Went to the office today and ran into two office mates I haven’t seen since before covid. We went up to the roof to enjoy the views from the 17^th floor and played catch-up, relating what we’d been through in the past 1 year plus. It was good to see them again. Conversation also continued in comment threads in the document about how the company is being disrespectful to employees about the vaccine mandate. I also came to understand that the company is actually giving an ultimatum to employees: get vaxxed or get out. I completely disagree with that stance, especially since these teams—who are essential workers that have to do their jobs on site—have demonstrated for the past 17 months that they can do their jobs and comply with strict regulations to keep themselves and coworkers safe. It’s a little confusing, then, why this company mandate is applied so harshly and with equal force across sites, even though some sites should be treated differently than others. Of course that’s my opinion (and that of others who stand to lose their jobs if they continue to resist getting vaccinated). I was educated today about something I failed to understand. Regardless, I still stand firm that those who choose to not vax are obligated to take extra precautions to not spread covid, even if that means giving up being able to work in an office—but not to lose their jobs when those jobs can be performed from home. Or when they can’t be performed from home, prove that they can maintain safety protocols to protect others. That has been proved, so why the blanket mandate? I’m not in charge, so I can’t help them other than to have empathy for what they’re going through.

It’s Cycle to Work Day, but I drove instead (hybrid car) because I have to haul so much computer equipment to the office to do my job effectively. I shall endeavor to be better about cycling—it’s only 4 miles and mostly on a bike trail!

Had a nice chat with Mamacita tonight, who spent the day going through sewing materials in an effort to start a sewing circle at her residential facility, which my sister is organizing. She sounded excited about it, even though it’s a lot of work. This is the woman who was always a fabulous seamstress and made many of my clothes when I was growing—clothes that my friends were always jealous of! I loved wearing stuff Mamacita made for me. We’d spend an evening at the fabric store picking out a stylish pattern and the material. I can still here some of my classmates in high school, with envy, saying, “Did your mom make that? You’re so luck; wish my mom could sew!” Yep, I am lucky, and I wish I had saved some of those clothes she made, because you know, the ‘70s are stylish again, right?