So I screened positive for COVID-19... What now?
So.... this happened today. What now?
"But I felt fine yesterday..." This was the thought that flittered through my head as I grappled, momentarily, with the question "how serious is this?"
"It's just a sore throat...It's just a little cough." I thought.
In about 5 seconds I went through the stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
I am fortunate not to be grieving the death of a loved one like so many families are. I, simply, am grieving moments lost with family. We had an awesome day planned. I am grieving, perhaps, a loss in income as I isolate and plan to get tested - I am asking myself “Can I go to work this week?”. And I am even pre-grieving… thinking about the possibility that I may not get the 2nd dose of my vaccine this week and I won’t be able to complete my “triple-check” and protect those I love most by getting vaccinated.
My “grief” is inconsequential compared to thousands of people across the U.S. that have lost loved ones, jobs, relationships and more. It is a drop in an ocean of pain that this pandemic has caused.
The only reason I am pausing to highlight this. Is to underscore just how important it is that we all do our part. And value every link in the chain of protecting our communities.
I wear my mask. I wash my hands. I screen daily for symptoms. I test weekly for COVID-19 and, as a hospitalist physician on the frontlines of this pandemic, I am privileged to be halfway done with my vaccination regimen.
I've come to accept that as a father, a physician and citizen it is my responsibility to do what is right for everyone else. So I am going against the denial. I am coming to terms with my anger about having symptoms. I am turning down the bargains I offered myself. I am allowing myself to be sad about the moments with my family and friends that I’ve lost. And I am accepting the next few days as part of “what we’ve got to do to get through this.”
So to answer my own question. What now?
I’ve screened positive for symptoms. It’s time to get tested. Notify my bosses. And follow our “Return to Work” protocols. Just like countless administrators, HR professionals, school leaders, and COVID coordinators I will have to look up the decision tree and do what is recommended by the CDC and my local county health department.
This is what we all have to do to get back to school, get back to work, and to stay healthy.
So…. if you screen positive. If you notice “just a few little symptoms”… PLEASE, take them seriously. Go through your stages if you have to. Feel your emotions. But, ultimately, do the right thing. Your colleagues, your students, your staff, your friends, and your health are all depending on it.
And now… to do what doctors don’t always do too well. I’m off to follow my own advice and get tested…. Wish me luck
#WearAMask
Updated: 1/13/21
Last week I had been on the “COVID Service” and just the other day admitted 5 patients with COVID-19. NOW - I have been blessed to have the appropriate PPE and have been taking all the right steps to decrease the risk to myself and my family.
But with having the past few days off and feeling fine, till yesterday, I went about family life the way I normally would. With a 6 month old at home and having symptoms that could be COVID-19, it was a little more stressful than usual waiting on my test result.
Well… I am happy to say I tested negative.
This scare, thankfully brief and with the outcome we all wish for, underscores the importance of several layers of keeping yourself and your community safe.
One of these layers is simply performing a daily check in. Being aware of how you are feeling, and knowing what to look out for. I tell patients, who need to, to check their blood pressure regularly or their blood sugar every day. Protecting yourself and family from COVID-19, is no different than protecting yourself from high blood pressure or diabetes. A daily self check can help you know what is your day-to-day baseline, and when you feeling different.
That doesn’t mean that every cough, or muscle ache is COVID, the flu or any other viral illness. But being ‘in the know’ about yourself and your family members can help you stay healthy at a time when we all need it most.
#WearAMask