COVID-19 and I

 END OF MAY 2021

Mika's school headteacher informed us that one of the teachers was POSITIVE COVID-19, so on that very same day, I rushed my whole family to the nearest COVID-19 test station and get our PCR test checked. We were told that results would come after 24hrs.

It wasn't even 24hrs yet when I got an email with the test results. I was concerned as it was only Mika's results that had arrived 1st for the first half-hour.

Mika was tested POSITIVE COVID-19.

I was devastated, panicked, and heartbroken. My baby was in danger and I cannot be near him, as Aqil still needs me. After a short discussion with hubby that night, we've decided that he would be the one taking care of Mika, while I keep my distance from him for his baby brother's sake. Only Allah knows how terrifying all these were for us. The next night, Mika was down with fever in his sleep, a low fever. I applied my essential oils on him, cold meds, wet towels and observes him the whole night. He's fine and chirpy the next morning like nothing happened.

I notify the school VIA Whatsapp and a couple more of Mika's schoolmates informed the group of the same POSITIVE results. The headteacher took responsibility to call the authorities for us, so nobody gets left behind, as most of us have no idea how to proceed with this. We were soon known as a school cluster in the news.

Soon the PKD called us to get diagnosed and swabbed again, and to received our pink quarantine bands. We were asked we had any symptoms and if we need to get admitted to the hospital or quarantine center. I prayed that Mika wouldn't get sent to the CAC alone since he's the only one POSITIVE, but with further questions and diagnosis, he was allowed to be quarantined at home.

Mika was isolated inside his room. Food and Ipad all, but it took him 3 days to get bored of it all. He felt lonely, and repeatedly requests for hugs. It was painful for us to endure this.

Not long after all this commotion, I started to notice something lacking. I wasn't as alert and was always tired. My 2nd swab test from the PKD came out negative, but it seems like something wasn't right. One night, I made salmon dinner but I couldn't taste it. I couldn't smell it. A whole whiff of nothing, even when the newly cooked fish was under my nose.

Hubby, Aqil, and I were on our 3rd swab test. Soon after, I had a call, saying that MY TEST CAME OUT POSITIVE. I lost my taste and smell. I felt ill and was down with chills and fever. I was tired and aching. Nothing was right. But, one thing I was happy about, I get hug my baby Mika.

Our quarantine was extended and it was a tiring journey of avoiding my baby and husband and keeping minimal contact with anything so we don't contaminate anything. On the bright side, I don't feel as sick and the ill-feeling all happened for only 1 night. Also, I got to rest from doing house chores, but I still have to work, since being quarantined was so boring, and I had nothing to do.

Our friends and family all reached out to us, extending their concerns, and sent us food and gifts. It was really a touching moment, especially from my grandma, who sent us a bundle of kitchen essentials, like a bag of rice, cooking oil, snacks, frozen food, fruits, and toys! TWICE! I LOVE YOU LAHHH, NENEK BONDA!!

After almost 4 weeks of home isolation, we went out to cut our pink band. Only Mika and I contracted COVID-19 and we were lucky to only get minimal symptoms, so now we're temporarily immune for the next 3 months, or so they say. Even after all this, we still only stayed home and only go out for essential things. Only Allah knows how scared we were when we got it, and we were lucky to lose only taste and smell, cause we wouldn't know if we'd get this lucky next time.