Two things from 'Rona times

Two things. One is vastly more important than the other, but they share this post. 

Thing #1:

Today I went into two public bathrooms. In both, I had the same corona-induced experience. 

Now that we're not touching anything, I'm super careful to use a paper towel to open the bathroom door as I exit. In most places, the trash can has been moved next to the door so that the paper towel used for this purpose can be disposed of easily. It goes like this: 

1) wash hands thoroughly

2) use paper towel to open door

3) hold door open with foot

4) DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING

5) toss paper towel in the trash

6) exit

Today's complication (in TWO places) surrounds the use of trash cans that require you to step on the pedal at the bottom to open them. To be clear, I LOVE these types of trash cans as they do not require me to touch them to open them. They are great in non-corona times, but even better now. 

The problem becomes when you have to keep your foot on the untouched bathroom door in order to exit. Are you following me with the use of feet here, people?  

Today it went like this (twice):

1) wash hands thoroughly

2) use paper towel to open door 

3) hold door open with foot 

4) DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING

5) realize you need your other foot to open the trash can

6) mentally measure how far the door and trash can pedal are from each other to determine if you can actually do both

7) hold your hands out to steady yourself, make sure one foot is securely holding the door open 

8) attempt moderate splits to reach the trash can with foot #2, and toss the paper towel in the trash

9) DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING

10) remove yourself from splits position while still holding the door open with foot #1

10) exit the bathroom

11) see how many people were watching you acrobatically hold two separate things with your feet while throwing paper towels with perfect aim and trying not to fall down on the bathroom floor

Who knew going to the bathroom could be such an exercise in balance and flexibility!

Thing #2:

I listened to a couple of Brene Brown's podcasts today. In one of them, she made a statement that I said over and over again to myself to help me remember it exactly. I'm not sure it worked, but here's the gist of it: Shame is not an avenue for social change. 

Dear news, social media, friends and acquaintances and others, if you're publicly shaming someone because they don't agree with you then you are not working for change, you are being mean. So stop it. 

The end.