Covid-19 ; a Family Experience

 

It was late evening. I, my wife Anita, son Divyash and daughter Shreya were in my Chevy Equinox. Michelle Obama’s audiobook was on in the car. We were all heading for the covid 19 test for Divyash. He had no other symptoms than the sore throat which was common for him at the beginning of the fall season. It was solely our decision to get tested in case our family doctor asked us to do it while booking an appointment for his throat check-up. 

First of all, I dropped them off at the assessment center and drove back to the plaza parking lot as I thought the hospital only had paid parking. Then I met them at the entrance where I dropped them off. Soon we were noticed by a Security Guard who asked us for the reason why we were there. I told her that we booked an appointment for the test. Then she directed us to an assessment center, which was a trailer outside of the hospital entrance.

I held the hand of Divyash and entered the trailer. There was a nurse and her assistant who were in protective gear with the face smiled. The nurse asked me to show the health card and my photo ID. I took them out of my wallet and put them on the table. The nurse picked up them with extra caution holding it with a tissue over her gloved hand. Then she wiped it twice and verified it in the system, Then she asked Divyash to take off the mask from the nose and cover his mouth. Because of her Filipino accent and nervousness, Divyash did not understand for a while. After I asked him to lower his mask up to the mouth so that she could insert an object into his nose to get the mucus from the nostrils. Divyash lowered his head backward and closed his eyes when the nurse submerged a tiny stick into his nose and wiggled for a while. Although it took only a few seconds, it made him uncomfortable. He was almost sneezing but he controlled and started whining with his mom. Then he was asked to sneeze in his mask in case he could not hold it. 

Then we returned home. Anita called the family doctor to show his throat for strep. The family doctor asked her to go to the Scarborough General hospital walk-in clinic for kids. The children's ward was open from 8.30 pm. I took him to the hospital for a check-up. As we filled the screening form up for the covid purpose, there was no option for sore throat. We were in the ward for a while. We waited for the doctor for about fifteen minutes. During the waiting period, a nurse who had a phillipino accent came to the ward and completed the general checkups like height, weight, and pulse.

Then the doctor arrived. She asked Divyash to open up his mouth so that she could see his throat. He opened his mouth wide and the doctor looked inside. Then she picked some instruments to collect some sore deposits for the lab test. After collecting the sample, she let us go home saying that anybody from the reception could call me to inform me about the result.

Then we left the hospital and headed toward home. Later that evening I received a call from the hospital. A lady was speaking at the other end who told me that Divyash was on the safe side. They tested for the strepsils and it resulted in negative. The doctor didn't prescribe any medicine. It was a relief for us. We thought that it would be healed soon.

The next day, I checked the result for the covid test where the result was shown positive. We were shocked. On the one hand, the symptoms were minor and improving, and on the other hand, it was very stressful for the family as all of us have to go for the test. In the meantime, Toronto public health called and asked many questions related to Divyash's school contacts and other current visits. They also asked us to go for a covid test. Immediately, we, my wife, daughter, and I, went to the hospital for a covid test. After 24 hours, the test result came positive for shreya and Sharda. However, I was tested negative. Except for some mild symptoms on Divyash, we were asymptomatic.

On the day we all got the test result, Toronto Public Health called and again asked for the contact tracing. He also asked to isolate for 14 days. Even though I was tested negative, they asked me to monitor symptoms and have another test after 10 days. Sharda, Divyash, and Shreya isolated themselves in the upstairs where Divyash had one room and mom and daughter had another room. I choose to sleep in the living room. I had to do all the household chores and cooking for almost 14 days. We did not go to work and also did not meet any friends. I used to go for the groceries with caution.

Every day we become extra vigilant for covid symptoms. They were drinking boiled water with turmeric powder and salt. In addition, they were taking steam for the nasal congestion and sore throat. During our isolation, only a few friends came in touch via telephone. Some friends sided knowing, and some friends wished for a speedy recovery. But it was a process more than the recovery. We have to stay in quarantine for 14 days no matter how we feel.

After 14 days, we have disinfected all the rooms, washrooms. Anita did laundry. It was a day of great relief and tranquility. Kids were happy to go back to school. We all sit on the dining table after 14 days together with steaming rice, fresh curry, and achar. We enjoyed the meal better than ever before.