Work on our major re-model has come to a halt. We had gotten somewhat close to the end. Initial paint has been done, plumbing fixtures are going in, the last of the tile has arrived and is ready to be set, and electricians have been installing ceiling cans, light fixtures, switches and dimmers, with ceiling fans arriving soon.
We received word that our talented tile team has had 3 come down with COVID. Return date unknown. The main guy, a wonderful man and quite talented, is the sickest. He is probably around 40 years old.
Remaining counter tops cannot be set as COVID has invaded the slab fabricator warehouse last week also.
Got the news today that the painter cannot return to stain our front door, paint the last arriving cabinets, and do final touch up as he has been stricken with COVID. Several members of his team have been affected. We have been bringing this hardworking team lunch every Friday as they are dependable, cheerful, talented, and just all around nice guys. The head painter, who is ill, had told me his 40 year old BIL died of COVID-no underlying conditions-so I’m imagining that he is terrified.
DH called another tile guy who had done work on our current home to see if he could come finish the job, and he just emailed saying he is “down with the flu” and unable to work.
What most of these guys have in common: many are Hispanic-usually from Mexico- live in close quarters/multigenerational homes, travel to work together, are often related by blood or marriage, so spend a lot of time together outside of work.
This is the community that has been hit very hard by COVID in the Dallas metroplex, as well as the African American population. I’m imagining that builders around the city are finding their own crews similarly affected. It’s heartbreaking and I’m afraid for them. Though they skew towards the young side, their access to quality healthcare is often lacking.
We had hoped to be finished well before Thanksgiving, but doubtful that happens. We started this project in late February, and we are very tired of dealing with it. But no doubt, our problems completely pale in comparison to what these families are going through. Praying that they all recover fully.
On a very selfish note, I am glad to say that neither DH nor I have been exposed to any of these guys in about 10-14 days, and all of us were always masked, as well as distanced by at least 10 feet at all times. I double mask and keep a bigger distance most of the time. Most of DH’s interactions occur outside, with masks and distance. Due to the scare I had in August, I had tended to come look at progress after everyone has left for the day. Aside from delivering lunch on Fridays, I had been keeping my interactions to a bare minimum.
This does reinforce the notion that you just cannot assume that any person with whom you are interacting is “safe.” You just never know what’s going on in that person’s life outside of your mutual dealings.
