Not going to lie: I was pretty anxious about going to BreyerFest. The thought of all those people crammed into all those tight spaces at a time when Covid numbers were spiking seemed like a recipe for a super spreader. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a part of it.
Then - entirely by happenstance - I found myself listening to a story on NPR about what to do if you got Covid while traveling. It was mostly logistics - how to find care, return your rental car and deal with hotel staff. At the end, the interviewer asked if maybe we should just not travel during a pandemic. The speaker said, no. This is life now. Get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in crowded places, but go on with your life. Literally, it might be like this forever.
That resonated with me. I realized that I am not willing to put my life on hold forever. I got on the plane and flew to Chicago.
I was pretty good about wearing a mask inside.
Not perfect.
Clearly not perfect.
As it turned out, my concerns were warranted. BreyerFest was a super spreader. For solidly a week, my Facebook feed was filled with pictures of my friends' positive Covid tests.
I didn't get it. I don't know how. I was right there in the middle of it, but somehow, I didn't get it.
Unfortunately, I did get a rip roaring case of Con Crud, which turned into a really nasty and persistent ear infection. I am pretty sure all my friends who got Covid have completely recovered. Meanwhile, I spent my morning at the ENT.
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| No one wants to see a picture of my nasty ear so here's cute Olive |
It's been a painful, frustrating and expensive experience, and I've spent a lot of time thinking about whether or not it was worth it.
Let me tell you: It's not even a close call.
I'm pretty sure most all of my friends would agree.
This was a fabulous, much needed BreyerFest. Despite everything, I would not change a thing.
