It’s not over until the fat virus dies

I really want to sit here and write a note about the great conference I’m planning to be at in October (ShePodcasts.com) or the Vegas Wedding I’m going to in November (I’ve never been to a destination wedding), or maybe even about the vacation I’m daring to plan for December (Disney! I want to go to Disney!). The thing is, instead of looking forward to these trips with joy and excitement, I find myself panic shopping for clothing normally sold for the dust storms of Burning Man as I try to figure out how to steer clear of the perfect storms of virus in this weird reality we live in.

Everytime I start to relax, something reminds me this pandemic isn’t over.

Our local Walgreens is a place I’ve gone to probably more than I’ve gone anywhere else in town. On any given afternoon, there is a pharmacist and 1 or 2 pharmacy assistants in the back, at least 1 front register person, and someone either stocking shelves or standing over in the photo department. I’ve gotten my vaccines there, picked up meds a million times, and always it was staffed. The last time I picked up a prescription I saw lines curb-to-curb for Covid tests at the drive through window, which was more than a little disturbing… but there were still plenty of people working.

Until today.

Today, there was just one person in the store. The pharmacy and the Covid testing were both closed.

There was no one else. This wasn’t a lack of employees. This was a lack of employees who could work.