Queue Jumping

Getting old and losing my spelling.

Hey Siri, how do you spell QUEUE as in a lineup of people?

Queue: Q-U-E-U-E.

Hey Siri, what would I do without you to tell me how to spell QUEUE?

This should help you remember: first in line is the letter Q, followed by two polite Canadians each urging the other to go next: you-eh, you-eh.

Canadians, have you noticed that a year of pandemic has us acting a little out of character, a little less "you-eh" and a bit more "me first"? We have seen some of this at the global level sourcing vaccine internationally because we don't make it ourselves. Criticism came from both directions: according to some, we were pushing our way up the supply line while leaving developing countries without; and according to others, our leaders were not sufficiently aggressive in bargaining with producers on our behalf. We have also seen this within our borders, second guessing the priority categories established for rollout. Who goes first, the oldest, the physically frail, indigenous communities, front line workers, people in hot spots? 

Who would want the job of deciding? You can't please everybody. That is why I leave it to those  paid to make the decisions. That and the fact that they have the information and expertise to make the decisions. That and the fact that when doing triage there are no good options and I wouldn't want the blame for the inevitable deaths. I mean, if you vaccinate me because I am old, you may have  saved me for a few years more of loading the dishwasher and taking out the garbage, but you have left an important young grocery clerk at risk by not vaccinating him first. Then if you turn things around you have disrespected an elder. One choice is as bad as the other, and you approve or not depending on your personal affinities and circumstances.

I woke up full of dread and short of breath one morning. Getting older and losing my vocabulary.

Hey Siri, what do you call it when you forget to breathe?

Apnea.

Hey Siri, what would I do without you to remind me what to call it when I forget to breathe?

Just remember to breathe or you won't be calling it anything..