I went on a cruise. One of those giant party cruise ships out of Miami. Those who know me will be shocked by this news — huge buffets, crowded swimming pools and thousands of people on a floating island have never been my thing.
But this was a reunion cruise with my husband’s family. They are all wonderful people and it was great to be together for a few days far from work and other obligations. My husband’s siblings are getting older, but they are fearless about already planning for the next gathering in 2025. I’m caught up in their enthusiasm and looking forward to this next reunion — but, maybe someplace cooler and on a boat with fewer people?
My husband and I have been conscientious about avoiding crowds since the coronavirus pandemic began, carefully determining the risk ratio of various venues and events. We’d avoided colds, the flu and the dreaded COVID-19 infection.
Until the July cruise.
In retrospect, I guess we should have worn our masks.
We’re going to be fine, but had a few rough days, delaying our return to the office. I’m hopeful our stuffy heads aren’t apparent in the pages of this newspaper. Please forgive us if we’ve forgotten to dot an “i” or cross a “t.”
Only three of us from the family group of 14 tested positive on our return. We’ve struggled to ID the place or point of infection. It seems it wasn’t the main dining room, our trips ashore, or any of the shows. No one who visited the casino was infected. And we all took elevators and walked the decks. So where did we pick up the virus?
I have my suspicion and this too may shock those who know me — I blame it on the silent disco.
So there you go. Your neighborhood newspaper’s aging editor picked up a potentially deadly infectious disease on a crowded ship while wearing headphones and dancing to popular Latin music underneath a mirror ball.
Hey, I never said it wasn’t fun.
— Mary Kate Leming,
Editor
Replies