Just today, we had 185 new cases of COVID-19, but overall the numbers seem to be declining. Even though businesses are reopening, it’s scary. No one wants to be that first person to go to the Olive Garden. Nobody wants to catch it or spread it. Everyone is still fearful. I’m single, living alone in a big city. I’ve stayed home and stayed safe, just like local health officials recommended.
But something unexpected happened just a few days ago. My dryer broke. I had a whole load of wet towels in the washing machine, and when I placed them in the dryer and tried to turn the knob, the start button wouldn’t work. A little online sleuthing led me to believe the knob might be broken.
I’ve always tried to be an independent woman, but I admit that fixing a dryer is probably better left to a professional. You don’t see too many female appliance repair people.
The first thing the DIY websites said to do was check the knob — maybe it had cracked. If this were the problem, replacing the knob would be easy and inexpensive. I took it off and inspected it. It seemed okay.
Now the DIY site’s instructions got a little more complicated. Some commenters claimed my dryer probably needed a new timer start button. So I checked YouTube, and sure enough, there were plenty of videos showing how to replace a faulty start button.
They said to take the back panel off the control display. You need a Phillips head screwdriver. I have one.
I pulled the dryer away from the wall — I’d rather not talk about what it looked like back there. There was dust, lint, spider webs; the stuff nightmares are made of.
At this point, I was a bit nervous. Taking the back off the dryer seemed pretty daunting. Nevertheless, I had a dryer full of wet towels and no idea where the nearest laundromat was located or if it was even open. Is it even safe to go to a public space like a laundromat? I decided it was best to keep troubleshooting the dryer situation on my own.
I cautiously continued. First, it said to unplug the dryer: 220 volts of electricity will fry you. After unplugging the dryer, I took the screws out and removed the back of the display. There were black, red, and yellow wires everywhere.
You know those movies where the FBI agent is desperately trying to find the right two wires to cut before the timer runs out and the world explodes? That was me.
I watched another YouTube video showing how to replace this switch. It looks so easy online, but it’s not. I was overwhelmed, so I decided to search for a local appliance repair shop. But that brought up another issue: Is it safe to have an appliance repair person in your home during a pandemic?
I emailed a few friends and asked if they thought it was safe. No one had a definitive answer. I figured the risks were relatively low, but that didn’t mean there was no risk at all.
I was frustrated, and with a migraine coming on, I went to bed. I couldn’t look at the computer screen anymore; I couldn’t handle more dryer repair videos.
After a day of contemplation, I finally decided to try the repair myself. I went online and bought the replacement starter button. The switch was only $68, when I called the local appliance repair company, they quoted me at $250 to come out and install it. I’m a single woman living in a big, expensive city. That’s a lot of money.
My towels were still sitting soaking wet in the broken dryer. I removed them and tried hanging them up. This proved its own crazy hell. Does anyone actually have clothespins lying around anymore? And where would I hang them? They were those big fluffy towels from Kohls. Stringing them around my apartment, it took a couple of days to dry on their own.
Finally, the replacement part for my dryer arrived. I opened the box with trepidation. Luckily for me, it looked like the one from the YouTube video. I followed the instructions, using the DIY man’s tip for accurately connecting the wires. I took my time. I was methodical and careful. Finally, I placed the starter button back in the panel and gave it a twist to lock it in place.
I plugged it in and pushed it back against the wall. I was nervous. What if my hard work was for nothing, and the dryer still wouldn’t work?
I decided to make tea, first. I’m British on my father’s side, so I enjoy a nice hot cup of tea each afternoon. It always calms and relaxes me.
But during my tea time, the dryer was calling to me: “Come and turn me on! Just try! Don’t be afraid!”
I mustered my courage and went to the laundry room. I set the switch to 30 minutes and pushed the button. It worked! I was so excited and pleased with myself. Elated, like the first time I’d changed a flat tire all by myself.
I don’t know how much longer any of us will have to be in lockdown. Though some businesses are re-opening, in my city there are new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed each day. We must use common sense when going out into the world again. Yes, we all miss eating out, going to the park, and grabbing a coffee at Starbucks. But is it worth it to risk your life? Is it worth it to risk someone else’s life?
There are many comparisons to the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. During that pandemic, there was a second and a third wave. Those waves killed more people than the original outbreak. In October of 1918, 195,000 Americans died from the Spanish flu. Just as today, people got tired of being in lockdown. They wanted to go to the beach or get a haircut. It didn’t turn out well for many of them. But each of us must make our own choice about whether it’s safe and when we feel comfortable.I usually err on the side of caution.
For me, that time hasn’t come yet. I’d rather endure the stress and frustration of fixing the dryer than risking putting myself or others in danger.
