I feel like one of the issues right now is that people have very mistaken ideas of what this virus is. We need to amplify voices of those who are sick and those who are taking care of them. I am on day 12 of what is likely COVID-19.
Yesterday my MD wanted me to go to the ED bc of concerns about my oxygen. I was very lightheaded - esp when I walked up a flight of stairs. I decided to just rest and see if things improved as I had had a very busy workday, and that may have been too much for me.
I felt better this morning - and feel even better this afternoon. My mom is still freaked out though and would likely feel much better if I did go get care. But I don't want to clog things up and I don't want to expose myself on the off-chance I don't have COVID-19.
People in less populated areas likely feel quite safe because it hasn't come to their towns yet. That is good - let's keep it that way. This is just not the lived reality of those of us in bigger cities. At all.
And the disease is not just affecting those who are old or already ill - in NYC, the largest population affected is people ages 18-44. I am seeing reports of people in that age span who have no other chronic conditions not just getting sick, but dying.
The media needs to stop just showing stories of families learning a second language and baking bread for the first time and show the actual effects of the pandemic on people. We need to hear the stories of people who are sick
There's a misconception that it is basically a 3-day cold. As I said above, I am on day 12. These past few days have been scary for me.
On Friday, my fever returned and was higher than ever. I called the hotline, and there was nothing they could do bc I didn't meet testing guidelines. Too young. No cough. No other comorbid conditions.
For me, the cough had never really been one of my symptoms. Fever, exhaustion, nausea, and lung chunkiness were.
The nausea was worse over the weekend, the fever continued - and I spent much of my weekend scared and crying. I had thought I was getting better and now I was sicker.
I started coughing on sunday and it sounded very wheezy. I messaged my doctor to see if I could even get an antibiotic because I was concerned. On Monday, I was very lightheaded. The nurse called on Monday and said no abx, and just to keep staying at home and drinking fluids.
My doctor called 30 minutes later concerned and wanted me to go to the ER because she worried I wasn't getting enough oxygen. This freaked me out - so much so that I basically told everyone on a work zoom call (so sorry!).
Maybe I should have gone - but I chose to just hunker down and rest. I still felt lightheaded this morning, but feel better now.
My doctor's office called again today and said I should just stay home but warned me my symptoms could get worse again.
I do not wish this disease on anyone - and it would be great if we could all band together to help prevent any new people from getting it. It's not just a quick cold - it can be long and scary - and deadly.
Please media - do your part to really show people what is truly going on.
Last night I started to panic also about my low levels of productivity. I called my mentor and apologized profusely and warned her that I thought I needed to rest and take care of myself and that I would still not be productive this week. I think she thought I had lost my mind.
It's so hard though to relax those panicky feelings that you aren't doing enough and just let yourself recuperate. But it's important.
A friend asked me what to stock up on in case she gets sick. This is what I would recommend: mucinex (extended release kind - generic is fine), tylenol, clear liquids, bread/crackers, and a heating pad (apparently if you keep your lungs warm that helps).
You may lose your sense of smell/taste and won't feel like eating anything - so think about that when you get groceries (soups, things with protein, maybe gatorade or the like). Teas to soothe a couch or your lungs (licorice tea is nice, if you like it).
And get a thermometer (or two). I only have a meat thermometer (which is weird for a vegetarian). It worked, but I was constantly worried it would skewer me.
If you live alone, try to find one you can see while it is taking your temp. My apartment was so cold, I'd take it out and it would drop before I could read it. Cough drops are likely good too.
Mostly I craved soup and part of why I spent saturday crying is that I tried to order ingredients to make lentil soup but everything was out. I was despondent (and feverish).
