Disclaimer:This article is written without malice and judgement. I just want to share mypersonal experience with COVID-19.
May 17, 2021
Due to unavoidable circumstances, I was exposed to a person who tested CoVid positive few days after. The person didn't know she had already the virus during our encounter. Her co-workers contracted d virus therefore, she was a close contact. I wasn't declared a close contact neither I knew I contracted already the virus.
May 24, 2021
Exactly seven days after my exposure, I caught colds but blamed it with the drizzle that drenched me a night before so I didn't think that it's because of d virus. That was already the first symptom that I never thought of. The next day, the simple colds got worse and I was sneezing non-stop so I decided not to go to school. Early morning of Wednesday, I was awakened with my sneezing so I got up and checked myself in d bathroom, to my bewilderment my sense of smell wasn't working. I knew already something was wrong. I felt my forehead, I was feverish. I dipped my forefinger in the salt container and tasted it but I couldn't taste it. I realized I had the virus. I returned to my bed and at 6 o'clock in d morning, I hurriedly got up to see the sun. I noticed just by standing up, I easily got tired so I stayed on the hammock beside my room. My fever is gone. I told my older folks to distance themselves, separate my eating utensils and disinfect the whole house. I requested my father to bring d easy chair at d backyard so that I have a place to stay. I voluntarily isolated myself. Since then, my housemates wore facemasks. Then, a friend called up and upon learning my situation reported it to Municipal Health Office (MHO). I cooperated with the MHO personnel and told her the manifested symptoms. She advised me to take meds and recommended that I will go to Baggao District Hospital for antigen test while waiting then for my swab test. It happened that time in BDH that they don't have antigen test for walk-in patients when I reached a friend who works there. So, I couldn't do nothing but patiently waited for my RT-PCR test. The most difficult part was the solid and liquid foods I ate got no taste and smell at all which I practiced to push it with water so that I can take medicines. During night time, 11pm-4 am I got fever because I could feel the burning sensation on my forehead every time, I touched it. I couldn't sleep. I was sweating profusely. Daytime, I feel better, fever is gone but dry cough began to slow me down. I slept during d day.
May 30, 2021
Finally, I was swabbed. It wasn't my first time because I was a close contact in the past but tested negative. My second time hurts more than the first time which I knew already, the virus stricken me. I struggled for five days. The medicines however, did a great help.
June 1, 2021
A contact tracer called up and delivered the bad news and told me I was different from the others because I already anticipated it which made her asked if somebody prior informed me about it, I said none and we had a good laugh. After her call, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) personnel alerted me that I will be transported to a quarantine facility. I told him, I will bring myself to the quarantine facility because I can still drive and stronger already. I was very happy when I ate before I left, I smelled and tasted the food. At dusk, I proceeded to the quarantine facility. I stayed in Baggao South Central School. I had a roommate. I built new friendships there. There were old and familiar faces who were also quarantined there. We were thirteen in the vicinity. My daily routine started at 6am. I go out for an exercise. I jogged and brisk walked within d school premises. At seven in the morning, I ate my breakfast. Meals served were good. After breakfast, I take a bath and got ready for our daily check-ups. On the third day, a doctor came and checked us. Twelve noon, I ate lunch and during the afternoon, I read the book I brought and had plenty of time watching movies on my PC. I managed also to reply messages of my pupils and parents on our group chat. Seven PM was dinner time, take a hot shower, browsed apps on my phone and at 10pm, I doze off. This routine lasted for 12 days.
*My housemates were swabbed and they all tested negative. It was a great relief.
June 12, 2021
I was told I can go home already. You know the feeling of being in cloud nine because there is no place like home. It was really my Independence Day after all. I bid goodbyes to my quarantine mates and headed home at 4 pm. To complete my quarantine, I have to stay home for four days so that I will be declared clinically recovered. I stayed home strictly for 10 days. Yes! I am a CoVid survivor! I owe it to the One above who makes things possible even in the most impossible ways. Of course, my CoVid journey does not end there. With the nature of my job, I am still vulnerable and considered a frontliner but I am careful this time. I am risking my life with my profession for the attainment of quality education even at these most challenging times. This is my calling and I don’t regret it. I will be fully vaccinated soon. On personal note, thank you to those who brought food, called and sent messages, it meant the world to me. My salute and indebtedness to all the frontliners who helped me recovered. I can't name you one by one. This menace will end. Together we can! At this time of pandemic, let us be vigilant and help one another as brothers and sisters. Cooperate with the government's outcry. Follow minimum public health standards. Wear facemask, avoid social gatherings, maintain physical distancing and STAY HOME. BAGGAO WILL HEAL! PHILIPPINES WILL HEAL! WE WILL HEAL AS ONE!