#2498 the January cold

I was talking to Mom and Lizzie last night and telling them that I didn't feel well. Normally I work at the office on Monday, but I decided to stay home because I was coughing and sniffling and sneezing and had a jumbo headache and all my joints felt abused and sore. Mom reminded me that I seem to catch a bad cold every January. I thought about it, and she's right. I bet I could even go back through my calendars to verify. Maybe it is my body's way of decompressing and adjusting following the excitement of the holidays and year end close at work. 

This year's version isn't as debilitating as previous year's colds have been, but The Virus complicates things. My work recommended that I get tested for COVID. I didn't think I had The Virus, but I decided to go ahead and get tested anyway. 

The process was easy. I got online and googled what to do. I got on a State of Utah site that required me to take an assessment. It asked questions like what symptoms I had, if I had been exposed, what pre-existing conditions I have, and stuff like that. Then it directed me to testing sites near me. There's a drive-through testing center over at the Fitness Center where I walk the dogs, so I made an appointment for 9:00 (it was around 8:30) and headed over.

I was the only car in line. A team of three technicians came out to administer the test. It consisted of a very thin swab being gently but thoroughly stuffed up my left nostril while I squirmed and maybe invoked the name of baby Jesus a time or two. It was a long ten seconds, friends.

The results came just a few hours later: NEGATIVE. Yay! I still have a cold, but I don't have The Virus. 

Today I feel better. My nose is still stuffy, but my throat isn't as scratchy and none of my joints are complaining bitterly whenever I move. I have been cleared to go back to the office, so I'll go in tomorrow. I'll be working at home on Thursday, and I took Friday off as a vacation day, so I'll have time to rest and recover fully over the weekend.

Before I go, I have to tell you about a new thing I tried today. I needed some groceries and I didn't want to go to the store feeling yucky, so I did online grocery shopping. I know that it's not new and lots of people do it, but it was my first time. Spoiler - I kinda loved it. I spent waaaaay less than I normally would because I wasn't wandering around grabbing stuff that I don't need or really want. It was so easy, from order to pick-up, that I will certainly do it again. 

Okay, that's really all I've got. Wash your hands, wear your mask, stay home if you can.