Despite the ever-increasing number of cases, a lot of you have never known anyone personally who has or has had Covid. Now you do. I would be that person. I am telling you this here because I would much rather you hear it from me than through some convoluted grapevine.
In the 48hrs since I became a statistic, there are few answers to be found. Yes, I wear a face shield everywhere I go (I cannot wear a mask without having a complete anxiety attack meltdown and passing out).
In the past 3 weeks, I have gone into one grocery store (once), into Papa Murphy’s once (was there for less than 15 seconds to pick up a pre-ordered pizza), into Starbucks once (long enough to pick up a pre-ordered drink), and to the doctor’s office (once).
We didn’t go anywhere for Thanksgiving. Had my Covid test performed in a drive-thru situation. Other than that, my fat butt has been parked right here at home.
After spending 1hr and 8min on the phone with the county health “tracker,” the only thing we’ve been able to determine absolutely is that we absolutely do not know where I picked up Covid.
Unbeknownst to me, there are apparently several strains of this disease out there, ranking in different levels of severity. SO FAR, I seem to have the Trump strain and not the Charley Pride variety.
I understand that makes me very lucky. I don’t have a temperature, I’m not having a lot of difficulty breathing, and I have not lost either my sense of taste or smell.
YET. I have close friends who are experiencing all of those symptoms, and not only does my heart go out to them, but I am truly thankful I’m not forced to deal with those particular demons.
On the other hand, I do have a slight cough, I am suffering horrible headaches, I feel as though I’ve been run over by a truck, and I’m exhausted after doing something as simple as making scrambled eggs for breakfast.
The WORST symptom — for ME — is a degree of confused thinking which often makes it difficult to create a cohesive thought or sentence.
To their credit, the county health officials have me and my family covered. So do the prayer warriors from Bayside Chapel.
Mom and Ian will both be tested this week, but Ian is really mourning the fact he couldn’t go to church this morning. He has obtained permission (from the county) to go to the post office once a day (though he is required to do so after hours), so he won’t go into complete system shutdown.
We are lucky to have plenty of friends here in town, so we’ll surely have an abundance of folks who’ll be happy to pick up groceries for us when they go for their own.
Meantime, much like Thanksgiving, Chrismas at our house will be exactly that: Christmas at OUR. HOUSE. Unfortunately, in the past, I have made and delivered special Christmas breakfasts for a revolving number of friends each year (many times anonymously), and had made plans to do so again this year, too.
Those gift meals will now need to wait until 2021. Thankfully, I had not yet purchased the “makin’s” for these meals, so nothing is sitting around here getting “tainted.” But, I am sad that I cannot do this again this year, as it is something which has always brought me joy during the holidays.
I haven’t a doubt I’ll recover from this. Same with my folks, if they have it, though I hope and pray they both test negatively. The biggest trick for both me and Mom right now seems to be going to sleep, and staying that way. Especially since whenever we DO get to sleep, the phone rings, or someone rings the doorbell.
To that end, I would ask that those of you who wish to contact us please do so by texting me. Most all of you have my cellphone number.
If I do not speak with you before then, please know I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and I am very much looking forward to NEXT year. I HAS to be better than this one!
Jaci McKim, Depoe Bay, Oregon
