At the risk of sounding severely judgmental (even though this is not my intention), I am still going to pose the question, because I’m genuinely curious about the ‘why’? Why are people so selfish?

WHY are people continuing to bring their ENTIRE family along with them to a doctor’s appointment when they’re specifically told that this is not permitted during the appointment booking process?

Don’t get me wrong, I know that especially with pregnancy-related appointments some partners love to feel included. And of course, it’s lovely to have one’s spouse witness everything…. except, did you forget about the pandemic?

Can We Blame It On Baby Brain?

Baby brain is a real thing, could that be what caused many expectant mothers to accidentally forget the receptionist’s request and still bring along their partner and children to crowd an already full waiting room and create a situation where there aren’t enough seats for patients to sit on?

Seating was already reduced to promote social distancing and then when you introduce all these unexpected visitors to a waiting room who weren’t counted on being there, you really are causing a potential hazard for all involved – including your very own children.

These patients already knew that their family members wouldn’t be accepted into the appointment and didn’t attempt to have them walk together with them into the doctor’s office, so why have family members loiter in the waiting room at all?

Rebellious or Selfish?

Is it the thrill of breaking the rules? Being a rebel? Because these people can’t pretend they didn’t know especially when they would have their spouse and children walk away every single time a staff member would approach them.

I don’t doubt that these families underwent the same tests and questionnaires to gain access to the clinic as everyone else did, but if you’re going to ignore requests not to bring your entire family to an appointment with you, what’s there to say that you aren’t the type of person to give your loved one paracetamol to conceal a high fever – rendering the mandatory temperature check at the door completely useless.

What is it about breaking these safety regulations that is simply so thrilling to some?

Why, Just WHY?

I do feel empathy for the parents without any support person to leave their little ones with so that they can attend these pregnancy appointments alone. However, if your spouse is right there with you and your children and they’re capable of walking out of the clinic upon request, but then pop right back in when you give them the ‘all clear’ over the phone, what exactly is the purpose of what you’re doing? What are you trying to accomplish?

It feels like we’re on the cusp of a second wave of COVID-19 and very few people are actually taking the whole thing seriously- which is probably the cause of so many new clusters in the community to begin with.

How is it that appointments are suddenly a family affair? It simply doesn’t make any sense especially when you are given prior warning of the new appointment policies and procedures at the time of making the booking – added to this you have staff members requesting partners and children please wait outside.

You Are To Blame!

Why are we making it so unnecessarily challenging to keep the pandemic under control. Is it really that hard for each of us to do our part and to be considerate of others. I believe it’s exceedingly selfish to put essential workers as well as other patients at risk just because some people think they are above the rules that everyone else abides by.

Juggling kids and appointments is tricky at the best of times. Now when you add the new COVID-19 practices to the mix you’re looking at making an already difficult task even more challenging.

Kids usually don’t want to be waiting patiently for their own doctor’s appointments- let alone for their parents appointments. I know even I find the whole process incredibly boring so it’s somewhat of a blessing to be asked NOT to bring one’s children along to their appointment.

Keeping Safe

Let’s not lose sight of why these sometimes inconvenient regulations have been put in place. It’s not to ruin our plans nor are they a personal attack- we all have to comply with the changes in order to keep one another safe.

Think about it this way, especially in terms of antenatal appointments – you’re about to become a mother (again or for the first time), this means being capable of putting someone else’s life above your own wants and needs. Why not take this as the perfect opportunity to start practicing this unbelievably demanding skill and begin thinking of others!

Have you encountered any incidents/experiences where people have been selfish and not abiding by the COVID-19 precautions? Tell us in the comments below.