It’s been a long journey for all of us, the Covid pandemic. There have been its darkest days, periods where it seemed to be losing its punch, and then the appearance of variants and a roller coaster ride of case numbers. Until this point, I’ve been able to dodge the Covid bullet, but many will say it’s something we’ll all contract at some point.
My wife tested positive for Covid this past Tuesday. She had tested herself on Saturday evening when she wasn’t feeling well and got a negative result. Tuesday’s test, which she took after continuing symptoms, was positive. Even though I didn’t have any noticeable symptoms, I thought it best to do a rapid, at-home test and got a negative test result. We socially distanced from each other as much as we were able to, but I figured I would eventually come down with the virus as well.
Since last Tuesday, I’ve taken for rapid, at-home tests and have also taken two PCR tests offered by the local health department, all with negative results. I’ve had a really sore throat over the past several days and actually thought I’d contracted Covid, but according to all six test results, such is not the case. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the coming week. My wife tested herself this morning and now is virus free, so that’s also helpful.
During the coming week, I have quite a few commitments and appointments to work with, so I have had to come up with some alternate strategies should I contract the virus. I deliver Meals on Wheels on Monday morning and will take a rapid test before heading out for deliveries. I have an appointment to get my car worked on Tuesday and will likely drop my car off to have the work done. Wednesday I have a doctor’s appointment and if I haven’t tested positive by that point, I’ll have him check to see if I perhaps have strep throat or something else causing the throat pain. I also have a therapist appointment on Wednesday and will call him to see if it’s still okay for me to keep that session given the past week’s events.
Covid has definitely caused us all to make changes in the way we live our lives. Even though I’ve not contracted the virus, it has caused a lot of changes in my perspective on the importance of taking care of myself. I think we’ll likely see a rise in case numbers when school goes back in session in two weeks and I do have an interim assignment for the first eight weeks of the school year. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to steer clear of contracting the virus and take the necessary precautions, but am excited about being back in the classroom again.
David Lee
David Lee 