I could have waited till today to undergo the nucleic acid test. But I do not feel regret about the two - hour waiting in a long queue. Instead, I find it rather rewarding.
I compliment myself for having got the courage to join a queue that stretched the entire length of a side street with its rear end at the head of the street on the opposite side. Seeing the line moving forward steadily at intervals gave me confidence in the service of the medical staff. I was also patient enough to chat with the woman in front, trying to pacify her and make her forget about her daughter- in- law, who was supposed to have joined her with the baby grandson by then.
While waiting in the small lobby, I appreciated the setting for the snaking queue with space for a few stools provided for the needy. I was also impressed by how the staff members went about their duties in the face of increasing pressure from the applicants who kept coming in.
Needless to say, what was going on in the big hall where the administration of the nucleic acid test was taking place was everything we hope for regarding speed and efficiency.
Yes, without the long wait, I would have just hurried past without bothering to observe the people involved in this mammoth operation. Most importantly, I would not have been convinced of my ability to endure the lengthy queuing time, which had been my greatest concern on account of my knee weakness.
Years later, I will still be able to recall with pride my experience of overcoming a rare challenge and of Macau's struggle to survive an uphill battle against the pandemic crisis.
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#7:25 - 9:25
