![]() While we enjoy the small-town feel typically associated with rural areas, demand from a large, nearby military base ensures we don't lack access to medical care or other amenities. I live in a fairly rural county about two hours from Washington, D.C. While I was acutely aware of the testing shortages America faced at the outset of its epidemic, I assumed that accessing a coronavirus test at this point would be easy. As a first step, I arranged a virtual visit with a telehealth provider, who reviewed my symptoms and ultimately concluded: "We need to assume you have Covid-19." He couldn't confirm the diagnosis without a test, however, so he gave me a referral to get tested for the new coronavirus.īriefing: 16 things CEOs need to know in 2023 Just one testing siteĪrmed with my referral, my husband graciously stepped in and looked to schedule me for a coronavirus test. We couldn't dismiss the prospect anymore, so we decided to self-isolate until we could get some answers. I felt exhausted, but the pain and fever kept me awake.Įventually, my husband asked, "Is it possible this is Covid?" I developed pain in my back and chest, and had a hard time breathing if I moved around too much. I was caught in a cycle of chills and hot flashes, became nauseous, had gastrointestinal issues, and couldn't eat. "There's no way this can be Covid-19."īut as the day progressed, my temperature rose. "I've been doing everything I can," I thought. Still, I quickly brushed the prospect of Covid-19 out of my mind. As states began reopening businesses and lifting stay-at-home orders, we started feeling as if being exposed to the coronavirus was a looming inevitability. And while he's been mindful of taking steps to reduce his risk of exposure while at work, we've understood there's no way he can eliminate that risk entirely. My husband has taken the same precautions, with one exception: He's an essential worker who must be physically present at his workplace to perform his job. And like many others, I haven't seen my friends or family in person since America's coronavirus epidemic began. ![]() In fact, I've been inside a public place-my local grocery story-only three times since then, and only while wearing a face mask, staying physically distant from others, and being careful to use sanitizers and wash my hands thoroughly afterward. I'm able to work from home, so, since mid-March, I've ventured outside of my home only to walk my dogs and exercise outside while being careful to stay at least six feet away from others, and to procure essential items. I've also been a stickler for following guidelines and taking precautions to protect myself and my husband from contracting the virus. For the past seven months, I've spent most of my days tracking the latest policies, research, and other developments related to the global pandemic. As a senior editor for Daily Briefing, I've been immersed in tracking and covering the new coronavirus since it first emerged in Wuhan, China, last December. After an hour of tossing and turning with bouts of chills and hot flashes, I got out of bed and took my temperature, which registered as a low-grade fever at 99.6 degrees.Ī thought of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, flashed into my mind. on Sunday, June 28, I woke up shivering yet drenched in sweat, and in pain from muscle aches like I've never felt before. Toolkit: Access our resources for a COVID-19 variant surge 'Is it possible this is Covid?'Īround 3:00 a.m. Since then, she's had a first-hand look at America's response to the coronavirus epidemic-an experience that's been filled with delays and uncertainty. Thirteen days ago, Advisory Board's Ashley Fuoco Antonelli developed symptoms of Covid-19. ![]()
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