COVID-19 is not over. I tested positive today
Despite masking, being double vaxxed and double boosted, I am the latest victim of the virus that's killed millions and has not gone away. But it's those precautions that have spared me, until now
Thanks for rising up this Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. This is not what I was hoping to get on the day set aside for lovers: A positive test.
How did this happen to ME?
I have been able to avoid infection all this time thanks to vaccines, boosters and masking. No, I don’t wear the N95s even though I was warned as recently as Thursday that the mask I wear doesn’t provide sufficient protection. I took a chance and until now, comfort has been a higher priority than protection.
So let me retrace my steps: I traveled by plane from Connecticut to Florida last Thursday, and returned Sunday night.
Although I wore a mask in the airport, on the plane, and at the car rental facility, I was unmasked celebrating the birthday of my BFF, Maia Monet, with her and three friends at an escape room experience called Escapology.
Then we were joined by several more folks at the Kings Dining and Entertainment bowling alley in Orlando.
Yes, I should have put on my mask in crowded places such as the Les Vixens burlesque show at The Iron Oak Post in Melbourne, Fla., Girl: The Party at the Southern Nights nightclub in Orlando and the drag brunch fundraiser for the Zebra Youth at Orlando’s Quantum Leap Winery, and the Farmer’s Market in Winter Park, where I attended the wedding of Come Out With Pride’s board president Corey Bryant and Justin Higley. I let my guard down.
But I was also unmasked when I returned to work Monday at the University of Hartford, shopped at the Big Y supermarket and had a therapy session. So, I guess it’s possible that I could have been exposed to the virus at one of those places instead of in Florida, but I think it’s more likely the coronavirus set up camp inside my body while traveling to, from or around the Sunshine State. No matter what, masks are not 100% effective, nor are the vaccines and booster shots guarantees against getting infected. But they do reduce your chances, and until now, they’ve worked for me. I still strongly endorse them.
What’s it like?
DEATH. I felt like death last night, and if you’re like me and you’ve never tested positive for COVID before, it’s way different from a cold or the flu or a regular virus. I was suffering body aches, a fever, a cough overnight and I still have congestion and a scratchy throat.
Remarkably, I have not (yet?) lost any sense of smell or taste, so I guess this won’t be one of those “weight loss” viruses that help people like me shed unwanted pounds. Rats.
Although, clearly, I did not actually die, I believe mine to be a mild case after that first night of hell, and I attribute that directly to being vaccinated and boosted. I’m also taking Ibuprofen and drinking plenty of fluids and isolating. I’m told I should be clear of isolation by Saturday, if not sooner. I hope so, since my widow sisters and I plan to go dancing Friday night! Fingers crossed.
So that’s my story, and the reason why this edition didn’t post at 7 a.m. EST as per usual. I’m hoping to feel well enough to post a new newsletter each day going forward, but I’ll be putting my health first, as I should!
Here now the news (a VERY brief look):
BREAKING: SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION: KRON
3 KILLED, 5 WOUNDED BY GUNMAN AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY: CBS News
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE GUNMAN, ANTHONY McRAE: CNN
IMPACT OF SCHOOL GUN VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN GROWS: Washington Post
NIKKI HALEY IS FIRST GOP PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER TO CHALLENGE TRUMP: The New York Times
JOHN BOLTON: SHE’S REALLY RUNNING FOR VEEP — The Hill
WHITE HOUSE TRIES TO CALM FEARS ABOUT UFO BALLOONS: CNN
FIRST MISSILE FIRED BY F-16 PILOT MISSED TARGET: Washington Post
UFO FEVER ON CAPITOL HILL: Politico
MORE EVIDENCE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE IS A NUTJOB:
Politicukoos
PENCE TO FIGHT SUBPOENA FOR TRUMP 2020 INVESTIGATION: CNBC
SENATE CONFIRMS BIDEN’S 100TH JUDGE, OUTPACING TRUMP: NBC News
REP. GEORGE SANTOS “MISSING” $365,000: NYT
OMG News
“THE PILL” BUT FOR MEN: BBC
ANOTHER PILL STORY, THIS ONE CURBS BINGE DRINKING: NYT
WOMEN JOURNALISTS TARGETED FOR DOING THEIR JOBS: Washington Post
Trans World
FEDERAL APPEALS COURT AGREES TO REHEAR CASE OF TRANSGENDER INCLUSION IN CONNECTICUT SCHOOL SPORTS: The Hill
TENNESSEE STATE SENATE PASSES BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH; ACLU THREATENS LAWSUIT: WZTV
J.K. ROWLING ADDRESSES BACKLASH TO ANTI-TRANS COMMENTS IN NEW PODCAST: Variety
That’s all for today. I hope to be back tomorrow with another newsletter, but I cannot promise it will be at 7 a.m., or even that I’ll be able to publish! I’m taking this day by day. Until we meet again, may your news be good news… and DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! Get vaxxed, get boosted, wear a mask!
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