As soon as COVID-19 posed a threat as a deadly virus, I took it seriously and basically followed the recommendations from the CDC, local and national mandates, while applying my own common sense in the fight against the evil germs. I was shocked when a home test kit showed that I was COVID positive.
I was also embarrassed because I felt like I had done everything I could do to protect myself, and I wondered where I had failed.
With the recent skyrocketing increase in new cases, even among those fully vaccinated with the booster shot, the CDC is now explaining that getting COVID has become more normal and less of an exception; and they stress that it’s likely people will test positive. That did relieve the self-criticism I targeted at myself, but it still meant I had COVID and had to self-quarantine.
How it started:
Sunday morning I woke up with a slight drip in the back of my throat, which I didn’t think much about until I woke up Monday morning with a thicker drip, a cough, and a general lethargic feeling. I felt like I had a typical sinus infection that I deal with occasionally. The worst symptom was feeling lethargic and a foggy head - I didn’t want to do anything.
I had no reason to believe that I was dealing with anything other than a rare sinus infection. But with so much awareness about the recent rise in new COVID cases, spurred by the new, highly-contagious omicron variant, I decided to get tested.
Monday morning the lines at urgent care facilities were long. I stood in line where a woman started yelling at me because I called her out for breaking in line. The guy behind me thanked me for doing that. People are tense - I get that - but follow the rules because we’re all in this together.
I made it all the way inside and had actually signed in when I got a call from my sister, Jane. My niece, Hannah, who is a doctor, had a home test kit for me so I left the urgent care place immediately and drove to her house to pick it up. The scarcity of home test kits throughout the New Orleans area made me feel extremely fortunate to have a home test kit.
Testing at home:
As soon as I got home, I eagerly opened the box and studied the instructions. It was only me, and I had to get it right. Once I felt like I had a full understanding of what to do, I swabbed both nostrils, placed the swab stick in the test kit, set the timer for 15 minutes, and sat there anxiously waiting for the results. As the timer clicked forward, I thought there’s no way I will test positive because I have been vaxxed, boosted, and diligently worn a mask.
Just past 15 minutes, I opened the test kit and was shocked to see a bright pink like where there should have been no line, which indicated that I tested positive.
My first reaction was feeling ashamed and stupid because I allowed this to happen; but having talked about the new omicron variant and how contagious it is, I realized that I could have contracted the virus even with my overly-cautious lifestyle.
Since my early symptoms were similar to a sinus infection, I really had no reason to even get tested, and that made me realize how easy it would be for anyone to ignore possible signs of being COVID positive. Not assuming common symptoms might be symptoms of COVID could lead to the unconscious spread of the virus.
Getting tested for COVID is a challenge. Home test kits are sold out across the New Orleans area, appointments at pharmacies are fully booked days in advance, and lines and wait times are extremely long at urgent care facilities, where anyone can walk up and get tested.
Officials in Orleans and Jefferson Parish, as well as across S.E. LA, are asking people who want to get tested to stay away from emergency rooms because ERs are now packed with people who want a test. ERs need to be open to take care of countless shooting victims and people with dire emergencies.
Before leaving the urgent care facility to pick up the home test kit from my niece, I had been in line and waited close to an hour; and I had only signed in and was not even given paperwork to fill out yet. Getting tested needs to be easier.
Did I really have COVID?
Remember, I first felt the effects of what I believed was a sinus infection Sunday morning and did not feel well Monday morning. But I woke up Tuesday morning and felt much better. I am writing this Tuesday night, and I’m feeling so much better than I did Monday morning.
The good news!
As a talk show host I have heard heart-wrenching stories of serious COVID cases from people who are not vaccinated. I have been very public about my strict adherence to protecting oneself and staying safe, but I have also been very public about the possibility that even though I was fully vaxxed and had the booster - I could still get COVID. And apparently I did.
I attribute my milder case of COVID with being vaccinated. I am in the demographic that has seen many severe cases and many deaths, and I am convinced that the three shots helped me in aiding what seems like a fast recovery.
Yesterday, I couldn’t imagine having the mental stamina or discipline to write a blog or do some of the other things I have done. I had scheduled to take Monday and Tuesday off and can think of ways I would have preferred to do these two days, but I feel fortunate and blessed that it appears I am quickly recovering from having COVID.
If we are to be vigilant in not spreading COVID, then more must be done to make it easier to get tested, either at a health facility or at home with a test kit. Using my experience as an example, I can only imagine how many people have dismissed the possibility of having COVID because their symptoms were congruent with their normal bout with colds or the flu.
If I had not been at a heightened alert level like I was, I would never have bothered to test for COVID and could have innocently spread the virus to many others.
One positive to testing positive for COVID was I did not attend the Saints game Monday night. That was a true blessing! What a mess! We have to give the Saints and QB Ian Book a pass on that one - but the way things went - any pass we give them would probably be dropped or intercepted!
