Preface: I recognize that my general demeanor is that of a cranky old geezer. And, anyone who knows me understands that I embrace that image. I am afraid that you may find this post particularly cranky. My sincere apologies. I do have an excuse; I feel particularly punky as I am isolating in quarantine with COVID.
After dutifully getting both vaccine shots and continuing to mask in public places like the Lone Ranger or Superman sans tights and cape, I tested positive for COVID. Both a quick test and a PCR test were positive. I am now quarantining in my daughters old bedroom: my wife leaves meals outside the door like I am in the”nick”, and I am writing this blog post. The good news is that my fever has broken and am feeling almost 100 percent. I still have many days of quarantine left. And, yes, I plan to quarantine the whole time to assure, as best I can, that my wife doesn’t have to experience this and I don’t spread COVID around to the rest of mankind like some cranky Typhoid Mary. To make it particularly troublesome, the State of Connecticut virus trackers contact me daily. Big Brother is watching.
I recently received a note from a friend who asked if my next blog will be the humorous side of Covid. That was the best question anyone could ask. Otherwise I would have created a blog that went off on a tear about big government, big pharma, and the lousy state of the republic. What fun would that be? And I want to be especially sensitive to people who have had a rough time or who have lost loved ones to this mysterious, troubling disease.
I am fortunate on many levels: I have a somewhat mild, although prolonged, case; my wife tested negative; I have a place to hang out that’s dry; my Social Security checks keep coming; I am blessed with friends and family and, if I am really fortunate, the sun will rise in the morning. Covid shots, it turned out in my case, are not an iron gate against this virus; I do recognize that I likely would have a more serious episode without the shots.
Speaking of being fortunate, I quickly came to the realization that what makes me most fortunate are my friends and family. When I tested positive, I broadcast the fact very widely to anyone with whom I had recently connected. I wanted all to be aware of their possible exposure and get tested if they felt it to be appropriate. I also contacted others with whom I had not been in contact to let people know that vaccination, in cases like mine, is pretty weak protection. I have been tremendously taken aback by the response. I have received numerus inquiries as to how I am doing and well wishes. I cannot begin to express how very much their outreach has meant to me.
A couple mornings ago I realized that I lost my sense of smell. I had just bought some aftershave, the kind I use at the gym in South Carolina. My wife likes the fragrance; which was the most important factor in deciding to buy it. Well, I splashed it on and thought that I had mistakenly bought fragrance free – no indication of that on the bottle. I then went to the kitchen and tried to smell the jar of ground cinnamon, nothing. Losing my sense of smell is particularly troublesome to me and is turning out to be the worst part of this experience.
My son had a like experience when he had Covid a couple months ago. Losing his sense of smell was truly troublesome for someone in the wine business and currently getting certification in the field. Fortunately his loss was very short lived. I am hoping for a similar experience.
The whole politicized international response to Covid reminds me of what a very wise boss, an ex Navy Mustang, told me years ago. We were discussing a new corporate initiative from our California headquarters. We were in Pennsylvania and considered the red headed stepchildren of the corporation. They tolerated us because of the profits we generated. Charlie, the Navy Mustang, said to me “You know Bill, if you have a bunch of cooks you can have a banquet, if you have a bunch of musicians you can have a dance. But, if all you have are clowns your going to have a circus.”
Apologizing in advance for this glumb post. Hope the next one will be upbeat. I hope that I smell better in the future. (Hmmm, that statement doesn’t sound quite right.)
Backpacking Bill 