As If Having Cancer Isn’t Already Bad Enough
Canada, Copy Shop, Jerk, Ontario | Healthy | July 25, 2018
(We have universal health care in Canada, and the card in Ontario is called an OHIP card, although OHIP does not cover everything. I am booking in a copy order when the customer notices my silicone bracelet which has, “[Friend] beats cancer,” on it.)
Customer: “That’s not a cure for cancer.”
Me: “Um, no, that’s my friend’s nickname. She’s just selling these bracelets to help support her cancer, since she has to take time off work and stuff. It’s her second time with it.”
Customer: “She must not have applied for sick leave, then!”
Me: “Um, of course she did. You don’t get your full pay on sick leave.”
Customer: “Nope, only 50%.”
Me: “Right. Hence the bracelets.”
(I try to go back to booking in her order.)
Customer: “There are lots of things she can apply for, you know. Tell her to look stuff up and do her research! She’s not trying hard enough!”
Me: “Well, I’m not one to tell her what to do about her cancer, but I will support her this way, since that’s what she’s doing. Plus, she might have to get pills this time and pay for those.”
Customer: “No, that should be free.”
Me: “Um, no, she was under the impression these drugs weren’t covered by OHIP. I think it’s just because it’s not as serious as it was the first time she had it, so she is just supposed to be getting them from the pharmacy.”
Customer: “Oh, no, I never said it would be covered by OHIP. Drugs are rarely covered by OHIP unless it’s going to save your life—” *which I beg to differ* “—but her work benefits should cover them!”
Me: “Not all of it.”
Customer: “Well, it should cover most of it!”
Me: *irritated by this point* “It depends on the jobs people have and what kind of coverage it provides.”
Customer: “Well, I know all about it! Tell her to do some research!”
(Ugh, I wanted to smack her! I didn’t, of course!)
|