🧵If you follow me on other social channels, this isn't news, but I wanted to discuss here as well.
On 12/31, I tested positive for COVID.
I thought I would share some thoughts with you in a thread that only suits itself to Twitter...using @SchittsCreek gifs only.
On 12/29 I woke up with a VERY mild scratchy throat. Nothing that a sip of water wouldn't take away.
I had no known exposures, but I HAD been at a moderate sized family gathering on Christmas so I tested that evening with a rapid antigen nasal swab test.
It was negative.
The following day my daughter and I picked up our new puppy (wearing masks whenever not in the car) and drove 8 hours home.
That day my throat was still scratchy and I coughed MAYBE 5 times.
Overnight from 12/30-12/31 I felt a bit worse - more sore throat, headache, and slight congestion.
I never did have a fever.
The morning of 12/31 I immediately took another rapid antigen test and this time it was POSITIVE.
My initial feeling was SHAME.
I had been SO careful. Done SO MUCH to protect myself & my family. I was vaccinated & boosted.
But I chose to gather with 24 people, a mix of vaccinated & unvaccinated, for a family holiday party that we skipped last year...and WHAM!
On 1/1 I decided to share my diagnosis on social media to help minimize the guilt and shame many like me might have been feeling. I was met with OVERWHELMING support and kindness (which was so needed).
By this day (day #3) my congestion kicked in and I was coughing a bit more.
By 1/2 (day #4) I was really feeling MUCH better. No sore throat or headache. Still with mild congestion but great energy.
By @CDCgov guidelines I would definitely classify my symptoms as "resolving."
On 1/4 (day #6) based on current guidelines, I COULD have returned to work, with a mask (seeing unvaccinated infants).
Well - that wasn't OK with me, so I did another rapid antigen test just to be sure I was negative before returning to clinic.
It was POSITIVE 🤦♀️
Here is where I insert my opinion of current CDC isolation guidelines...
I think they're a bit dangerous and we will continue to see spread from contagious people who have a false sense of security that their symptoms are "resolving" therefore they MUST NOT be contagious.
Over the past several days, my symptoms have waxed and waned. I feel great for several hours, and then my congestion hits with a vengeance.
Today - day #9, my antigen test is STILL POSITIVE.
Am I still contagious - I don't know. Am I taking any chances...NOPE.
To add more fuel to the fire - my daughter (fully vaxxed & boosted) tested + on molecular test on 12/31 (ZERO SYMPTOMS).
She was supposed to return to school on 1/6 (based on current guidelines) but SHE wanted a rapid to make sure she wasn't contagious - IT WAS POSITIVE!!
If anyone has evidence that a POSITIVE antigen tests means you're contagious early in illness but then MAGICALLY another POSITIVE later in illness means you're NOT contagious - PLEASE share it with me!
So what can we learn...
If you have MILD symptoms/sore throat - please TEST (if you can find one).
Don't necessarily trust "resolving" symptoms.
If you MUST go out after 5 days, #wearamask and please avoid immunocompromised/vulnerable people (as you MAY still be contagious).
And finally - let's offer GRACE to each other.
This thing is EVERYWHERE right now & it's super contagious.
Do what you can to protect yourself -#getvaccinated #GetBoosted #wearamask and then live your life the best that you can with those that you love the most.
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