A thread: please bear with me.

I feel a bit weird sharing this on SM, but in case anyone else is feeling this way, here goes: my throat started getting scratchy/sore on Sunday night. I slathered on some Vicks, drank some tea & wished it away. /1

It was still there the next day, accompanied by a slightly runny nose, but during the day, it wasn’t bad. I also was getting intermittent headaches, but dismissed them because, well, I’m trapped at home with a toddler & trying to work. /2

But by Wednesday night, I was getting a bit worried. So, despite my inclination to just ignore my symptoms, I used the online pre-screening tool on 811. It said I should call. *Sigh.* /3

So, I waited until my little was asleep, called around 9:30 p.m. and waited on hold for maybe 5 mins? Was prescreened by a lovely woman, who advised me that based on the questions, I was going to need additional screening & should self-isolate. /4

She told me I’d get a call back within 12 hours. By 8:30 a.m., another lovely woman called & asked me more questions. I, of course, was trying to downplay everything & was feeling quite silly about being a bother/strain on the system. I likely just had a cold, right? /5

She firmly told me that I did the right thing by calling & that I needed to be tested. I was advised it would be between 3 & 5 days before I got a callback to go get swabbed. Less than an hour later, I got a call & an appointment that same day (Thursday). /6

The testing process took less than 30 mins & I was v. impressed by the efficient/sterile process they had set up. This morning (Saturday), I received a call that I tested negative. /7

Sorry for this massive thread to report nothing. EXCEPT, our health care workers are the absolute fucking best. Seriously. I am so grateful to live in a society where, even when a citizen suspects they probably just have a cold or allergies, their concerns are not dismissed. /8

My mind was put to rest in less than 72 hours. I am aware there are false negatives b/c of low viral load, etc… so I will keep monitoring my symptoms, but right now, I’m choosing to believe I just have a seasonal cold/allergies. /9

So, I’m just going to go back to baking more sourdough, staying the fuck home & trying to support my community from the confines of my house. I can’t fucking wait until this is all over & I can hug a healthcare worker.

Take care of yourselves & your loved ones. /fin