In partnership with the Humanities Truck Project, Eric Sheptock will offer regular reports and reflections on the impact that Covid-19 is having on those experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC.
I was previously led to believe I’d be leaving quarantine today. I just learned that I can’t leave for another 4 days. On 4/30 the nurse at the Unity Health Clinic told me that, since it had been at least 4 days since I’d come in contact with an infected acquaintance of mine, I’d likely be quarantined for 10 days — not the usual 2 weeks. I asked medical staff at the quarantine hotel about my release date yesterday and today. (I actually asked a couple times within my first 3 days here and explained then that I’d not seen the acquaintance since 4/25 or 26.) I was just told that they’re counting from my date of entry into quarantine on 4/30.
The nurse said that they can’t prove when I last saw that contact; and, that’s why they’re counting from 4/30. I said, “But there’d be proof of when he entered the hospital.” [SMDH] This affects my employment. I was hoping to work tomorrow. They refuse to give me a ($100) test if I honestly say that I feel fine. I wish I were a liar like 45. This hotel room is normally $216 per day — $3,024 for 2 weeks; but, I can’t get a $100 test while here. I’ll have to get a free test at 1 of DC’s several test sites when I leave — sites the company I work for has a contract with. Hmmm.