Jessica

Be kind to everyone

PORTLAND, OREGON: When the Covid outbreak began in February 2020, I think most people here took the virus seriously. Everyone seemed to be wearing masks, keeping social distance. In March, when everything shut down, I stopped work as an office manager for a chiropractic clinic. Things began to open up again in early summer and I think people were both frustrated and complacent. Everyone started relaxing, paying less attention to the Covid safety protocols. Too much social interaction began occurring as people disregarded how contagious the virus is.

I believed Covid was real, but I, too, became complacent. In October 2020, I thought I had allergies. Then, a headache and body ache kicked in and I thought I was coming down with something. I quarantine myself for 14 days. I stayed in my room, tried to eat and rest, but I was fatigued. I had nausea and diarrhea, body aches, fever, rash, chest pain, and hair loss.

Covid isolates you and creates a lot of stress, especially for those suffering from long Covid. I was angry at the world for not taking Covid seriously and not believing that I was really sick.

What is scary about Covid is that you don’t know what’s going to happen. Some people breeze right through it, some end up in the hospital. These were all healthy people before being infected with the virus.

I think it’s important to talk about what’s going on with your health and I’m fortunate to have some wonderful people around me who call, check-up, and listen to me. These are the best of friends and by listening to me they validate that I have gone through these things.

My husband has been incredibly supportive, Covid would have been even more difficult if I’d been alone.

I was in good health before I caught Covid, which is, perhaps, why I got through it quickly. But some people in excellent health are still suffering from long haul Covid. I still feel stressed, my hair keeps falling out, and, after running errands, I come home wiped out.

I tried to go back to work but, after a week, it was obvious that fatigue and mental fog were keeping me from doing my job. that was a hard hit to take.

I don’t think I’ll ever get back to my old “normal.” For now, I work at staying in touch with family and friends, walking the dog, going to the grocery store.

I believe in science and I’m pro-vaccine.

My hope is that in the coming year, people will be more understanding and empathetic of each other.

My advice to others is to be kind to everyone.