Catching COVID-19...

Hey You. Thanks for clicking my post.

So, unfortunately, I have COVID-19.

I found out yesterday. I got free testing through the Health Department. My symptoms have really only been loss of taste and smell. I have felt super lethargic, experienced mild headaches and light headedness, and don't tell anyone, but DIARRHEA. My stomach feels a little queazy and I have basically ruined all my friendships (for at least 14 days).

It all started when I took a vacation to Savannah, GA...

Originally, I was supposed to go with my lame ex-boyfriend. The best way to describe our relationship is G-Eazy's new song: "Had Enough"... Lyrics best described with this quote:

"Uh, rebounds, I see who I'm replaced with

You took no time, you can't waste it

You drag my name, I don't say shit

But let somebody say, "G-Eazy" you go ape s***

Thank God we stayed split

I don't have it in me to hate s***

If I told you the truth, you can't take s***

You can't have a good thing, you love to break s***

It's been this long so why you calling me?

Texting the homies, you re-followed me

Asking about me, you want all the tea..."

Anyway, we kept going back and forth about whether he should come or not after we broke up - ya know, as friends. HA! Bad idea. He wanted his measly funds back, which cost more to cancel the trip, so he claimed to have the rest of the money, but also demanded the money he paid me for it back? Like - OK but he should consider it cancellation funds. He got a girlfriend like a week later, because I truly think he cannot stand to be alone and just HAS to have a person that tells him they love him? I am not sure. Will he read this? Not sure. Do I care? No. He also offered to still go, but "his gf would not like it". OK.

So, after about half a month of battling this cancerous person, I blocked him. Phew! So, then I asked my best friend, Jules. She agreed, but then got super sick like the day before we were supposed to leave. So, I had already asked everyone and their mother to come with me: my other best friends, my mom, and even a couple folks I didn't talk to on the "reg".

I went alone. I mean, duh, it was my birth month!

The drive was not bad. It was pretty long, but I had my breakup playlist, filled with iPrevail, Slaves, G-Eazy and Ava Maxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, whom I love! I got down there and realized that my old best friend, Shakiera, lived in Brunswick. She drove like an hour the next day and came to see me. We had a complete blast. Of course, the days I spent alone were still fun and I met a lot of people and ate a ton of good food.

Yes - I went through days bringing my mask into stores and restaurants. I wore it to most bars, but frequently removed it to drink or eat, so 60% of the time, no MASK. If I could go back, I probably would have worn a mask and used better precaution like hand washing more often and maybe NOT getting so close and friendly with strangers. Ugh. I let me being a social butterfly get the best of me. This pandemic had shown me what it is like to be safe and what it is like to not be. I made questionable choices while I was in Savannah, but obviously I did not MEAN to get the virus. Others may disagree. My responsibility to keep me and others safe felt like a whole other world to me. Yeah, it's still Earth. First example of my first day mistake below:

(See that cute pink mask UNDER my chin and not properly worn?) - My nails were cute though...

I digress... I drove back from Savannah on July 6, 2020. I felt tired and had a headache but I thought it was my 4 hour-turned 6 hour drive thanks to 4th of July traffic. I shrugged it off. I went to my birthday dinner at the Atlanta Fish Market, which was great. Food WAS AMAZING and I was SURROUNDED by some great friends. Again, no mask because, well... food.

So, I had been concerned a couple days after my party. I had chills a couple nights after my birthday. I kept taking my temperature, and I was 98°Normal! I went on the next couple days without chills, so I thought my allergies started acting up. My nasal passage was stuffed, although my breathing was fine and I felt ok physically. I had a minor headache and felt very lightheaded, but I assumed I was dehydrated from the weekend festivities. NOPE. I grew a little concerned for my roommate and my friends I had seen since. So, I called the Health DEPT and they set me up an appointment the following week.

Meanwhile, I felt no symptoms really, so I went to the lake with a couple friends. That is when I noticed, I could not taste or smell a darn thing. I went on with my day with my friends and enjoyed myself anyway. MISTAKE. I should have been more cautious. I SHOULD have been more responsible. I should have just leaned on the side of caution and quarantined myself. I selfishly, decided to take my chances and leaned on the side of fun. I had looked up the COVID symptoms when I got back from the lake, and my heart sank. I for sure was exhibiting symptoms. I was not quite educated on different strains, so I automatically was like: "Should I call the hospital and reserve a bed? Let them know I'm on the way?"

I got my test Monday. It processed Thursday. I found out 7/17 that I was COVID-POSITIVE. Honestly, I did not mean to give anyone anything. So, here is an apology to my roommate. She was super frustrated with me because I had not been so cautious, and had a few warnings, but she and I still decided to hang out, because everyone around me, including myself, were swimming in 'Denial River'. She got her test yesterday. I not only ruined my plans, but I ruined hers and anyone she had come in contact with. I visited my 58 year old mother when I got back from out of town, so now I check on her and my younger sister everyday. My dad dropped off my AirPods for my birthday, but luckily we exchanged with just masks and like 5 ft apart and he put it at my door while we kept our distance. I may have given it to my best friend, who ALREADY had the virus in April/May, so it would be just her luck to get it AGAIN. She and I have talked and we both blame ourselves. I am sorry to literally ANYONE I came into contact with.

I have thought about it a lot, and it is possible I had the virus before I left town, during my vacation, or AFTER I got back. That is the thing about this COVID. I could have got it from ANYWHERE. People can be cautious and still get it. People can be like me, and never get it. It is all wrong place, wrong time and situational. This all could have been prevented if I had stayed home, gave up the fun for a few more months, just to stay healthy and clean, but no. My irresponsible tail just HAD to go enjoy my life: now look at me.

Well, I am still able to do my schoolwork and full-time job. Just pushing through it. I finally got some of my taste buds back yesterday. Today, I could actually taste the coffee that I added to my creamer. HAHA. I got a spurt of energy and cooked for the 1st time in a week. I have spent too much money on DoorDash™ and UberEats™. Sad.

So, if I could take anything away from my COVID experience, I should umm, wear a *mask*, take vitamins, keep tissues handy, and wash my hands and wipe down all my surfaces. I sound ridiculous, because the news and others have only been saying this for MONTHS now. All I can do now is take care of myself, others, quarantine and drink water.

Stay Safe, anyone and everyone. (I might be 25 and suffered mild symptoms, but I could have passed it to someone who suffers more - I am so sorry, and that's all I can be).

Here are some more pix from my very unsafe trip:

- Rach