Despite our vaccines last fall, the flu has found its way into our home. On Sunday afternoon, Al came back from running errands, went upstairs and went to bed. He never does this. He roused for supper and ate well, then lay down on the couch. Definitely out of character.
So I dug out a Covid test from under the bathroom sink. It had an expiration date of last June, but I gave it to him anyway, and it was negative. Then I took his temp. He was running a fever. Time to go out to CVS and pick up a few combination Covid/Flu tests.
It was dark and cold outside, about 16°F. I found the tests and an OTC med for his symptoms, and was on my way out the door when a tall, thin man standing by the side of the building called out to me. “Excuse me, Ma’am, but can you spare a dollar?” he asked. It was cold, I was in a hurry to get home, and I don’t usually have cash on me. So I declined.
As I sat in my car, with the heat on, organizing my purchases, I felt terrible. Here was a poor soul in the freezing cold, politely begging for a small handout. I thought of all the people in Minneapolis who are taking such good care of their neighbors under duress. I looked in my wallet and realized I had some bills. So I got out of the car, went back to the man and handed him a dollar. He was so grateful. He had no gloves, no hat, a shabby winter coat. It wasn’t enough, but at least it was something.
I thought about him all the way home.
Back at our house, I gave Al the new combination test. Still negative for Covid, but positive for Type A flu. Good grief. Called our medical practice, got some advice, and as I write Monday afternoon, I’m still waiting to find out if I can pick up some Tamaflu antiviral medicine for Al. I’m hoping the fatigue that has settled over me today is just fatigue.
And what of the man outside the CVS in the brutal cold? I hope he found warm shelter. I hope he bought something hot to drink. Next time I’m asked, I’ll do better.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Image: Ales Krivec
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