My Journey With Weight Loss – Remember We Need To Keep Ourselves Safe

Yesterday a fantastic thing happened, I was offered the opportunity to get my 2nd booster shot. You can bet I accepted that offer and so now I have a total of 4 COVID shots. Funny when I got my 3rd shot for several days afterwards my arm was killing me. This time, just a bit sore at the injection site. I did note though on my 8k run this morning that my muscles felt heavy. It wasn’t that they were sore or anything just that they felt like they were working harder than normal. If this is the worst result of this recent vaccination, I am ok with it.

I mentioned I was at a convention last week. It was pretty well attended eventually with over 180 delegates, guests and observers attending. The problem for me was most people seemed to think COVID was no longer a threat. Very few people wore masks, there was lots of close contact and the only precaution that I saw in place was that rapid tests were available if required. I of course took my safety into my own hands. I always wore a mask when I went through the hotel and convention hall only taking it off once I was in my seat. I would literally get off elevators if I felt they were too crowded (especially since no one else on the elevator was wearing a mask). I washed my hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds even while I saw unmasked women in the washroom do a quick 10 second wash. I even refused to take part in our group photo as there was no way I was coming into close contact with that many acquaintances. Yes, maybe I go a little too far with this but I have others in my life that need to be kept safe.

Yesterday I received a message, someone I had been in contact with at the convention had tested positive. I had already heard that 2 of the delegates had tested positive (I had no contact with either of them) and had feared things would just spread. Given what my husband calls my paranoid tendencies (you know, immediately convincing my self I had COVID) I did a rapid test which came back negative. Today I decided to do what I do well, do some research and know what I am dealing with. I found out that I am at very low risk from developing COVID from the contact with this person. The risk is highest when you spend 15 or more minutes within 2 meters (6 feet) from someone who is positive. Thinking back on it, that didn’t really happen between me and this individual. I also learned that that the Omicron variant takes 2 to 4 days to incubate so there is no point in testing again until Thursday which puts me at the 5 day mark. Also, I know there is a good likelihood that I have already had COVID since both of my siblings, who live with us, have had it. My risk is small but I will still take it seriously.

I guess my frustration stems from the fact that people are so COVID fatigued that they may have forgotten that there are some simple precautions that help protect you from contacting COVID. 1) Wear a mask when in indoor settings where you can’t social distance. 2) Keep that 2 meter distance between you and others whenever possible. 3) Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds and do it frequently! Despite the fact that I have done all these things I now find myself in situation where I can’t even go visit my sister in hospital probably before Friday.

So a gentle reminder, we still need to keep ourselves safe.