COVID Update – ii News

I am now on day 5 of my isolation. My symptoms are gone except for a bit of congestion that leads to the odd productive cough. Never any coughing fits. I’m pretty much back to being myself and now thoughts are turning to coming out of isolation.

The AHS provides some guidance, but it isn’t exactly specific. For example, it recommends that I wear a mask for another 5 days. Does that mean that Tammy and I should stay sleeping separately? Should I wear a mask to bed? My test from this morning is strongly positive. What’s the relationship between that and being contagious? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My experience hasn’t been that bad. It was like a mild flu or an average cold in intensity. Only symptoms were congestion, some unsteadiness/shakiness, some mild aches and tiredness. The first couple of days I wasn’t good for much other than watching TV or listening to podcasts. I took NyQuil before bed and some Tylenol during the day. Tammy gave me more food than really was necessary considering my sedentary behaviour, but there was no problem with my appetite or sense of taste and smell. By day 3 I was much more alert and Tammy, Miranda and I played Minecraft over the LAN with me on my iPad, and them playing split-screen on the Xbox in the bonus room. We FaceTimed during the game, giving me a social experience for the first time in days.

By yesterday, the tiredness was gone, including any of the remaining unsteadiness I felt in my legs when moving around. At one point, Tammy and the kids were all out of the house and I ducked down to the basement to grab my keyboard and mouse. Such a rebel! 😈 In the afternoon, I sat down and did a couple of hours of programming (Advent of Code 2018 puzzles) and I was extremely happy to find that I wasn’t “fuzzy” or unable to concentrate. That was my biggest worry, as it’s a long-COVID symptom. Last night I joined with Oli and this kids Axel and Xena to play board games online.

This morning, Tammy and I walked down to Rexall to try to find some N95 masks. It’s a precaution, but if more of the family succumbs thanks to being in the car with me last Thursday, it should happen in the next couple of days. Tammy really should have been wearing a proper mask when seeing to me. Rexall didn’t have any and neither did Sobey’s so we ordered some same-day from Amazon before walking home. I’m happy to report that I had zero problems with the walk. It wasn’t exactly a hike, but we did come back through the coulee and there’s a fair uphill back to the house. No dizziness. No being out of breath. A few coughs, but that was it.

Try to find my COVID isolation in this picture

The whole experience has been fine. I mean, I couldn’t ask for a better place for being isolated with my own bed, a TV, streaming services (Disney+, Amazon Prime, Netflix), my MacBook Air, great food being delivered three times per day, and a loving person coming to “adios” my dishes. Heck, I’m not even that bitter about being sick on vacation: it’s forced me to do nothing, which Tammy and the kids will tell you is a problem for me. I am bitter about missing the club rides, especially last night which was the last ice cream ride of the season. Our evening road rides end tomorrow due to the sunset coming too early.

Updated the next day

My COVID test 24 hours later only showed a faint line. That’s a relief, because I can un-isolate with more confidence. I’ll still wear a mask for a bit, but life can start going back to normal, hopefully.

Updated the next, next day

My test today had a barely-discernible positive line. I’m considering myself out of the woods. Still some congestion but nothing worrisome. Today is my first day at work (in the basement) and when I mentioned watching “a lot of movies” to Jing, I decided to quickly make a list to commemorate my five days.

Movies: