I’ve been in solo quarantine away from @kidnoble since Thursday bc I got exposed & tested for COVID-19. One must “presume positive” until you get results.

Thankfully, I found out today I am negative () and have a really bad hay fever/allergies.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

1) Our frontline health care workers are doing the absolute best with what they have. They NEED our support.

The testing staff @GWHospital are friendly, efficient and professional.

But even the admin staff handling paperwork only have so much PPE:

Supporting frontline health workers also means keeping our butts inside as much as humanly possible and decreasing the demand on them and their very limited resources.

A lot of hospitals are operating at a deficit.

Also let’s be careful saying the test is “super painful.” It’s not the best feeling, but we should be careful not to discourage people from getting tested, even unintentionally.

My eyes watered and it fed was uncomfortable- but it was over in 5 seconds. Glad I did it.

2) Keep fighting for expanded testing.

I was able to get a test only bc I had *confirmed* exposure from an OB-GYN visit for a follow up on my newly diagnosed (& painful) fibroids, and bc I was exhibiting possible symptoms, and DC just relaxed the rules bc they got more tests.

If I lived in neighboring VA or MD, or still at home in MO, chances are high I wouldn’t have gotten a test, which is trash.

Had I been positive, I might not have been taking the full-on precautions of extreme self-distancing and quarantine and not limited contact.

Expanded testing = better citizen behavior and more data for health officials. It means the ability to do more contact tracing and containment. More tracing and containment means a better chance of ending this sooner.

More testing is better for all of us.

3) support essential workers to the very best of your ability.

@kidnoble and I had to depend on more deliveries since I couldn’t go out and in an abundance of caution, he didn’t either.

We tipped drivers $$$$ because too many of their companies give no hazard pay.

I understand you may not have the extra $ to spare right now-dont give more than you can.

But if, like me, you are still collecting a paycheck that outweighs your expenses, join me and others in ensuring any contact you have w essential workers gets more than a “thank you.”

4) Check on your people who are quarantined alone.

Solo quarantine was TRASH for me. Loneliness set in really fast even though I could see or hang with him from across the room.

My allergy symptoms have kept me mostly in bed and it was hard not to get severely depressed.

. @kidnoble and I had gotten into a #NewlywedAndQuarantined routine that we knew in itself was a privilege. We’d work separately to give space, take masked walks, cook dinner together and play games.

We could do little of that once I had to presume positive. It SUCKED.

We slept on FaceTime like some dorks but it literally was the thing that kept me from having a panic attack, especially awaiting test results while physically alone.

Your solo friends may need some extra attention or for you to pay for some therapy sessions RN. Ask them.

We were already checking in on our friends a lot but it gave me newfound empathy for our friends in solo quarantine all the time. Do the things you can to make sure they know they aren’t alone. This is as much a mental health journey as it is a physical one.

The more we hold true to the best advice of doctors and the strong suggestions and temporary regulations of elected officials that have our best interests at heart, the fast we can get back to in person connection.

Please-stay inside, save lives, and share love.

Side note: my doctor said she’s not surprised my allergy symptoms have been terrible as it’s a very, very bad allergy season.

I’m badly congested w/ lots of sinus drainage -> coughing -> no voice and an sore throat, plus itchy skin & eyes.

Take care of yourselves!!!!!

Let me go reintroduce myself to this neti pot...

Stay healthy, stay well!

Shout out to my friends. So many folks have checked in on us these past few days and really this entire pandemic, our crew has been holding one another up.

Some of these folks only just met at the wedding. Love is real. I hope everyone can find the support they deserve