They said to make a right at the soldier. We were in line to get Covid tests at the Ballpark in West Palm Beach. We weren’t symptomatic or anything. We were there because our family is all testing so we can hang out together at our home in NC. It was a good thing.

The process was very impressive. We got to the testing site before they opened and joined a line of cars parked on the side of the road waiting for the gates to let us in. It was still dark and all I could see were the red of the  tail lights in front of me. After an hour or less the cars began to inch forward. The sky was brightening and it was then that I saw military personnel in camouflage fatigues making order out of what could have been chaos.

There were hundreds of cars and a multitude of lanes that snaked you around till you got to the tent of swabbing. You showed them your barcode you received when you registered on line and waited for the shielded and gowned technician to collect a sample.

Eileen was the first one to say it. “Can you imagine if this were a food line and we were dependent on the box at the other end? Can you imagine if you weren’t feeling well and fearful of the results?” I felt profoundly that we are both lucky and we are blessed. You can read about the pandemic; you can watch on TV; you can listen to news radio and hear all day about the extent of this national tragedy and shame. But the experience of the line moved me immensely.

How sad that we have come to this and it isn’t even over. I know whom I think history will judge as responsible and I only hope that our President elect can move the needle and respond to the people and listen to the silent falling of their tears.

Meanwhile- thank you to those who put their lives at risk to keep us safe. As for me: FYI –  our rapid test was negative.