Age: 41-50

Hope for That Free Get Out of COVID-19 Card

I was first tested on April 17, 2020 with a POSITIVE result. This meant that I could not return to work, Protocol is that need two NEGATIVE tests before I can return to work. On May 2, 2020, I tested POSITIVE again. I was speechless. On May 7, 2020, ditto. What could I say? On May 22, 2020, I was now tested for the fourth time and YES! NEGATIVE!!! I called all my supports with the wondrous news. I spent 45 minutes with my Boss planning out my work schedule (I had not been inside the jobsite for two months now as I took vacation time prior to the virus smashing into my life) to return June 1, 2020. Needing two NEGATIVE tests was going to be a piece of cake. On May 28, 2020, planning on getting my second NEGATIVE, I decided there was an evil vendetta against me. POSITIVE again. I was devastated. I called my Mom crying with the news. She felt my hurting. I then called my brother followed by my workplace. I’m hoping for June 4, 2020 to be my Free get out of COVID-19 card.

The Coronavirus Journey

Being tested POSITIVE for the coronavirus is a grueling journey.The protocol for this outcome was isolation in my room for at least two full weeks. After that, I would have to be tested until I received two consecutive NEGATIVE results before I could return to the workplace. My room is upstairs and no one was allowed to entire without a mask and gloves on. The sources of nutrition were left at the bottom of the stairs for me, and once I was finishd eating, the dishes were put back on the stairs for removal. I felt like a leper. Slowly, I began to feel Back to the life of the living, I was able to watch TV, more lucid and animated, began to eat, and gain back the seven pounds I had lost. But my most prominent symptom was difficulty breathing. With each passing day, I felt stronger and stronger, better and better. I wasn’t going to let this pandemic coronavirus beat me. Although I’m a fighter, my spirit was shrinking. I had four POSITIVE COVID-19 tests and one NEGATIVE one squeezed in there. I’m still quarantined and feel like an outcast.

HOPE and BRAVERY

My Dad, at 86 years old, tested POSITIVE from the COVID-19 virus and had to be hospitalized for 13 days. Elderly people with the virus are more probable to die from the disease and he almost did. I tested POSITIVE as well and beat myself up for giving him the virus and praying for a healthy recovery. It turned out that I hadn’t given it to him, he had given it to me. So, that guilt faded. In the meantime, my Mother, Super Mom, slept next to my Father who had the virus, cleaned up our dirty dishes, came into my room and cared for me, who also had the virus, and continued to keep busy while waiting for her COVID-19 test results. She washed her car, cleaned the grout around the pool, ran a household…and tested NEGATIVE at 81 years old. Absolutely unbelievable. She quickly left the house with freedom. I don’t know where she went, but she was out of here! God Bless her! My Dad came home. He grew a beard. He was on no oxygen, no walker, With his Alzheimer’s, he was needy, confused and forgetful but he was all of those things before going into the hospital. I went into the bank and the teller somehow got privy that I had the virus and told me that I was not permitted inside the bank and had to leave and could not come back until testing NEGATIVE for 14 days. I was humiliated. I wouldn’t wish this horrendous virus n anyone and I support each and every individual who goes through this passage with hope and bravery and ultimately survives it like a hero.

Living with the New Normal

I am working from home, which is a benefit. My children are learning digitally, which means that I have to also teach them academically. For my husband it gas changed his day to day and how he does things and being mindful those who are around him. We have a new normal. Lastly, no real social gathering and meeting with friends.

#Dammit Man

Zuri and I were speaking to Shannon.(The man we have come to know as Dammit Man)As we sat and talked with him, he started to say non-sensible things to make us laugh, but he wouldn’t do a proper survey. A few days later, I got a phone call from my neighbor the news that he had died. She said that Dammit Man had spat on the tall blind man not the short one and he smacked him in the head with his cane. I refused to believe her, due to the fact that I had just seen him not to long ago. The more days went by the more I started to believe that what she said was true, but one morning as I began to walk to the YEC I seen him walk walking slower than normal. He told me how he seen god in the hospital and that the world was flat.

I WAS SHOCKED!

Getting to the point, Mr Drayton lost his job during the height of this epidemic(April 3rd last day). His job of 7 years emerged with another company,. He had been promised an employment opportunity with the new company but to no avail. I was shocked to learn at the last minute/day,I wasn’t going to be hired. Now, I work 4 hrs per day Mon-Fri at the local church that my daughter and I attend/participate. The church is helping by giving me these 20 hours a week. I am a Single Parent of a 16 year old daughter. Her name is Bianca.She is an honor student with intentions of matriculating at an HBCU upon graduating with the class of 2022. She boasts an GPA of 3.80. I have had custody of my daughter since she was three. I need help with my $1350.00 a month lease!

Thankful

I have learned how too take one day at a time. To love and appreciate your family and friends because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Grateful too still be employed and recieving a paycheck.

Death in the family

Today I feel totally heartbroken. My neighbor informed me that his daughter died from the virus. We had just talked about her a few weeks ago after he told me that his daughter had it. The last time that he talked to his daughter, she told him that she was ok and not to come to visit yet. I swear this virus doesn’t discriminate. She died as a result of caring for others with the virus in the hospital that she has worked in for more than 20 years. She followed the 14 day protocol to self isolate but she should have went to the hospital immediately. I can’t imagine how many people did the same thing and lost their lives as a result of it. What’s so scary about it is that she is only a year older than me and I’m in my 40’s. This virus is destroying families and we as a country have no clue as to how to protect ourselves from it. What is so strange is that his son-in-law had it first and he recovered but she didn’t. I am begging people to please take care of themselves and don’t sleep on this virus.

Inspirational Quotes

I rely on inspirational quotes to get me through uncertain times. When I feel like I am having a weak moment, I will read my collection of quotes out loud as they offer easily accessible truth, insight, and perspective.Small scraps of paper and post-it notes can be found throughout my home, a small and worthy collection you might say. Here are a few that I would like to share with you.Do not allow the future to trouble your mind – Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but never gets you anyway – Erma BombeckThis too shall pass – Rumi

My son doesn’t live with his family anymore wptv news

Since the coronavirus has started my son has been going to his grandma‘s house Monday through Friday. The amount of work he gets from school at 6 to 8 hours my husband and I don’t see him until the weekend. And my son was OK with it at first but now he goes into the bathroom at his grandmothers house and cries he doesn’t want to be separated from his family and he’s literally shipped out of his house all week our family unit has been divided as I work full-time and his dad works full-time and neither of us can function as the school teacher 6 to 8 hours a day My son cries he wants to come home all the time his grandma is retired and able to do the work with him this pandemic is also putting her out of her regular routine it’s affecting all of us My son Is seven and is forced to leave his own house.We just found out that his school May not be open next either