General Discussion

I had to go in recently for some routine tests, and it was practically fortified. A large banner reading 'Heroes Work Here' was on the street side, with several small hand-lettered signs of thanks beneath it. At the sole entrance open I was quizzed on symptoms and my temperature taken before I could proceed any further inside. A large tent was in front of the emergency room entrance, to accommodate people arriving on gurneys for similar initial examination. My usual doctor, who had had to postpone our appointment for assessing my leukemia medication, I encountered passing the lab in the hallway. We spoke at a distance of four long strides, carefully maintained. I was glad to see him, I know he will be losing patients to this contagion. The air of siege in the place was palpable.