Day 14 - Mask mandate REINSTATED by LA County Dept. of Public Health
I have Long Covid…
3/1/22. Tuesday
The Pfizer shot was found to be less effective in 5-to-11-year-olds, as opposed to older kids. Looks like immunity wanes after the 2-shot sequence. Why…it’s just like…ADULTS! Except, when it comes to adults, the vaccines are touted as a science miracle and our “best defense against the virus.” When the exact same result occurs in children, the vaccine is labeled as “less effective.”
4:45-5:00 –I turn off my alarm and lie down again. I can’t get up.
5:00-6:00-I go downstairs to warm up my coffee and the dog doesn’t stir so I tiptoe past her. I hope she stays asleep, but as soon as the microwave starts, the dog jumps off the couch and runs over to me, standing on her hind legs and leaning against my legs for attention. Instead of going straight upstairs to jump in the shower, I have to take her out (sigh), so we head to the patio and I wait for her to go potty. Return inside and cheese for her. I grab my coffee and ice, then return upstairs and sit in the shower, while I drink my coffee and place a bag of ice on my eyes. Lotion and I put on the same clothes I wore to College No. 1. I grab all my bags and load everything in the car. I’m on the road by 6:00 a.m.
6:00-7:00 – Driving. I listen to the Best of Both Worlds.
7:00-7:40 – The ONLY parking space that enables me to exit when I leave at 9:45 a.m. is taken so I park right next to that parking space. I prep for class and eat overnight oats.
7:40-8:00 – I walk to the office, stand in front of the thermometer [“Temperature NORMAL!!”], sign in on the log, and walk to the classroom.
8:00-9:30 – Class is in session and everyone is still masked. Today’s itinerary…Chapter 3 lecture, contd., a documentary, and then moving forward with the Chapter 4 lecture.
9:30-9:45 – Class dismissed and I drop off Attendance. When I reach my car, I’m blocked in and can’t get out. I walk around looking for “Security” [at this school, they wear shirts that say “Safety”]. When I find a “Safety” officer, I tell him my car is blocked in and I can’t get out. He says, “What do you mean you can’t get out?”, like I’m stupid. I show him. One of the staff members is actually parked in front of my car.
See, they do that here. The teachers illegally doublepark because they know their fellow colleagues (teachers) can’t leave until the end of the school day, when EVERYONE will be moving their cars. These assholes have no regard for adjunct instructors, or anybody else for that matter, like parents, nanny’s, babysitters, people who come on site briefly, for whatever reason, and have no intention of staying. Like I said, there is only ONE parking space, directly in front of the entrance, that will enable whomever parks there to exit freely. ONE parking space…and that space was taken this morning. Luckily, the Safety Officer says his co-worker, another Safety Officer, parked in the ONE parking space, so he tracks him down. His co-worker moves his car and I can finally leave. I f—king hate these people. I f—king hate this place.
9:30-10:45. Driving. I listen to PBS Newshour segments and What Next, while I eat carrots and hummus.
10:45-11:00 – Home and I unload my car.
11:00-11:45 – I change my clothes, then sit outside at my patio table to soak in the warm sun, while I eat a spinach salad. While I’m eating, the dog projectile vomits all over the patio and I have to clean it up (sigh).
12:00-12:45 – I take the dog for a walk and listen to Organize 365.
1:00-1:20 – I do a 15-minute Insanity Max – Ab workout.
1:30-2:15 – I do a 30-minute Insanity Max – Cardio workout.
3:00-5:30- I take a nap.
A pattern has emerged that’s exceedingly clear: it appears that after ANY kind of physical activity, I need to lie down. I know this is directly related to Omicron because I never felt that way before and, by this point, I now strongly suspect that I have Long Covid. Prior to today, you could read my “Long Covid musings” throughout my blog as questioning aloud whether or not what I’m feeling falls under the category of a Long Covid symptom. Well, the phenom that I’ve just described – exhaustion – is, in fact, a Long Covid symptom.
There are work-arounds for what I’m experiencing and it could be worse…at the same time, it’s a little depressing. The good news: I can go really hard with a HIIT, strenuous, extreme, physical activity for at least 2 hours, but probably 3 hours if the opportunity presents itself. The bad news: I have to block out time for a nap, preferably right after the activity in question. An hour later is typically too late as I’m so fatigued I can barely function. The nap itself can run from 1 to 2 hours.
Because I’m aware of this side effect – largely due to my time tracking – I am, in fact, blocking out time for the obligatory nap and “giving myself permission” [this phrase sounds kind of cheesy] to lie down. It’s not my fault. I’m not being lazy. I’m simply an Omicron victim in the throes of Long Covid and this is one of the side effects. Like I said…it could be much worse and it’s not debilitating...after my nap, I feel great! But, I’m a little concerned that this side effect will worsen. I did read, however, that many Long Covid patients experience improvement once they’re vaccinated or receive a booster and so I’ll be looking to schedule my booster in April.
6:00-10:00 – Gardening. My backyard really needed it. I rake leaves, pick up dog poop, trim dead branches and leaves from all of my plants, clean out the pots and the beds, sanitize the Astroturf, and water all of my plants. I listen to True Crime Garage.
10:00-10:30 – Kitchen duty and I ready my coffee.
10:30-1:00 – blog posts
1:00-1:30 – upload blog posts
1:30-2:00 – Nighttime routine.
2:00-2:30 – bullet journal. Bed. I set my alarm for 8:00