I finished my zoom yoga class and rushed upstairs to get changed. My husband and I had half an hour to find the COVID vaccination centre about fifteen miles away. It had moved from a large gazebo in a supermarket car park to a pharmacy building.
Luckily half an hour later two young lads welcomed us at the door. They asked the basic COVID questions, checked our masks and told us to sanitise our hands before going to the desk for registration. Within fifteen minutes we’d had our second jabs and were on our way home. Three weeks later we’ll be fully protected, or as best as possible! Just in time for the next lifting of some restrictions.
But restrictions haven’t been lifted yet! I decided to treat my daughter to an early birthday present. We went to a local boutique last week. Non essential shops are now open so we donned our masks and sanitised our hands before climbing the stairs into the shop. It’s small with not much circulating air so I felt a bit uncomfortable. That was before I saw the owner and a friend, maskless and drinking tea!
We were met with a warm welcome and a suggestion that we remove our masks and join them in a cup! This resulted in an immediate shocked response from both of us as we hastily declined both offers! I wanted to turn around and leave! However, we didn’t stay long but left with an armful of clothing to try on at home. Over the last few years I have been a regular and good customer so could be trusted!
A fashion show followed later as my daughter modelled the dresses and tops. Oh to be young and suit any style! She decided she’d only take one blouse so the rest would have to go back. But we’d had fun and have a good idea of this summer’s fashions and colours.
I headed back to the boutique silently hoping that only the owner would be there. I was going to mention our discomfort of the previous day. Unfortunately not! She had a customer and both weren’t wearing masks. And they certainly weren’t social distancing as they wandered around the racks of clothes, chatting and laughing. Don’t they know that we are struggling through a pandemic?
I couldn’t contain myself. I told them that I felt very uncomfortable as masks were mandatory in all enclosed areas. The customer spun around, eyes blazing! ‘I’ve had my mask on for the last couple of hours! It made me so hot and my hair curl!’ She glared at me in self righteous indignation! ‘And I’ve had my second jab!’
I was furious! How selfish! The boutique has lost a valued customer because I am not going back there anytime soon! I’m sure that I am not alone in expecting people to abide by the law and cover their mouths and noses even if they have been vaccinated! It doesn’t stop them from being carriers and passing on the virus!
There is a new Indian variant circulating around the country. We have been warned that further lifting of restrictions could be jeopardised. People do need to take responsibility and abide by the law otherwise I could be writing about lockdown the same time next year! They also need to get vaccinated. Not only one dose! They need two! This is to protect others and not just to look after themselves! Like wearing a mask! Sanitising their hands! Keeping two metres apart! No man is an island! 👠
Jenny Burrell 