Every Friday, I treat my seven-year-old to a donut. It’s one of those small joys we cling to as we navigate the challenges of the past year. She eagerly anticipates this tradition—counting down the days, in fact. I see it as a reward for surviving another week of pandemic schooling, where physical connection with her friends is off-limits.
Last Wednesday, despite being on spring break, she excitedly announced, “Only two more days until my donut!” Even while engaged in other activities, she would ponder whether to choose sprinkles or not.
So there we were on a chilly April afternoon, waiting in a long line at a donut shop I selected for its drive-thru option—an excuse to pass the time. It had been a draining week. Like many, I felt a mix of fatigue, boredom, and an overwhelming sense of dread. However, this week brought about a new wave of emotion.
On her last day at school, my daughter came home bubbling with excitement about her teacher traveling to California and her classmate going on a Disney cruise. Families I know were flying to visit relatives or simply to explore new places. During her spring break, over a million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints, and the images from places like Florida were hard to ignore.
Unvaccinated, I was following CDC guidelines and avoided travel, spending our break in the confines of our home—our driveway, living room, and kitchen. Unfortunately, many local outdoor activities were fully booked due to COVID capacity limits, and the cold weather didn’t make them appealing. I juggled work while she entertained herself with YouTube, then dedicated time to teach her bike riding, play spy games with walkie-talkies, and even recreate the choreography from the “Treat People with Kindness” video. We even engaged in a baking competition inspired by random themes, which ended with me cleaning up for half an hour.
While some of that sounds charming, after 13 months of being my daughter’s sole playmate, this week of mandated fun was exhausting. I limited my social media use, trying to scroll past images of friends enjoying vacations, hugging family, or gathering in groups. Each time I saw one, I took a deep breath and wished them well, convincing myself they were likely vaccinated, even though the odds were slim.
But that feeling of goodwill faded quickly.
For reasons unknown, the drive-thru line at the donut shop crawled at a snail’s pace, and after 25 minutes, it was finally our turn. As I approached the window, my daughter exclaimed from the backseat, “Mom, he’s not wearing a mask!” Surely, she was mistaken.
Nope.
As I reached the window, the young employee handed us her donut, beaming at us without a mask. My daughter was right—his face was fully exposed. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t seen a stranger’s smile in months! Unsure of how to react, I took the donut bag and quickly drove away, tossing it onto the front seat and telling my daughter she couldn’t eat it.
Logically, I knew that surfaces weren’t a primary transmission route, and the donut was likely safe. But I was furious—I had just been confronted by a smile I wasn’t prepared for, and I wanted to make sure she understood that it was unacceptable.
We then drove an additional 15 minutes to a local donut shop without a drive-thru, avoiding indoor diners to get her donut (sans sprinkles).
There’s been plenty to be angry about lately, and I’ve always found it frustrating when people disregard COVID regulations. But now, as we approach a turning point in the pandemic, anyone’s nonchalant attitude sends me into a rage. I’ve been simmering over that drive-thru incident for days.
I understand the temptation to ignore restrictions; I feel it too. But we are SO CLOSE to a resolution! Each unvaccinated person who discards their mask, travels without precaution, or invites friends over is extending this ordeal for everyone else. I yearn for those experiences as well, but their actions mean I have to wait even longer. It feels like I’m stuck in that drive-thru line, watching others move ahead while I remain in limbo.
According to the New York Times, my area is currently at a “very high risk” for COVID-19 exposure (hospitalizations are up 42%), prompting us to avoid nonessential travel. During my kid’s five days off, over 4,000 Americans lost their lives to COVID. And have you heard about Michigan?
I’ve spoken with others who are trying to stay committed to COVID precautions, and they share my intense frustration with rule-breakers. One unvaccinated parent who also stayed home during spring break mentioned coworkers who recently traveled to Jamaica and England. “Have you screamed recently?” she asked. I told her my daughter was always around, and she suggested locking myself in the car to vent. “You’ll need to do it a few times to fully let it go,” she advised.
I’ll consider it. Meanwhile, I hope everyone who traveled enjoyed their spring break. If you went somewhere fabulous and are unvaccinated, please spare me the details.
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Summary: A mother’s routine of treating her daughter to a donut each week turns sour when she encounters a maskless employee at a drive-thru. Struggling with feelings of frustration and isolation during the pandemic, she reflects on the challenges of following COVID-19 guidelines while others seem to disregard them. Her experience highlights the emotional toll of the ongoing crisis and the importance of maintaining safety measures for the greater good.
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