During the first year of Covid lock downs, I was in the necessary position of having to tend to some business close to downtown Atlanta. Everyone living at that time remembers all too well the magical number 6 in regards to social distancing. Who will ever forget the many shapes and sizes of easily bypassed plexiglass which had been installed in order to protect society at large from possible contact with Covid particles. These potentially life threatening particles were very kind to observe our self imposed social distancing initiatives despite air turbulence from a variety of everyday, innocent causes. You know, like HVAC systems, swinging doors, people moving about, a gentle breeze from right outside…things of this nature. We had masks of all sorts. The single, cheap mask. The N95 mask. The double mask. Even the triple mask! We observed alternative ways to wear them. The “properly” worn mask. The mask over the mouth but not the nose. The mask covering the chin but not the mouth. The mask worn in the car….by someone totally alone….with the windows rolled up. Huh!
But I digress. Shame on me for venturing down a rabbit trail.
My long drive was finally reaching its conclusion. Alas after consuming a large cup of coffee I suddenly realized the need to take care of a more pressing type of business. The personal kind. My desperation grew in proportion to my bladder as I diligently sought out fast food restaurants. To my dismay in this area of Atlanta none were open for walk-ins, only drive-thru participants, who for whatever reason were particularly rude. Maybe they were late or perhaps emotionally triggered by the vast array of cars waiting to be served. So I then ventured to hotels of any sort. They have to be open, right? To my disappointment I discovered that their restrooms are for guests only. This due to the nationwide rages of Covid. Gas stations also were no longer allowing folks to use their facilities. Again this is Atlanta. Adjoining counties were not so uptight. What gives?
At this point my patience, which I have in abundance, had reached it’s breaking point, as well as, you know….things down there. Instinct from days long since past kicked in. With buildings encircling me and little options remaining, I drove to the rear of a fancy, not yet opened restaurant, one that had lots of nooks and crannies. I wasn’t even thinking about security cameras, nor did I care. I promptly concluded my business trying hard not to leave a mess. Although I did find it difficult to predict the direction the flow would travel. In large enough quantities, quite a distance I discovered. Watch where you step!
Sorry if you were expecting something more dramatic.
Jim