Day 4

First post of this year. Months ago we had thought that we were fast-approaching the end of this global pandemic, but now it feels like we’re starting from zero. (It only feels like it but in reality, it is not quite like it, because as of now, half of the country is fully vaccinated.)

What changed things is the Omicron variant; we’re registering 31,000+ new infections per day, every day. But there is decoupling in numbers of those infected and those in need of hospitalization. Vaccines work!

Unfortunately, my boyfriend Mervin and I, as of this writing, are among those currently infected. We didn’t take an antigen test anymore, we just assumed it’s Omicron because the symptoms are very telling, and there are 4 other people infected in our building. We think it’s pointless to get a test and we’ll just isolate for 10 days until the 22nd.

We had a really tough time getting basic medicine, but Mervin’s boss, teammates, and HR in his company helped us. I realized that Mervin’s professional network affects me a lot as a lone-wolf freelancer. It’s also a bonus that his boss knows my brother, as well- they seem to have bumped into each other often in the common gigs they’ve had. I really am very fortunate in a lot of ways. I’m more aware of how life isn’t fair; I know I didn’t do anything to have these benefits and privileges- these are just circumstances of my birth, being born in the capital of this country and having grown up in a community situated near the state university. I had no hand in this at all and don’t claim any credit.

The Pareto Principle comes into mind again- those who have more, increasingly have more, and those who have less, increasingly have less (sadly). To be fair, I had some experience being poor, 16 years ago when I was starting out, but I wasn’t fully aware of the privilege I already had.

So I just need to deal with being sick now. XD Day 4 and I have already progressed to a full-blown wet cough. But I don’t have any fever, pain, fatigue or headache anymore.

One of the things that makes me restless while being sick is that I already have the funds to get an ASUS ZEPHYRUS G14, the laptop of my dreams, but I can’t go out and buy it yet. I had been looking forward to getting one so much. What a bummer.

Some things will just have to wait until we nurse ourselves back to full health.