I tested positive February 8th for Covid, which was somewhat unexpected given how we’ve all adapted over the past few years. Procedures and attitudes have really changed since years ago, with a heightened awareness of health and safety measures permeating daily life. I went to urgent care because I had a sore throat. I am thinking I may have Strep Throat since I have had this ailment many times in my life. It’s frustrating to navigate through these overlapping illnesses, especially when the signs can sometimes be misleading. Strep Throat is a bacterial infection that requires prompt attention, and I would need a prescription to get an antibiotic to ensure that I can recover quickly and prevent any potential complications.

The admitting questionnaire does not even list Covid. They list cold and flu symptoms, but nothing about Covid, which seems particularly concerning given the ongoing pandemic. Remembering in the past when there were big bold letters at the top of the form that issued a clear warning about listing Covid symptoms, accompanied by special instructions that everyone was expected to abide by, it feels odd to see such a lack of attention now. I check the box for cold and flu symptoms since there is no category for sore throat, which I have been experiencing lately. Entering the waiting room, I am struck by the sight of 8 or ten patients waiting to be called up, all sitting closely together, which feels unsettling. No masks or social distancing measures are in place whatsoever, leaving me wondering about the safety protocols that should be implemented in such a high-traffic area where the risk of transmission could be significant.

In about ten minutes I am called into the admittance office. The nurse their does have a mask. I tell her I have concerns about Strep Throat and she says that is probably not my illness since most people develop an immunity to Strep as they age. But they will perform a Strep test anyway and also do a Flu and Covid tests to make sure it is not one of those. She takes me to a treatment room and tells me a nurse will be in shortly.

In a short time, a nurse or some other professional comes in, no mask, no concern about that I may be contagious. She does the routine of blood pressure, blood oxygen and whatever else they do. Asks a few questions like do I have any other symptoms and how long have I been ill. She then tells me another person will come in and do the nostril swabs for the samples.

Maybe ten, fifteen minutes later the next technician comes in, no mask, just like I am person with a bad sprain. She does the Strep swab first and then the flu swab. I comment I am sure glad there is only one more swab to do. To my surprise she responds and says the flu and Covid test is done at the same time. This brings back memories during the onset of Covid that there were comments that Covid is just a flu strain and for political and agenda reasons it is being blown out a proportion to the actual seriousness of the virus. If they use the same test, it makes one wonder.

It takes forty minutes for the test results. A Physician Assistant enters the room and gives me the results. the Strep test is negative, and the Flu test is also negative. Unfortunately, the covid comes back positive . I have Covid. There is no panic no concern, just like you have a cold or flu. She gives me a mask to wear home and says the quarantine is now only five days and that starts the day the symptoms start. Go home and if your symptoms get worse come back. Next Patient!

This Brings back how my wife was treated during the height of the pandemic. She was isolated immediately, and a sign was put on the door “restricted area”. Personnel would come into the room all masked up and in disposable garments. You had to put up with wearing masks everywhere, Clear plexiglass sheets separated you from the cashier. Do not get closer than 5 feet to the next person. Many restaurants did not survive the Covid shutdown. I always wondered how the small business was shut down, but the large, big box stores could stay open. One will never know if this helped or not.

Unfortunately, how Covid was treated has led people to distrust government, big pharma, and the medical profession. The face of Covid is so much different than the beginning; it is no longer seen with the same level of fear and urgency. Now it is treated like just a bad cold or the flu, leading to a general complacency among the public. This shift in perception not only complicates ongoing vaccination efforts but also fuels skepticism regarding public health recommendations, as many feel the initial responses lacked transparency and consistency. As a result, the conversations surrounding Covid have transformed, making it difficult for health authorities to regain trust and effectively communicate the importance of ongoing vigilance against this virus and its potential variants.

Daily writing prompt

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

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