Coronavirus On Set - You're Putting That Q-Tip Where?

The nurse practitioner pulled a ruler-length Q-Tip out of my nose. As she had warned, I would feel some discomfort. Done, I thought blinking away the tears. Then she said now for the other side.  I swallowed and tilted my head back. The show must go on, I thought.

Welcome to the new world of working on set. While the last commercial I shot was during the coronavirus, this one was the first since the official the entertainment unions, studios, and the Governor had come to agreement on shoot procedures during the coronavirus pandemic.

 The previous shoot had hand sanitizer, everyone wore a mask (that they brought from home), someone prepared and handed out food to us, and we kept our distance as best we could.

 

This time, before we could even step on the new set we had to have the lovely nasal-swab covid test. Then we had to read a 10-page document about the new covid-prevention measures; watch four videos on how to put on a mask, gloves, face shield, and how to wash your hands; and sign our lives away. Once we made it to set, they took everyone's temperature and asked us a half dozen questions about how we felt. They also provided us with N-95 masks and a brown paper bag. The bag was to place our mask inside when we were asked to remove them during filming. Then everyone participated in a safety meeting with an emphasis on covid-prevention measures.  A covid monitor routinely walked around the set to make sure everything looked good,  asked if everyone was OK, and offered hand sanitizer.

 

For crafty - i.e. water and snacks - a specific crew member stood there all day handing out whatever people asked for. In the past, people just took what they wanted.

 

For lunch, we were given bagged lunches that were actually pretty good.

 

Needless to say, I felt very safe on set. The crew respected all the restrictions and everyone seemed happy to be there.  

 

I look forward to working on my next set, although this one will require two separate days of covid testing - sorry, nose.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

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