END OF QUARANTINE....SORT OF

 Today is November, 28.  One full week after my positive Covid result and a full two weeks since the day I think was my contamination date.  According to one of the physicians, today should be the last day I have to isolate.  Another physician told me December 1.  Yet someone else told me that I am no longer contagious if I go 24 hours straight without a fever. 

The closest I came to having a temperature was Monday when I had a temperature of 100 after I had the mask on.  After that, my temperature was between 97-99.

I did go out earlier today.  I had to go to the supermarket to get essentials since my refrigerator is not functioning properly.  I masked up for the trip and avoided other shoppers, however, there were at least six people in the store not wearing a mask.  This is the wake of a reported omicron variant of the virus.

Maybe I am rushing to judgment.  It is quite possible the six (I am positive there were more) people I counted got their vaccine and that is why they appear to be careless.  I keep my mask on when I am in public, except to eat.  And I still got it.

This new variant reportedly started in southern Africa and was found in a few countries.  Seems similar to the original strain that started in China almost exactly two years ago and was going through Washington State and New York by March, three months later.  I expect the United States to be dealing with the omicron variant in January.  And with no immediate data showing if the current vaccines will be useful, I am not optimistic.

ACTUALLY THANKFUL

 The day after Thanksgiving Day

Naturally, I was in quarantine for Thanksgiving.  I spent the day resting and playing MLB-The Show on PS-4.   I got a few messages and a couple of phone calls, so believe it or not I had a quiet day.  I normally spend the holiday with my cousin, but this is how I would actually like to spend the day.  Despite being shut in recovering from a virus that has killed millions, I am pretty thankful.

I am thankful to the folks who knew I was sick and checked on me.  I am normally extremely low maintenance, however, it was nice to have folks chime in and change the mood.

I am thankful for my cousin and my next-door neighbor who thought of me and brought me a plate of food. 

I am thankful I got the vaccine.  Even though I am among the skeptics, I think it was better to get it.  With all the talk and criticism there are no alternate solutions.  I can only stay in the apartment but for so long.  And I was fully vaccinated and still got covid so I could have gotten this quicker during a necessary trip to the supermarket.

I am thankful that even though I am not in the greatest shape, I did not abuse and/or misuse my body.  Yes, I am overweight and need to exercise more.  At the same time I rarely drink, never smoke or do illegal drugs.  I don't misuse the drugs I have a prescription for.  I say all of that to say that had I damaged my body in the past, it may not have helped me during that covid period.

I am thankful I did not lose my sense of taste.

I am thankful that even though I lost my sense of smell, it appears to already be coming back, slowly but gradually.  On Wednesday I could smell nothing.  Yesterday I was able to smell the ginger in my tea and a piece of chicken.  Today, even though i could not smell the bleach and the pine in the mop water, I could smell something foreign.  I could fully smell my deodorant.

I am thankful I have healthcare and that I have the resources to follow-up with it.

I am thankful I have the knowledge and the diligence to act on preventative care. People think I am crazy but my normal routine for my usual sinus issues (and the vaccine if you want) probably kept me out of the intensive care unit.

I am really thankful my parents and a few other close relatives and friends aren't alive now.  I used to shiver thinking about managing in this pandemic with my parents.  It would have been even worse had I had to through Covid AND worry about my parents.

NASAL NUTTINESS

I am remembering little details when it comes to catching this.  Like, I have a GOOD idea where I was when I came in contact with the virus.   With work and everything going on, I didn't realize until this week that I was probably exposed 11/14.  But, I am remembering some strange things happening regarding my nose.  Before I started sneezing I recall my nose acting weird.  One nostril would close, then reopen.  That never happened to me before.

Don't be paranoid, but pay attention to your body.   

ANOTHER COVID DAY

 11/25/2021

I will call this day 5 of the Covid Chronicles and on this day I received a little blessing.   A small amount of my sense of smell apparently returned or was accessed.  I made some ginger tea this morning with honey and a Halls cough drop and as I lifted the teacup I actually smelled the ginger.  My mouth was closed.   This is significant to me because last night I couldn't smell the bleach or the pine cleaner at all and those are normally strong scents for me.  It is definitely a sign that I may regain this sense.

For years I have proclaimed that sinus solutions are essential.  Even though they are not supposedly scientifically proven, I think they are not only highly valuable in day-to-day life, but a key tool in this pandemic. They should definitely be considered if you are anti-vaccine or if you don't trust the medications offered to you.

Think about it.....salt is a purifier.  It disinfects.  And just as it has been said that the stomach is the key to key things in our life, the sinuses are just as important.  Throughout the pandemic, we have been told to keep our hands clean and to keep them away from our eyes, nose, and mouth.  The ears, nose, and throat are connected.  In my past, anything that starts in my throat, if unstopped travels to my throat, and if not stopped moves to my lungs.  I normally use a saline wash every day or every other day if I feel absolutely no symptoms of sinus distress.    When I felt ill this past Thursday evening I used it. I increased the usage Friday and Saturday.  I didn't cough very much through all of this and the only mucus I produced came from my nose blowing.  I am still using the solution three or four times a day during this positive period..  I have a little mucus in my throat.  I gargle with salt water and occasionally clear my throat but I have not coughed up any phlegm.

I sincerely feel that my use of this solution made it easier to deal with Covid.  Some of you may say it was the vaccine, but in theory, I should not have gotten sick because I have both doses of the vaccine.  I never completely trusted the vaccine to work.  I had more faith in masks, social distancing and my saline solution along with having the vaccine.  I do feel that if my sense of smell comes back 100% it would be because of that saline solution I use, plus a few other holistic treatments.

This is what I use  https://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php

SMELL YOU LATER...I HOPE

 I didn't mention in my last post that I lost my sense of smell.  Actually, I JUST noticed it about an hour ago.  Days ago I didn't really pay attention to the fact I didn't notice certain scents.  I can't smell bleach, pine or anything .  The anxiety is UNreal.  In reading about it I am finding that it is APPARENTLY temporary and the sense of smell and taste (which I have not lost yet) come back, though some go a long time without it.

Here's a link to an interesting article, in case anyone reading this is having the same experience

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/more-than-1-million-people-may-have-lost-their-sense-of-smell-due-to-covid-19-heres-what-they-can-do

ON THE SECOND FULL DAY

 Wednesday November 24, 2021

This is officially my second full day of quarantine.  I officially found out I was positive for Covid on Monday. It hasn't been too hard since i am used to staying to myself.  However, I needed Tylenol.  I also wanted to get a home Covid test.  And I needed some food.  So I got my mask, put on my coat, went out the back door and got to Walgreens.   I should say first, that I have not had a temperature since Monday, briefly in the afternoon and I haven't coughed at all,   One doctor told me that I was symptom free if I went 24 hours without a fever.

Walgreens was interesting for some other reasons I will get into another time.  From there I walked a few feet over to Stop and Shop to get  some things to tide me over for a few days.   I kept my mask on and did my BEST to walk into areas by myself.    People though as I mentioned a long time ago, are not taking this seriously.  Off the top of my head, about eight  people were in the supermarket without a mask that I noticed/.  And that is because they crossed my path.  The male shopper at the deli  kept walking near me.  He was just as free as the wind.

I mentioned I feel a little compassion for the non vaxxers.  I felt nothing for the non-maskers and I feel even less for them.  A part of me wants to wish that they would got the virus and just vanish.  The anti-vaxxers at least have a  reason for their philosophy.  Well some of them.  I still don't take the "right to not vaccinate" seriously, but those who don't trust the government for past atrocities get my ear.  There is still no reason not to wear a mask in public

MY DATE WITH COVID

 So I ended up testing positive for Covid-19 this weekend.

Actually, I have a better one for you...I received my COVID BOOSTER Wednesday and tested positive Saturday.

And no, I have no idea when or where I picked up this infection.

I was in Buffalo Veterans Day weekend, but I was by myself and not only did I wear a mask while I was in Buffalo AND Niagara Falls, I wore one the entire commute to and from western New York.  Granted, upstate NY is just like anywhere else in the country in that a lot of people don't want the vaccine and even more are tired of masks.

Back in New York City I was wearing my mask in public like I usually do.

As I mentioned, I got my booster shot on Wednesday and I felt no different than usual.  I met with my godson, his dad, and his brother that night at my diner.  My friend's brother and sister-in-law ate in a neighboring booth.  I did take my mask off there, but everyone at my table had the vaccine and I never left the table.  The next day I had sinus issues, but that is normal for me.  I have bad sinuses.  In fact, I thought my symptoms were because of dust.  On Friday, I didn't feel any better but I didn't feel bad.  When things didn't improve Saturday, I decided to get the antibody test across the street from my apartment.  Unfortunately, they weren't doing those anymore for the night so I had to do the nasal swab .  I got the results on Sunday, but I misread them.  I looked at them today and I realized I was positive for Covid.

The first thing I felt when I go the results was fear..  Almost as much fear as I felt wondering if I had the disease. I don't want to die on a respirator.  Well, that's obvious or I wouldn't have had all three shots of the Moderna.   So far though I am fortunate.  The saline solution most people ignore me about, has been a great tool.  It washed out a lot of the mucus and post nasal drip so most of that mess didn't get into my throat, which would have made its way to my lungs, adding to the pneumonia risk.  I had to do a little better with the vitamin D, but I have been keeping up with the vitamin C so that may have kept me not experience the brutal symptoms.  I coughed a little but not much.  I had a slight temperature earlier but no fever.

I will be spending Thanksgiving alone though.  My cousin and I were supposed to spend that day together but that was before I had to quarantine until December 1st.

This will be a bad ride.

BUFFALO

 I am on a mini-vacation in Buffalo.  I was here in July and I had to experience the area during the colder months.  I don't think I want to experience snow here.

The highlight of this trip was visiting Niagara Falls.  I was here about 30 years ago and went over the Falls by helicopter.  That was fascinating.  This time I kept in mind the memory of my late parents since they spent their honeymoon here back in 1959. I will post the pictures in my other blog.