Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Typhoid Mary...

Evocation of Butterflies
1911
Odilon Redon

This gorgeous painting has nothing to do with my post; I just love butterflies, and Odilon Redon is my favourite artist, so I wanted to share this with you.  I suppose you have been wondering (or perhaps you have not been wondering) where I have been for the past several days.  Well, I'll tell you.  Typhoid Mary came to work and spread a really nasty upper respiratory tract infection amongst all her co-workers, and I managed to catch it.  We work in an organization that actually gives seminars on how to wash hands and avoid infection.  We are told that if we are sick, to stay home.  Of course, Typhoid Mary shared her nasty little bug with us, coughing and hacking all over the office, and when we told her to go home she said, "Oh, but I have too much work to do..."  In the meantime, her colleagues were dropping like flies. Of course, it would never occur to Typhoid Mary to cover her mouth when she coughs or sneezes. Goodness, no...

The irony is, we are actually participating in a study, as we speak, that is going to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.  What is the study, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.  The study is how infections spread throughout a workplace.  We have to wear a little dog-tag, and it is being tracked by sensors in the ceilings throughout the buildings.  It shows the patterns of our movements, the folks with whom we are in contact, and so on.  I told the study guides the other day they don't need to gather research from the sensors, all they have to do is follow Typhoid Mary.  She is consistently the same person who brings infections into the office.

*cough*

In the meantime, I am sitting at home today, my chest covered with Vicks VapoRub and a warm towel, a box of Kleenex at one side, my bottle of Buckleys cough syrup (it tastes awful but it works) on the other side ~~ and watching the beautiful Monarch butterflies fluttering by outside my window. I'll be back to visit all my wonderful bloggy friends very soon, as soon as I have the energy.

*hacheeewww*

10 comments:

The Bug said...

Oh no! Hope you feel better soon!

P.S. When I was little Vicks Vap-o-rub was like crack to me. I used to sneak into my parents' bedroom & open the jar & just sniff away. No, I don't know why they kept it in the bedroom :)

Anonymous said...

Only one word fits, for this. And it's not proper.

Stupid people! What's the matter with the Supervisor? Why wasn't dummy sent h ome??????????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Leslie: said...

I sure hope it doesn't take you 3 months to get over this. It took me that long back in the winter! Stay warm and drink lots of clear fluids and REST! See you when you're out of quarantine...

PinkPanthress said...

*bleh* She doesn't cover her mouth? -That is so nasty! :S

Also, very ironic that your office is partaking in such a study when this Lady comes around & tries to kill you all on such a recurring base. ;)

Get well soon, dear.

Kimberly said...

Is that how you spell out a sneeze?

Pamela Kieffer said...

My Mom used turpentine and lard poultice, you know how long ago that was, before Vicks. Hope you are feeling better for the week-end.
Russell? What has happened to him. Last he wrote was about the storm.

DJan said...

Oh, I am so sorry to hear it! Isn't there always one Typhoid Mary in every office? I remember the one...

Which does make me wonder, is this why I haven't been sick even once since I retired? :-)

Nancy said...

Nothing worse than someone who believes the office will stop without them...

Anonymous said...

Maybe if you gave her a "Get Well at Home" card?

Cloudia said...

looks like a glimpse of Klimt!

Feel better, Jo



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