Covid Positive

It was Saturday morning. A storm system was coming in, and I had my “typical” barometric-pressure- change headache. But...something seemed different about that headache. Being Covid conscious, I took a self test...NEGATIVE. So I went about my business, which means I masked at the grocery and the pharmacy but did not mask for Al’s (my husband) and my hike.

Late that afternoon the fever and chills started. Then...a tickle in my throat and a little cough. Then a raging sore throat. When I tested Sunday morning...POSITIVE. The good news? No congestion...no fatigue...no loss of senses of taste or smell. I called the 24/7 Nurse Hotline and was told to isolate.

For the next 5 days, I stayed upstairs in our condo...with Al delivering trays of food, hot tea, water, and aspirin outside the door. It felt like hotel room service. For the 5 days following that, I stayed close to home but ventured onto the deck to watch the sun go down and sat in the upstairs loft (while Al was downstairs) so we could talk.

While I isolated, I read 2 books (an Agatha Christie mystery...and Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter). I started and finished the entire first season of Outlander. I wrote a poem...re-wrote another poem...and started writing a third poem. I napped. Practiced yoga (One Love Yoga! Deep stretch...gentle...perfect). I avoided watching or reading local or national news. I opened the window and took photos. I recorded the coyotes when they responded to the 12:30 am train by hooting and barking.

8 days after I first tested positive, I finally tested negative.

Thankfully, I am double vaxed and double boosted (a benefit of being over 65...a second booster!). BUT...how and where did I “catch” Covid? I don’t know. I’m still masking, knowing that it’s somewhat like standing behind a chain-link fence with someone throwing marbles at me. Most of the marbles will stay on their own side of the fence...but some of them will make it through to the other side. My side.