At midnight I awoke from a fever dream. A woman, an ex I think but I’m not sure which one, accidentally killed my dog. I had been away. She was dog sitting. My friend Steve was there too. When I got home, they didn’t want to tell me. I grew impatient and cruel in my interrogation. I might have shouted “how could you be so stupid!” The shock of it all woke me up.
This morning I’m waiting for the Walgreen’s to open so I can get a free COVID test. I’ve come down with something. Cases are spiking. Curled up on the sofa wrapped in a light throw blanket, I think it’s going to be a long day. I have a slight headache and I’m struggling to concentrate. I’m tired and a little achy. I’ve been up since 4am. Not to mention the midnight dream and the other times I woke. I cancel my lunch date.
Both of the Walgreens that I visited were out of the free tests. I bought two tests at the grocery store (they don’t take my insurance). The city health department website says, “Each person with a Medi-Cal card can receive up to 8 free tests each month.”
- Go to a pharmacy or a store with a pharmacy.
- Go to the pharmacy counter where prescriptions are dropped off. Other registers in the store cannot provide free COVID-19 tests.
- Show your Medi-Cal card(s) and ask for 8 at-home COVID-19 antigen tests for each person.
I gave the pharmacist a surly look and a harrumph fine, whatever. I also got some tea and a lemon and the fixin’s to make cookies along with some cough drops. I wanted to get a battery for the digital thermometer that I have, but they were under lock and key and I was impatient and cranky.
The test immediately registered positive.
I set up an account and scheduled a teledoc appointment to see if I needed medication. Based on my symptoms (low grade fever, minor cough, chills, etc. etc.) the doc recommended that I lay low for a few days – he didn’t think I’d need a prescription. He said I’m young and in look to be in good health. That kinda made my day. He said the new variant is highly contagious, but the symptoms aren’t as severe. He advised me to wear a mask if I went out. Add it to the list of things I didn’t have in anticipation of getting sick: batteries for the thermometer, COVID tests, cough drops, tea, masks). I should have looked for masks while I was at the store. Impatient and cranky.
Being forced to stay in isn’t the worst thing… though it creates an social itch I can’t scratch. No sooner do I know I can’t go out, I have the urge to go out. I can social distance at the parks and the waterfront – not so much at the bookshops, bars, and coffee shops. House arrest.
Perhaps the oddest thing is how ingrained the idea of a sick day is. I literally don’t have a job other than to look for and apply to jobs, yet I feel like being sick should exempt me from that work, like I should be watching “Gilligan’s Island,” “The Price Is Right,” and “Hogan’s Heroes.” Not reading, not writing, not doing anything other than wallowing on the sofa in my own, admittedly mild, sickness.
By 4 in the afternoon, I’m feeling a slight shiver when I move around – almost like goosebumps or hair raising on the back of my neck. I’m a little bored and basically waiting until it’s a more appropriate hour to eat dinner. The news hasn’t changed much since lunch or breakfast or two hours ago. In another 30 minutes I can eat dinner. Then go for a walk. Then wallow some more, maybe read, and go to bed early. Hopefully this time without the fever dreams.