COVID-19 Isolation
I am Patient 2261 have no active Covid-like symptoms - no fever, no cough, and no colds. I would like to note that I have a slight recovery of taste- sour, slight recovery for salty and sweet-tasting food. Note: This post was initially intended to be posted after the first entry - November 2020.
From the last post, a vehicle from the barangay transported me to Qubo Qabana, one of the many isolation facilities here in Cavite. Here are some of the things I packed in preparation for my 14-day quarantine; thanks to a previous Covid-19 survivor and friend, N.
1. Beddings - includes 1 pillow (which you can throw away after), pillowcase, bed sheet (queen-size), and a blanket. There's something rather comforting bringing your own beddings, pillow, and blanket. I honestly do not trust anything I do not own - also, you will be checked in at motels or if you get lucky at hotels but for my mental health - I bought mine. I will be here for 2 weeks might as well be comfortable right?
2. Toiletries - personal hygiene kit - do not expect they will give you some.
3. Cleaning items - a small bottle of Chlorine, Lysol, tissue rolls and a towel to be used to wipe down surfaces. I may be too paranoid but I cleaned every surface. I cleaned the doorknobs, chairs, surfaces near the bed, the remote for the TV and AC, and basically anything that might have been used prior to my stay. They do clean each room once someone leaves but hey, for my mental health.
4. Entertainment - I bought with me my Nintendo Switch, downloaded podcasts and movies on my phone, a book, and a notebook for that sudden burst of creativity.
5. Clothes - good for 14 days includes undergarments and a towel.
6. Cutleries - plate, mug, fork and spoon, and a big bottle of water. Note that when the food comes delivered to you, you get a fresh pair of disposable cutleries and a new bottle of 500ml distilled water.
Note that I was only able to stay in Qubo Qabana for a night and I was told that I will be moved over to a new facility because management will close out the resort within the week. This happened after I have finished placing a bedsheet and a pillowcase and was about to take a bath and decided to hold it off until I get to move to the new place.
The morning after, I already prepared to leave. Packed by bags yet again and waited to be called. We were transported to Quatro Pasos near Walter Dasmariñas. The place is huge and is far better than the one from Qubo Cabana. I may have forgotten to take a snapshot of the room. They also had a small "receiving area" giving you space to keep your bags probably in lieu of not having any cabinets inside the room and have a separate door to the main "room". They had cable TV, inverter AC and the bathroom was cleaner looking versus the first place. Per usual, cleaned the entire place and secured my stuff before taking a bath and settling in.
My experience may not be the best resource for all cases but what I can honestly say about having COVID-19 and being isolated away from home and from the knowledge of family and friends (only a select few knew) was the mental toll it takes on you. Sure you can feel you are on vacation but the Capricorn in me gets bored easily when idle. I tried to still manage my class even in isolation, but that slowly made me angrier as I cannot control anything out there.
I tried to feed the boredom with shitty TV - it was the US election week at the time, countless home renovation shows, reading, listening to podcast episodes I have saved prior to isolation - My Favorite Murder and Don't Blame Me. And since I brought my Switch with me, I was able to clear out Moonlighter and Steamworld Dig.
In between mindless TV surfing, when all the podcasts have been playing on a loop and when all the games do not do it anymore your mind begins to wander. I hate having to stay still which allows my mind to overtake me. It was definitely not good, anxiety and a sprinkle of depression do not make Jane a jolly little girl.
There were times when it feels daunting that each day drags way too long and that it does not seem to end. Yes, you can get "connected" through online chat and such but it does not suffice whatever void you feel inside. Speaking to a relative or friend close to you thru the internet doesn't seem to be enough. I was hoping to write stuff down and release all the negativity but in the end, I cry myself to sleep.
I am utterly grateful to have made it unscathed and I am definitely lucky than most. I have seen and knew a few who did not even make it out alive.
The pandemic has definitely affected our heads in ways we are not even prepared for. The level of stress from work turned out to be way too demanding considering that most of us have transitioned to working at home. In hindsight was a good thing but we have definitely found ourselves burning out as we are able to extend work hours beyond the usual 8 hours we had when we visit the office. The anxiety that this might not end as soon as we would have wanted to and definitely the depression that will just come creeping in when you least expect it. I could not count the number of times I had a mental breakdown, one after the other. And to be honest, I am not the expert at this, we all make do with what we are dealt with but know that you are not alone and I am still hopeful that this will not be permanent when at times it feels like it is.
Clearly, all these seem for nothing but for the love of all things good and great - stay the freak home and wear a freakin' mask!
My Covid-19 Journey
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