As someone 95% sure I have COVID-19 at this point, I thought I'd share my experience + give updates.

Reading firsthand accounts has been weirdly therapeutic, so if it helps somone out there...it's worth it.

Background: I'm 29, in relatively good health, bad immune system from stress. I work from home and socially distanced but went shopping for my family on March 20 before Chicago got the shelter-in-place order.

(Chicago is now a growing hotspot despite this)

I did everything right. Washed hands, sanitizer after every store, never touched my face. But I was in crowded stores with panicked people barely standing a foot from each other in long lines.

Symptoms started a week after I shopped - March 27.

March 27: deep cough out of nowhere. Mild fever. Excruciatingly tired. Still assumed it was just stress so I worked through it. By night I had shortness of breath. Slept and hoped for the best.

March 28: Felt better all day. Assumed I was fine/had allergies.

Then night hit.
Fever spiked to 100, deep cough, shortness of breath enough to be bothersome. So tired I had to lay down several times throughout the day.

March 29: fever was down all day, but the shortness of breath is god awful. Much like doing several vodka shots, I'm fine until I get up. Walking to the bathroom feels like I jogged upstairs. Going upstairs? Takes me 5 FULL MINS for breath to return.

I've described it to friends as "bronchitis in reverse with the steps made up" Respiratory symptoms with no build-up, fever that YOLOs back every few hours, cough that hurts. Flu fatigue. I also only want to eat carbs? Who knows.

Due to major insurance switches, I don't even have a doctor to call until April 1. Even then, with testing at a premium in Chicago, I likely won't get tested. I'm monitoring symptoms, resting, drinking water, and eating too many bagels. God I love bagels rn.

Today (March 30) I am on the struggle bus. Fever down but shortness of breath and fatigue is all-consuming. It's taken me two hours, a cup of coffee, and Tylenol to get the strength to shower. Still have bagels though.

The hardest part of this, as an active workaholic, is resting. My brain feels literally empty and it sucks to not be able to create content. I'm so used to constant hustling that I don't know how to rest. So far Animal Crossing in bed is the closest I get. It's HARD

March 31: cough/breath is better but fever worse even with Tylenol. Lost a lot of my appetite, even for bagels. :( Calling whatever doctor I can get a hold of tomorrow and hoping for the best.

Today, fever is down but shortness of breath is much worse. However, today my worst issue is the ineptitude of the US healthcare system right now. Tl;dr the original primary care provider I was given for my new insurance today was not even a doctor, so I can't see them -

The urgent care clinic under my insurance is the only local testing for COVID. They took my call (after 45 mins of hangups) and screened me. Since I'm under 65 and not a first responder, I'm not eligible for a COVID test despite showing symptoms.

I was directed to another branch of their urgent care to be tested for everything BUT COVID - flu, bronchitis, etc. Must call ahead before I arrive bc of symptoms. I'll fill paperwork out in my car. But sure, fuck it, I hope my flu test is positive. Absolutely unreal.

I hope everyone understands how bonkers this is. How many hundreds of thousands more cases we have in the US because people can't get tested. How many people can't get the help they need because of red tape. I'm happy I'm still healthy and could wait a day. What if I couldn't?

Today, my fever has evened out a lot. Shortness of breath is still annoying, but the most annoying part is how TIRED I am. I can be awake for about 3-4 hours in a row and then need to lie down. I don't think I've ever been this fatigued for this long in my life.

Sorry for no update yesterday! Today and yesterday my fever is all but gone, which is good. Still short of breath and tiredness is god awful. I feel like I lost brain cells over the past week and can't analyze anything, but I feel on the upswing!

Really hoping my levels of complete idiocy (I've honestly never felt dumber in my entire life) and taking about 50% longer to do things is a result of a sleep schedule that's totally made up at this point and not like, lack of oxygen.