Howdy from quarantine.
On December 30th, I learned I was directly exposed to the virus which causes COVID-19. Not exactly news which calms down the heart rate or causes you to find calm in the sea of life.
I was instantly tested at the urgent care and my rapid test came back negative, but, as we all know, the virus does what it does to different people at a time and place of its own choosing.
And so, according to the guidelines, I've gone into quarantine. I've had no symptoms since the test but, let me tell you, the adventure that has followed is pretty amazing.
The contact tracing started literally the next day. I received a text alert on my phone telling me I'd be getting a phone call the next day. I was also taken to a secure link and asked questions about how I'm feeling and where I've been. They offered recommendations and timelines should I not develop any further symptoms, and they told me what to look out for should things take a turn for the worse. They also told me they'd be checking in with me daily through the quarantine, which happens, like clockwork, at 9:15 every morning.
I'm pretty impressed by the thoroughness of the process, actually. And the professionalism of the contact tracers who clearly have public health and safety at the center of what they're doing.
So, here I am, quarantined. It's like a healthy house arrest. But, as we've all learned over the last year, we are thankful we've got resources which allow us to have food delivered, medicine delivered, etc. I'm also mindful of those people who don't have such luxuries... and I hope that we as a society can remove barriers to health and access... because, I think, if anything, the last year has taught us that things like access to health care are things which shouldn't be accessible to the wealthy - or to those who "have..."
You know what really is ever-present in my mind?
The fear - and yes, I do mean - fear - of the unknown. Will I get it? Do I have it already? What if I test again - and then - test negative but then, all of a sudden, I get some sort of fever?
I've tried to live life through all of this. I've followed the science while traveling, have engaged in socially distant activities, I've rocked a mask and I travel with sanitizer... and yes, I wash my hands. These are probably all reasons I've tested negative time after time... but this time, I'm like hmmm...
So, hmm....
I'll keep you up to date here, so bookmark this and refresh it often, and if there's anything specific you want to know, feel free to message me on Facebook...
Wear your mask. Stay healthy and well. I'm thinking about you and your families...
-tk