Need some words of advice

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I am scheduled to report at 9 AM tomorrow to district court (1 1/2 hr from my home) for jury duty. Called after 5 PM on Fri for specific details as directed. They also don't take no for an answer unless you died.

MY problem is yesterday I came down with Pink Eye in my right eye and today in my left eye. Do I show up with my swollen eyes so they will believe that I'm not making it up,(have to leave home at 7 AM because of traffic), or wait until 9 AM and get some flunky on the phone who will give me bad advice? I plan on calling my ophthomologist for an emergency app't tomorrow. In either case they will probably reschedule me for jury duty a later time, which I certainly don't want.

I even considered going to my local police dep't in the AM and have them call so I don't get law enforcement siced (sicked?) on me.

I need some advice.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Conjunctivitus is contagious.
I'd call to advise and then follow-up with a Dr's note.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Yeah, just call them. Even tho you're telling the truth, they won't believe you, but it doesn't matter. They'll just schedule you for another time. No reason to knock yourself out.

When you go to the doctor's, don't forget to get a note.

Hope you feel better!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Really? I would go and show them my incredible devotion to my civic duty. Then just go through the day looking disgusting and contagious. You won't get selected for a jury, and you'll be done with jury duty!

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

It depends on the type of conjunctivits you have. There are 3 : viral, bacterial and allergic. The real "gooey/gauzey" type is the contagious one and the one we treat with Erythromycin ointment. We treat bacterial and viral (in case of a secondary infection) with this, but allergic is usually OTC or Rx'd allergen eye drops.

Sometimes and only sometimes, a good boric acid solution (found in better pharmacies) eye wash can help reduce the bacteria count and lets the body fight the infection. I only advise this in cases of not being able to get to your clinician.
I never chance eye infections and always cover my pts. with Erythro if indicated.


B

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Report to the court and bring some type of doctor's statement. Maybe you can a visit a hospital emergency room or some type of medicare care center and pick-up a medical statement.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Don't know the rules of your jury duty. Where I live, you can easily reschedule to another date to serve. Check your notice and see if you have that option.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

It depends on the type of conjunctivits you have. There are 3 : viral, bacterial and allergic. The real "gooey/gauzey" type is the contagious one and the one we treat with Erythromycin ointment. We treat bacterial and viral with this, but allergic is usually OTC or Rx'd allergen eye drops.

Sometimes and only sometimes, a good boric acid solution (found in better pharmacies) eye wash can help reduce the bacteria count and lets the body fight the infection. I only advise this in cases of not being able to get to your clinician.
I never chance eye infections and always cover my pts. with Erythro if indicated.


B

I did not know there were 3 types, Had heard boric acid might help. I used to get it all the time when I worked, The place was dirty and I used to get it twice a year. I went to the Docs once got the eye drops and that would last for a year.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Actually, there are more than 3, but the three make up the vast majority of cases.

Conjunctivitis: Bacterial, Viral, Allergic and Other Types - AllAboutVision.com

OTC: Bausch & Lomb: Collyrium for Fresh Eyes, Eye Wash

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Here's the answer I posted on tug.

Since I was able to get some eye drops and some ointment, tomorrow (if I can see) I will go to court and hope they dismiss me without rescheduling me. I then hope to visit my ophthomologist as an emergency.

I didn't go to the ER today because I didn't want some doc who hasn't seen the inside of an eye since Medical school advising me.

I used the drops evey 2 hrs today, changed my pillowcase, threw out my mascara and lined up a stack of clean wash cloths. Hot compresses feel wonderful but I look like a wreck.
My lids are swollen, my face is red to the bottom of my nose and my conjunctiva are bright red. Maybe they won't even let me in the door tomorrow

I'll post when I get home tomorrow.

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

I would go. Wacky is right. Once they figure it out, they will let you go and you'll be done with it. Last time I did jury duty, once we got called to a courtroom, the judge asked anyone who had special circustances that might prevent them from serving on this particular trial to come up and talk with him privately. There was a long line of people waiting to speak with him. Everyone had a sob story. Yours is actually true and valid (unlike most of those people's!) I'm sure if you went up there looking pathetic and explaining the problem, he would gladly excuse you.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Greetings from Juror #10

Since I've been on eye medication since Saturday, I am no longer considered contageous.

Had to be there at 9 AM.. It is Federal Court. All 50 us sat there until 3:15, except for a 2 hr lunch break. We were not a happy bunch. What a waste of Federal tax dollars. 3 employees in the jury waiting room. One used computer and showed the outdated jury film. One passed out booklets that we could have picked up from the corner of the desk. One told us the layout of the courthpouse but was from Trenton, her 1st day here and didn't know the layout. She asked computer lady. They mainly shuffled papers and talked and joked with each other all day.

A group of 7 us ladies went to lunch together. Never exchanged names but had a great time . Laughed and bitched about our wasted day.

We were told that those who are not chosen for jury duty today, don't have to report until calling after 5 PM on Friday. Someone reminded computer lady that Friday is a holiday but she said the phones will be set up anyway.

At 3:15 we were all herded to the court room. The 3 lawyers, who 2 looked 15 and 1 looked 25, must have had a bad day too because they stood at attention with long grouchy faces. Made us feel like we were going to the firing squad.

After the judge gave us instructions and said the delay was his fault, they called 28 jurors. We were privileged to meet the defendant and told what the charges are. After the judged asked all his questions, and those who had exceptions raised their hands, about 10 wanted to be excused, having sent in their medical letters, etc.Most were called for a side bench at which time the judge, 3 lawyers and (can you believe?) the defendant got to hear all the excuses including the potential jurors medical reasons. That really surprised me that he is privy to their medical history.

Four jurors were excused and since it was 4:45PM the judge said for all 50 of us to return tomorrow and the new jurors will be chosen to replace the 4 excused ones.

There is no court this week Thurs or Fri but the judge said to plan on 3 or 4 weeks, but no one ever knows how long a trial will last. There goes the month of July.

Since I have a dental app't on Thurs, I guess I'll call my ophthmo and see if he can see me as an emergency (ha ha) on Thurs. Thank goodness I have med to tide me over. Most people thought that I have bad allergies because my eyes look pretty bad but I can see and I'm not contageous any more.

DH says the delay was probably because the lawyers were trying to settle out of court, couldn't do it so it goes to trial.

A security employee (who didn't do much more than the other 3) told me that we were delayed because of a "glitch". I think glitch is code for you got screwed..

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

You mean you got chosen??????

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

You're good, Wacky. I did. I never mentioned my eyes. Since I'm not contageous, I wasn't afraid of infecting anybody and since I wasted 1 day there already, I'd rather get it done now than be scheduled in the winter when it gets dark at 5 PM.

Besides, I'm very civic minded (cough, cough).

I drove 1 hr and took a train into Camden. Felt much more comfortable and now I know where the high speed line is.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Uggggghhh. I see your point about getting it over with now. I always wish I could just schedule it when it's convenient for me. Why don't they do it that way?