On December 31st, my husband came home with news we had both feared for months: he tested positive for COVID-19. An apparent seasonal cold seems to be the virus. Three days later, a doctor confirmed that I was also a COVID statistic in New York. Somehow, even after nine months of the pandemic, we did not feel completely prepared.
This is what I wish we would have known.
Be prepared with a home COVID kit. Luckily, my husband and I had relatively mild cases that felt more like headaches in the early days. He briefly had a fever and none of us had a bad cough. Only on day six or seven on our COVID timelines did we lose taste and smell – that would have been our biggest indicator, it was COVID if we had not been tested earlier.
I say this because everyone even has to take basic cold symptoms seriously. It is critical that you isolate until you can be tested, which means that you want to prepare a “COVID package” with medicines that are not available under the counter at home. This way you do not have to go to the pharmacy – and run the risk of infecting others – for basics such as Tylenol, cough suppressant, cough drops, VapoRub, sinus decongestant and medication during the night. We read labels to see how ingredients interacted with each other, and we kept up when we took medication with a notebook in the fridge.
Other things you want in your kit are a thermometer and maybe an oximeter, rubber or latex gloves, and wipes or sprays to disinfect ordinary areas. This is especially important for those who live in apartment buildings and may still need to go outside (e.g. letting a dog out).
Create a support plan. Many families make ‘disaster plans’ outlining a protocol for what to do in an emergency. It is good to have a description if a family member, especially one with whom you live, is positive. If parents are sick but the children stay healthy, discuss a strategy to keep them safe and isolated from you.
Realistic is that not everyone in the same household can isolate. Like many New Yorkers, we did not have a second bathroom or a guest bedroom, and once my husband tested positive, it felt to me like a matter of time. But at least everyone can wear masks and gloves at home in common areas. You can also make a plan for the delivery of food by friends, neighbors or delivery services. You should also keep cans or dried goods on hand in case it takes a day or two to sort everything out.
Search for free test sites. A part of your COVID plan should include knowing exactly where and how you can be tested. Ideally, those who suspect they may be positive should search search test sites to avoid being in closed spaces with others. You can also investigate whether your area offers free testing to reduce the potential cost. Make sure you search through government websites to prevent potential scams.
When I was able to get a test appointment, I was pretty confident about the result. So I wore rubber gloves with my mask when I went to CityMD to be tested. Even for the check-in process, I only used a glove and brought cloths to disinfect things like iPads I had to touch.
Prepare to negotiate medical bills. Many people do not have the same reasonable COVID experience that I have had and may need hospitalization or additional visits to a doctor. When you get medical bills, it is important to know that you have the power to negotiate. First, you need to request a detailed account to look for possible errors or incorrect medical codes. Second, call the hospital directly and ask about income-based reduction programs. If you are not eligible, you can ask to draw up an installment plan or, if possible, see if you can get a discount for the prepayment of the lump sum.
You should also call your doctor’s office within 60 days of your visit to keep track of bills to prevent items being sent to collections and damaging your creditworthiness.
Do not reduce your mental health. This is one of the hardest parts to having COVID-19. The isolation, combined with shame at contracting the disease and fear of those you might still be endangering, can be overwhelming. Then there is the tension that your illness can get worse at any stage and you can put yourself in a ventilator. For those who are already prone to anxiety or depression, it can be a dangerous mixture. Do not reject the need to take your mental health seriously, especially if you live alone.
Plan to have regular virtual contact with loved ones. There are also resources for affordable telotherapy, such as Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine or programs such as Talkspace or Betterhelp. Your state may also offer options (the state of New York has a helpline for emotional support of COVID-19).
I am optimistic that the US will be able to reopen safely and bring us into a new normal. But it could be many more months. We all still need to be careful, take cold symptoms seriously and be prepared for what lies ahead.
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