I’m going viral, not the way I wanted to. I’ve been trying to be positive, and now it seems I am, for the coronoavirus.
I have been social distancing since the end of last year, when I moved to my new address. I live miles from my few friends, and this isn’t the kind or area where you know your neighbors. I’ve been staying home, since Governor Wolf told me to, except for a couple of visits to the supermarket. But, it seems I have the coronavirus.
On April 1, a Wednesday, I had a scratchy throat, and I was coughing a little. I figured it was my allergies. This is going to be an impressive allergy season, after a mild, wet winter. I was a little feverish in the morning, but that can be allergies too, and I could taste and smell just fine.
So, I went to WalMart the next day, which may not have been the best idea. Again, I was a little off in the morning, and better in the evening. Of course I ached. But I ache anyway. I’m past 60. I’ve been aching for years. My knees have been hurting all winter.
They’re hurting now, but so are other parts. By Friday, I started having some trouble breathing, not a lot. I’ve had worse. I had a few nasty bouts of bronchitis in my twenties, before I learned that I’m allergic to marijuana.
I was not entirely sure what to do about it. Tests for the virus are scarce, and by the time I get the results I may not have it anymore.
I didn’t want to infect other people by going to an emergency room, or seeing a doctor. Anyway, I don’t know the area, and I don’t know where I’d go. I’d need to find someplace that would take my insurance. It might be a 40 minute drive, and I don’t know that I trust myself to drive for 40 minutes.
There’s no treatment. If I start having real problems, I’m going to call somebody. But for now, I’m resting, and wondering how I’m going to get the salad dressing I forgot to buy on Thursday.
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It would be nice if people were a little clearer about the coronavirus symptoms. a
For the record, my sense of smell and taste are just fine. I tasted my lunch today. I am still tasting the orange juice I drank with breakfast. I could smell well enough to know the cat box needed cleaning.
I have a little trouble breathing, and a dry cough. That is what made me sure I have the virus. Normally, I don’t cough like a lady. I bark like a seal, a deep bronchial cough that sounds like I’m bringing up a chunk of lung. This is a dainty little cough, like I’m auditioning for the role of a Victorian consumptive.
I have a fever that comes and goes. It isn’t that bad. I chill sometimes. I get tired easily. Doing the dishes and cleaning the cat box wore me out today.
I do know this thing could kill me. I’ve been hearing that for a month now. I am scared. I’d be more scared if I felt worse. But I had a case of flu in college that felt worse than this.
I’m waiting for the virus to really kick in. to send me to the hospital and the ventilator. I’m in the high risk group.
Until then, I tried ordering groceries from WalMart, which, as WalMart is WalMart, is not working.
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After almost a week, I’m still getting tired easily. But I’m having an easier time breathing. FINALLY I’m getting advice on what to do. Apparently, what I’ve been doing is mostly the right thing to do. I stay mobile. I have to. I live alone. My meals will not fix themselves. My clothes will not wash themselves. I can’t just stay in the bathroom all day.
I take acetaminophen, regularly. I was taking that before the virus kicked in.
I have been drinking cold drinks. Apparently, I should be drinking hot liquids. I am not drinking hot orange juice.
Every now and again, I contemplate my mortality. I read about people who took a sudden turn for the worse and were dead a day later. Nobody seems to know why.
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Has anyone asked the Chinese what they know about the coronavirus? They’ve had the most experience with it.
After a week, the symptoms have improved. I can take deep breaths and not cough. I don’t feel feverish quite so often. But I still get tired, as in spent the weekend in Castle Dracula tired. Hanging up my clean laundry and putting away some underwear wore me out. The symptoms have never been bad for me. They just don’t seem to want to go away.
Thanks to NPR, I now know why I may suddenly take a turn for the worse. But NPR doesn’t seem to know how to keep it from happening.
I am going batty! I don’t have much to do. I can’t go anywhere, even the grocery store. I am climbing the walls, figuratively. Literally, I don’t have the energy.
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So far, this has been kind of dull. I don’t need a ventilator. I don’t have any complications. I do hope it stays boring. Sometimes boring is really good.
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On Saturday, I went to the supermarket. I was tired afterward, but it was so good to be out. My mouth and nose were covered, of course. I didn’t touch anyone. I may not have been contagious after more than a week.
It will be two weeks tomorrow. I still have symptoms, but not as bad as I did, when this started. It isn’t particularly unpleasant. It just doesn’t seem to want to go away. Which worries me a little.
The chief of police in Ambridge PA, just a few miles from me, believed he had recovered from the coronavirus, and was about to go back to work, when he died.
Meanwhile they have cancelled the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh. That is going to put a huge dent in some people’s incomes. Not just the exhibitors at the festival, and the performers, but the downtown businesses that get an extra boost from the crowds who come to town for the festival.
I would like to French kiss Donald Trump, except I may not be contagious anymore. At least I hope I’m not.
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After two weeks, I decided I’d had enough of this, and it was going to be business as usual. So, for two days I was back on my regular schedule. Now I’m exhausted, and having a few symptoms again. This thing is, definitely NOT just the flu.
I was thinking it was a good thing to get the virus, so I could get it done, and get on with my life. Now I’m wondering if I’m ever going to get on with my life. For the next several days I will not be doing much.
They are setting up a drive up testing station in Monroeville, which is about 40 minutes from where I live. I might try there sometime, when I’m feeling better.
For the few who read this, I’m sorry there’s no drama. That would make for better reading.
Those people who are protesting, in Michigan, and Minnesota, and Virginia, are setting themselves, their friends, and their families up for a couple of really miserable weeks. It does not serve them right.
Meanwhile this thing is getting too long. I’m going to quit now. I’m hoping this damn thing will go away soon. I don’t suppose things will ever get back to normal. But, I suppose they might get a bit better. I’d take a bit better right now.