Status Update, 6/24/22
Posted on June 24, 2022 Posted by John Scalzi 13 Comments
I feel… meh. Mostly fuzzy and distracted and a little ache-y. I have congestion and a runny nose. I don’t feel horrible, but I certainly don’t feel good. I do retain my sense of smell and taste so far, so that’s a good thing. I think it’s accurate to say the thing I feel most at the moment is boredom and restlessness, since apparently COVID for me combines a desire to focus on things with a complete inability to focus. Sneaky COVID!
The good news, such as it is, is that I don’t feel any worse today than I did yesterday. It’s a perfectly reasonable plateau of meh, and I’m okay being here rather than, you know, feeling worse. My plan for the day is to do more of nothing, take some naps, have some ice cream and otherwise let my body to its recuperating things. I think it’s a good plan. I’ll let you know how it works out.
— JS
Hang in there and rest. The great thing about having a porch or deck on a house is you can sit outside and get some fresh air, and either sit in the sun or shade.
Sounds like the allergy attack I had this spring. I kept testing negative, and figured that the chance of that many false negatives was low, but still didn’t quite believe the tests. Especially as Covid was making a run through my social circles at the time.
Take it easy and pet the dog a lot. And, hey, it’s great weather for sitting outside in the shade.
I would suggest binge-watching the show of your choice. Something mentally engaging enough to keep your interest, but not necessarily highbrow.
On an unrelated note, I’ve been enjoying Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
I happened to develop covid symptoms at just about the same time as you, and found out 2 nights ago that I tested positive. Sounds like we’re going through just about the same level of symptoms. I’m struggling against my impulse to get things done and not be “lazy” (thanks, adhd/anxiety) and actually get some rest.
All good plans.
May I respectfully suggest that if you do not already have a pulse oximeter on hand, that you obtain one and start using it to check your O2 levels at least a few times each day?
This is what sent a family member to the hospital last month despite being fully vaccinated and boosted. Their O2 saturation levels dropped to the mid 80s, and they were directed to go to the ER, where they were admitted and treated for 24 hours until the oxygen levels returned to where they belong.
And that family member would not have known their O2 sat was low without the pulse oximeter, because the only symptoms they were experiencing were very much like yours. So if you don’t have one of those nifty little gadgets (which can be obtained for about $30 to $40), I would recommend that you acquire one.
Hope you recover quickly and completely.
I have one on my Fitbit. I have perfectly normal oxygen saturation!
You look like you should be prone. Hope you have a good TV show to binge. No point in trying to get things done — you’d just have to redo them! The more you rest now, the faster your body can heal. Get better soon!
Get well soon!
Hang in there, John. My husband took two weeks to test negative again. You’ll get there.
With luck, this too shall pass. May good health find you again sooner, rather than later.
Feel better soon!
time for PSAs updated to our chaos…
“this is your brain…
…this is your brain on COVID
don’t:
== operate heavy equipment
== perform irreversible surgery
== plan to invade neighboring democracies
== sign mobile phone contracts
== attempt to tie shoelaces
blah blah… here’s the visual of a horrifically mangled breakfast burrito attempted by a fiftysomething guy suffering brain fog
get well soon
I came down with COVID 2 days after I returned from a trip to Scotland and I wore my mask EVERYWHERE except when eating. I might have gotten it on the plane on the way home WHILE eating – cause I wore it there too and even in the airport until I got back into my car.
It’s now been 2 weeks since I finished the anti-virals and today is the first day I feel “normal”. For the past 2 weeks, after the meds were all taken, I was tired in the evening , had issues concentrating/focusing and had phantom smells of smoke and bacon yet my sense of taste was fine. Give it time and rest or sleep when tired; it’s now just a waiting game.