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   Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:24:00 JST Jonathan Kamens

   Welp, after 4+ years of #Novid, I tested positive this morning on two consecutive RATs after attending a conference in DC last week for work at which no #COVID precautions whatsoever were taken by nearly anyone else (I masked the whole time).
   Fuck fuck fuck.

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:48 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Still testing positive today, at least 13 days into my infection and 11 days after the first positive test. I've got congestion, a cough, headaches, chills, and now also a fever. Haven't been able to sleep much for the past two nights. Haven't been able to work (remotely) for the past two days and won't be able to today either.
     My wife just finished her Paxlovid so I suspect things are about to get worse for her as well.
     This #COVID thing is quite the party. 🎉

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:49 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Still testing positive today—the test line on the RAT appeared immediately and was darker than the control line, perhaps the most positive test I've seen yet—nine days after my first positive test and at least 11 days since infection.
     I feel terrible today, had to take a sick day from work. Paxlovid rebound is real.
     My blood pressure is also elevated.
     *sigh*
     #COVID

     Minoru Saba repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:51 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Still testing positive today, a week after the first positive test and 2½ days after finishing the Paxlovid.
     No discernible symptoms.
     My wife, on the other hand, has been having gradually worsening symptoms since I exposed her despite never testing positive, so her doctor put her on Paxlovid starting yesterday. 🤷
     #COVID

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:52 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Took my last dose of Paxlovid last night. Feel fine. No symptoms to speak of, haven't taken ibuprofen since last night. No fever. Just took a rapid test (first time since Sunday), still testing positive. #COVID

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:53 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     I still feel mostly fine. There's a slight taste in my mouth from the Paxlovid but not nearly as bad as some have reported.
     My sore throat is a bit worse. Other than that no other symptoms, really.
     I spent about an hour at an outdoor table with colleagues Thursday night. I believe everyone at that table has tested positive. I took my mask off because it was outdoors. That's probably how I got infected. Shouldn't have done that! Outdoors is safeR but not entirely safe.
     #COVID

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:54 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     I feel _much_ better today. The terrible headache is gone, perhaps replaced by a runny nose and sneezing, which implies that the thing that felt like an incredibly bad sinus headache yesterday _was_ an incredibly bad sinus headache, and now thankfully my sinuses are draining.
     I have been able to function most of the day. I was exhausted in the afternoon and conked out for about an hour, but that may be because I stayed up until 3am reinstalling my laptop. 😉 I needed the distraction.
     #COVID

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:55 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     OMG I feel like shit. I suspect it's mostly #Paxlovid side-effects, not #COVID symptoms, since I was feeling fine until I took my first dose of Paxlovid and now a couple hours later my head hurts so much I can hardly think.
     It feels like the worst sinus headache I've ever had.
     Ugh.

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:56 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Getting #Paxlovid was easy.
     I googled "How to get Paxlovid". The first search result was a page at mass.gov pointing me at the telehealth partnership program Massachusetts (where I live) has with Color.
     I requested a telehealth appointment, and 45 minutes later I had my Paxlovid prescription.
     The bottom of that page had a link to the manufacturer's co-pay card program, which I was able to easily use to reduce my out-of-pocket cost after insurance from $25 to $0.
     #COVID

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:58 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     And look... I knew this day was coming. Society has chosen to do nothing to prevent the spread of #COVID, and I can't live my life as a complete hermit, and my wife and kids certainly don't, so it was only a matter of time before I got it.
     My strategy has always been to stay boosted, take precautions, and minimize the number of infections, not to expect never to get it at all.
     That doesn't make this suck any less. 😦

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 06:23:59 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     My only symptoms right now are a slightly runny nose and slightly sore throat.
     I'm on hold waiting for a telehealth visit to find out about getting #Paxlovid.
     My last vaccine booster was March 6.

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 23:03:21 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     ...and now my sister just called me on the phone and yelled at me for five minutes because it was "rude" and "high-and-mighty" for me to tell her that the CDC guidance is wrong and I won't go out as long as I'm still testing positive.
     All while essentially _conceding_ that I'm right to be cautious. "I mean, I wouldn't be all kissy kissy with your kids or go near an elderly person, but it's probably safe for you to go out in a mask, so don't lecture me about it."

   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 23:03:22 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     I tell my sister I'm still testing positive for #COVID as of yesterday and still feel terrible. She, a PhD molecular biologist by training, responds, "At this point you can mask up and go out if you need to anyway." #smdh
     No, I can't and won't, because I'm obviously still contagious and I don't want to get anyone else sick because I'm a decent human being.
     The #PublicHealth establishment has failed us.
     #CovidIsNotOver

     Blaise Pabón - controlpl4n3 repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Jonathan Kamens (jik@federate.social)'s status on Friday, 02-Aug-2024 23:03:23 JST Jonathan Kamens

     in reply to

     Two interesting #COVID symptoms I'm experiencing today:
     1) My body has apparently decided that temperature regulation is optional. I am flopping between feeling cold and feeling hot in a room being kept at a constant air-conditioned temperature.
     2) My urine flow is constricted when I pee. I suspect either my urethra or my prostate is inflamed.
     0/10 do not recommend.