R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I accepted a full time teaching position, worked one week, and then took 3 weeks unpaid vacation.

A very odd way to begin a job, but the vacation was pre-arranged, and everything worked out well. In fact, I highly recommend this to anyone starting a new job! During our vacation in San Diego, Diane and I found ourselves one evening in the emergency room at UCSD hospital. We are both fine – it was pretty much a false alarm. Diane was Covid tested at the beginning, and near the end of the process, suggested that I ask for a Covid test as well.

And so I did. I told an ER nurse that I was there with my wife, and asked if I could be Covid tested. She responded, very politely, that “no, we just cannot do that. You’re essentially a walk-in, not even a patient, and we can’t pull ER staff to test you.” I replied that I understood, and I was asking because I’m a teacher, had some exposure during our vacation, and would be hesitant to enter a classroom when I return home without a test. She paused, and said “hold on, don’t leave, wait for me.”

She disappeared for at least 10 minutes, but eventually returned and said “I’m going to test you myself. Why don’t you come with me”. She brought me to the back, sat me down, and disappeared for another 5 minutes. During the 5 minutes, a second nurse came over, and said “I heard you are a teacher – I just wanted to say hi” Then, minutes later, from someone else, “Hey, I’m Doctor XXX. I heard you are a teacher”. I felt like a celebrity. The original nurse then appeared, tested me, and I got my negative results online 24 hours later.

They obviously wanted to help a teacher. I can’t tell you specifically why – I don’t know them. I do think there has been an outpouring of support for teachers, especially during Covid. Just as there deservedly is for our health care workers, and everyone else on the ‘front lines’ during this pandemic. But this truly has been tough on everyone. Kindness, support, and empathy during exceptionally challenging times – this is a choice we can make, and it’s an expression of the best in each of us.