Similar to many others across the nation, some of our dedicated journalists and photo-journalists here in Wyoming lost their jobs over the past few weeks. As part of my campaign’s effort to help our community (participating in #curbside purchasing, delivering groceries, and donating supplies to the Wind River Reservation), and because our artistic designer hates my current headshots, I reached out to laid off Nadav S. We scheduled to meet at Vedauwoo late afternoon for a shoot. The makeshift parking lot (the real one was blocked with snow and the gates are locked) was full of vehicles with Colorado license plates! Of-course, Colorado is under statewide stay-at-home order so Wyoming offers a relief for our neighbors to the south. Nevermind that our governor repeatedly asks them not to come…..
After the shoot and as the sun was starting to set, the dogs and I went for a walk. A windy but beautiful evening. We got back to the car and “loaded up” I started gagging….Chilkoot is covered in fresh human excrement….a string of vile curse words in Arabic (this rich language also has some of the best curse words in the world). Where did he find it? Why would anyone do this? What’s wrong with the restrooms? Oh, they are closed because of COVID19. Oh NO! the virus is shed in feces and diarrhea is one of the symptoms. Why can’t those Coloradoans just stay where they belong!
Drove down the hill back to town with open windows, watching in horror as Chilkoot rested his dirty chin on the rear seat. Forced him straight into the bathtub, put on gloves and washed him. Oh NO! He just shook – of course that’s what wet dogs do (a new string of curse words). What’s the right order to decontaminate the bathroom and myself? Checked advice from health professionals online – Yikes! I just contaminated my iPad. OK, slow down and follow the steps. I can’t imagine what our healthcare and other essential workers are going through. Will we ever be able to thank them enough?
Now that Chilkoot was clean, I threw him outside. The temperatures dropped below freezing – he was going to be cold. Good! That may kill any viruses that I didn’t get off his coat (assuming there were viruses there in the first place). Chilkoot started howling (huskies are super drama-queens if you didn’t know). I needed to call the neighbor to tell him not to pet the dog. Oh NO! Now my phone got contaminated – Arabic again (and a few more in English for good measure). Quick! clean it too.
Next were the carpets, walls and floors. I had to use bleach. Would that discolor the carpets? At this point I really didn’t cares? Hey, it actually made them look cleaner. By the time I was done it was well past midnight and freezing outside; I couldn’t clean the car until the following day. That was just fine. So. I let Chilkoot, took a third shower, threw everything in the washer and collapsed! Are we virus free? I sure hope so! We just have to wait and see.
PS it has been nearly 2 weeks now so I think we’re safe.
And still in the running for US Senate: www.BenDavid2020.com Please donate if you can: www.actblue.com/donate/bendavid2020