At Home: February 2022

My Nurse-Day 1

At the end of our Cabo vacation to re-enter the US we had to have Covid tests. Our tests were at 11am on Feb 4 one day before we flew. We flew home on Southwest with an almost completely full plane of many people who did not have sufficient masks or decided they'd prefer to expose their noses. We wore N-95 masks except when we ate a piece of cake we brought onto the plane. 

We arrived home the evening of February 5. On Sunday, February 6, I woke not feeling very well. Eventually, I realized I had a fever and used our new government provided home test to see if I would be positive for Covid. And, yes I was positive; just two days after the pre-departure test in Mexico I tested positive. I scheduled a PCR test for the next day. That was Monday and I was feeling some better but still feverish. Despite all precautions, I had somehow gotten Covid. 

Nurse Nightingcat-Day 2

Pandora stayed on me both days I was in bed. After Monday, I felt like moving around more. I was lucky that the worst of the symptoms lasted just two days. I still had to isolate for 5 days and mask at home for another 5 days, but as a former migraine sufferer, I have to say that this was very mild and was of less duration than a migraine. Dan, who was with me the entire time we were in Cabo, on the plane, and in the same bed with me the first night did not get sick. Our friends did not get sick. Just not sure how this virus zeroed in on me, but so glad I was the only one it caught. Do wonder where and how it caught me.

After the first night and the positive Covid test, Dan moved into the guest room and we masked continually for 10 days. Glad that's over. It's now March as I write this, and there seem to be no lasting effects to me or to Pandora Cat.

I've returned to the gym and feel pretty safe at least until the next variant descends upon us. The gym is rarely crowded, but the pilates and yoga classes are usually full.

Our yard is beginning to awaken. The crocus, grape hyacinths, hellebores, Daphne are right on schedule, but our wisteria is beginning to flower out at least a month early. So far 2022 has been quite warm and very dry with only about 3/4" of rain in the two-month period. This dry spell is forecast to continue. The present vegetation dryness is what you might expect in June. It is not going to be a good summer/fall/life if this keeps up.

With the warm temperatures lizard season has begun for our cats.

Syd

Pandora

Just before going to Cabo, we were able to visit with my brother and his family. His son Johannes was there with his three babies. We celebrated Owen's 4th birthday first with a visit to the park and then with cake. This was the first time I was able to meet the two youngest babies. All are too young to be vaccinated and we didn't want to take a chance that we could make them sick or they could make us sick.

Owen the birthday boy

Nelson 2-1/2

Owen at 4

Baby Sophie-not too sure about all of us

At the end of January 2022 our county had cumulatively 25,431 positive Covid cases and 188 deaths. Just as positive Covid cases were beginning to taper off, I became one of the positive statistics for February. February had 1134 positive Covid cases for a total of 26,565. Sadly, there were an additional 7 deaths bringing the total to 195. The percentage of persons vaccinated in the county has crept up to 60.2% and 66.1%, respectively. Some progress but still behind the state average.

Just when I thought things were settling down, Russia invades Ukraine. We lived in Ukraine for about 3 months in 2013. Because of Dan's work with the ABA, we were able to travel to several areas outside of Kyiv. So far it appears that Ukraine's resistance was underestimated as were the consequences most of the rest of the world has leveled upon Russia. Слава Ukraine 🇺🇦!