The Holidays in the time of COVID

[Spins]

So, this year is looking a whole lot different than last year.

For many of us December and the holidays are a difficult affair in a normal sort of situation. If you are single then all the parties are a dread, if you are in a relationship there is the the pressure to live up to the Hallmark movie, and, I don't think I have to even get started with what family responsibilities come about!

I thought maybe a thread where folks could wish one another holiday cheer and relate some of the difficulties this COVID holiday is causing might be a nice distraction.

Could be wrong, but surely I am not the only one feeling a little extra lonely, odd, blue, insert your favorite descriptor this year.

 

[tigger_lover]

thinking of those that can't see their Grandchildren and share hugs with them

 

[Spins]

Unlike many of you I have had both the luxury and the absolute mind numbing fear if having to go into the office every day. I had the opportunity to work from my apartment, but the folks I supervise and other people in my facility did not get that chance...it didn't seem right for me to have something they didn't, but it has meant that I am constantly being exposed to all sorts of people who may not be taking any precautions.

This has meant not seeing any of my friends, or family this entire year. It has also caused some rifts with family as I could have seen them and been safe had I not been a "martyr" for a job that really doesn't care about me (which is true, thus making it even tougher).

This year I'll be working right up until Christmas Day and being potentially exposed and so I will not be going anywhere. It'll mean I haven't seen anyone I am close to for exactly a year. As an introvert I didn't think it would be so bad, but this last couple of weeks has been tougher than I could have imagined (cue 4 year old niece on Facetime losing her shit that Uncle Spins will not being there for Christmas. I had no idea she cared!).

At any rate, lots of choices have been made this year to keep folks safer, if not completely safe, and it feels like we only talk about the small percentage who are not doing things the way safety dictates. It would be nice to hear a story or three about what has been going right than what all is going wrong!

 

[Spins]

thinking of those that can't see their Grandchildren and share hugs with them

Yeah. Hugs are missed all around!

 

[mstrulyscrumptious]

Unlike many of you I have had both the luxury and the absolute mind numbing fear if having to go into the office every day. I had the opportunity to work from my apartment, but the folks I supervise and other people in my facility did not get that chance...it didn't seem right for me to have something they didn't, but it has meant that I am constantly being exposed to all sorts of people who may not be taking any precautions.

This has meant not seeing any of my friends, or family this entire year. It has also caused some rifts with family as I could have seen them and been safe had I not been a "martyr" for a job that really doesn't care about me (which is true, thus making it even tougher).

This year I'll be working right up until Christmas Day and being potentially exposed and so I will not be going anywhere. It'll mean I haven't seen anyone I am close to for exactly a year. As an introvert I didn't think it would be so bad, but this last couple of weeks has been tougher than I could have imagined (cue 4 year old niece on Facetime losing her shit that Uncle Spins will not being there for Christmas. I had no idea she cared!).

At any rate, lots of choices have been made this year to keep folks safer, if not completely safe, and it feels like we only talk about the small percentage who are not doing things the way safety dictates. It would be nice to hear a story or three about what has been going right than what all is going wrong!

Spins, I commend you for your leadership in staying in the trenches with those you supervise. I am fortunate in that it worked out that my team was able to transition to working from home but it did take several weeks to make it happen. I also stayed until the last one was home and all systems were working consistently for them. But I know without a doubt, had that not happened, I would also be there with them, encouraging them through what has been a very tough year. That is the role I accepted and I would gladly do .... not so much for the company but for those it is a privilege to lead.

I wonder, could you not get a rapid test to prove negative and then visit family?

 

[Spins]

Spins, I commend you for your leadership in staying in the trenches with those you supervise. I am fortunate in that it worked out that my team was able to transition to working from home but it did take several weeks to make it happen. I also stayed until the last one was home and all systems were working consistently for them. But I know without a doubt, had that not happened, I would also be there with them, encouraging them through what has been a very tough year. That is the role I accepted and I would gladly do .... not so much for the company but for those it is a privilege to lead.

I wonder, could you not get a rapid test to prove negative and then visit family?

The rapid tests are not particularly effective unless you are taking them daily as they return a lot of inconclusive and false readings. So, while I could afford to take them, there is no real guarantee (not that there truly is for anything).

The other part of the situation is where I work, if I was to leave the County, I'd be forced to quarantine. It is all a bit drastic, but it is the only way to safeguard the folks I work with and the folks I work for.

So, I am catching it from both ends. If I choose to go see my family, my work forces me to take time off, if I work then it is possible I could pass something to my family (many of which are not in great health).

Glad to know there are some other folk who chose to stay around when they didn't have to! That is a positive I think not enough folks are seeing

 

[Booboobear84]

Spins, I commend you for your leadership in staying in the trenches with those you supervise. I am fortunate in that it worked out that my team was able to transition to working from home but it did take several weeks to make it happen. I also stayed until the last one was home and all systems were working consistently for them. But I know without a doubt, had that not happened, I would also be there with them, encouraging them through what has been a very tough year. That is the role I accepted and I would gladly do .... not so much for the company but for those it is a privilege to lead.

I wonder, could you not get a rapid test to prove negative and then visit family?

The rapid tests are not particularly effective unless you are taking them daily as they return a lot of inconclusive and false readings. So, while I could afford to take them, there is no real guarantee (not that there truly is for anything).

The other part of the situation is where I work, if I was to leave the County, I'd be forced to quarantine. It is all a bit drastic, but it is the only way to safeguard the folks I work with and the folks I work for.

So, I am catching it from both ends. If I choose to go see my family, my work forces me to take time off, if I work then it is possible I could pass something to my family (many of which are not in great health).

Glad to know there are some other folk who chose to stay around when they didn't have to! That is a positive I think not enough folks are seeing

Ah, people who get it. It's about your team, and privilege it is to lead them (though we all have those days . . .)

It's tough being the responsible adult in the room, but hang in there. You are both doing the right thing.