Tuesday 28 July 2020

My First COVID Test

I was totally caught off guard Sunday when I suddenly came down with flu-like symptoms. We let our everyone in our bubble know right away. I called in my symptoms to the weekend nurse who consulted the ER doctor on call and booked me a video appointment this morning. The doctor today agreed this looks very possibly like COVID-19 but also noted my concern about a cat bite I had last week and so we are taking a two-pronged approach of going onto the antibiotics for cat scratch fever and also testing for COVID.

Despite Marin having 11 test sites (most drive through) for our tiny population, they are all booked up for today. They also are all accessible online through separate websites so it takes a while to check them. I looked into going to SF but they are only testing residents so I booked a drive through test in Santa Rosa. 

The drive to Sonoma was lovely and, despite all the aches in my joints, I was happy to be alone and on a drive instead of in bed. The test site was well marked, extremely organized and fast. The test is pretty fast but not pleasant. It's a long cotton swab stuck into your throat three times, once through the mouth and twice through the nostrils (held for 8 seconds per side). It makes you gag, eyes water and then it's over and you're driving away.

The next errand was not as easy. I pulled off the road in San Rafael to call the pharmacy covered in our drug plan. After a lengthy chat with the call center, I finally got that pharmacy on the phone and I was told that no, they do not have curbside pick up or same day courier. I had to head home and send poor Joel.

Joel has been on duty since I started self isolation yesterday. He's been working 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week right now already but is now also the only one who can touch the kids or make them food. He deserves a medal. Today I tried sitting outside at a distance to supervise them but they know I can't do a thing so they fought the whole time. I might need a super-soaker. Ideas welcome.

The test results expected on Friday so this will be a very long week.