Its colds and flu season which means it is time for flu shots. It’s kind of, sort of mandatory in my workplace…kind of…sort of… I mean no one is forcing me to get a flu shot but if I choose to defer I get to wear a mask while in the workplace throughout colds and flu season…wear a mask for a 12 hour shift.

I know.

I can scarcely handle a mask for 10-30 minutes at a time in a patient’s isolation room. I seriously can’t breathe when I have to wear a mask. Of course there was that one time but it is amazing the super-human powers a mother develops for the sake of her babies. I can’t handle wearing a mask and I prefer protecting myself and my family from that which I am exposed to in a hospital so I get the flu shot…except I missed the cut-off time to get it done for free from Occupational Health at work. I missed the cut-off by a couple of hours. My fault, I know. But I still had no intention of having to wear a mask at work all winter long…when I am lucky enough to work. I could have gone to my doctor’s office and paid for the shot there…or…I could go to my local grocery store, pay for the shot and get this:

I went grocery shopping. After all the cupboards were very bare. Thirty bucks paid for the flu shot and I get a $35 added discount plus $90 more off in coupons I’d say I did pretty good this shopping expedition.

I’m protected.

I don’t have to wear that damn mask at work.

My family gets to eat for the next week or so.

It’s a win.