Someone Got Positive

Madam's family have thrown a party during holidays. This time, Madam didn't participate in the planning since she wanted to enjoy her rest days during holidays. I quite understand her position. She just doesn't need to rest from work but she also had to rest from her responsibilities as a daughter, an elder sister, a grandmother, a mother, and an Aunt. Since she got the highest respect in her family, she acts as the Matriarch and has the last word in all decisions that are to be made in the family.

Chinese have a deep application with their roles in the family. In my two years of working for them, I have observed and learned a lot of things. If you are elderly, you are obliged to be a good example to the youngsters and guide them to the right path. A wife should submit to her husband. If you marry the guy, you also marry into the family. You should gain their respect. Relationships are transparent to the whole clan. Problems are settled with the Matriarch. Respect and gratitude have a deeper meaning to them.

Alright, I'm going farther, so back in the planning. Since the one who organized the party is Madam's second son's family, we know nothing of who will attend and what are the foods to be served. We thought that they would just invite 2 to 3 guests from their extended family since the capacity of the dining area is only for 10 people. If they would invite more, they would fit but it will be a bit crowded and social distancing would not be followed. Madam had warned them about the situation at home and they just nod. We also just assumed that they got the hint.

Before the pandemic, it's already their tradition to gather here every Sunday and every other important occasion. The whole clan would be eating lunch regularly every Sunday, then lunch and dinner every Christmas and New Year. By saying a whole clan, just imagine how many people are a member of it. However, things have changed already when the pandemic started. Only Madam's family and the company drivers who can't go home to their hometowns are invited to eat here. It's not that we don't want to let them eat here, we are just being cautious with the spreading of a deadly virus that is still highly contagious up to now.

Well, the day came where it was to celebrate Christmas and New Year. On Christmas Eve, there were 13 people and 4 drivers who ate here. It was definitely crowded. It seems that they forgot what we have agreed. Of course, they would take off their masks while they eat. Then while eating, they were talking about anything and they were even laughing to their heart's content. Madam reminded them not to talk while eating from time to time but it can't be helped when her family members were a bunch of violators.

One of her brother-in-law who ate at the party was even sneezing at a table napkin in front of her since they ate at the same table. She saw that he didn't even wash his hands nor did he dispose properly of the table napkin where he sneezed. He just placed it there above his plate when he finished eating and placed his plates among the other used plates in the sink. He went to the bathroom but we didn't even hear the faucet open up to wash his hands. He didn't even bother to spray alcohol into his hands when he got out.

This kind of hygiene couldn't pass Madam's eyes. At the next party on New Year's Eve, Madam told her son not to invite him again. She just instructs him to tell them nicely, so they wouldn't get offended in any way. Then, on New Year's Eve, it was only her son's family and her two nephews, and her niece. It was a little less crowded then, and quieter than previously. Who would even talk back when she took lead in the conversation, then starts to lecture them one by one until the end of the party?

Just this morning, Madam was in a bad mood. Then, later on, we knew why. It's because her brother-in-law got positive with Covid-19. He was eating and even sneezing in front of her at the table last Christmas. Maybe, she is just worried about her health and the other members of the family who interact with him. Fortunately, not one of us is showing symptoms here. Well, we still can't be sure if we don't really get infected also since we all received a booster shot last December 29, 2021, and maybe we just have a higher immune system that's why the symptoms aren't manifesting yet. I'm hoping that we don't acquire the virus so far.

Proper hygiene and following the safety protocols are indeed the most important thing to consider to do at this time where there is still a pandemic. No matter how much you abide by the protocols if there are still violators, your efforts are still in vain. I can only hope that these violators would have some courtesy and discipline with themselves to consider the welfare of those around them. Anyway, kindly stay safe all the time. The positive cases of the Covid-19 virus are surging higher these days. We need to be extra cautious.

Thanks for reading!

• Images edited from Canva

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