Good morning to my loyal reader on what is, according to government guidelines, my tenth and final day of isolation with Covid. Here’s where I am.
I awoke once again with none of the main symptoms. No cough, no temperature, no lost of smell or taste, but I went to bed at 10.30pm and got up, absolutely knackered, 11 hours later. At no stage did I expect today’s Covid test to be negative and it isn’t. In fact, while the second red line is slightly more faint than yesterday, it’s still very clear. I still have the virus.
The rules say that as from tomorrow I am free regardless of what the lateral flow test says, not that I even need to take one. Technically, I can do what I want, although the advice leaves decision-making about making contact with those deemed to be vulnerable in my own hands. The fact that the lateral flow kit says I am still positive must surely mean I am, well, positive but probably not infectious. Hmm. Probably.
So, I’m going to be careful when I am out and about tomorrow, even though I am probably not clever enough to work out just by looking at someone whether they are vulnerable. Perhaps, I should walk round with a large sign: ‘I’ve isolated for 10 days but I’m still testing positive for Covid. Stand clear if you’re a bit worried.’
What I don’t want, having had Covid, is long Covid. Given that the effect on me was mainly being tired once the cough and snotty nose disappeared, I don’t want this tiredness to last much longer. I have friends who have so-called ‘long Covid’ sometimes up to a year on from when they had the virus and my partner who had Covid last June still hasn’t regained her full sense of smell, which when living with me could be counted as a blessing. Either way, this is an awful virus that does some things to some people, kills some people and ignores others.
My recommendation is that this virus should be avoided wherever possible. Without the vaccine, where would we be now?
