A county health nurse was at the station to administer COVID-19 tests to everyone at the station who saw or worked with Ken during the past week.
Dr. Max Straw was there at 6 to serve as a guest on the morning show then help or answer questions from staff as they arrived. His first stop was the newsroom where he found Pete.
“Pete, how are you feeling?”
“I’m OK, doc. I mean, I think I feel OK.”
“That's normal. I’ve not heard the results of Ken’s test yet, but from what I saw, it made sense to send him to the hospital.”
“Max, are you OK with being a live guest during our newscasts, then doing the live syndicated broadcast after 8 and a show at 11?”
“The show must go on, Pete. We’ll figure it out.”
Max tightened the straps on his mask as he passed Kathy James on her way to see Pete.
“Good Morning, Pete. Any word on Ken?”
“Dr. Straw told me there aren’t results, but he had symptoms. We’ll get our tests at 8.”
“OK. I see the cleaning crew was in overnight getting everything spic and span. Do you have a few minutes to talk about our games?”
“Oh yeah, that’s tonight. You and I are doing the Cadott – Roseville game.”
“Yes, we are. Dane Blaney’s had the magic touch with the Reds, but John Post has been downright magical for the Hornets. It should be interesting. I know you’re busy getting the news together – I'll send you notes in a few hours and we can chat about our game while Vicki and Coach Suter are on the air.”
“That’s good, Kathy. Thank you.”
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Ken’s eyes were blurry as he adjusted to the sun streaming in the window. He wondered if this was a weird dream and he might wake up.
“Good Morning, Ken.” Dr. Noel greeted his friend. “I just got your test results. You are positive, but so far, your symptoms are mild. We want to monitor you for a day or so, and if you stay the same or improve, we’ll send you home.”
Ken nodded and croaked, “Thanks, Dr. Noel.”
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The entire staff was at the station, but other than the people on air, the rest stayed in their cars until called for a test.
Pete and Kevin talked to Jeff, Max, and Kathy during an extended commercial break about Ken and what was next. Pete and Max then sat in separate studios to host the daily virus update while Kevin went out to update the rest of the team.
Kevin thought the staff had been taking the virus precautions seriously but noted uncertainty in their eyes. “Good Morning, everyone. Thanks for being here. First, we don’t anything about Ken other than he is in the hospital for observation after getting tested yesterday. You’ll be asked some questions and take the test shortly. You know what to do, remain isolated, wear a mask unless you are eating, and make notes about the people you’ve been around in the last week.”
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The first semi-final game in the WRSEries ended with the Ladysmith Slippers walking past the Denmark Shoes 5 – 3.
Kathy and Pete were pleased with how the game sounded. Pete thought if there were people in the audience who didn’t know better, they might believe it was a real game.
Pete was going to keep score and be the analyst while Kathy did the play by play.
He was happy with the job Kathy was doing. It’s not easy creating games when no one is playing, but she and Vicki pulled it off. Thanks to the Brewers getting the season started Friday night, the station had time to complete their virtual tournament with a championship game tomorrow. That is, he thought, if we have enough healthy people on staff to broadcast it.
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