How Many Times Have You Had COVID?
Are There Longterm Effects?
Hmmmmm … I keep running into people who’ve had COVID multiple times.
Well, not literally RUNNIMG into them. I’m not that easily accessible. I’m not easily accessible because I’m a recluse writer not because I’m avoiding contact with everyone who may or may not have COVID. Although that’s a hidden benefit, I guess.
I’ve yet to have COVID.
I say I’ve YET to have COVID, because I’m pretty sure that one day I’ll manage to get COVID. It could be when I actually run into someone who has COVID for the third time.
Who knows?
I lead a very privileged life. I retired 17 years ago from a career that I loved in order to travel the world for a few years. I’ve spent the last 17 years either living abroad where few people know me or living back in the states writing in seclusion. So, when COVID introduced itself to the modern world, I decided to stay home and write.
I’m still home and I’m still writing and COVID is still here, there, and everywhere.
Yet, I’ll have to admit that when I hear about people getting COVID for the third time, I’m like —WHAT? !?! I don’t actually scream WHAT with a giant question mark out loud but inside my head that’s what I hear. I can’t help but wonder what the longterm effects will be on the bodies of those who keep catching COVID over and over. I wonder…
IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL?
And I realize that it probably is the new normal. People who lead “normal” lives will most likely get COVID more than once. I’ll most likely eventually get COVID even though I lead an “abnormal” life.
But will I get it multiple times?
All we can do is wait and see. Wait and see what the longterm effects will be for people who have COVID repeatedly. Wait to see if our health care system will be impacted. Wait and see if each case is less serious than the one before? Wait and see if and when I finally get it.
At one time I judged people for being lackadaisical about COVID prevention, but now, I just shake my head and get back to my writing.
I haven’t had COVID yet, but I suspect it’s coming. Some of my friends are working on COVID #3. Fauci had COVID. Biden had it. They both experienced a rebound as well. The stories are almost as varied as one’s imagination. COVID has been that unpredictable.
Most of us no longer believe that COVID will kill us.
At least that’s what I’ve concluded from observing the behaviors of the general public. I see mostly maskless people these days. It’s been over two and a half years since the pandemic hit the world. Time flies even when you’re quarantined, I reckon.
What’s next? I can’t help but ask. So far, there are no definitive answers.
Teresa is a retired educator, author, world traveler, and professional myth buster. You can find her books on Amazon.
