I got the call on Saturday, nothing serious, but food for thought.
“Mr. Campbell, we would like to book you for an appointment to be tested for COVID-19,”, or something like that.
It came about eight days after I had phoned an AHS number to let them know I had been in a High River convenience store that had shut down due to an employee having COVID-19.
Of course, High River, where I live, has been making headlines as a result of being a hot spot for COVID-19, due in part to an outbreak at the Cargill plant up the road.
Regardless of your opinion of Cargill, I can tell you it plays an important part in the Foothills community and its staff members are an integral part of bringing a positive energy to High River.
My thoughts are with them. I can also say, while on edge, High River is not panicked.
Anyway, I got the call and I dutifully got the drive-thru test at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex on Monday, despite the fact I don’t have any symptoms.
Piece of cake. I was greeted by a pair of masked volunteers, who were wearing kind of bunker suits, to tell me where to go and to have my Alberta Health card and driver’s licence ready.
I pulled up to a station and was greeted by a nurse, masked and in a gown to swab my throat.
She was glad she was garbed up once she saw my backseat. No fear of COVID-19, but she could get tetanus or some disease from the mess.
The whole ‘ordeal’ was painless and took less time than it did to find my ID.
Now, I am self-isolating, working from home until I get my test results back.
And like most of High River, concerned about the community I care about, but I’m not panicked, just aware.
High River will get through this.