Fire Alarm!

 

Have you ever been in a building when a fire alarm went off for no obvious reason - and they say it's not just a drill? I can't recall that I have - until today...

Today, in the early afternoon, I had a vaccination appointment booked at my primary health care centre downtown. It was a sunny and crisp autumn day, so I was able to walk there - a nice walk along the river. I arrived in good time; and as they now practice online booking (rather than just "drop in"), there was no long queue. My number to register at the reception desk came up almost immediately. But just as I opened my mouth to state what I was there for, and intending to show my ID - a noisy alarm went off... 

There was a second or two of general surprise and confusion... And then we were told that it was the fire alarm, and that it was not a planned fire drill. Everyone (both staff and patients) had to vacate the premises immediately, and go out into the street to await further info.

There was no sign or smell of fire or smoke in the reception area - but it's a large building with several floors. As the autumn vaccination period has just started, the waiting room was full of patients; but we all left rather unhurriedly. At first we just gathered just outside the entrance, feeling confused - but were then told that we had to go down to the street/sidewalk down below. 

Sirens were heard, and soon a fire engine arrived, but it drove round to the back of the building, so we could not see what went on from there. I also forgot to check the time, so I really have no trustworthy concept of how long we waited. Probably not as long as it seemed! But I suppose I wasn't the only one starting to wonder whether to stay or to just leave, and re-book an appointment for another day... But then, suddenly, we were told (without further explanation) that it was "OK"; and we could all go back in.

I also didn't have to sit very long in the waiting room before my name was called. I didn't check the time then either, but I think I probably got my jabs pretty much around the time when I was supposed to. 

For several years now I've had double vaccinations, against seasonal flu + covid. This year, they had changed the recommendations here a bit; and I found myself no longer "necessarily" recommended this year's covid jab at all - but instead, besides the flu one, one against pneumococci. So that's the two I got now (and both for free). (I can add the covid one later - but getting all three at once neither felt right for myself, nor was that recommended by the nurse.)

Back home (I walked back as well) I sat down in my TV chair with a cup of tea to watch an episode of a TV-series on Netflix... No doubt nodded off for a while... And when I woke up, that was with a suspicion that the ending I then had a glimpse of probably belonged to a different episode! ;) 

Remains to be seen if my reactions tomorrow go beyond feeling a bit sore around the injection places in both arms. (As I've never had the pneumococci one before, not quite sure what to expect.)  I have absolutely nothing "booked" for tomorrow though, so am free to take that day as it comes...