When COVID Hits Close

Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash

Last Friday my uncle who lives in the same house was tested positive for COVID. He had been complaining of back and joint pains for days which he initially dismissed as rheumatism—until he started to have cough and fever last Thursday. By the next morning, he was already having difficulty breathing which is why he was rushed to the hospital. 

Almost immediately, as we are in the same household, we were asked to have ourselves swab-tested, including the two kids and my senior mom. I had to file an emergency leave at work for the rest of the day because the testing was to be done through the city’s health office. A regular swab test can cost around 7-8K, so it’s good that this is to be paid for by the LGU (considering 10 of us had to be swabbed). 

I don’t know how it’s done through a private clinic, but ours was done in a public-school gymnasium. We filled out a lot of forms and had to be interviewed one-by-one. It’s good that we made it through the cut-off that day and we’ve all been swabbed after an hour. However, since the testing is performed by RITM, it will take about 2-3 days before the results come out. Unlike when such testing is done through a private clinic or hospital where results are given in a few hours. 

Shining Shimmering Splendid

Manila is shining shimmering splendid once again with its high temperature, marking the start of a blazing summer. The heat seems to slowly melt my brain and I could swear I can feel my cerebrospinal fluid leaking through my ears.

Here I go again expressing my loath for this hellish weather and how I’ve always written about this every year. I guess, heat inspires me to pound my laptop keys and write something just to give you—you lucky people from countries along the northern hemisphere who are now wearing hoodies and jackets as you read this—a preview of what we’re experiencing down here near the equator. 

I have to bear the dog days again, which would probably last for another two months. And since nothing has really changed from a year ago, we’re still asked to stay home as much as possible.

Pulse check

To you who’s reading this, I sincerely hope you’re well. 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

With everything that’s been happening, checking on you guys is the least I could do. I know many of us are struggling in the midst of this pandemic for all sorts of reasons, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be reaching out to one another and at least have that hope that we’re getting by.

Virtual Meet Burnout

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Before I carry on, let me say that it is a privilege to be given the option to work remotely during the pandemic. I think it’s important that I make this clear as I don’t want people reading this to think I’m complaining about having to work at home.

Now that I’ve cleared that, a year into the world’s embrace of the new normal, I can say that I have adjusted quite well to how most things are conducted on a WFH set-up. From setting schedules, maintaining boundaries, creating ground rules, etc. 

But here’s what I know: I will never be comfortable with Zoom/Microsoft Teams/Webex meetings. 

Staying in my square-meter world

Photo from Unsplash

Since my WFH started, when the line of work and life became almost non-existent, my weekends and time-offs are more important to me than ever. Like a prisoner on parole, I definitely look forward to going out on my day-offs even if the risk of catching Covid is there. 

In my defense, I need it to treat my anxiety from being cooped up in the house for days (which is true) and I had to refresh. Walking is my main form of exercise; going to the mall and doing a little shopping is the easiest way for me to hit that 10,000 steps. Often I treat myself to a nice lunch, or maybe just sit at my favorite coffee shop and fritter the day away—all while making sure I follow the basic protocols strictly. 

But with the speedy surge that’s been happening in Metro Manila, even an “itchy feet” like me would choose to stay home if my reason for going out is not important. Yesterday, the number of new cases hit 5,000—the highest it has ever been since August of last year and experts predict it could go as high as 7,000 daily infections in the coming days. 

These Uncertain Times

Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash

Every day there’s not-so-good news for me. If you don’t believe me, read on.

There’s a steep rise in the cases of COVID-19 possibly due to the mutations of the virus and the easing of some restrictions. In our city alone, we have cases of the UK and the South African virus which is said to spread more quickly. Doctors are no longer seeing individual cases but family clustering in hospitals which means the contagion now affects the entire household. A very close guy friend was tested positive just recently (thankfully he’s only experiencing mild symptoms). 

Even with the vaccines, I don’t see this COVID problem getting resolved soon. We have yet to observe if these vaccines would actually work and many people are hesitant to get inoculated because of the supposed side effects. Many frontliners were also declining vaccines from China and would rather wait for other options. While declining is their absolute right, this would also cause so many delays. 

So yes—I or someone I know can still get it. No one is in the clear yet.

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Bingeing on YT videos

Photo by Creative Christians on Unsplash

I’ve been planning to subscribe to Netflix for months and months now but I also want to replace the TV in my room first before I do that. I don’t think I can watch a full movie or a series on my laptop (or cellphone) for long periods without it straining my already-swollen eyes. 

The Skyworth TV in my room is about to die anytime soon, which is why I’ve been canvassing a replacement since October last year. I don’t have the moolah to buy high-end ones, so I’ve been eyeing this moderately-priced TCL 32-inch Android TV which costs about 12K. My plan was to do a partial cash-out and just do a monthly installment for the balance (I can’t pay it all in cash, not when I still have a lot of bills to think about). Hopefully soon, I will get that brand-new TV and finally the Netflix subscription.