Day 1: December 11, 2020
I tested positive for COVID this morning.
I had a rapid test on Monday that came back negative. I took the PCR test on Monday and the results came back negative on Wednesday. I woke up feeling a little stuffy this morning, but thought it was due to the cooler temperatures. To be safe, I got tested again, both rapid & PCR.
My symptoms are mild and so nondescript. I have slight nasal congestion. My head hurts, but I also need new glasses. My back hurts, but it always does when it’s that time of the month. I’m always tired because I’m a mom & a teacher.
I took a three hour nap from about 11a-2p today. I’m hungry but don’t know what to eat and don’t want to cook. I have taste & smell. I’ve been drinking lots of liquids & am quarantined in my bedroom.
My husband also tested positive via rapid test this morning. He also got the PCR, but those results haven’t come in yet. My daughter’s rapid test from this morning was negative. My son took a PCR test this morning. They’re all quarantined in different rooms of the house.
I’m now a statistic. I wear a mask. I don’t gather socially. I clean & sanitize everything. I keep a safe social distance. I’m now sick because others were reckless & irresponsible.
Tonight is the second night of Chanukah. I guess we’ll light the menorah on a Zoom call.
This sucks. Fuck 2020. Fuck Governor DeSantis. Fuck Trump.
Day 2: December 12, 2020
Today was a better day for me. I don’t feel as stuffy or congested and my cough has changed slightly. Not sure I slept well last night, but I did take a nap this afternoon. I can still taste & smell.
My husband was symptom-free until this afternoon, when he began to feel fatigued with a headache and nausea. My son was symptom-free until dinner, when he said he couldn’t really taste the Chinese food my parents dropped off for us. My daughter remains negative and symptom-free.
My best friend dropped off a Target order along with a can of Lysol. So many people have reached out and sent well-wishes. It means a lot to know that people are thinking about you. There are others who I thought would’ve called or texted who haven’t. I guess it’s times of trial and trouble that show you who people really are.
In lighter news, the third night & COVID has brought a tv into each of the kids’ rooms, since we’re all quarantined in different rooms while on house arrest.
Day 3: December 13, 2020
I’m ok-ish. I had a headache & took some Tylenol. I’m less congested & my cough has changed. My lower back hurts, but it always does. I showered this morning & put clean sheets on the bed, so that made me feel better.
My husband feels worse today. His head hurts, he’s congested, nauseated & has lost his sense of taste/smell. He’s no achy, but is hungry. He keeps saying that he wants to use this opportunity to try a ghost pepper. I have obviously advised against that.
My son can taste & smell, but is a little congested. He wasn’t hungry at all yesterday & is a little bit better now. I heard his stomach grumble this morning, it was that loud.
My daughter is still negative. She told me that she hates being in the house with sick people. I get it, girl! I told her it sucks, but she had to stay in her room. We’ve been cleaning all high-touch surfaces & Lysol the air every time one of us leaves our respective rooms.
Ruby is a great comfort to us, but it’s so hard not to snuggle with her or give her kisses.
I spoke too soon… Ruby is having almost as much fun as we are. She threw up on my daughter’s bed, pooped in my son’s room & in the front room, and had diarrhea three separate times when my husband took her out. I called the vet to see if we should bring her in. They said not to since her temperament is good, her nose is cold/wet, etc., she most likely ate something outside that didn’t agree with her. So, it’s a bowl of rice for her for breakfast.
Day 4: December 14, 2020
My son & I got our PCR result this morning, and we’re positive. My daughter still hasn’t gotten hers.
My husband still has no taste/smell. He’s been very tired and has had a headache on and off all day. He took today off (with the exception of one virtual meeting he had to attend), and slept for a good part of the day.
My son doesn’t have any real symptoms. He’s tired, but he thinks it’s from doing a full day of school online. The rest of this week is designated for midterms. He has exempted three exams, did two in advance and doesn’t have one for study hall – which leaves two exams he actually has to take. I’ve spoken to his teachers, and they’re being very understanding and flexible. They’re allowing him to take the exams during other class periods this week so he can rest and still have enough time to study.
I feel the worst today since testing positive on Friday. I am less congested but my throat feels very coated (probably a post-nasal drip). I had a slight headache earlier, but it went away after a last morning nap. I’ve felt queasy on and off all day; I wasn’t really able to eat much lunch but was able to eat dinner.
Ruby only ate rice today. She didn’t throw up or poop, so I’m assuming she got it out of her system yesterday. We’ll try some of her food again tomorrow to see if she tolerates it.
Day 5: December 15, 2020
My daughter’s PCR results came in very early this morning, and she’s negative. Whew! I’ll get her retested during the week.
My son still isn’t showing heavy symptoms. He’s been tired and has felt a little congested. I think his biggest thing today was studying for midterm exams.
My husband had a rough start to his day. He’s felt very fatigued and tired, he’s had a sore throat, nausea and a headache, and he lost his taste/smell. He slept most of the day today.
I felt better today than I did yesterday. I woke up congested, but that cleared up a little once I took a shower and began my day. I can still taste & smell and my head didn’t bother me. I felt hungry today for the first time since last week – I mean genuinely hungry. I wasn’t able to really rest today because I was making sure my midterms were finished & ready for the rest of the week.
In the grand scheme of things, we’re very fortunate. Things could most certainly be worse. In a non-COVID world, we feel like hot garbage. In a COVID world, we’re ok-ish.
Day 6: December 16, 2020
I feel worse today than yesterday. I’ve been very tired & fatigued. I took a three hour nap from about 10a-1p, and feel a little better. It’s like I’m walking around in a fog. I have so much work to do (grading midterms, entering assignments, getting yearbook spreads ready), and while I clearly have unlimited uninterrupted time, I just don’t have the energy to do it. I’m also both warm & cold at the same time, but don’t have a fever.
There was really no change in my husband or son.
Day 7: December 17, 2020
We maintained status-quo today across the board. Still no taste/smell for my hubby. My son spent the day studying for his final midterm, which he’ll take tomorrow morning.
My ears feel clogged and my throat continues to feel coated. I didn’t sleep well last night & woke up in the middle of the night with acid reflux. I took a nap this afternoon and felt better.
Day 8: December 18, 2020
I feel like today was a better day for me today. I took a nap, felt a little less congested and coughed less. My husband felt about the same as the day before. My son still has little to no symptoms and is doing the best of the three of us.
Day 9: December 19, 2020
This was a lazy day for all of us… well, they’ve all been pretty lazy, but school ended yesterday to begin winter break.
My son is doing the best, still. I feel significantly less congested today, but I had a headache and took a fat nap. My husband slept almost all day today, but felt like his symptoms weren’t as bad today.
We originally wanted to take my daughter to get retested today, but decided to wait until we’re no longer contagious. She’ll go when we get retested on Monday/Tuesday.
We were supposed to leave tonight to go to NC for ten days. We rented a house in the mountains and planned a much needed, socially distanced and well-deserved vacation. When I tested positive, I cancelled all reservations. So, when this is all over & it’s safe to travel again, we definitely owe ourselves a trip to NC & a vacation do-over.
Day 10: December 20, 2020
Ruby slept with me last night, so I was up at 5 to take her out. I went back to sleep & got up at 8:30 to bring her to my husband. I went back to sleep & got up a little before noon. I haven’t slept that late since college.
My hubby had a headache this morning and slept quite a bit.
As much as we’re working to keep the house clean & germ-free, I feel like we’re living in a cloud of COVID. We’ve changed the air filter once already since testing positive & will do it again today. I’ll need someone to come in & really deep clean the house when we’re all negative, but I don’t know who will want to come in to a COVID house.
Day 11: December 21, 2020
I slept until noon again. I could certainly get used to this!
We all went to get tested (and retested) this afternoon. They only allowed one test, so we all got rapid. My husband tested negative. My son & I are still positive. I’m surprised that my husband is negative. I’m not surprised, however, that my son & I are still positive. The woman from the health department said that while you’re no longer contagious after 10 days, you may still test positive.
My daughter tested positive. Awesome.
We’ll all go again first thing tomorrow morning to get rapid and then get back in line to get the PCR test.
Both of the kids aren’t showing any symptoms. My husband finally feels symptom-free. I, on the other hand, have had a massive headache all day. It feels like someone is pressing on either side of my head. I’ll take some Tylenol with dinner & see how it does.
Day 12: December 22, 2020
We decided against retesting today. While 3/4 of us are no longer contagious, we’re treating this as though we are.
No symptoms for any of us today, although my husband doesn’t have his taste or smell back fully yet..
We realize that while this is an inconvenience, things could be 1000% worse. We’re fortunate that our symptoms are so mild and that we’ve really been able to go this far unscathed.
Day 13: December 23, 2020
No changes here. We all feel good, but are prisoners in our home. It’s sucks and we keep reminding ourselves that it could be worse. It doesn’t make it suck any less.
Eagles’ Haven dropped off two very full bags of crafts and activities for us (well… for my daughter, really) to help keep us busy while we’re quarantined.
Day 14: December 24, 2020
My parents ordered in for us tonight. The Jewish tradition is to have Chinese food & go to the movies on Christmas. We’re a little disjointed this year, so we ate Chinese food tonight and will watch different shows/movies in different rooms on different devices via Netflix.
Still no symptoms for any of us.
Day 15: December 25, 2020
Still no symptoms. We’re thankful for that.
It’s Christmas during COVID. We’re Jewish, so I didn’t have to worry about the holiday. I saw that neighbors had a house full of guests. I know people want to be with family – I always spend the holiday with my family – but I wish everyone would heed the warnings and advisements of scientists. This will be another spreader holiday like Thanksgiving turned out to be.
Day 16: December 26, 2020
I went with my son to get PCR testing this morning. The wait wasn’t too bad and the weather was perfect.
Still no symptoms for any of us. I hope this nightmare is over soon.
Day 17: December 27, 2020
My husband took my son to get a rapid test first thing this morning. It came back that he’s still positive. I know that the virus can live in your system for three months even though you’re not contagious. Try explaining that to an almost 15 year-old who just wants to get back on the ice to play hockey.
Still no symptoms for any of us.
Day 18: December 28, 2020
I received a text at 1:30a that my son’s PCR test results were available to view. He is still showing as positive. This is simply infuriating. I feel so bad for him.
I received my PCR result from Saturday’s test, and I’m still positive. If I don’t have a negative PCR by 1/3, I can’t return to teach on campus until 1/4. I really hate teaching from home, but I also know that I will if I have to. If I can return to campus and my son can’t, he’ll be crushed.
My husband got back his taste but not smell. He’s still negative.
I really hope that my daughter tests negative when her contagious period ends in a few days. I can’t deal with her having to do school from home. It’s been such a nightmare for all of us; as much as I hate to be *that* parent, she has to learn on campus. Fingers crossed.
Day 19: December 29, 2020
Another day with no changes.
I made appointments to get rapid tested tomorrow with my son. I told my husband I’ve failed these tests so often, I feel like I’m back in math class.
I know that we’ve had it easy. I know that people are seriously ill and others are dying. I also know that outside of going to work on 12/10, I haven’t left my house since 12/7. I feel like I’m trapped in my house. I’m not complaining or minimizing anyone else’s experience. I just hate that we have no symptoms, none of us have run a fever since this began and outwardly we’re fine. We keep testing positive and have to stay home.
I just keep thinking that if I didn’t get tested on 12/11 (with everyone else to follow) we never would’ve *really* known that we even had COVID. I would’ve thought I had a cold. The only COVID-related symptom we’ve had was my husband’s loss of taste/smell.
In the grand scheme of things, this is a small blip on the radar. It just feels endless while you’re in it.
Day 20: December 30, 2020
My son & I went for rapid tests this morning. We got to the testing site at 7:30 even though they don’t open until 8. The line was pretty sizable when we got there. We *finally* got our results after 1p… so much for rapid.
He & I are both negative! I’m so releived.
We’ll get PCR tests tomorrow. If those are also negative, we’ll be able to return to campus when school resumes on Monday.
My daughter’s contagious period ends today, so I’ll take her to get a PCR tomorrow, as well.
I took a fat nap in the late morning. It was glorious.
I went for a drive today for the first time in three weeks. I rolled the windows down, took the scenic route through Parkland (I also got turned around in a neighborhood I’d never been to before). I did curbside pickup for dinner at PeiWei & celebrated being negative by doing curbside pickup at Carvel. It was all delish!
Day 21: December 31, 2020
Well, happy effing New Year!
I got PCR tested with my daughter first thing this morning. Because of the holiday they said results might be delayed. Awesome.
My husband & son got PCR tested a little bit later in the morning. I guess we’ll see who gets results first.
I went to get Starbucks for the first time in almost a month. I’ve always loved driving, but I appreciate it so much more now.
Day 22: January 1, 2021
No changes for any of us. Just waiting for our PCR results.
Day 23: January 2, 2021
My husband received his PCR results tonight. He tested positive. He & I are confused, since he tested negative on 12/21 after originally testing positive on 12/11. The test was a shallow nasal swab. PCR tests are usually nasopharyngeal swabs, so I don’t know if a deeper test will render different results.
He must’ve had a false negative on 12/21, because I doubt that he contracted it a second time – especially since we’ve all been quarantining since 12/11.
The kids & I are still waiting for our results.
Day 24: January 3, 2021
My son’s PCR results from 12/31 came in overnight. He’s still testing positive.
Just to be safe, my husband, son & I all went to get PCR tests first thing this morning.
My daughter & I are still waiting for our PCR results from 12/31.
Day 25: January 4, 2021
Ok. So, this is dumb. I still haven’t received my results from 12/31, but I got back my results from 1/3. I’m still testing positive. My husband and daughter are also still testing positive.
My son is testing negative from his most recent rapid.
The kids & I are doing school from home, which we all hate. My husband is still working from home. His company sent some tech items so he can do more from home, since before 12/10, he was in the office 2-3 days a week.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: COVID can go eff off!
Day 27: January 6, 2021
My son’t PCR results results from 1/3 came back & he’s *finally* negative!
Day 30: January 9, 2021
I went to get a PCR test done… again. As soon as I got home, I received my daughter’s results. She’s *finally* negative!
Day 32: January 11, 2021
Both kids are back to school today (thank goodness!). I have to teach from home until I’m negative… hoping for those results soon.
Day 33: January 12, 2021
My PCR results came in today.
I’m. Still. Positive.
What the actual eff already?
Day 34: January 13, 2021
I know that I’m no longer contagious, and I haven’t had any symptoms for a few weeks, but today I felt very blech. I had a headache and I was exhausted. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence…
Day 35: January 14, 2021
I am very tired & fatigued today. I also feel very foggy and it’s hard for me to concentrate. It’s very difficult to know what things are still the remnants of COVID and what’s just normal tiredness.
I slept for about an hour this afternoon. I feel better. I hope I’m back to normal tomorrow.
I made an appointment for a PCR test first thing Sunday morning. Fingers crossed.
Day 38: January 17, 2021
My husband & I went to get PCR tests first thing this morning. Fingers crossed.
Day 39: January 18, 2021
My husband’s results from yesterday came in this morning. He’s negative. I’m still waiting for mine.
Day 40: January 19, 2021
I got my results from Sunday’s PCR test. I’m. Still. Positive.
Day 45: January 24, 2021
I went to get PCR tested for what feels like the 817th time this morning. Since the line was short, I also got a rapid test.
So… the rapid results came back negative. While I was definitely excited, this has happened before; I’ve gotten a negative rapid and a few days later the positive PCR came in (both tested the same day).
I contacted my principal to let her know. She said that she spoke with BCPS Risk Management last Friday. They told her that since it’s been weeks since my first positive COVID test and I don’t have any symptoms for a few weeks, I’m ok to return to teaching on campus.
I haven’t been in my classroom since 12/10. That’s a long time… when no vacation/time off is involved.
Day 46: January 25, 2021
I just got my PCR results. I’m still positive.
I don’t even know how this is possible. The rapid came back negative. The tests were done less than 30 minutes apart. It’s the same nose, same mucus sample. How can one test be negative & one test be positive?
I guess at this point it doesn’t really matter. I was initially diagnosed over six weeks ago. I haven’t been contagious or had any symptoms for almost five weeks.
Bottom line: COVID is dumb.
Day 1: December 24, 2021
I have COVID. Again.
I am fully vaccinated and boosted. I had COVID a year ago. Literally
I went to urgent care on Wed., 12/22 for what I thought was an ear infection. I was given a script to clear up my ear and sinus congestion, since ear-nose-throat things are so much fun. While there, they asked me if I wanted to get tested. I figured I’d do it, but couldn’t imagine I’d have COVID. The rapid test came back negative.
I continued to go about my business, wearing a mask when I was around anyone or in public spaces.
I got the PCR results around 6:30p tonight. Positive.
I’m furious. I could’ve unknowingly exposed my parents, my husband, my children, friends… I’m just so upset.
I’m so mad at the inconsiderate assholes who just do whatever the fuck they want & good people (like me) who do the right thing get COVID. Again.
I saw my mom six days ago. I invited my dad into my house today thinking I didn’t have COVID because I’m on antibiotics & had a negative rapid test. I don’t know where I got it. It could’ve been school, from my kids, my husband could’ve brought it home from work. It could’ve been from a restaurant from where we did take out if the employees weren’t wearing masks. Who knows anymore.
I live in a state with a governor who is so firmly logged up Trump’s ass, that he has disallowed school districts to mandate masks and won’t allow mandatory vaccines/testing. I can only imagine what this means when we all return to school in early January.
Bottom line: COVID, anti-vaxxers & anti-maskers can fuck all the way off.
Day 8: December 31, 2021
I went to get tested today. Hoping I’m negative.
Day 10: January 2, 2022
I’m COVID negative. So is everyone in my house. I don’t want to go through this again.