Monday, July 18, 2022

2022 Covid Caught Us

Yes, Covid caught us -- we certainly didn't try to catch it!

All was going well on our Power Tour 2022 as we started on Sunday, June 12, 2022.  We were always busy, keeping up the pace.  As you know by now, we were traveling with Shirley and Wilmer Shank.

About Wednesday, Shirley started with a cough and sore throat.  She bought some NyQuil, DayQuil and cough medicine and was good to go.

You may remember reading that on Wednesday it was 107° at the venue and we went to our hotel room, which was 63°.  That sudden temperature change, along with Shirley's germs, started MaryMay with a bit of a cold but she also stocked up on DayQuil and NyQuil.  

By Friday morning, Wilmer and Shirley had decided to skip Atlanta and go on home.  We decided to do the same thing.  Shirley went on home but texted us on Saturday night with the news that she had tested positive for Covid. 

She had been to a quilting convention in Pigeon Forge, TN the week before the Power Tour.  600 ladies brought their sewing machines and took various classes in fairly close quarters.

Gary and I did a home test and both of us tested negative on Saturday night.  A friend who works at the local Sentara hospital urged us to go to a new clinic (which is affiliated with Sentara) on Sunday in hopes we would get the medicine that targeted Covid.  Gary tested negative but MaryMay tested positive.

However, the Sentara hospital system had just sent a memo that they were not to give the medicine (Paxlovid) because there are soooo many side effects.  Back to our apartment we went and I stayed put. 

We tried to be over-cautious since we live in a retirement community.  I stayed inside for 10 days - twice the recommended 5 - to be careful.  Gary wore a mask to take the elevator down to his car.  Worst of all -- we decided not to kiss goodnight for a while!!!

Being able to have our meals delivered to our door was quite a blessing!

I saw a doctor for a different problem last week.  He said that this new Covid is totally different from the Covid of 2 years ago.   It is more like having the flu with fewer hospitalizations.  But, it is more highly contagious than the Covid from 2 years ago.

My quarantine is in the past and I'm back functioning in the world.  I would agree that it was like having the flu.  FYI, some of the symptoms were cough, stuffed nose, cloudy eyes, loss of taste, dizziness, some diarrhea, and extreme lethargy.  At one point, I laid down for a 10 minute nap and woke up 4 hours later!  

As for me, I don't feel so fearful - it was like a bad case of the  flu.