Thursday, June 18, 2020

It's Okay to Feel Uncomfortable {SOS: Magic In a Blog}

I don't feel comfortable yet.  I want to say yes and needed to do some research.  I volunteer at our local zoo.  It's a 1.63 mile bike ride downhill there and yes 1.63 mile bike ride uphill coming home.  Volunteers and employees got to visit for two days before they opened to the public.  I went each day with a different daughter.  It was so fun to see the new babies that were born since COVID started; gorilla, gibbons, kangaroo, cheetah, and penguin.  We missed the baby polar bear both days.  While we were there everyone was wearing masks.  Social distancing was being followed.  Everyone there is emotionally connected to the zoo and represent this organization either through employment or volunteering.  It was really joyful to walk outside, spend time with a daughter and do something familiar.  I anticipated volunteering and wanted to do some more research.  

Right now you have to "register" as a member or buy tickets on line as a guest with a timed entrance stamp to help with social distancing and attendance.  Typically the zoo can see 15,000 to 20,000 people in a day and right now the cap is just above 6,000.  It's been tricky to get tickets, there are happy members to be back visiting.  We went yesterday at dinner time, the crowd was less than earlier in the day.  Our first mission was to see the new baby polar bear and he's adorable!  Our second mission was to see what it felt like the public there.  I was shocked at how many visitors weren't wearing masks.  I know everyone has their own opinions on the mask wearing situation and as you visit the zoo you can hear audio guidelines for your visit.  "Wearing masks is encouraged during your stay."  Social distancing was also a bit tricky in spots; six feet is the length of height of a red kangaroo.  I realize seeing a baby polar bear splashing in the water with his mama draws people closer.  I waited back until others were done while others got excited and that red kangaroo shrunk in height.

I visited one of my volunteering spots and just decided I wasn't comfortable with the decisions of others enough to volunteer.  The zoo realizes this and is so supportive and understanding.  I appreciate them accepting the uncomfortable feelings I have.

Join me as I share my story with


6 comments:

  1. Tough decisions to make. I'm glad you got to visit the zoo with both daughters and see so many of the new animals. And I'm relieved that the zoo is supportive and understanding of your decision. The decisions of others impact all of us, don't they?

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  2. You made an educated decision not one based on a whim. Volunteering when worried you wouldn't be able to give your full focus to your tasks. I hope the situation in US eases. In Estonia we are back to rather normal.

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  3. What a visit to see the new babies born while the zoo was closed! That polar bear is incredibly cute! You are so smart to be cautious about returning to volunteering. I am so disappointed in people at the grocery store not wearing masks and not following the one way signs of the aisles. Stay safe and healthy my friend!

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  4. Mandy, you have to do what is right for you and what you feel comfortable with doing. You did your research. You made your decision. All of it is okay -- and you were still able to visit the zoo the way you feel comfortable. We all have to live with this virus, but we will choose to do so differently. I think it is still better to be on the safe side. :)

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  5. Mandy, I'm so happy that you keep writing. I felt like I joined you on the zoo visit and I'm happy you finally saw the baby polar bear. Your post made me want to see more, so I checked out the website and then searched for a polar bear cam. I didn't find out, but I did see the YouTube video from the zoo of the polar bear cub learning to swim. So sweet!

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  6. I'm sorry you weren't able to volunteer, but I lean to the safe side too and just want everyone to be safe! I'm glad you could enjoy the zoo anyway.

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