By: Todd Wheatley (edited & posted 11-17-20 due to covid)

Mid-October 2020 a week long cold snap came early to North Texas. It was very disheartening for my landscape effort, but no big deal. Work wise it meant preparation. So I went to Cavender's (clothing & boots) before it hit and bought a new pair of warm coveralls. The next day wind chills plunged temperatures below freezing accompanied by some very cold rain. Again, no big deal. I've been earning a living "in the weather" in excess of thirty years. I also took time before the weather to "winterize" the attic ventilation. Inside, Marie sets the AC & heating thermostat as is usual so we did not discuss the matter. Several days into the cold weather (thrs.10-29-20) temperatures in the house dropped below 60 .... which is comfortable for my menopausal wife. I, however, caught a chill and with it a low grade fever ... NO OTHER SYMPTOMs .... no coughs, no congestion, no aches and pain, no nothing. I had assumed I caught a cold.

On saturday (10-31-20) a rising fever and lack of appetite started to drain my energy. By monday (11-02-20) I had considered calling in sick, but given the rising Covid cases I did not want to arouse suspicion and be forced into quarantine for an extended period. Anyway with NO OTHER SYMPTOMs it only something minor so I would tough it out. Besides I work outside separated from the other people on the crew. By the end of the day a complete loss of energy prompted a covid test to safeguard my family and co-workers.

The "rapid test" was a standard nasal swab and was not as bad as initial videos suggested. The total time from arrival to test result was about an hour and a half. Sadly the test came back positive and we left. The doctor called just as we got back home and informed us .... THERE'S NO COURSE OF TREATMENT.

As an information specialist it was no big news. I had mentioned the same thing to Marie as we left to get the test. After the phone call and still feeling like "hammered dog shit" (that's a complex medical term without an easy translation) it was straight to bed. Initially without much concern since Marie and I had mild case of Covid in January (that's a story for another time). That early lack of concern made me think I could watch TV in bed. Within an hour it was obvious this case of Covid would be worse than the last. I HAD ZERO ENERGY, zero appetite, and my temperature had spiked again.

Seeking relief I removed my pajama top and was "BEAT RED" almost cartoon like ..... %$#?!&!!! .... knowing THERE'S NO COURSE OF TREATMENT .... I forced myself to eat and hydrate. I took two Tylenol for the fever.

The high fever persisted. By friday (11-06-20) I started having chills with uncontrollable shaking. That lead to dry heave vomiting. At noon I went to my family physician where she informed me THERE'S NO COURSE OF TREATMENT. By 7pm I had had enough and went to the hospital emergency room. At midnight when I finally got examined they informed me .... THERE'S NO COURSE OF TREATMENT.

I explained that i had multiple temperature spikes up to 104-F for six straight days, very little food, and the occasional dry heave. In response the attending physician gave me two oversized Tylenol, waited for my fever to drop, and gave me discharge paperwork. It seems that even though my wife had to "wheel me in", I wasn't sick enough to be admitted ..... %$#?&!! .... two hours later the chills came and another temperature spike .... THANKS FOR NOTHING!! During the 14 day ordeal I lost 20 pounds.

Ultimately one could argue that Covid 19 is the perfect disease from Hell with no rhyme, no reason and no medicine. Worse still, there's the potential for transmission through asymptomatic carriers. Finally, where are the smart people??? Where is Google to correct the misinformation and list courses of treatment?! Then, of course, brainless politicians using dip-shit metrics like POSITIVITY RATE as a policy tool. Meanwhile everyone keeps saying "trust the science" .... well where the fuck is it?!

This is an epic failure at every level .... federal government, state government, and private entities like Google. This was a moment for people to shine. Yet all we got was darkness going right to the very top.

(12-03-20) addendum - in reference to the 20 pounds weight loss, ten pounds came over two days as the fever broke. I assumed it was all water weight and would be quickly regained. Well it's been more than two weeks with a large Thanksgiving meal in between ... I've only gained back 3 pounds. Not that I need any more, but it's still very surprising.

Also news of successful vaccine trials and the imminent release of the first doses has the media abuzz. Obviously good news though no realistic assessment towards a back-to-normal date. And no news of the difficulties associated with the "COLD CHAIN" requirements especially for the Pfizer vaccine that needs to be sustained at -80-F (MINUS EIGHTY DEGREES FAHRENHEIT).

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