I recently spent almost four weeks away from Malawi, celebrating my birthday with friends. Not a “normal” birthday, this one was special, a birthday where both digits in my age changed. In addition to celebrating, I also needed time to recharge and shake off the ennui of the last months.
The trip was successful. I received a large dose of culture (Rome, Florence, Venice), hiked in the mountains (the Dolomites), and spent a week in southern Tuscany seeing old friends and celebrating The Big Day. On the morning of my birthday, I did a long run. This is my usual routine. For my age, I am fit and I like to prove to myself that I can still exercise vigorously. I have no chronic medical illnesses and take no medicines other than antimalarials. I have great fortune in the lottery of good health.
Our last stop in Italy was Venice. The city’s crowds were formidable. Ever restaurant table was full, as well as the piazzas, museums, and public transportation. The crowds did not really stop us in our enjoyment of this beautiful place, but the lack of wearing masks was noteworthy. The only place they were required was on public transportation. Otherwise, nope.
Three days prior to departing Italy I had a scratchy throat in the morning. It resolved by early afternoon but returned the next morning. Jones felt fine and since the symptom went away by itself, we attributed it to using a fan in our bedroom at night. We both felt otherwise fine.
On my flights home (Venice to Frankfurt to Addis Ababa to Blantyre) I wore a mask as I did not want to catch any respiratory illnesses from other passengers. It is a simple thing to do and seems logical when confined in a space like an airplane. When I arrived in Malawi, I was tired (not unusual after overnight flights) and had a small amount of nasal drip. I attributed the latter to allergens in the air. The seasons are changing and it is dusty and dry right now. I got home, unpacked, and went for a run to get some exercise after long hours of sitting.
Trying to vigorously exercise with even mild COVID was eye opening. This is what being unwell is like!
Wow. I was short of breath running uphill, even when it was not especially steep. I could only run half my usual route and walked the remainder. Still, Blantyre’s altitude is 3500 feet and I had spent the last month (except for 4 days in the mountains) at sea level. Perhaps it was just the altitude.
By now, you have undoubtedly figured out what happened. After my run I did a rapid COVID test and it was positive. A couple of friends have asked why I tested myself, even with no clear symptoms. I did so because this weekend (two days after my return) I was scheduled to go with friends to the mountains. They have two young children, neither of whom are eligible for vaccination. I was not interested in endangering anyone, especially children.
So, no trip to the mountains this weekend. Disappointing as that is, there are two bright spots to what happened. I tested myself and did not expose anyone to this illness, especially those who cannot receive vaccination. And, oddly, it was interesting to see what ill health feels like. Trying to vigorously exercise with even mild COVID was eye opening. This is what being unwell is like! Though I did not enjoy the experience of being sick, it gives me a bit more empathy for those who are not as fortunate as me, and must deal with illness every day.
