They clearly know the game and they play it well.
They are there so often, and don't want to waste their drinking time.
but it was still scary and lonely.
When there is already high uncertainty and stress caused by the condition, then an unfamiliar environment and people, it is good to have someone there with a known face - even if they can't do anything.
Hopefully those days are past us now. Unless this bird flu thing goes south on us!