Some points to think about...

 As people begin to get used to COVID precautions and things opening up, our clients have been getting less patient and understanding.  I am finding myself spending more time on the phone listening to people's frustrations of the current situation (some of which involve that I'm running late, which happens when I have to spend more time listening to frustrations on the phone), but I digress.

The nature of a veterinarian and what we do is different from the grocery store clerk, a school teacher or even a human doctor.

Animals don't talk, they can't communicate.  This seems basic, but is something that clients don't always realize have repercussions.  If I'm examining your pet,  I need to touch your pet all over.  As much as I would prefer to wear gloves, it is difficult for me to do a full and thorough exam with gloves.  If I'm looking for a tiny bump or change in texture, it's hard to feel through gloves.  In order to restrain an animal, even if it's friendly and just wants to jump and say Hi, someone has to hold that animal very close to their body.  Sometimes, pet owners instinctively want to jump in and comfort their animal.  We often find ourselves as veterinarians and technicians getting way more in each other's personal space than we would allow anyone else.  Those are risks we have to deal with.  As coworkers, we are a team and we work to protect each other.

Risks we shouldn't have to deal with are the large number of people who don't wear masks appropriately.  Yes, a mask is supposed to cover your nose.  No, masks with respirators don't do anything to protect me from you.  No, please don't remove your mask every time you talk to me.  My limited exposure to clients has taught me that I really can't take chances.  People when they are emotional, either about their pet or life in general, don't think clearly.  They often don't make good choices.  I am responsible for making good choices.  The moment I have to put my family and my health at greater risk because of others choices is the moment I need to change my behavior and decisions.

No, I don't think masks should be mandated and I'm not getting into politics.  I'm just asking that if I'm working with you or your pet, you respect the fact that I do not want to get within 6 feet of you.  I'm asking that we respect each other.  While we all have different comfort zones, we need to respect each other.  So while I can't mandate people to wear masks appropriately and I can't mandate people to make good choices, I can say, "I do not want you in a small, enclosed room with an unpredictable animal with you."  While that might seem rude, it is unfortunately the people who don't make good choices who dictate the choices the rest of us have to make.

So please, I know it's hard to be separated from your fur-babies and waiting in the car is a pain, but consider that we all have families too and we are just trying to do our best.