Empty Mall of America

Here's a lifetime experience: an empty Mall of America. No cars in the ramps; echoing, empty space overlooking a few American Red Cross volunteers who manage the blood donors in the mall's north lobby.

When we scheduled our donations, we were instructed to wear masks or we would be issued masks.  Volunteers guided me through the process:  show us your RapidPass reservation. Clean your hands. Now show us your donor card.  Oops, you touched your phone, time to sanitize hands again.

The staff were vigilant; they sanitized anything that touched me--the blood pressure cuff, the table that I leaned on, the chair I sat on.  And honestly?  I valued the opportunity to get out of the house on a legitimate, sanctioned trip and would happily go donate weekly if that was an option.