Many things have happened recently, but for some, only 3 words will define 2020: I have Coronavirus. Now what?
I flew to Germany right when the World Health Organization categorized Coronavirus as a pandemic. I was sitting at a hotel in Alexanderplatz, Berlin, and no one wore a face mask. The next day, we saw Donald Trump on the news saying the borders were closing. I packed my suitcase, called the travel agency and changed my flight to the next morning.
Since March 14th that I arrived back in Mexico, I stayed at home. After my 14 day quarantine, whenever I went out to the supermarket, I used 2 face masks and a plastic face protector. The rumors of travelers carrying the virus were strong. When I arrived home, my mom would pour all the shopping with chlorine. I would take my shoes off, leave them out, wash my hands and then go straight to the shower. I made sure not to touch my face; nevertheless, somehow, I tested positive in June for Coronavirus.
First insight: I flew to Germany and took the Deutsche Bahn from Düsseldorf to Berlin without a face mask or antibacterial gel, came back to Mexico and never had symptoms. Two months later, I was a confirmed case. Impossible to get the virus during my trip since I started having my first symptoms on June 13th. It began with chest pain like having a fist in between your breast. I stayed home trying to relax. Some days I felt exhausted, so I slept. I asked for holidays from my work and took many naps. By Thursday, June 19th, I began to notice a minor throat ache. I decided to get a Covid-19 test just in case. Friday morning, I had the test. A very uncomfortable but necessary experience. On Monday, I woke up feeling great, took a nap, and when I woke up, I saw my results from the Lab: Positive for SARS-Cov-2, aka you have Coronavirus!
My first thought was, of course, my mom. She is in the risk group. We designed a strategy to track people I was in contact with and then made an appointment with a pulmonologist. Here I would like to point out something crucial: at least in Mexico, they tell everyone to "stay home and take paracetamol." So, basically, until you can't breathe, go to the hospital. I decided to be supervised by a specialist.
At my appointment, the doctor confirmed I had the virus and told me that in the last 2 weeks, he had seen over 570 patients. Of these people, only 11 required hospital treatment, and 4 died. So, finding myself in this situation, here are my recommendations:
1. If you are going to travel, a test is not optional!
Travel responsibly. If you travel, do a test before and when you come back if you are planning to meet other people. You can have the virus without even knowing it and infect more people. So if you are going to travel, do a test.
2. You have Coronavirus; now what?
Postpone your travel plans and contact your doctor. There is no treatment, but your doctor knows you and your clinical history. He will know best what to do.
3. Think positive!
We are all vulnerable. When I saw my results, I could not understand why. Don't think that you are untouchable and that you won't get anything. It can happen to everyone, rich, poor, tall, white, black, fat.
Viruses do not care about religion, race, or social status.
While I was isolating, I did lots of meditations and thanked my body for being so strong. I also did lots of visualizations where I saw myself traveling again and hugging my family. Stay offline and read positive books! Reading helps to keep your mind active and optimistic.
4. Keep your Morning Routine
Resting is mandatory and a morning routine too. How you wake up defines the rest of your day. I started writing my goals and dreams to remind me that Coronavirus was just another challenge.
5. Shit happens, but what matters is what you do with that shit: stay confident!
It might seem like the universe is conspiring against you, that your karma is just as bad, or that someone is playing voodoo with you. Maybe, but thank the universe, God, the energy for this opportunity to revaluate and think that everything is here to teach us incredible lessons that only make you stronger.
So, you have the virus. Life goes on. Isolate, be responsible. Don't stay in bed waiting for the next symptom to appear and suffering, thinking you will die. If you are feeling well, get up, make your bed, wash your face, sit on your chair, and plan your next adventure! That will reinforce your self-confidence and, of course, will give you more power to keep on going!