how long this ‘strictly virtual’ will continue. The concern is that if my employer sees virtual work being conducted equally as productive as field work, maybe we’ll be asked to move to a less expensive state and save the company on salary expenses.

 

August 20 [Friday]

Having a mask on my person is so second nature after all this time, it’s like reaching for one’s wallet and keys before stepping out. Walking out the door without one makes me pause to check, then turn back for its retrieval if needed. 

 

August 21 [Saturday]

There is talk of vaccination booster shots. Each manufacturer has its own timeline, but they’re all working on boosters. The evolution of Covid and its variances seem to remain problematic. The Delta variant has been getting much notice lately.

 

August 23 [Monday]

[My daughter] returns to live-action high school today for her senior year! She got gypped with virtual high school and I’m happy to see the live tutelage resuscitated.

 

I saw an on-duty school bus this morning while taking Ghost Dog for a walk. Whoa! Now that’s anachronistic of the pre-Covid era.

 

August 24 [Tuesday]

With the return of live-action high school, the ultra leisure mornings of Shelter In Place conclude. No more rocking the cardio machine in the early hours, shower, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before logging in to virtual work. There is now a schedule. Drop off at high school or dog walking with breakfast to fit within the necessary time parameters, then logging in for virtual work. 

 

August 25 [Wednesday]

Lunches have gotten lonely. [The boy’s] at college and [my daughter] is at school. I’m sitting alone in the kitchen eating soup and reading an eBook, Pride and Prejudice. I had been greatly spoiled with having so much of these playful monkeys during Shelter In Place.

 

The Corona doll finally met its demise. This was a doll [my daughter] and I made from a kit at the very beginning of Shelter In Place. It was agreed that it would go to Ghost Dog when live-action school resumed. I figured that would have been a few weeks or at least the fall of 2020. But no, it took a year and a half. With [my daughter] pulling and Ghost Dog biting and pulling, it was shredded within two minutes. I don’t miss the doll, standing there in the kitchen window day after day looking at me with his hand extended high in the air waving.

 

August 26 [Thursday]

My internet connection this week has been better than average! I have not needed to engage the work-provided wi-fi tool. This expanded available bandwidth is due to [the boy] being away at college and [my daughter] being occupied at live-action high school. I can hog up all the house internet for my virtual employment with nary a quibble or concern over sketchy coverage during a Skype meeting.

 

August 27 [Friday]

[The boy] returned home after his first week of live action college. One professor is continuing online with pre-recorded lectures into September. By that time the mandatory vaccinations at Fullerton for students and staff are to have been fully implemented. Meanwhile, one of his roommates had a Covid test because of an exposure risk, but tested negative. As a courtesy he vacated the apartment for a few days’ cushion. How long are these tests and excitements going to continue?

 

August 28 [Saturday]

[The boy] and I bought a car today, a 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. I’d worked with a salesperson over the phone and through text. A price had been agreed to more than a month ago, but the vehicle arrived only today. There is a shortage of vehicles to some extent due to the shortage of microprocessors. But anyway, we got ours. We were at the dealership for four hours. Much of that extended stay was because the vehicle had arrived just that morning and there were a number of checklists the dealership had to roll through before approving the vehicle ready for sale. It was a very amicable process having agreed to a price before even arriving to the dealership with absolutely no haggling remaining to bang out. Masks, social distancing, optional handshakes, and plastic see-through screens on tables and desks were in effect.

 

The COVID Chronicle, August 1-15, 2021

 

August 8 [Sunday]

We returned from vacation week in Pacific Grove. Numerous factions of Klems had peacefully assembled in town. Was really a super time. This is the largest congregation of family since pre-Covid! We’re all vaccinated except for the youngest, my nephew. As a tourist location, Cannery Row, the occasional glut of people on the sidewalks and in stores made me uncomfortable for virus and variant concern. It was avoided when possible, but some things are worth that kind of exposure. Namely caramel apples, chocolate-dipped frozen bananas, lemon bars at the bakery, sea salt caramel banana milk shake at the Ghirardelli shop or an Italian restaurant visit. So, sure, I’ll mask up, but I expect my tasty positive reinforcement.

 

August 9 [Monday]

Some things will return to pre-Covid-normal more slowly than others as the virus and its effects wane. But my desire to distance from non-selected humans remains strong as evidenced by my continued crossing the street when another pedestrian approaches from the other direction. How long’s this going to continue? I kind of like it.

[Note: Admittedly, I had to forgo this preferred pedestrian distancing while on vacation last week. Crossing the street was not always an available option due to too many people down Cannery Row. Avoidance of that whole area was eventually self-imposed.]

 

August 11 [Wednesday]

Governor Newsom announced possible forthcoming enhanced safety precautions due to Covid and its variant’s refusal to wither. This potentially includes requiring proof of vaccination for entering stores and restaurants. I have a tough time imagining such tightened measures could actually gain traction and be implemented. There’s also the unexplained ‘Who’s responsibility it would be to enforce.’ [That dirty work would fall on the business owners. Come on, they just want to conduct commerce, not police the state’s hand-wringing.] Maybe it’s time we cull the herd. We start with those who choose not to vaccinate. We’re all aware of Covid, we’ve heard of the vaunted Delta variant, vaccinations have been made widely available for months now. If someone chooses to abstain from vaccination, well, they chose. Anyway, if this goes forward I foresee a big win for Amazon and online retailers.

 

The COVID Chronicle, July 16-31, 2021

 

July 16 [Friday]

My shaving quality has diminished during Covid. I don’t often have a public audience and my work remains strictly virtual. Nobody sees me close up enough to observe my shaving defects. Today I’m going to a funeral, not Covid related. With the need for a more pristine shave I find myself being more diligent where I would normally blow past knowing that Skype would not reveal the deficiencies.

 

July 19 [Monday]

Covid has done wonders for my Verizon store experience. We had a cell phone issue requiring remedial action. Prior pre-Covid in-store experiences yielded a crummy overcrowded bloated experience of wasted time and waiting. But today! Covid protocol offered an appointment and we accepted. The place was sparsely populated with patrons. We were in and out in 15 minutes! How nice and unexpected.

 

July 22 [Thursday]

We’re buying a car for [the boy], he’s going back to live action college at the end of August and will be living on campus. Car inventories are stifled! Looking for a 2022 Prius Prime LE. Checking in with five local dealerships we can’t even find one on the lots. Tight inventory has a Covid angle. There’ve been microprocessor deficiencies worldwide since Covid’s advent. This has affected new car supplies, amongst much other merchandise. Anyway, we put a deposit down on a vehicle sight unseen. Silver.

 

July 27 [Tuesday]

The numbers of afflicted have been increasing, but depth of sickness is largely attenuated and diminishing. Especially for those who have been vaccinated. 

The COVID Chronicle, July 1-15, 2021

 

July 2 [Friday]

One of [the boy’s] friends has a hearty weight training set at his home. Some of his friends had been getting together for a workout and [the boy] joined them today, second time this week. I like to see him engaging and getting out in the face of this waning pandemic. I also like him returning from workouts all sorely muscled and spent. 

 

July 5 [Monday]

“When is dad not going to work from home anymore?” “Do you miss your work clothes?” The queries I faced at dinner tonight from [my daughter]. Answers: ‘Probably by the end of the year, but don’t know for certain.’ ‘Not at all.’ I’ve gotten spoiled working from home. I like it. I don’t miss maneuvering the southern California freeway traffic going to appointments. I relish the convenience of always being home for lunch and reading while lunching.

 

July 8 [Wednesday]

My weekly foray into Vons continues. The unmasking is visually increasing in ratio of masked denizens to sans mask. At [Wife Klem’s] behest I remain in mask for my retail field work.

 

July 11 [Sunday]s

The European 2020 soccer championship game was much more crowded than the tournament games in earlier rounds. Not overstuffed like championship games of pre-Covid years, but these were the most thickly populated spectators I’ve seen since Covid. Looks almost capacity. But most important, Italia won! They beat England on penalty kicks.

 

July 13 [Tuesday]

Mom told me today that it’s OK if I want to stop sending my daily emails to her. She’s being courteous as a time consideration for me. Truth is, I haven’t been short of time since before Shelter In Place. The only time I feel occasionally rushed is during work hours when there’s an occasional flurry of activity. But I’m otherwise locked in with my daily Mom emails and is no drag on my time. This has become part of my daily routine and will continue. I like it. I enjoy her replies hearing what she’s up to, her concerns and worries, what she’s thinking about and looking forward to. 

 

July 15 [Thursday]

Los Angeles County has been experiencing an increased load of Covid infections, so the mask mandate for indoor businesses starts back up effective 7/17/2021. It’s uncommon for the vaccinated to be infected, and when they are, the vaccinated infection cases are predominantly mild.

 

 

 

 

The COVID Chronicle, June 16-30, 2021

June 16 [Wednesday]

The June 15^thlifting of the mask mandate does not yet seem to have landed at local retail stores. I visited Vons and the pharmacy on this evening’s walk, both still require masks despite Governor Newsom’s mask abdication. So, no real local change yet despite slackening the reigns on Covid restrictions. It’ll be interesting to see how many more weeks or months this continues.

 

June 17 [Thursday]

[The boy] heard from Cal State Fullerton, he has received approval for on-campus housing in the fall for the return of live-action college. He’ll be in a student apartment sharing a unit with three other students. Each student has their own bedroom plus shared bathroom, kitchen and living room. He has mixed feelings saying he’s ‘fine with it.’ I like it. I’ll miss my guy, but think it important he be on his own to make his own decisions, mistakes and life’s progressions. The Covid angle is that the density of on-campus living occupancy was reduced, but he was still awarded a slot.

 

June 19 [Saturday]

A Saturday double date with [my daughter] and her boyfriend, then me and his dad. Spooners in Claremont. We lunched at different tables, the other father and I, so we could speak freely. Still feels odd demasking at a table with a non-pod person. I requested the ‘dad date’ to clear the air of several concerns that have come to our attention, [Wife Klem] and I. Clandestine behavior between those two. A courtesy, I thought, to advise a fellow parent. He said he was not aware of what I’d mentioned and that he’d speak with his son. We’ll see what happens, if anything, in the coming days. He otherwise seemed like a nice man.

[Note: I’m left with the impression the other parent may be more into appeasement than parenting. Bummer. We’ll do our job, [Wife Klem] and I, and move forward.]

 

June 20 [Sunday]

We enjoyed a Safehouse [my parents’ home] Sunday dinner with all the regular crew. We ordered out for Mediterranean food from Café Bravo. Oh boy, the deliciousness flows thickly from that place. We dined indoors, hugs issued all around, no masks and it was completely delightful. [My nephew], the youngest at 14, has also been vaccinated with the recent reduction in minimum age for vaccines. It did not feel like the old days where so much interaction was taken for granted. This felt very novel. The return of taking this all for granted, our time together as a family, will probably not return for another few visits yet.

 

June 23 [Wednesday]

I went to Vons this evening for my post-supper walk. Whoa! Masks are optional. I saw one dude down the cereal aisle without a mask and thought we had a rogue on premises. Then I noticed all around me, maybe 33% without masks. I took mine off, but it’d been so long that it didn’t feel right. I completed my shopping in mask. How long will I carry this on? As long as the cashiers don masks as a courtesy to them? 

 

June 26 [Saturday]

South Pasadena library book sale was very crowded this morning. Everyone was masked, but there frankly was not enough room to socially distance. People were allowed in incrementally to manage the occupancy numbers, but really, it’s as if masking has become a clothing accessory. Nobody seemed concerned with social distancing other than as a formality, but not enough concern to actually comply. I was not concerned, the books had my full attention. A very good haul of more than 30 books for the four of us for only $20!

 

June 27 [Sunday]

The 2020 European Championship soccer tournament is in progress and retains the 2020 prefix despite being played in 2021. This tournament is played every four years, staggered two years between World Cup years. Last year’s slated tournament had a one-year postponement due to last year’s Covid restrictions. Games are being played with drastically diminished spectators in attendance.

 

June 28 [Monday]

[My daughter] got a job a few weeks ago! She’s working at her favorite café, Butter. The food is delicious and she’s happy working, her job tasks and people with whom she works. Employees are required to be masked despite the lifting of the mandate on June 15. Masks are optional for patrons. 

[Note: In non-Covid news, her Roth IRA is now funded and live. My fatherly pride swells.]

 

June 29 [Tuesday]

[My daughter’s] boyfriend came over for dinner. Our first non-family non-pod dinner guest since pre-Covid. There’d been some tension between her boyfriend and [Wife Klem] and I. This was an effort to see if amelioration was a possibility. The evening was pleasant enough and that possibility remains alive. A positive remedial step.

 

June 30 [Wednesday]

My evening walk took me to Vons. I like Wednesday’s for strategic hits on the weekly price changes, they occur weekly every Wednesday. At [Wife Klem’s] request I wore a mask despite the optionality. She voiced concerns pertaining to Covid’s Delta variant. What can I do, she loves me. I comply.

 

The COVID Chronicle, June 1-15, 2021

 

June 1 [Tuesday]

[My sister, her son] and Ellie the dog are visiting the Safehouse from Orinda, so we dropped by this evening. Fun times. No masks because we’re all vaccinated. Talks of reestablishing Sunday night Safehouse dinners were broached. As a bonus [my brother and his wife] dropped by unexpectedly while on their evening walk.

 

June 2 [Wednesday]

My quotidian Covid email to Mom ended today. This started during early Shelter In Place last year intending to issue Covid-related encouraging words and to keep her updated on the grandpiglets. I wanted her to be aware of my Covid precautions of mask wearing and the decreasing frequency of my going out for mercantile forays. She was resisting precautions and I thought the likelihood of her abiding would increase with messages of examples rather than lectures. But the Covid-restricted family visits are nearly spent and normalcy is on the horizon. So I purposely ended it and will institute a bi-daily email replacement.

[Note: I reverted back to the daily emails within a few days because she enjoys the daily updates. Turns out I’m the one doing the abiding. Look, she’s my mom so I comply.]

 

June 3 [Thursday]

We’ve taken on an overnight visitor for the first time since 2019. [Wife Klem’s] Cousin Roger is visiting from Grand Junction, Colorado. Good guy. He’s a pleasant break from the everyday routine of our four-person pod. He’s in the spare bedroom, which had been employed as my work room for Skype-related meetings and phone calls. In the interim I take those tasks to the master bedroom.

 

June 4 [Friday]

I went for a walk this morning without a mask or bandana. Another winding back of Covid precautions. I’m done with bandanas on my walks unless I have a mercantile stop like Vons or the pharmacy / post office to mail my Ebay sales.

 

June 8 [Tuesday]

I got fuel for the company car today. First time in more than a year! I’ve been strictly virtual since late March last year and the car sits in the driveway except for it’s weekly spin. I only bought four gallons so the fuel doesn’t just sit in there aging. That should hold for many months at the current rate of consumption.

 

June 9 [Wednesday]

“This is the first time I’ve shaken someone’s hand in a year!” said a bookstore owner to Roger in Torrance. Another Covid wind-down

 

June 10 [Thursday]

Interesting news brewing at work. Office employees are slated to commence with incremental returning to the office in the coming weeks. My colleagues and I are field employees and await the go-ahead to return to our field duties. That ‘return to field’ date has not yet been proposed, so strictly virtual work continues. My pre-Covid work clothes, pullover polo shirts and trousers, are still hibernating in plastic hanging in the closet.

 

June 11 [Friday]

A Getty Center Museum visit today for the four of us and Roger. Security busted me when I demasked to selfie with Van Gough’s Irises. Was told in no uncertain terms that ‘We stay masked at all times.’ 

Really super visit, the Getty, with its beautiful premises and views. [Wife Klem] made reservations online, so when we showed up it was really only sparsely occupied with patrons of the art. A vey good experience with low density. Interior pedestrian foot traffic flow was directed to be only one way, and a few areas were staved off but not really inconvenienced. After all, how much art can you really ingest in one day anyway? 

 

June 12 [Saturday]

Lunch with Andy, my friend from high school. We got reacquainted two months ago when GW passed away, a classmate of ours. We ate inside! Felt unusual dining inside across the table from someone outside my pod. A good afternoon.

 

June 13 [Sunday]

The four of us visit the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum today. This was [the boy’s] choice to close out his birthday week. Fond memories of his years as a youngster and his obsession with dinosaurs.

Another good sparsely populated public outing. [Wife Klem] made online reservations, then we arrived for our morning appointment. The place was not crowded. It was thick on our departure in the parking area with a line of vehicles waiting to get in to the parking area, but not noticeable from the inside as we’d wound through the whole place. This making of reservations for public venues is a positive Covid development guaranteeing the place won’t by overloaded with patrons.

 

[afternoon]

Five Guys for dinner this evening. [Wife Klem] ordered online and I retrieved the tasty burgers. All through the Covid months this restaurant’s tables and chairs have been vacated or pushed to the perimeter making it clear there is no inside dining. The place is gearing up for California’s June 15 re-opening. Tables and chairs have been returned to pre-Covid positioning with ‘no dining’ signs on them, but they’re getting ready. The excitement mounts.

 

June 15 [Tuesday]

California has attained our arbitrary date of Covid obsolescence as announced by Governor Newsom. Masks are now optional for fully vaccinated people with exceptions [i.e., public transportation, health care facilities, schools]. Businesses reopen with optional masking policies chosen by the business owner. I’m anxious to see what kind of experience my next Vons outing yields.

 

The COVID Chronicle, May 16-31, 2021

 

May 16 [Saturday]

A Safehouse visit this morning, my parents, our first since we’ve all been vaccinated! Physical contact and hugs have been restored, but still dining outside due to Covid habit, plus it’s a nice day. Mom received her second vaccination Tuesday, so she’s not fully charged up yet, but we hugged it out.

 

May 20 [Thursday]

Thrift shops had been closed to donations since the early Covid days. Many were not taking property donations, or limited donations, due to pandemic-spread uncertainty. Well, it’s game on again, they’re accepting donations. [Wife Klem] boxed up a bunch of stuff from the garage and closets for giveaways. Tomorrow she and [the boy] make the drop off.

 

May 21 [Friday]

[The boy] returns to live action Dungeons & Dragons with his pals this evening. His friends had been getting together on the weekends, but he had held back due to study load. Plus he’d been waiting for his second vaccination to get fully charged. Well, with the virtual college semester almost done he’s back to gaming. Good. I want him comfortable engaging the world, even in a D&D capacity.

 

May 23 [Sunday]

The necessity of mask wearing is receiving some scrutiny. Personally, this has been brought on by the wide rolling out of vaccinations amongst my friends, family and a strong showing locally in the community. Mask wearing. I’ll continue if required, like when I’m at Vons bulking up on Yoplait if it’s on sale. Otherwise, I’m ready to abstain. People in some quarters, however, are strongly in favor of its continuance, the required mask wearing. To which I ask, “For how long? Until the governor or the president give the all clear?” At what point are we authorized to stop with the masks? If it’s simply “We’re going to keep wearing masks. No end date yet on the horizon.” Well, there’ll be disagreement. Others may choose their own arbitrary date. I’ve reached mine. By all means, I’ll wear as required. Plus, others are free to continue, but don’t mandate it. No mandated continuation.

 

May 25 [Tuesday]

I had court arbitration for work. Pre-Covid these would take place in a courtroom or some other judicial setting. But in the Covid-era, today’s episode was supposed to be by Zoom, but I had technical difficulties. The link provided by my employer’s attorney wouldn’t open, possibly due to the firewall on my company-issued computer. Anyway, embarrassing. I was dressed in a collared shirt, tie, sport coat, and short pants prepared for a favorable Zoom showing. As an alternative to my IT issues, I called in and was able to conduct my duties as witness over the cell phone. 

 

May 26 [Wednesday]

I continue taking the company car out for its weekly spin for maintenance purposes. The traffic is getting incrementally worse. Maybe not quite pre-Covid levels, but the light-traffic early Covid honeymoon ended many months ago.

 

May 27 [Thursday]

We’re vacationing in Arizona this weekend visiting [Wife Klem]’s mom and step-pop. Prescott. Is lovely, this place. This is our first overnighter away from home since the advent of Shelter In Place! No joke. It’s been so long since we’ve been away that I’m almost giddy with anticipation. Good people and delicious grub await.

The six-hour drive commenced with [my daughter] completing her afternoon virtual high school class from the backseat. She had internet access by means of our mobile wi-fi tool. It held up impeccably along the eastbound 10 freeway.

 

May 30 [Sunday]

We went to a pizza place in Prescott, Arizona this evening. Phoned it in, then picked it up. This experience was a throw back to pre-Covid times. Masks were optional and none, in fact, were donned by any of the employees. The only Covid precaution was that the phone orders were requested to wait outside and the pies would be brought to them. This was explained to us after we’d paid and taken seats indoors to wait. Since we were already seated waiting for the pies, we were OK’d to sit inside instead of being redirected to the outdoors. I have no beef with the lack of precautions. Coming from California I’d been conditioned to businesses being coerced into abiding. And hey, I get it, the heavy Covid months were definitely worthy of precautionary measures. Anyway, I hope the non-vaccinated make arrangements to get it done for themselves.

The COVID Chronicle, May 1-15, 2021

 

May 4 [Tuesday]

The viewing for George at the funeral home was this afternoon. It was a small affair with family and close friends. Beforehand I was uncertain if Covid preempted the protocol of issuing hugs under dire circumstances, but when offered, I accepted with no resistance. I reciprocated. Sad afternoon, but the human contact with people I’d known for so many years felt good and was a comfort.

 

May 5 [Wednesday]

George’s funeral and cemetery service was this morning. The church service was reduced capacity due to Covid precautions. People had been encouraged to abstain by requiring those interested in attending to contact family to reserve their spot. Every other church pew was blank for social distancing purposes. Masks were worn in church. There was hugging and handshaking, as is the norm for emotional occasions. My vaccination was ten days ago, so not fully charged, as the two weeks suggested by the pharmacist. I was not worried of Covid risk.

 

May 6 [Thursday]

Covid seems to be winding down, at least in the United States. People are making plans to get together and make summer travel plans. This includes us. We’re ready to dispense with Shelter In Place. Though, I must admit, I like the idea of maintaining social distancing with most of humanity.

 

May 7 [Friday]

The four of us have been vaccinated with the requisite two weeks being tomorrow. I’m ready to engage family again, I want it. I’m ready to travel and take a vacation, domestic vacation. Brings up the question, what of those without intent to vaccinate? I hope they need not live unhindered. But I plan on live unfettered in many ways like pre-Covid, though not entirely. The point being is that I will live unhindered by their choice of vaccine abstinence. The non-vaccinated will carry their burden without my aid. I plan not to accommodate their whimsical pass of the vaccine. There’s living to do. Maybe there will be trailing statistics of Covid deaths for years into the future or maybe these next few years will pass with nothing further resurfacing causing glimpses of a rough terrain already traversed, since March 2020.

 

May 8 [Saturday]

Big ups to us, it’s been two weeks today since our second vaccination. The four of us in San Dimas are at full strength.

 

A pre-Mother’s Day luncheon with mom! Amiee, Mike and I took mom to lunch at Acapulco’s in Glendale. Amiee was the author of this nifty mom-date. We triangulate at the Safehouse, then the four of us piled into one car! This generated feelings of giddiness being in a car all together from different pods. Plus the hugs, all of us! I last hugged my parents in November, prior to the anticipated Christmas crunch. This post-Covid existence is starting to feel all right.

 

May 9 [Sunday]

Happy Mothers Day! We drove to San Juan Capistrano to visit the Ecology Center, a small retail farming operation with a store selling their produce and jams. Fun time perusing the farm enjoying their acres of colorful growth. The Covid angle is that the presence of people, now that our vaccinations are fully charged, has reverted to being only a nuisance rather than a looming possibility of contagion. The mask wearing feels like a courtesy to others, a formality, like covering one’s mouth for a sneeze or chewing with one’s mouth closed. Years into the future I’m certain many will continue to wear masks generating vestiges of the Covid years.

 

May 11 [Tuesday]

[The boy] got a new Xbox! He’d wanted this for months and had been unable to acquire it due to the worldwide microprocessor shortage that’s been in effect since the early days of Covid. We live truly in a worldwide economy and a Covid-sparked shortage of an item in one part of the world, resources needed to manufacture the microprocessors, resulted in limited access to the things consumers want. This is a want not a need, the Xbox, to be sure, but I’d read about this shortage months ago and was curious to note how it’s affected our household.

 

May 12 [Wednesday]

Having consumed so much social distancing with Covid that I’ve come to vastly prefer observing humans from a distance instead of in close quarters. Animals, on the other hand, lest they be hungry and aggressive predators, I prefer close up observance.

 

May 13 [Thursday]

Watching a baseball game this evening there was an advertisement for a ‘fully vaccinated section’ of the ballpark. No joke. The TV camera scanned the area with a bunch of people in close confinement, masks mostly absent, no distancing. It looked odd. Tickets to the fully vaccinated section were sold at discounted prices compared to the socially distanced seats. My view has been shifted by more than a year of social distancing, as evidenced by the tightly occupied vaccinated section striking me as unappealing. I prefer my distancing from humans, those outside my pod. I don’t know, maybe I’m just crummy.

 

May 15 [Friday]

[My daughter] had a high school Dive meet this evening. Parents and spectators were required to sit outside the pool area with folding chairs beyond the fence. This was done to enable social distancing. Though the folding chairs were not typically six feet apart. The vaccinations have rolled out effectively here and concern of Covid contagion has dissipated. Meanwhile, the divers, pre-Covid would have been accommodated with a portable hot tub for the divers to stay warm between dives. A Covid precaution negated this comfort and the divers on this chilly evening did their best with towels, shammies and parkas. Some divers chose simply to stay in the pool between dives because it was warmer than the air and breeze.

 

 

The COVID Chronicle, April 16-30, 2021

 

April 18 [Sunday]

A friend of mine passed away in his sleep last night. Friends since first grade. He had not been living in a healthy way [overweight and heart medication], so his early departure is not a surprise, only the point of impact. With Covid protocols still in place a memorial service is in question. A sad day.

[Note: there is a funeral service, capacity limits are in force.]

 

April 19 [Monday]

Big news. My work colleagues and I are semi-approved for ‘necessary’ field work. There are considerable limitations and a stringent protocol for prior approval before going out, but this is an exciting update. We are not being encouraged to engage the field for work, just a slight slackening of the line to leave a window of opportunity. I don’t have anything pending requiring a field foray, but I like the option.

 

April 20 [Tuesday]

I selfishly admit that I’ve enjoyed a welcoming convenience to Shelter In Place. No driving for work, no commute time to an office, lunch conveniently at home every day. Plus, I very much enjoy all of us being together at every dinner! The downside is the lack of proper ergonomics as I move around the house during the workday. I walk about the house from the office, to the kitchen table, to the spare bedroom, to the master bedroom as necessity dictates. I have a neck issue from a pre-Covid incident and it has become aggravated of late. I don’t know if it’s from poor posture, the overextended effect of a make shift workspace, stress or physical exertion. I will increase my evening stretching routine in hopes of tempering the flare up and prevent its spread.

[Note: the aggravation subsided to the normal baseline on April 26.]

 

April 22 [Thursday]

[Wife Klem] got vaccination #2 of 2 today! Pfizer. She did this at the Pomona Fairplex and was again impressed with the smooth operation. A little soreness, more so than shot #1.

[Update: the side effects ended up being stronger than the first vaccination. Increased weariness arriving the next day, it was partially abated with an afternoon nap. Truth is, I’m a guy who might benefit from an afternoon nap everyday with or without a preemptive vaccination.]

 

April 24 [Saturday]

The remaining three of us got vaccination #2 of 2! Pfizer. The pharmacist told us it would take two weeks for the vaccination to be fully activated.

 

April 25 [Sunday]

The side-effect from yesterday’s second vaccination has kicked in. It’s making me want to read all day. I’m doing my darndest to comply. Other than, only local pain at the point of impact and maybe I’m a little chilly.

 

April 27 [Tuesday]

I called our health insurance company and asked about counseling sessions separately for [my daughter] and me. [Wife Klem], too, if she wants in. I don’t know if our tension is normal for raising teens or from a prolonged separation from friends and normal daily chit chat of teens and its diffusing effect. Most of the time we’re good, but then sometimes we receive ‘distant and curt.’ Anyway, I’ve obtained a phone number for Teladoc counseling. I’d like [my daughter] individually with a counselor, let her tell her story. Then me and [Wife Klem] to receive parental guidance, if that’s what they do. Winging it doesn’t seem to be working well for the whole team. We’ll see if I’ve the gumption to follow through.

 

The COVID Chronicle, April 1-15, 2021

 

April 1 [Thursday]

[Wife Klem] awakened me just past midnight. She’d been online looking up vaccine appointments because they became available for our age group just today. I was groggy with a scrunched forehead and eyeballs squinting with sleep. I’d come to understand an appointment at the local pharmacy was being offered on Friday or Saturday. I selected Saturday morning. She’s getting vaccinated at the Los Angeles Fairplex today, the Pomona Fairgrounds. I love this woman. Then boom, I was back asleep with no hassle.

 

Lunch with a pal from college today! We dined in Orange County, the focal point of anti-masking. But we both wore masks and dined outdoors on the patio. The place was not crowded, indoors or out. We chose outside including an umbrella to protect the pair of balding skulls. His wife got the Johnson & Johnson single-poke vaccination. He has not gotten it and is leaning toward no vaccination reasoning that he’s healthy and stays in shape. He is a youthful 52. A delightful afternoon.

 

[Wife Klem]’s done it! She’s the first of us to get vaccinated. She can dunk on us for a few days rubbing it in, but she graciously enjoys pole position without the pomposity. For me, though, after I get my poke, maybe I’ll lord it over the kids for a few days until they qualify.

 

April 2 [Friday]

I spoke with a friend of mine from college, a different pal than from yesterday. We hadn’t spoken in years. He’s 52, living the life of a bachelor. He’s been living solitary for a year. His uncle died of Covid early in 2020 inducing diligence with masks and social distancing. The poor rascal hasn’t dated in over a year! Much respect to those living in solitary confinement.

 

April 3 [Saturday]

I got my vaccination today, first of two. Pfizer. In [Wife Klem]’s prior conversation with the pharmacist she was told ‘bring someone else and they get it, too. Just make them an appointment.’ With those instructions [my daughter] joined me and we both got poked today. I was very brave and didn’t even whine, or at least not very loudly, but so we’re both lined up to be complete by the end of April. [The boy] did not do it. He didn’t want to feel he was breaking the rules opting to wait for his April 15^th eligibility.

            A few hours later [the boy] was riddled with a guilt trip and consented to his first of two shots. He was the 102^ndvaccination of the day by the pharmacy. But get a load, 56 additional appointments had been made for the day with no-show.

[Note: Other than a sore shoulder at immediate point of contact, no side effects.]

 

April 4 [Easter Sunday]

Happy Easter Sunday! We go to the Safehouse for lunch to see my parents and [my brother]’s family. Food was ordered from a local bakery, it was shipped frozen, and consumed today defrosted and delicious. Each of our three family pods had their own separate food bin from which to trough, thwarting the cross-pollination possibility. We masked when not eating and distanced. Fun time and a super day. I don’t know if my mom’s just blowing happy gas, but her attitude toward vaccinations has taken a turn for the positive. We spent some time seeking appointments at the local Ralphs and CVS pharmacy. No availability listed.

 

April 5 [Monday]

You know, with the wide expansion of vaccinations, in the coming months I’ll need to take a more diligent approach to showers. Soon my B.O. will no longer have the safe buffer of social distancing from which to hide my dereliction of duties.

 

April 7 [Wednesday]

I brought the car in for service. Doesn’t need it based on mileage, but needs it because the oil has been sitting in there for nine months. In meeting with the service technician I enjoyed that there was not pretense of a handshake, as would likely have been pre-Covid. I’ll do my part in continuing the disbanding of the handshake post-Covid.

[Note: the technician explained that conventional oil should be changed every six months, synthetic is OK for one year.]

 

April 10 [Saturday]

[Wife Klem] ordered pizza pies for dinner pickup. People were dining in! It had been a long time since I’d been here and observed seated diners. More tables were occupied than vacant. I’m still not amongst them. After so many months with empty insides, this partial occupancy struck me as crowded. I gather my pies for our Saturday night supper and depart.

 

April 11 [Sunday]

Cal State Fullerton gets back to live instruction in the fall. On campus living, however, while it is opening back up, will accept only half or less capacity to continue with the distancing. [The boy] applied for on campus living. We’ll see if that is obtained or if he ends up driving every day from home. Hoping he beats the odds and lives on campus. Is only 20 miles, but that stretch of freeway is a mess.

 

April 12 [Monday]

[My daughter] returns to live-action high school today! Twice weekly with live tutelage for those who choose, it is voluntary, with virtual school the remaining three days. Students also have the option to remain entirely virtual. This morning was a throw back to the old days, pre-Covid. Getting up extra early, an escalated breakfast, arrange for drop-off and afternoon pick-up between [Wife Klem] and me. It was exciting, felt like the first day of school.

[Note: Most students chose to remain virtual. The largest live class had nine students.]

 

April 13 [Tuesday]

Mom got vaccinated! Dad drove her to the local Rite Aid and she got the Moderna vaccine.  She’d been sweating us out for almost a year about how she didn’t want the vaccine. Then nonchalant compliance. This is a big relief. [Wife Klem] and I had been teasing each other that she’d go by herself, claim to have been vaccinated, but really not. But not so, dad witnessed!