My son and husband both tested positive for COVID last week. We were so shocked, and scared, and angry, especially because we've been incredibly diligent for so long. But COVID found us anyway. We are very, very grateful that their symptoms are mild to moderate. It could be so much worse. Months ago I'd assembled a "Kovid Kit" in a giant baggie, with a thermometer, pulse oximeter, Tylenol, Kleenex, masks, and phone charger. I was glad to be able to just throw the bag across the room. But it never occurred to me that I'd need more than one kit. I had two years to imagine what this would be like. But I never did. I think I'd assumed that with masks, vaccines, and lockdowns we'd be safe. But here we are, and I'm surprised at how unprepared I am, despite my "kit." Like, I didn't know that my insurance will pay for 8 home tests, per month, per person. Now I know, but I can't find them anywhere. I was also completely in the dark about anti-virals. We don't have a primary care doctor, and none of the test-and-treat pharmacies here offer tele-health. And it seemed hard to believe that they'd want people infected with COVID to show up in person. It took me two days and $50 to find a "Doctor on Demand" tele-health that would prescribe. Family visits and social activities have been cancelled, and now we're in a holding pattern. This is a photo of one our "feed bags" - bottled water, apple slices, and cereal bars. We just hang the bag on the bedroom doorknob to send food in and out.
June 15, 2023
"... Global and local developments are alarming me. I see that countries in Africa and in Asia, India for example, are starting to really struggle with their covid cases and their inadequate healthcare systems. I read how an eight-month pregnant woman with symptoms was hauled for 13 hours in an ambulance in Delhi as she was rejected by 9 hospitals (!) and ended up dying in a car crash. This is beyond tragic. And, since I am pregnant myself, this story hit me hard. ... everyone seems to admit that major structural changes need to be made in order to cope with this virus. ... However, [here in] Greece ... I see people hoping, writing, and believing that 'things are back to normal', but this is just an illusion. How can it be normal, when the virus is still spreading across the globe? ... We are all in the same bag, as they say here. ..."
June 29, 2020