Elena Bosch Like everyone else, I have a COVID story. Back in March, my family came down with coronavirus symptoms. First it was my son with a fever, cough, runny nose and tummy ache. His fever was high – 103.9 – but this was early in the pandemic so his pediatrician told us it was likely a common respiratory virus (duh) and to stay home and rest.
I inevitably got sick next with my husband following shortly after. My case appeared classic; fever, chills, body aches, cough, shortness of breath. That led me to seek a test. At the time, it wasn’t easy to get a test and tests weren’t all that reliable. I tested negative several days later and was told by my medical team to isolate anyway because I appear to be sick with COVID-19. While my chest x-ray was clear, my oxygen rate was low so I was given treatment, antibiotics and sent on my way.
Come July, the American Red Cross announced they would provide free antibody testing so I jumped at the chance to learn if what my family had early in the pandemic was indeed COVID. I also wanted a way to give back to those in need and knew if I tested positive, I could be eligible to donate plasma to critically ill coronavirus patients. I booked my appointment and circled the date on my calendar.
The date came and I headed to my appointment. It was probably only the first week that donors were given an antibody test so the lobby was busy with inquisitive donors like me curious to know what their results might be. The wait was longer than usual, about an hour, but once I was able to get set up, the process was easy and only took about 15 minutes.
Afterward, donors like me were treated to orange juice and cookies and asked to rest in the lobby. Together, we swapped our own COVID stories and all took away one thing: this pandemic has been messy and confusing for all of us. There are never any clear answers and no one seems to know very much at all.
It took a few weeks but my test results came back: Negative for antibodies. LIttle did I know at the time that early studies indicated that antibodies only last about three months and I was already one month late.
I fully realize having antibodies wouldn’t have changed much for me. I would remain careful, always wearing a mask outside of my home and washing my hands regularly. But I was looking forward to the feeling of knowing that maybe since I had overcome COVID-19 once, I can rest easy knowing I could overcome it again.
With a vaccine around the corner and a handful of treatments available, I’m much more hopeful than I was in March about facing this pandemic. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that testing and treatment should have been in a much better place by now.
I’m also disappointed in the flagrant disregard for public safety many have been showing as well as the lack of support for struggling small businesses, single parents and others. I only wish others had stepped up to do their part rather than be so quick to dismiss the dangers of this pandemic. Maybe instead of suing each other, we would have put those resources to keeping us safe and from struggling financially.
I haven’t decided if or when I will take the vaccine and it doesn’t really matter since I am way down on the list of folks who have priority. So in the meantime, I will keep my distance, wear a mask and support small businesses where I can.
I continue to donate regularly now. American Red Cross has started allowing more sites to host blood drives again and the waits are not as long. Results come back faster too. I still haven’t tested positive for antibodies but if ever do, I will be glad to help donate plasma as well.
