Caught by the COVID but the Chiefs win | Life in Ludlow

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You may have predicted I would be crowing about the Kansas City Chiefs victory in the Super Bowl on Sunday and you would not be wrong. 

However, the dominant feature of my life the past week was dealing with the constraints put on my life as I navigated the storm of rules of COVID isolation. 

I turned up with a positive test last week and immediately contacted my doctor’s office and Jefferson Healthcare. My doctor provided a Paxlovid prescription and since BJ tested negative, she accepted the mission to go to QFC and pick it up. 

My battle with COVID was fairly one-sided as I was fully vaccinated and boosted, therefore dramatically improving the odds of my success in the disease’s attack. However, given my age and weight I did give up some points in the game. 

Almost full energy has returned, my nose has quit running, and my throat has healed from all the coughing. 

As predicted, Paxlovid generates a less than desirable taste in your mouth that could be mistaken for chewing on an aluminum pan. In addition, I spent more time in the bathroom than I wanted to. 

However, during the five day “isolation” period I went from feeling about 50 percent to 90 percent, a welcome recovery facilitating a more enjoyable Super Bowl viewing afternoon. 

BJ and I had planned and organized a small Super Bowl party which we had to cancel due to my requirement to isolate. Vic and Sharon Draper stepped up and held the party and since they are just across the street the party-goers could hear me cheer for every successful play by the Chiefs. 

More good news is that BJ and I didn’t have to straighten up the house for guests, although I did buy some good beer before I discovered I had the COVID!

BJ took the isolation regimen as gospel. She moved into the guest bedroom and we ate our meals at the opposite ends of the counter. A good night and good morning kiss morphed into a fist bump. Even though she tested negative a couple of times she stayed at home unless her destination facilitated being separate from people. 

I did a LMC Finance Committee meeting via “Go to Meeting,” cancelled my physical therapy appointments for a week, stayed home from my Rotary meeting, etc. 

Before testing positive we did make the interesting “Dessert and Discover” event at the Beach Club early last week and learned much about the Jefferson Land Trust from the executive director, Richard Tucker. I doubt I contracted COVID from the others at our table and I certainly hope I did not pass it along. 

So, by now the world has come back to normal. I am getting back to doing some work at the Printery with Mike Kenna although I am “masking up” more than I may have done earlier. 

The Chiefs beat the Eagles, barely! 

BJ has moved back into our bedroom. I get a good morning and good night kiss. The kids have stopped worrying. Finally, I am recovering from being “stir crazy.” 

I am optimistic you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Given the day’s proximity to the Super Bowl I am reminded of a story about former Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips on why he takes his wife on all the road trips. He responded, “Because she’s too ugly to kiss good-bye.” 

For the record, they must have enjoyed at least one Valentine’s Day since they had six children. 

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week. 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident who carries a song in his heart and his water in a bucket. Contact Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)