COVID Transmissions for 9-22-2020

Today's story is me

Sep 22, 2020

Good morning! It has been 309 days since the first documented human case of COVID-19.

I have developed a fever, which I will describe further in the next section. This means that there will be a different newsletter format today. No headlines and really nothing except a pandemic life section; I want to share what it’s like to get sick during this pandemic, and also I need to take some time to recuperate.

As usual, bolded terms are linked to the running newsletter glossary.

Keep the newsletter growing by sharing it! I love talking about science and explaining important concepts in human health, but I rely on all of you to grow the audience for this:

Share COVID Transmissions

Now, let’s talk COVID.

What am I doing to cope with the pandemic? This:

Getting sick in a pandemic

As I mentioned yesterday, I developed a sore throat over Rosh Hashana. I did not think much of this except that it prevented me from going to services in order to protect others. When it went away, I thought that would be all.

Sunday night into Monday morning, I developed a headache and stomach pains that woke me up. Throughout Monday that developed further into a generalized malaise and a low-grade fever. I don’t think I’ve been so tired as I am right now in a long, long time.

This is a story that fits numerous viral illnesses; upper respiratory inflammation representing the first point of infection followed by additional symptoms as a systemic reaction sets in. I could have anything.

The problem is, because we are in a global pandemic, there is a reasonable enough possibility that I have COVID-19. For that reason, I will be isolating myself and getting tested. This is the problem with getting sick in a pandemic; absolutely anything could be the disease that is causing so much trouble. I didn’t go to synagogue, plainly, because I didn’t want to kill anyone I know. I don’t want to kill anyone else, either, so I’m going to have an interesting couple of weeks.

I reached out to a physician today, and had a brief telemedicine appointment wherein I described my symptoms and he agreed this met the criteria for COVID-19 testing. I’ll be going in tomorrow and should have results in three to five days.

I felt my physician really delivered on giving me clear instructions. I was impressed. He told me: “You have a fever. You’re contagious. Isolate yourself, don’t go out except to get tested.” I was impressed with how direct and plain he was. Of course, it also means that now I have to stay home and wait.

Other than waiting, I am trying to rest and recuperate. I’m also spending a lot of time wondering how I might have gotten sick considering that I barely go out and when I do I’m wearing a mask. Last week, I went to the gym once and an outdoor dining restaurant once. Was that enough to catch whatever it is I’ve caught? Or did I get it in some other, innocuous way—from a delivery man, or perhaps a bike handle? My physician told me that I shouldn’t go over this endlessly—I did not take any special risks and I followed local guidelines as to what was safe to do.

In the end it doesn’t matter, but I know that I can take specific efforts to make sure that the chain of transmission for this bug ends with me. It’s not fun to have.

Even if this is not COVID-19, it is exhausting, and I want to get it done with as soon as I can.

Join the conversation, and what you say will impact what I talk about in the next issue.

Also, let me know any other thoughts you might have about the newsletter. I’d like to make sure you’re getting what you want out of this.

Viral Transmissions

Discussion about this post