Stuck in a Covid-Testing Line: A Tale of Resilience and Desperation
by Lulwa Al Khalifa
American University
Lulwa is a first year Bahraini-American university student at American University in Washington DC (Class of 2025). She is a literature and political science double major who wishes for writing to be a big part of my future career.
Saturday fully booked. Sunday fully booked. Monday, terribly, fully booked. I needed an immediate COVID PCR test, but available testing seemed like a luxury only a few could attain. Until, lo and behold, we found the DC Mayor’s official website disclosing free testing sites around the city. It was a universal healthcare miracle. Or so we thought.
Sunday morning, my brother and I dashed to meet our Uber. The location would be a children’s school. The perfect place for the potential COVID affected to gather. Upon arrival, we found ourselves at the end of a testing line that stretched around an entire block. There were nearly a hundred of us. Our flight would be in two days. There was little to risk. We were left with two options: join the chain of the desperate or walk away potentially altering all winter break travel plans. We attached ourselves to the chain.
Immediately, this seemed like a bad idea. The weather was cold and the clouds smoky. Right behind us, a twenty-something man was having calls with multiple pharmacies seeking a way out. Patience was wilting, a virtue that proved to be too hard for some around us. He left; it had only been two minutes. After 10, however, I could not help but envy the twenty-something man’s choice. The cold quickly became hard to bear, it was all I could think about. All around us, people were shaking, but as the line of the desperate, we were all willing to persevere. Kids were hugging mothers, boyfriends hugging girlfriends, women hugging blankets. An hour in, the cold even weakened those who we deem strong. A well-built middle-aged man shouted, “My crotch hurts.”
Another hour in, I really envied the twenty-something man’s decision. It was 5 degrees but felt like zero. I have never felt colder. I would have paid a decent $500 to get tested right then and there. A few sought warmth inside the school while their companions saved their places in line. I admit, I too have sought refuge in the girl's bathroom while my brother saved my spot. A school employee caught a glimpse of this and immediately locked the doors. The last of us who managed to get in would ultimately face the cold again.
Now and then faint sneezes and close coughs would sound, the potential COVID affected could be near or far. I too could have been affected. No telling until 3-5 days. Despite the scares, there was an undoubted sense of unity between all of us, the desperate ones. It had been hours and we all managed to stay. Given lightning or tornado, there was no way we would go. That mentality changed, however, after hunger started creeping in. A Papa John's was the only restaurant in sight, and I have never craved cheap low-grade pizza more in my life.
With nothing much to do than eye those around me, I people watched. There were all types of people here. The one that laughs too loud, the one that complains too much; Finance bros, lawyer bros; Construction workers, bus drivers; The identical-looking family of 8, the lonesome Georgetown student. Even a duo of dancers. Every decision each one of us has made has brought us together at this moment in time, freezing our tails off.
The line was shaped like the body of a snake, stretching throughout the school's parking lot. The waiting became so bad that people started applauding those who finished like they'd just run a 5km marathon. It could be debatable which feat is more strenuous. Once we’d reached the head of the snake, we had about 10 minutes remaining. At this point, thoughts of burning hot showers were the only decent way to pass time and keep my mind off my numb body parts. Almost three hours had gone by, it seemed crazy. When you are stuck in a situation like this, time simply does not make sense. What I assumed were 10 minutes that had gone by turned out to be 40. I spent the next 10 after that convincing myself I was not a creep for spending that amount of time people-watching.
I rarely find myself in situations that are as physically demanding as this. I’m an 18-year-old who grew up in a desert climate in the Middle East where the only way to get from point A to point B was by car, forget exercise. Amid hot shower thoughts (not those kinds of thoughts), we had finally made it. We filled out forms as quickly as our numb fingers could write and got the test. It was an experience, and it was over. If patience were a god, she would be looking down on us with blessing eyes. I do not doubt that I am stronger than that twenty-something man.
Interview with the Author
1. What was your inspiration for this piece?
Everything I wrote about in my piece happened in real life. On that December day last year, my brother and I were frantic about finding a COVID testing site to be able to make our flight back home to Bahrain. That day, having to stay out in the blistering cold for hours with strangers, when we all could potentially have had the virus, was one that really tested our strength. When I was deciding on the topic, I couldn't have thought of another experience that highlighted the absurdity of the times we're currently living in. In this experience, I truly got to realize that this is a predicament we are all going through together. Facing the cold head-on, ignoring selfish desires to seek warmth, side by side with strangers who are all in the same boat as you; I mean, What an incredible real-life metaphor that helps describe the past couple of years. Being in that setting was also fascinating; Observing how the people around me tackled the situation was inspiring. From songs to dances to impromptu crowd waves, people really have a way of making tough times lighter. After that day, I knew this would be a fun story to reflect on these times.
2. What is your creative process? (How do you go about writing or creating?)
I usually start with an outline to help map my thoughts. But when I don't have much planned and just want to start writing, I will get on a word document and let my mind go without worrying about grammar or edits (these can always come when you're done getting all your thoughts typed out on the page). An important thing I always remember is that writing should be fun. As accomplished writer Jordan Peele says, "Follow the fun. If I'm not having fun, I'm doing it wrong."
3. What are some influences on your artistic process?
I enjoy writers who can take seemingly mundane experiences and turn them into a fun narrative with meanings that aren't easily decipherable. I think writers who beautifully puzzle together little details to tell fascinating stories master the art of writing. As they say, the devil is in the details, so I try to look for symbols or objects that can bring so much to a story.