Living Alone with COVID

​Back in October, I went out to dinner with some friends in DC, and one married friend talked about how he and his wife had had COVID the year prior and had to quarantine together.  Another coupled friend said, “It’s a good thing you could it together.”  I chose not to respond but I wondered if it would really be that bad having to do it alone.
 
I found out recently (although, to be fair, I was boosted and vaccinated, something the couple could not have been, so the symptoms were mild.  After a few days of what felt like a really bad cold, cough, and sore throat, I decided to get tested just to ensure it WASN’T COVID.  Fortunately for me, I live in Washington, DC, where antigen tests are distributed like candy and PCR tests are given throughout the day.  After my antigen came out positive, I thought it may have been a false one.  Sadly, a few days later, when I got the text telling me my test results, I was surprised to see, “POSITIVE.”
 
I didn’t leave my apartment for few days.  Fortunately, I had a three-day weekend, which I spent watching movies on Netflix, not to mention the second season of my Married with Children DVD collection (that show is the ultimate pro-single show, and while the datedness of the humor could make it feel inappropriate, I just can’t help but laugh).  As I worked while in quarantine, I found myself getting bored of the work, watch Netflix routine, so I eventually took out my guitar for the first time in several months and started playing.  I’m not trying to learn anything new per se, but I just fooled around, and it was therapeutic.  And I read as well.  My latest is Dance of Days, a punchy, information-packed tour through the history of punk rock in DC. 
 
As an introvert, I was fine, although I was missing certain aspects of life, like working out and being able to go to the grocery store.  Instacart’s a little complicated for my liking.  And I couldn’t be too close to Chester due to cats’ ability to catch this thing.  Knock on wood, he’s his usual feisty self.
 
My last point: the research that says singles have more friends than married people.  Well, it proved to be helpful in my case.  I had quite a few people offer to bring me medicine and groceries.  While I didn’t need it (save for that one Instacart purchase), it was good to know that friends were looking out for me.  If I had put all that energy into one relationship (with a significant other) and they had caught COVID, I might not have all that support.  And if it’s a toxic relationship, it REALLY would have been a bummer.
 
As of now, my antigen and PCR tests are negative, and I’m easing back into my routine.  Grocery shopping, weight lifting, and jogging.  And starting next week, I can finally teach on campus.  Features of a normal life returning…