Emergency

This time I said it was an emergency. ’ I need to know the reason,’ the receptionist drawled. ’I have been to Mexico, got the flu and want to know if it is okay to go to work’, I explained nervously, ‘I am sure it is,’ he said with authority. I persisted and finally the doctor called at 11.00. I explained my predicament. He was non-plused and said it was just a flu. I protested again, ‘But it’s Mexico! Have you not heard the news?’ He confessed he hadn’t seen TV or a newspaper over the weekend, but would call the health authority and get back to me. He rang back in 10 minutes. He barked ‘Stay in the house. Don’t go out and use a different bathroom and towels than other members of your family!’ In half an hour he arrived on his bike, harassed and sweating. I opened the front door. He commanded me to get into the front room, ‘I don’t want to alarm the neighbours with my mask’.