Day 12 and still waiting for the verdict.

I had exhausted my paid time off after the first week of waiting, and although my employer – a community health clinic – informed me if my symptoms had resolved, it was up to me whether or not I returned to work, I opted to stay home to await my results so that I did not endanger our patients or my coworkers. How in the world was this even an option?! We were also informed that the nurses were prohibited from wearing masks unless working directly with someone suspected of having COVID-19.

After countless calls, I am still no closer to knowing whether or not I have/had COVID-19, so my family has stayed home. I volunteered to be laid off from my job. While healthcare providers world wide are struggling to hold on to their staff and hiring more nurses to meet the increased demand for care, my clinic was laying people off in order to save money. Sadly I was all too willing to be free of an organization that places so little importance on people’s well being; of both the staff and the patients.

The facility where I was tested now has a telephone line dedicated to providing test results. When I called three days ago I was directed to leave message. Today is Saturday. When I called again today, I was informed there is no line for patients to call, but that I would be contacted with the results. Fascinating. I have been told I would be contacted many times before but it’s been almost two weeks and I’m done being patient. The telephone operator explained they will resume contacting patients again on Monday.

So, they will not be contacting patients who may be positive for COVID-19 on the weekend because…? Interestingly enough, this morning I did receive a call from the ER accounting department regarding the bill for my ER visit, but the the COVID department is closed on the weekends. That makes no sense.

Even more intriguing is that politicians and actors receive their results in record time. I am a nurse and I cannot care for the ill because I need to wait two weeks for my results.

So I wait.