I think my sister is fine. She’s made no mention of it today - life has just returned to normal for her. She went out to her stores, etc. I was concerned because she didn’t text me like she usually does. Finally this evening I texted her and asked how her day was then received the overview.
I’m no longer worried TBH.
But is there reason to be worried that she goes to several stores etc. daily? Granted, may not be the higher risk activities like eating in an indoor restaurant or spending all day at work indoors in close proximity with others, but doing lower to medium risk activities frequently is still collecting COVID-19 lottery tickets.
Oh, I definitely worry about that - just as I did with my aunt/uncle eating in restaurants daily.
She assures me she’s fine and never goes “anywhere” to catch it. (Today she had to go to a store to find a new vacuum brush because she couldn’t find hers. Yesterday it was getting more pellets for her stove, etc, etc, etc.)
There’s nothing I can say to change her behavior. I’ve tried. Hence, the worry when she mentioned being super congested after a bad headache. It’s too eerily similar to my uncle’s path to the end.
My FIL, who is on hospice, had a fever last night. We were supposed to leave tomorrow to go back to be with him. My MIL downplayed the fever when she talked to H this morning. But … his hospice nurse and overnight attendant both tested positive for Covid-19 this week. H asked his S, who lives closer & has been running point, if FIL & MIL are getting tested. SIL, who is a COVID denier, got a bit testy about it. H and I will not be going there tomorrow. His mom will lose it, but we are not going to put our health at risk. We have already been doing that by visiting, but we have been as careful as possible. Stepping into a situation where we know COVID is a real possibility would be stupid on our part. (I am sure the AL facility won’t allow us in, so at least it won’t really be “our” decision.)
((HUGS)) @kelsmom. This is a tough situation. You are doing the right thing. I am praying for your FIL’s comfort.
@kelsmom Hugs from here too. It has to be especially difficult for your H.
We found out today the guy who owns and delivers our hay has tested positive. He’s older (grandfather age), overweight, and with pre-existing heart issues. Besides his life itself (which I care about), my mind is now wondering if I’ll have to scramble for a new hay source and we’re only at the beginning of winter. He’s been ours for at least a decade.
My H is now talking about leaving Saturday to visit his parents. I don’t think we’ll be allowed to visit, so I didn’t say anything. But I am not going, no matter what. I found out that in addition to last night’s fever, FIL’s oxygen dropped yesterday & they put him on oxygen. They live in a small apartment in an AL facility. SIL and her H were there from Christmas Eve until yesterday. I am not going anywhere near any of them. I don’t want H to go, either, but if he somehow is allowed to visit, he is making that very long drive alone. I am normally very supportive, but it would be nuts to visit now.
Stay with me on this- I have a point.
In a sense the situation people find themselves in with difference of thoughts- denier, etc. is similar in feeling to letting a demented person have the car keys.
When my mother wanted to drive and she demanded when I was visiting that I should drive through a walkway because the light was green even when there was a mother with a stroller in it. I realized then and there, this was not about her desires, it was about other people and their lives. I took away the car keys and provided free taxi service and told her it was my decision. My brother wanted her doctor to tell her and be the ‘bad guy’. I called the doctor and told him what I did and wrote to the drivers license agency to revoke and provide just an ID. She called me all manner of names and threatened all matter of financial things. I was used to this kind of decision making having been in medicine all my life. It requires a hard shell.
Covid is a communicable disease. It can not just kill you it can also kill others whether you try to kill them or not. Don’t let them have the keys.
FIL’s test was negative, which I guess means he has something else going on that isn’t good news.
To emphasize the insidiousness of the virus, I recently encountered someone I know (outside at a distance) who mentioned finding out that they had COVID-19 through an antibody test. Has no idea when or how they got it (asymptomatic or very minor cold/whatever symptoms that would not cause concern, and no after-effects).
So, while the virus causes severe illness in some, it makes others into unknowing carriers. I.e. just because you or anyone else is not noticeably sick does not mean that you or they are not an unknowing carrier who could give the virus to someone else who could get severely sick.
And that’s a darned good reason to continue wearing the mask, not get over confident.
My mother tested positive last Thursday 12/30. She is in assisted living. She tested negative on 12/21 and has not left her room so most likely temporary staff brought it in. I don’t think they are testing staff or residents enough. She was feeling fine at first but felt very sick yesterday with cough, O2 still 95-98%. Waiting for an update.
Unfortunately I had no choice but to take her to the doctor the day before she tested positive. I borrowed a big van and she was in the back, third row. She has dementia and would not wear a mask and yelled the whole trip. I was double masked with goggles and all windows open despite the cold due to the yelling.
I got sick Friday and am getting tested Tomorrow am.
I live alone and have been completely isolated for 9 months, haven’t seen kids, and sooo careful, but this one thing may have done it. I didn’t want to expose a cab driver.
In retrospect her skin cancer could have waited but the AL gave me the impression it was urgent, send me photos and I was unable to visit and evaluate.
I am hoping to hear how my mother is doing. The Al staff are so overburdened with so many cases, and staff absent…This is north of Boston.
@compmom - I am sorry. Fingers crossed you may have a simple cold. A friend’s 6 year old got covid. He had a headache and body ache soon after. His wife had a cough and stuffy nose. They got tested multiple times and all negative. They recovered quickly. Hoping it’s the case for you as well.
Thanks! My mother just called, sick, crying and alone in her facility. They check her every once in awhile. I told her I was mentally making her tea and putting a cold face cloth on her forehead.
It’s so rough, even under the best of times. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Please keep us in the loop about your health.
Here’s a data point close to home. Group of 7 college kids (age 19-20) hang out together regularly. They usually are outside, but one cold night they all sat together in one large vehicle until they warmed up. 3 days after the cold night, kids #1-4 all come down with significant covid symptoms (fever, chest pain, cough, sore throat, later loss of taste/smell). Rapid tests are positive. Kid #5’s PCR test is positive, but never developed any symptoms (and never had covid before). Kids #6-7 had covid 3-4 months prior - never developed any symptoms and 14+ days later, no other family members of kids #6-7 are symptomatic. Kids #1-4 did spread it to their families to varying degrees. I am not sure about #5’s family.
@compmom I am sick for you. Really sorry. Hugs. Lots of hugs
Thanks all. It is a little scary being alone with this so I appreciate it. My mother also feels alone. But it is a good sign because she keeps calling me…
@ClassicMom98 Interesting is that kids who had covid previously had some sort of immunity and also did not spread to their family. hopefully this bodes well for the vaccines helping with spread as well.
@compmom you have demonstrated here over the last several months how careful you have been. Sending good vibes to you and your mom. Maybe calling each other often is good for both of you.