I finally went for a physical. I hadn’t gone in almost two years and since there was a bit of a break in COVID-19 in the state of New York, I decided to go. I made an appointment and didn’t know what to expect.
When I went to the dentist during this pandemic, I was told to wait in my car until the doctor was ready for me.
Waiting in the Waiting Room
I didn’t have to wait in my car. But, I waited in the waiting room with at least a half dozen other people. Seats weren’t blocked off and I just prayed that no one would sit near me.
After about 20 minutes, at which point I debated if I should leave, I was called into a room. The nurse followed me in. I looked around and saw that the garbage was filled up to the top.
Had the rooms been cleaned?
I asked the nurse questions but she was distracted. I don’t think she heard a thing I said. I asked her about the room and if they clean in-between visits. She told me they wipe it down with a Clorox wipe. “But, the garbage doesn’t look like it was emptied all day,” I said.
“Oh, they take it out at night, every night,” she said.
Meanwhile, all I’m thinking about is “COVID…” Now, I’m getting worried and stressed. As I waited for the doctor to come in I got more and more nervous.
The doctor finally came in…
I waited for the doctor to come in and looked around. The room didn’t feel clean. I didn’t want to touch anything. When the doc finally came in after another 20-minute wait, she said, “I am more scared of you than you should be scared of me. I get COVID tests daily,” she said.
We discussed the pandemic for a moment and then she said, “you sound congested.” But, never addressed it. I told her that my face had a strange numbness and my legs got numb at night which woke me up but she didn’t seem to care.
I was surprised she didn’t look in my nose or mouth. Not sure if it was because of COVID or if this was a new procedure.
When I asked for the pneumonia shot, she said that my insurance didn’t cover it until I’m 65. I said, “I’m willing to pay, especially now with COVID and me having asthma.”
She gave me my flu shot in one arm and pneumonia shot in the other and told me that pneumonia shot would last five years. Then, she sent me on my way.
Hmmm… should I get a new doctor or are they all like that? The filthy office really “freaked” me out!
