Get Real: It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world!

If you've been social-distancing and self-isolating, staying home and washing your hands, good for you! You will help contain the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

However, if you're an employee of an essential service and have to be out there in this crazy world, you will agree that a lot of things have changed.

I will admit that since this whole pandemic hit the fan, I have been staying at home, inside, writing my stories based on information sent to me from reliable stories – everything from the closure of schools, offices and businesses, to the cancellation of many, many events, programs and services. And religiously washing my hands and disinfecting door handles, light switches, faucets, etc.

It wasn't until Thursday when I finally had to leave my cocoon of safety, that I fully realized that it has truly become a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

My quest was to head to the Hawthorne Community Clinic in Kincardine, pick up a requisition form and have blood work done, followed by a brief stop at the grocery store for some items.

Well, I'm not sure if you've been to the Kincardine hospital or adjacent medical clinic since the arrival of COVID-19, but there have been some major changes, and they haven't translated too well in a press release.

For starters, I pulled up to the entrance of the main parking lot and a friendly staff member greeted me and asked where I was headed, and then waved me through to the medical clinic. I parked beside the regular entrance, at the west end of the building, and walked up. But, to my surprise, that entrance says “No admittance,” and I'm to follow the clinic and pharmacy signs.

Okay then, back in the van and I headed to the pharmacy parking on the first floor, but you can't get there from here – it's blocked with pylons and caution tape. So, I parked in the main parking lot which looked more like an obstacle course, with a plethora of pylons and caution tape everywhere, indicating pharmacy and clinic parking in one direction, and the COVID-19 assessment centre drive-thru in the other direction.

I walked to the pharmacy door which is also marked “No admittance” - apparently, the main door, located on the south end, is the only entrance.

So, I clambered up the hill to that entrance and was greeted by another friendly staff member who went through a list of questions regarding COVID-19 to ensure I was neither infected nor a possible carrier. When she asked if I had shortness of breath, I laughed and said, “Not until I had to climb up that hill!”

I picked up the requisition form, had the blood work done and left.

On to Country Depot to pick up some items, and as I walked toward the store, I was stopped by a staff member and asked what I needed. The items were placed in my van, I paid by credit card at the door, and was on my way.

At the grocery store, I picked up what I needed, stood six-feet away from everyone else, including a good distance from the till while still in line. The cashier called me up from behind her plastic shield, and I paid for groceries with a credit card, and was on my way again.

As I drove down Queen Street, Kincardine, just about every building had a "closed" sign on it.

These are, indeed, strange times. However, these are still our friends and neighbours and despite the stress of the extra work and hassle because of COVID-19, everyone I encountered was friendly and caring, warm and welcoming.

So, follow the public health directions, do what you need to do, use whatever essential services you must, and then go home and wash your hands. And thank all those on the front-line who are ensuring what you need is still available to you.