Covid, Animal Clinic, and Kindness
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Recently, I was in Dallas visiting family and friends, and on the day I was to return to San Antonio, I started to feel a bit unwell. It was a Saturday afternoon, and my flight home was the next day, so I thought I might give it a couple of days to see if it would go away.
I developed a runny nose and a slight cough, so it was natural to think that perhaps I had Covid. I am regular with the Covid vaccinations, getting one each year with the flu. However, I am aware there are several variants out there, and the vaccine is not 100% protection.
So … on Saturday evening, I went to the Walgreens website and scheduled a Covid test for Sunday morning in the D/FW area. I was informed the test would cost $24, and the results would be available in less than 2 hours.
Walgreens
The next morning, I arrived early at the 10:30 am Covid test appointment, and after some paperwork, the swab in the nose thing was administered (no fun!), and I was told by the health technician my exam results would be sent via email.
About 60 minutes later, I received the email …
Positive!
Now … I had to get my thinking cap on because I needed a mask before boarding my short flight home. I went to CVS, but they only sold masks in large quantities, and it would cost me $30. We have plenty of masks at home, so I just needed a single mask for the flight.
I decided to go through the drive-thru of the Walgreens where I tested and ask for a single mask …
“Sir, I tested positive for Covid here this morning. Can you spare a mask? I don’t mind paying for it?”
He said, “Sorry, sir, we don’t have single masks to sell here.”
Urgent Care
I did a search on Waze for urgent care locations near me, and I found one that was only 0.8 miles away.
I entered the facility, and it looked a bit weird, but I was interested in getting a mask, and the boarding time for my Southwest Airlines flight was quickly approaching.
After a minute or so, a young lady came to greet me, and I kept my distance. I informed her I tested positive for Covid, and I wanted to see if she had a mask I could take with me.
She nodded her head and said she would check. In little time, she walked back to me and provided a KN95 mask.
“Sir … you can have this one … no need to pay for it.”
As I put it on, I said …
“I know this is an urgent care center, and I don’t mind seeing a provider here, but I am in a hurry for my flight.”
With a bit of a confused look, she responded …
“Sir … the only problem with that is we are an animal clinic.”
Oh! I thanked her for the mask, and I sheepishly exited the animal clinic urgent care facility.
Takeaway
From this experience, I learned that kindness can be found in places one would least expect.
The young lady who provided the mask did not hesitate to help me even though I did not bring a pet.
On this Sunday morning, she led with her heart, and she ensured I kept the Covid infection to myself.
See you next week, my friends!
Inspiring Quotes
“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams
Homework Inquiry
During the next week, here’s your homework inquiry: How will you be intentional about showing kindness?
I use this opportunity to share with you a unique story and a couple inspiring quotes. Oh ... as a professor at heart, you guessed it, I have a homework inquiry for you. This is a powerful question that might just trigger you to take action on something that really matters in your life. If you feel the Catalyst Newsletter brings benefit to you.