So, both Julia and I were sick in early March. Here's the problem...no idea if it was Covid. We both had cold like symptoms. What I had began as a head cold then it eventually moved into my lungs. I had a cough, Julia really did not. So, wanting to be safe about it, we called the doctor. In that period of early March the doctors already were in this mode of doing as much as they could over the phone without having you come in. So, we were told we did not qualify for actual Covid tests because neither of us had a fever nor severe symptoms. Doctor said stay home for the next 14 days. Julia was already off from school because they had been closed for spring break...and they ended up never going back so she's been off since February (still teaching online)...and so this was not a big deal. I called my office, told them I was in a 14 day lock down and of course because I told them I was sick in the midst of this, nobody wanted anything to do with me anyway. Easy enough.
How was what we had? Well, I seemed to have a worse version as I coughed, Julia really didn't. Whatever it was did get into my lungs but not to any level where I had an issue breathing even slightly. So, I'd have to call what we had...whatever it was...pretty mild. It was a cold for the most part and maybe that's all it was. Due to not having a fever basically it was left as could be Covid, could just be a cold.
We both were recovered at the end of the 14 days...so nothing since then. To put some perspective on this, I'm 53 and healthy, don't smoke, not overweight, no preexisting health conditions, on no medication of any kind. I won't lie, you lock me up for 14 days with a house full of booze and I am going to end up drinking. So, I drank a lot wine and scotch and gin and tonics and well...yes, I drank a lot. Did this help or hurt my recovery? I have no idea but it helped me to deal with a 14 day lock down. We had everything we needed in the house. I made some different soups and cooked for us on a daily basis.
I would like to get the antibody testing to get an answer to see if we had it or not. Doctor says being in the same house if either of us had it we both had it. Were we lucky and just got through it with no issues? Am I now immune? I'd like to find out.
How did I get whatever it was I had? Well, the thing that sticks in my head was I had to renew my driver's license at the end of February early March. This took several trips to the DMV because we have new requirements for our driver's license now in Massachusetts...they are now also a "national ID" so the procedure requires a host of documents and I made three trips to get this done because I was turned away on the first two.
Due to these new requirements the DMV was mobbed and there were no social distancing requirements in place and no precautions being taken. So, you are literally crammed into a mass of people and then asked to use and touch things literally hundreds of people had touched...including having to press your face into the eye test machine. The thing does not turn on until your forehead and area around your eyes is pressing against it. I looked at the eye machine and it was quite honestly disgusting. It had everything under the sun on it...make-up, a variety of dirt, and unidentifiable chunks and particles like some one had vomited on the damn thing. I said to the woman I was dealing with "You've got to be kidding me? This thing looks like you guys wipe it down with leftover lunch meat!" and she said "If you want your license put your face in the machine."
I argued, and let me say arguing is not good in the registry I had already been escorted out once in this process, that in the face of a pandemic this was the least hygienic thing I had seen and was a massive problem. She warned me again if I wanted a drivers license I would stick my face in the machine. One of the registry cops edged closer to me as this went on. I said at least if I had to do this could they give me a goddamn wipe or something to clean the machine as I again pointed out that it was ridiculously filthy. She motioned to the cop and I figured this was it I was getting thrown out yet again but she asked him to get some wipes and he rapidly returned with them telling me to "Only take one." and I scrubbed down the machine. Again bitching at the woman and the cop that they needed a protocol to clean the machines after each use. She informed me that if a person complains to the extent I did, indicating I was a pain in the ass, they got a wipe.
My guess is this is where I caught whatever I had as either the machine, the counters, or the fact that I was shoulder to shoulder in a massive sweating crowd that I may as well have been reenacting the Caligula orgy scene with left me a tad vulnerable.
Sure enough I came down with my "cold" a day or so later.
If I am ever allowed an antibody test I can update as to whether I am some sort of Covid "survivor" or I am just one more person lucky enough to have run the ultimate Corona virus gauntlet and escaped unscathed.
