COVID-19 finally gets me, days 1 and 2

So this happened, as they say:

That was yesterday morning.

To back up and explain: I’ve avoided COVID since the start. I’ve masked, social distanced, vaccinated, shunned people, the works. But lately clients have been wanting more in-person experience, especially since (as the president said) “the pandemic is over.”

Earlier last week I participated in an international conference (live blogs 1, 2, 3). Two days ago (Thursday) I started feeling poorly. Symptoms were classic cold stuff: coughs, sore throat, soreness, head pain, some hot flashes. I took a COVID test and it came up negative. So I went to Georgetown for class — socially distanced, masked — along with a video meeting and the Forum. As usual work energizes me. I didn’t feel tired until I got home, and that just made sense after a long day and a long week without enough sleep.

On Friday the symptoms persisted, so I medicated with allergy pills, sudafed, herbal tea. Hot showers did wonders. I didn’t take time off, but worked my usual schedule.

Saturday morning I woke up several times with coughing. Throat soreness was still going on, so I took the COVID test. That means the whole deal: poking myself in the nose, squirting fluid into a tube, squeezing the thing, dripping onto a cartridge, then waiting 15 minutes.