The title of this blog, as well as the Twitter hashtag that I got it from, was supposed to be ironic. I wanted to chronicle the days I spent – along with everybody else – in quarantine. And through various levels of quarantine, I was able to do that. But with the Metro Manila sliding into GCQ, I stopped using the hashtag on Twitter, finding it a little too kitschy (I guess).
But today, shit just got real.
30 July 2020
Yesterday, 29 July 2020, I went to get a rapid test for COVID-19. Work requirement and all that. Today, I was informed that I was Ig-positive. Upon learning of that result the Health Services of my office scheduled me for a swab test at the Red Cross. That set me back by 4,000 bucks. In the meantime, a sort of pall had descended on me and my family, and to be honest, I can’t seem to stop myself apologizing to everyone, over and over. In the back of my mind, I remember all the times that rapid test has returned false positives, but damn man, this is some scary shit.
31 July 2020
Went to the Red Cross National Headquarters in Mandaluyong today, to get a swab test.
The swab test set me back 4,000 pesos which – because I was doing the scheduling through my office – had to be paid before the appointment was set. Once I had deposited the money into the bank account I was given, I received confirmation of my schedule. I was given an hour’s window, with instructions to arrive thirty minutes early.
The folks at Red Cross were efficient and polite – very professional, in fact – considering that they were working with persons that could have very well given them COVID (it’s strange that I might have to seriously think of myself as one of those persons now, when they were always ‘other people’ before. Still, hope springs eternal). And because of their professionalism, I was done within an hour after arriving there. So, kudos to them and to everyone else involved in this kind of work. You people are Godsent.
Symptoms.
I woke up today, like every other day – without any remarkable soreness in the throat; no cough; no sniffles even. My movement was good, and my nose seems to be working okay. Red Cross clocked my temperature at 36.3.
Home situation.
Apart from going out to get swabbed, I’ve been keeping to my little converted storeroom. It isn’t air-conditioned but it’s well ventilated with an open window that I scramble to close every time it starts to rain.
There are bottles of 70% alcohol all around the house, so just in case I do venture out. My hands are getting dry from all the dousings but I figure, it’s a small price to pay for keeping everyone safe.
Care
I cannot overemphasize the importance of having people who care for you. The most difficult things about the isolation of quarantine are the loneliness it brings and the freedom for your mind to wander down the most depressing rabbit holes. Having people to care for you – more emotionally and mentally than physically – anchors you in the reality of the now, and gives you the motivation you need not to give in to despair. My loved ones uplift me and give me strength, and I am utterly convinced that I cannot do this without them.
To everyone going through the same thing,
kapit lang. We will overcome.
1 August 2020
Nothing new to report today. Woke up as usual, feeling like usual; went about my day as usual but was floored by the news that Commissioner Rex Borra had passed away (I need to write about that).
Stay tuned.
2 August 2020
Today I received great news. My swab test came back negative!
At 3:03 PM, I got a message from the office doctor, telling me “Negative po PCR result nyo.” And then he added, “continue observing precautionary measures for safety.” To no one in particular but in his general direction, I said aloud – “you bet your britches, brother!” LOL
He’s got a good point and through these last five days, I’ve developed a serious appreciation for all these anti-covid measures we’re all so familiar with by now. So familiar, in fact, that we might be taking them for granted and – ironically – NOT doing them anymore.
I will be such a pain in everyone’s ass now. LOLOL
