Having lived seven decades with respiratory issues, I have long known the rule (ok, this is going to be gross) that if on the first day you feel congested your mucous is green, you  need an antibiotic.  If the first day of congestion your mucous is clear, you are either suffering from allergies or a virus- but after a few days if it gets viscous and cloudy- or even green, it’s no longer allergies.

The problem now is that the common cold and COVID-19 also start out alike.  Both involve a little congestion, maybe a few aches.  But, by day four or five, COVID-19 has deeper and greater symptoms.  Which means, in today’s world, it’s time to get a test (either a rapid test or a PCR test)- and to quarantine yourself- if you are unsure.  Until you get the results.

If you are positive, then there are 10 days (2 weeks if you have been stubborn [or foolish]and lack at least two vaccinations) in which you should stay lonesome. (If you live with others, that means in a closed room away from others; otherwise, just stay indoors.  If you live with others and must venture out of your room [like to the bathroom or to obtain food-which you will eat in your room!!!!!], wear a high quality mask.)

The 10 day count starts from the first advent of symptoms- not when you got the test results.  If you took the test and didn’t manifest any symptoms, then the 10 days starts with the moment you got tested- unless symptoms manifest shortly thereafter- which means 10 days starts AGAIN when the symptoms first appeared.   It makes no difference if you get a subsequent test indicating you are negative.  YOU STILL MUST ISOLATE!!!!!!  (The tests are not foolproof- and you can still shed virus upon others, even if you are no longer in the throes of COVID-19.)

And, you may still feel like crap after 10 days, but the quarantine can end.  But, if you are getting sicker (especially if you are immunocompromised- via illness or medication or age), then get thee to a physician!

(Along those lines, if you have a high fever for more than 24 hours, chest pain, labored breathing, or unable to drink or eat- it’s high time for physician intervention. It’s probably time for monoclonal antibodies or the antiviral treatments.  It’s probably time right now- before one develops any symptoms or has contact with anyone with COVID- to purchase a thermometer and an oximeter [to measure blood oxygen levels].  Why now?  Because if you have normal respiration and during this illness find that you drop below 90% oxygenation, it’s time for an intervention.  Without an oximeter, you won’t know that.)

While you are quarantined, you owe it to everyone with whom you’ve been in contact for 15 minutes or longer for the day or two prior to feeling ill or symptomatic to notify them of your predicament. (I am assuming you are diligent in getting tested- if you waited a few days, then you need to contact folks with whom you’ve been in contact for the past few days.)  Those folks should get the COVID test, too.

Oh- and if you HAVEN’T been fully inoculated and developed COVID-19, then get those vaccines ASAP.  (Three shots-meaning the booster, too, for all of us- is ideal.) Your immunity from having COVID-19 is INSUFFICIENT to preclude a subsequent infection!!!!!

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