Covid Week

My last diary-style post ended with Sunday, May 14. Let me now pick up where I left off, and cover the week that began on the 15th of May.

That Monday (May 15) was my first day back at work after the break. I worked from home, as I do on most Mondays, allowing myself to ease back into things in a relatively relaxed manner.

My Mum needed something from the pharmacy, and so I went to get that and took it to her. Just like the day before, we neither hugged or came any closer  than 2 m, and of course we wore masks. I left as soon as I was sure she had everything she needed.

I felt decidedly unwell on Tuesday, the 16th of May, but my Covid test still resulted negative. A headache was making it hard to focus on work; I admit I took 3 Paracetamol in the course of the day. 

After work, I thought a walk would help with the headache, and at first, it really felt good to be out. But it didn't take long until I was exhausted enough to turn round, and was glad to reach my flat again, spending the evening on my own - while my pub quiz team went ahead without me. It was our last time before the quiz broke up for the summer, and I had really been looking forward to it, but the way I was feeling by then, it just wasn't feasible.

My team did me proud! Along with one other team, they had the highest number of points. They did not guess the right answer to the tie break question, and so The Corner Shop ended the quiz season on a very good 2nd place.

For the first time ever since the pandemic began, I tested positive on Wednesday morning (May 17). Of course it wasn't a surprise, but it felt weird nonetheless. Here I was, thinking I might get away with not catching the virus at all; during the past three years, I tested so often and had "red" warnings on the Corona Warning App on my phone (it notified you when your phone had been in close proximity to the phone of someone who had tested positive and stored the result in the app), almost every time after a long train journey - but never caught it. (Of course, wearing FFP2 masks on public transport had been compulsory for many months.)

That it would be my Mum of all people who'd pass the virus to me was not a scenario I had expected. But now I was feeling somewhat sorry for myself, working (with many breaks in between), worrying about my Mum, my sister and O.K. After all, the four of us had been sitting at the same table on Friday night. Funnily enough, I was the only one to catch it.

Anyway, I was glad to know my Mum's friend was back from a brief trip. This friend is a retired nurse who lives downstairs in the same house as my Mum, and her practical help has been truly precious over the past years when my Dad's health deteriorated. Now she was making chicken soup for my Mum, and offered to bring me some, too. How sweet was that! She even brought a handful of fresh strawberries, the first (and so far only) ones I've had this season.

My headache was much better, no need for tablets, but the sore throat and cough were getting more pronounced.

Thursday, the 18th of May, was similar. I worked, although not to full capacity, and did not set foot outside my flat, in spite of it being a beautiful sunny day.

Somehow I felt worse on Friday (May 19); I'd had a bad night, which makes me feel like a zombie even when I am well otherwise, and now I clearly was not. I worked only for about 5 hours, but it left me totally drained, and I slept for about 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon. That made me feel a little better, but I still took 2 Paracetamol that day.

Another sunny day was here on Saturday (May 20), but I didn't really care; I was not well enough to go out, only doing the most basic houework, resting in between tasks. 

Sunday, the 21st of May, was a proper early summer's day here, but once more I did not leave my flat. I kept the windows open, though, and after the morning's headache subsided, I could feel the other symptoms retreating somewhat, too, with just the cough remaining.

O.K. went for a walk near his village and sent me these photos. Knowing the place so well, it almost felt as if I was there, too.

During my self-isolation, O.K. and I talked on the phone at least twice every day, and I was relieved to know he was fine.

It was a strange week, with a lot of reading (when my head would allow) after work, and some easy TV. My personal highlights were certainly the soup, and the afternoon I spent reading "Still Time to Wonder". Also, I was very glad to have daily updates from my Mum, who was getting better (and tested negative about 3 days ahead of me).

I know it was unwise to work, but I did not want to get behind on my tasks after I'd already been away for two weeks. It helped that it was a quiet week with very few calls or meetings, and of course it was only possible because I was working from home.