Jury Duty

I got a request to take a survey to see if I qualified for jury duty the other day.  I qualify.  But, this concerns me.  I am isolating at home.  Jury duty would put me in contact with people.  I could contract the virus which could kill me.  I am not sure that I want to risk death to serve on a jury.

I have been called for jury duty a few times.  The most recent was here in my county.  When I phoned in, they didn't need me to report, so I lucked out.  I have an exemption for a few years because I followed the process. Two other times in a different county I went down to the court house and waited out the cases which were largely settled out of court.  Once I was almost seated on a jury, but the last person picked was a couple of people ahead of me.

I don't dislike jury duty.  I think it is an important part of the process.  As it was explained to me, even being there and waiting to be called puts pressure on lawyers to try to settle before getting to the trial.  This is a good thing.  People can settle things in a civil way without killing or maiming each other to get revenge or justice.  I don't even mind sitting in the big rooms waiting to be called for a jury.  It is an exciting different world than the one I live in.

But, today my life has taken a different turn. I babysit the grandchildren, or will when the parents go back to work.  I am largely isolating.  I don't take trips to the fabric store or the art museum to entertain myself on weekends anymore.  I would like to replace some flowers and plants but haven't decided that it was worth it to go to the plant store.  I grocery shop very early in the morning once a week.

Jury trials are important.  It is my small part to play in democracy. If I am selected, I will have to go and serve.  But, these days in my isolation I feel that I am serving society.  By taking care of myself, I am not filling up a hospital bed or stressing my loved ones about how to take care of me.  I am waiting for the cure or the vaccine.  Patiently waiting.  If I am called to be on a jury, I will do that.  But, at this particular time and place, I hope that I am skipped.  I hope it is not my time to go.