Covid-19 and its resulting isolation often compromise socially accepted habits. The pandemic imposed one subtle but embarrassing behavioral change on me.
I work from my small, two-bedroom apartment with three cats for companions. Computer terminals, a hard drive and ancillary equipment comprise my “office.”
I help answer emails, chats and phone calls from trade association members. Availability is essential to my work. So breaks, lunch and quick bathroom breakaways are built into my workday schedule.
My bathroom is about 11 quick steps from my desk in the spare bedroom. After each visit, I flush, wash my hands and splash water across my face. Then I hurry back to the frenzied queue.
So I often spend workdays with my pants unzipped. Worse, the “open flap” goes with me on personal and weekend excursions. I often don’t notice the potential exposure until I get ready for bed.
It’s possible nobody’s noticed. And nothing has yet dangled in eyesight. It’s just a bad habit created by the virus’ impact, one I need to break.
But my pride, my self-image, sure take a beating.
Second of three parts. The first: “Homeward bound” and “Color my world.”
