My advisor often reminds his students that we need to continue being careful regarding COVID. I appreciate his diligence and we see eye-to-eye on the matter. However, today I had to send an email that my roommate is 19 — a child with no sense of responsibility — and has no regard for others' welfare. She's gotten me sick. She isn't going to get tested, but now I have to get tested on Monday.
When he wants to go for a walk, he opens the front door and strolls out. I walk through a filthy hallway, through a door, down the stairs, and through another door. When my boss wants to do laundry, he just does it. I walk through a door, through a filthy hallway, through another door, down the stairs (this is where I would check my mailbox), through another door, another hallway, another door, and finally share five machines with over forty other residents. My boss has his groceries delivered to his door. I walk half a mile and carry them back. He has a car for going to work. I take the bus.
The two of us feel the same sense of responsibility: that our own actions and work effect larger trends. As far as 2020 being a trying time — this diligence is a form of patriotism. Putting the virus aside, the more level-headed people are, the faster the economy will recover. When someone suggests that I am not as responsible as my advisor, they do not recognize inherent class differences between our positions.
My roommate works at a daycare. She's still working — why aren't they requiring her to be tested? She's still going out to eat, bowling with friends, and attending large gatherings. This weekend she's letting a guy stay with her (does her boyfriend know) and I would be shocked that she didn't think to mention it to me, but I've established she has no regard for others' welfare. Apparently, she never learned to cover her cough. I've never seen her with a mask. Her cold tonic is one part Nyquil and one part vodka. Today, she dyed her hair and locked me out of the bathroom for two hours with no warning.
It's just like my car situation. Most graduate students don't have a roommate. It's a class difference.