Blood work

So this weird thing happened to me on Monday.

I needed some blood work done. There is this place not far from my house — a reputable looking place — that is not associated with a hospital, but does lab tests and was recommended by my doctor. I went there to have my cholesterol checked.

I walked in and noticed how small it was. There were just three chairs in the little waiting room, and a stack of six-month old magazines. At the window where you talk to the receptionist was an old, old couple looking confused and speaking to each other in an Eastern European language I couldn’t identify.

I stood in “line” behind them and looked through the receptionist’s window. Through it I saw a floor-to-clieling plastic curtain like contractors use to control dust when doing construction work. Taped to the curtain was a bright red sign that said, “WARNING – BIO-HAZARD!!!” It had that awesome logo with sharp talons poking a skull-like thing.

I pause. What should I do?

The receptionist came out. She was wearing a cardigan sweater over a dress and was using the lapel of the sweater to cover her mouth and filter her breathing. She looked like she was escaping from a fire.

“NO NO NO!” she told us, wagging her finger. “No blood today. Too dangerous for infection!!!”

Hmmm… I consider my options. I assumed the older couple is doing the same.

Then the door to the back area swings open and a man comes out. He’s almost yelling with excitement. “It’s OK! It’s OK! You may have your tests done. No problems! Everything is fine! Do you have your insurance card?!?”

I slowly backed out the door — literally pushed it open with the laptop bag I was carrying — and walked into the bright sunlight on the street. Through the glass door I could see the lopsided conversation in broken English and Estonian (maybe?) and I wondered, “Should I save them?”

Sadly, I did not. And even now I wonder if they made it out safely.

I’m off to a proper hospital… ​