05/19/2022
Lynn Murphy Mark
The invader
Two pink lines on a test strip and my carefully guarded freedom from COVID is over. I remember saying to someone that getting COVID seems inevitable, but I didn’t mean for me. What arrogance.
Yesterday I unwittingly exposed four people when I had a job interview for a part time position at my immigration workplace. After I tested positive last night I sent an email to the people involved. I have received gracious emails in return despite the fact that they, too, will be inconvenienced. Thankfully, we are all fully vaccinated and boosted. That’s enough to mitigate the effects of the infection, but apparently not enough to confer complete immunity.
I called both kids. Jackie was peacefully sleeping when I called. I had to leave a message for Ted. I have learned not to keep secrets about my health, or Jan’s, from the kids. They would much rather know early on than get “the call” if something serious has developed.
My biggest worry is for Jan. She cannot escape from the viral particles that I am shedding. We live in a very small condo, so there’s no separation possible. Since she is compromised from her recent hospital stay, she has a boat load of risk factors. I have ordered more test kits so we can stay on top of her status. Her doctor is prepared to order the anti-viral drugs if and when she tests positive. She’s handling this remarkably well.
Last night I took the first dose of the anti-virals. When I went to the drive through at CVS I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there is no charge for these pills. Thank you, Department of Health and Human Services. I have also taken advantage of free test kits distributed by the Federal Government. Thank you, President Biden. These same pills made a friend who needs them quite sick to her stomach, so no more pills for her. The “cure’” in this case was definitely worse than the cough that she has. So far my only “side effect” is a strong metallic taste .
Our friend Nancy is in charge of dropping off groceries. The list includes Turkey Hill Belgian Chocolate ice cream, and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc wine. Oh, and eggs and cottage cheese and chicken soup. Just last week I delivered groceries to my two friends who are isolating at home because they both tested positive. That’s what you do during a pandemic, that is clearly far from over.
So Jan and I will quarantine and isolate for the next five days at least. It’s the only responsible thing to do. When my five days are up I will wear a mask for another five days and beyond. As I call friends about this I hear more stories about people who are infected. Some are quite ill, and some have minor symptoms. All are fully vaccinated and boosted. So COVID waits for all of us to come in contact with someone else’s viral shedding. My group consists of people in their late 60’s all the way up to my buddies in their 80’s. We are not exactly the poster children for fully healthy lives. We are subject to the aging process with all of its weird manifestations. I pray that we all will skate through our positive status and come out the other end. I, for one, intend to keep wearing a mask for the foreseeable future. I hope you will, too.