Every Friday, I treat my seven-year-old to a donut. It’s one of those small joys we cling to as we navigate the chaos of the past year. She eagerly anticipates it, counting down the days, and I keep this tradition alive to boost her spirits. It serves as a reward for completing another week of remote learning, where she can’t hug or even chat with her friends during lunch.
Last Wednesday, even during her spring break, the countdown began: “Just two more days until my donut!” In the midst of other activities, she would muse about whether to get sprinkles or not.
So, on a chilly but sunny Friday in April, we found ourselves waiting in a long line at a donut shop. I opted for one a bit further from home because it offered a drive-thru—perfect for killing some time after a long week. As everyone knows, the past year has felt endless, filled with fatigue, monotony, and a lingering sense of dread. Yet, this week introduced a new feeling I hadn’t encountered before.
On the last day of school before break, my daughter excitedly shared that her teacher was heading to California for spring break, and a classmate was embarking on a Disney cruise. Families I know were also traveling—some visiting relatives, others simply sightseeing. During her break, over a million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints daily. We’ve all seen the crowded scenes from Florida.
Unfortunately, I’m not vaccinated yet, and the CDC advises against travel until that changes, so we spent spring break in our driveway and living room. Many local outdoor activities were fully booked due to COVID restrictions, and the cold snap didn’t help matters. Instead, I crammed work into a few hours while my daughter watched YouTube, then dedicated my time to teaching her to ride a bike, playing spies with walkie-talkies, learning choreography from the “Treat People with Kindness” video, and competing in our homemade version of “Sugar Rush,” where we create random foods based on silly themes (sleepovers, anyone?). Of course, that meant a half-hour of cleanup for me.
While some of this may sound charming, after 13 months of being my child’s primary playmate, this week of enforced togetherness nearly pushed me over the edge. I limited my social media use to avoid the frustration of seeing friends in new places, sharing hugs, or posing in group shots. When one caught my eye, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that maybe they were vaccinated—though the odds seemed slim. Still, I was happy for them; they deserved a break.
That sentiment doesn’t last long.
For an inexplicable reason, the drive-thru line at the donut shop crawled along, and after 25 minutes, it was finally our turn. As I approached the window, my daughter exclaimed from the backseat, “Mom, he’s not wearing a mask!” Surely, she must be mistaken, I thought.
But no.
As I pulled up to the window, the young employee handed us the donut, flashed a smile, and wished us a great day. My daughter was correct: he was completely maskless. It wasn’t even hanging from his ear or pulled down. I was taken aback; it had been months since I’d seen a stranger’s face up close. Unsure of my next move, I grabbed the donut bag and sped off, tossing it into the front seat and telling my daughter she couldn’t eat it.
I know that surface transmission is unlikely, and she was probably safe to eat the donut. But I was furious—I felt violated by that toothy grin, and I wanted her to understand that it was unacceptable.
We drove another 15 minutes back to our local donut shop, which lacks a drive-thru, skillfully avoiding indoor diners, and finally got her a donut (sans sprinkles).
There’s been plenty to be upset about in recent months. People flouting COVID restrictions have always irked me, but at this stage in the pandemic, any casual attitude toward safety sends me into a complete rage. I’ve been stewing over that drive-thru incident for days.
I understand why some people are tired of following the guidelines—believe me. But we are SO CLOSE to overcoming this hurdle. SO CLOSE! Every unvaccinated individual who discards their mask, travels without quarantining, or invites friends over because they feel lonely is making it harder for the rest of us. I long to do those things as well; however, their actions mean I have to wait even longer. It feels like I’m stuck in that drive-thru line, watching others move ahead while I remain in the same frustrating spot.
According to the New York Times, my area has a “very high risk” of COVID-19 exposure, with hospitalizations up by 42%, indicating we should avoid nonessential travel. During my child’s five days off from school, over 4,000 Americans died from COVID. And have you heard about Michigan?
I spoke with others who are also trying to remain vigilant about COVID, and they share my intense frustration toward those who ignore the rules. One unvaccinated parent, who also stayed home during break, mentioned that some of her co-workers recently traveled to Jamaica and England. “Have you screamed recently?” she asked. When I mentioned my daughter was always around, she suggested I lock myself in the car for a good old-fashioned scream. “It may take a few times to let it out,” she added.
I’ll consider it. For now, I hope everyone had a delightful spring break. And if you traveled somewhere fantastic without being vaccinated, please spare me the details.
Summary
In this personal narrative, Jenna shares her frustrations stemming from a recent drive-thru experience at a donut shop while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite her attempts to create joyful moments for her daughter during spring break, Jenna feels anger and disappointment at the lax attitudes of others who disregard safety protocols. Reflecting on the emotional toll of the past year, she emphasizes the need for continued caution and solidarity as we inch closer to overcoming the pandemic.
Keyphrase
Drive-Thru Experience Frustration
Tags
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