Can you do self-insemination at home ?
Every Friday, I treat my seven-year-old to a donut. It’s one of the many small joys we’ve embraced to navigate the challenges of the past year. She eagerly anticipates it, counting down the days, and I see it as a reward for enduring five days of virtual school, where she can’t interact with friends like before.
Last Wednesday, even though spring break had begun, she started the countdown: “Just two more days until my donut!” Even amidst other activities, she would ponder if she should get sprinkles.
So, on a sunny yet unexpectedly chilly Friday in April, we found ourselves in a long line at a donut shop. I opted for one a bit farther from home because it had a drive-thru, and I needed a reason to pass the time.
It had been a long week, and like many, I was feeling the weight of the pandemic: overwhelming fatigue, boredom, and a lingering sense of dread. This week, however, I was grappling with a new emotion.
On her last day before break, my daughter excitedly shared that her teacher was flying to California for vacation, and a classmate was going on a Disney cruise. Other families I know were also traveling; some to see relatives, others for leisure. Each day of her break, over a million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. Social media was flooded with images of friends exploring new places, hugging family, and enjoying life.
But I wasn’t vaccinated, and the CDC advised against travel until then, so we spent spring break at home. Our days revolved around the driveway, living room, and kitchen. Many local outdoor activities were fully booked due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the cold weather made them less appealing. I crammed work into the mornings while she indulged in YouTube, then we practiced bike riding, played spies with walkie-talkies, learned choreography from a music video, and concocted random treats inspired by various themes (one was a sleepover theme). It was fun, but after 13 months of being my child’s sole playmate, this week of enforced fun was exhausting.
I occasionally checked social media, consciously scrolling past posts of friends enjoying their vacations. When one post caught my eye, I took a deep breath, convincing myself they were likely vaccinated, though that was probably not true. I genuinely wanted them to enjoy their time off.
But that feeling was fleeting.
The drive-thru line at the donut shop seemed endless, and we waited for 25 minutes before it was our turn. When I finally reached the window, my daughter alarmingly exclaimed, “Mom, he’s not wearing a mask!” Surely, I thought she must be mistaken.
But no.
As I approached the drive-thru window, the young employee handed us her donut, smiled, and wished us a nice day—all without a mask. I was taken aback. It had been months since I had seen anyone’s teeth up close. Unsure how to react, I grabbed the donut bag, tossed it into the front seat, and told my daughter she couldn’t eat it.
I knew surface transmission was not a significant risk, and it was probably safe for her to enjoy the donut. But I was angry—confronted with an unmasked smile, I wanted her to understand that this was unacceptable.
We drove another 15 minutes back to our local donut shop, which doesn’t have a drive-thru, skillfully avoiding indoor diners to get her donut (sans sprinkles).
There’s been plenty to be upset about lately, and I’ve always been annoyed by those who disregard COVID guidelines. But at this point in the pandemic, anyone’s careless approach drives me mad. I’ve been brooding over that drive-thru experience for days.
I understand why people are tired of following guidelines—believe me. But we are so close to getting through this, and every unvaccinated individual who discards their mask, travels without quarantining, or hosts gatherings only prolongs the struggle for the rest of us. I want to partake in those activities too, but their actions mean I have to wait even longer. It feels like I’m stuck in that drive-thru line, watching others progress while I remain stagnant.
According to the New York Times, my area is currently at a “very high risk” for COVID-19 exposure, with hospitalizations rising by 42%, underscoring the need to avoid nonessential travel. In the five days of my child’s spring break, over 4,000 Americans lost their lives to COVID. And Michigan’s situation has been dire.
I reached out to others who are also striving to stay vigilant about COVID, and they share my intense frustration toward those who flout the rules. One unvaccinated parent, who also spent spring break at home, mentioned her co-workers flying to Jamaica and England. “Have you screamed lately?” she asked. When I told her my daughter was always around, she suggested I lock myself in the car for a good cry. “It’ll take a few attempts to let it go,” she assured me.
I’ll consider it. In the meantime, I hope everyone enjoyed their spring break. If you went somewhere fabulous and aren’t vaccinated, please refrain from telling me about it.
This experience highlights the importance of remaining cautious during these times. For more insights on navigating home insemination, check out this informative post on home insemination. If you’re looking for beauty tips, this beauty community offers great advice. Additionally, for those seeking resources on pregnancy and home insemination, Kindbody’s blog is an excellent choice.
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Summary:
A mother recounts her frustration during a drive-thru donut experience where she encountered an unmasked employee. While trying to create joyful moments for her child during pandemic restrictions, she grapples with feelings of rage toward those who disregard COVID guidelines. The post highlights the ongoing challenges of navigating social norms and safety during these uncertain times.