Judgment Day.
Jules and I have nervously been awaiting this day where we get the phone call to tell us to go downstairs to hop aboard the COVID bus for our PCR test. If either of us tests positive, then we get shipped off to a government quarantine center for another 15 days. High stakes here.
We gathered our IDs and 500NT (18 USD) apiece, masked and gloved as mandated. It felt surreal and kind of wrong walking down the hallway towards the service elevator. We were so anxious as we waited for the charter bus turned mobile COVID testing unit to pull up. The bus makes its rounds every day to different quarantine hotels, testing guests 2-3 days before they’re due to leave quarantine. The convenience can’t be beat, but coming from the States, we were surprised we had to pay a fee. Since this PCR test is mandated by the government we got the low, low price of 500NT/person, but when we fly back to the States we’ll have to shell out 3500-5000NT apiece.
By the way, I’ve been doing recon on the COVID bus situation the past couple of days and realized that it’s only men who ever board the bus. Through our peephole peeping we’ve also noticed that both of our neighbors are men. Given that the majority of primary caretakers are moms, then I guess it makes sense since only crazy people would quarantine with their kids for 15 days.
After disinfecting our gloved hands with hand sanitizer, Jules stepped up first for his swab. I wasn’t allowed to photograph this memorable moment but judging by the look on his face I don’t think he would want it photo documented anyhow. This PCR test was probably Jules’ 11th one so far, and it was the first time I saw him shed tears. Mom, you’re next…gulp.
With my mask pulled down I patiently watched the swabber attempt to pull a pair of latex gloves over the latex gloves already on his hands. ??? He then commenced to perform a partial excerebration, which I assumed was a technique unique to ancient Egyptian embalmers. Through controlled breathing and flashes of cute baby animal Instagram videos I was able to Jedi mind trick myself and come out relatively unscathed.
We sprayed ourselves down with disinfectant as required and rode the service elevator back into lockdown. Now, the one to two day wait for the test results. Pray for us.
