6 Days Into My COVID-19 Journey
I posted about my experience of getting sick with COVID-19 on medium a few days ago. The response has been incredible. I have received love and support from people in my immediate community, from medical school, college, high school, people I grew up with and folks across the (internet) world. So many positive messages, words of thanks, words of encouragement and the like.
I am now on day 6 of my COVID-19 journey. So far, things have been going just as well as they can be considering the circumstances. My symptoms have continued to be mild (muscle aches and fatigue) — and now they are almost gone entirely. I’m not having any fevers, headaches or significant respiratory issues. Just a little coughing here and there. I’ve only needed Tylenol and fluids so far. I am still anxious that I will be an anecdotal patient who is totally fine and then all of a sudden falls critically ill, but hoping that doesn’t happen.
I should be out of quarantine in the next week or so — more immune to COVID-19 and ready to serve my patients and my community as others get sick or need time away. I am incredibly appreciative of all of those who are currently on the front-line treating sick patients, attempting to allay the fears of those who are well or pending test results, providing excellent care, saving lives and providing comfort to families and loved ones all while knowingly putting their own health on the line.
My tribe has been amazing. Both of my roommates brought me meals. My sister-in-law dropped off food and drinks. Several friends in my medical community brought me fresh meals. I’ve had countless offers for toilet paper and snacks, even from people as far as Florida and Los Angeles.
Quarantine has been as good as it can be. My dog, Thierry, is keeping me company like a canine boss. My quarantine room has windows, a TV with all the content I could ever wish to stream, a bathroom and access to a backyard. It was beautiful outside between showers yesterday so I spent about an hour sitting in the sun. I even got to talk to my neighbors in person (well, from 20 feet away). I recognize that I am in a much more fortunate situation than most, and hope we find ways to make quarantine comfortable for the thousands of people that will soon be doing the same.
I’ve caught up with a ton of amazing people in my life. Staying social with friends and family via phone calls, video chatting, text, WhatsApp, GroupMe, Facebook messenger and Instagram. It reminds me I am not alone.
The gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic has added a surprising amount of depth to my conversations with family and friends. So many of those conversations revolve around society’s need to adapt and evolve in this challenging time as this will likely be the defining moment of our generation. We’ve asked ourselves — What new industries will we develop? How will we support those who are out of work? Can our government forgive debt, mortgages, car payments, etc. for months at a time? Will we finally make sure everyone has medical insurance and access to care? Does it make more sense to provide our homeless population with hotel rooms with meals and services for 2–3 months rather than having them get sick and end up in the ICU at $15,000 per night? How is our healthcare system going to adapt to efficiently care for patients without requiring ungodly amounts of charting strictly for billing? Most importantly, will we FINALLY realize that we are only as strong as the most disenfranchised in our society when a true emergency comes along.
I am feeling lucky that I have been OK so far and think I will get through this soon. The energy and love I’ve received has truly made a difference.
Please keep doing your part. We are all in this together. Do not hoard personal protective equipment as hospitals are in dire need, practice social distancing, wash your hands, cover your cough, do not rush to the emergency department unless your symptoms are severe. Remember to continue being thoughtful everyday, embracing your humility, civility and humanity in these trying times.
