Seven Days of Isolation and Realization

Nobody wants to get sick, especially on these uncertain days.

 

As the surge of CoVid is getting higher and stricter rules are implemented by the government, most people want to be vaccinated and be boosted. Still, the virus won't perish even in the most careful and healthy-looking individuals.

 

 

It was Wednesday, January 12 when I felt what I thought to be symptoms of the virus. I woke up feeling tired with a headache and muscle pain. It was unusual, especially since I was fine last night. I quickly contacted my sister and she asked several questions. She said I might have the virus. What she advised me to do was to stay at home and to avoid contact with people. I had my food delivered via Grab, and I would request the Kuya drivers to hang it on our gate. 

 

On the second day, just to be sure that I didn't contract the virus and might share it with others, I didn't go to work.

 

On my 3rd day, I had a sore throat and a clogged nose. Still, I am thankful that I have had no fever so far.

My colleagues wanted me to go to work, especially if I didn't have any more symptoms. My family advised me to stay at home and finish the isolation period, which is seven days.

 

 

Sunday arrived and I had to take the anti-gen test kit home. It was the fourth day since the onset of the symptoms. I was scared while I was waiting for the result.

 

 

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, the Almighty! I was negative!

 

It was a relief that I didn't actually have the virus.

 

 

It was also great to hear from my boss when she told me that technically I'm negative because if I hadn't, I might have infected someone since the last day that I went to work. I was truly grateful that no one of my colleagues experienced anything like what I had.

 

 

For the remaining three days of the quarantine, I continued to drink tea, ginger (salabat), eat fruits and gargle salt.

 

 

8th day. I was out of the house. It was like seeing the world differently. This is how a person feels without interacting with people and has been staying for a week inside a house. Wow! It was weird.

 

 

From my seven days of isolation, I learned a lot.

 

 

*I realized that family is family. The first one that I contacted was my second sibling, and without hesitation, she helped me financially, checking me out and asking me if I was alright every now and then. Thanks to her, I had a week of free food delivery and I experienced buying medicine and groceries online for the first time. 

 

 

*Better to be safe than sorry. I thought of my absences at work. I didn't have enough salary to survive the next few days. Yet, on top of that, my conscience would be forever guilty if one of my colleagues got sick because of me. 

Recommended food delivery: Goodah

 

*Don't ignore the symptoms. We already know about the symptoms. For almost two years, we've been socially distant quite some time, and we've had no social gatherings. So why, in the first place, would you deny that you have one? The best thing to do is recognize and accept that you may or may not have the virus, isolate yourself quickly. 

 

 

*Protect me and my loved ones. These days, being healthy is not only advisable for oneself but also for continuing to have strong immunity and mind for your family. 

 

Recommended food delivery: Teaspoon Cafe

The pandemic might stay for a while. We won't know how long the virus will stay. But one thing is for sure, try your best not to get sick and if you experience even one of the common symptoms, observe yourself and don't hesitate to isolate yourself. 

ARC review: Dating the Influencer by Mark Fermill

Reading takes time, and once given an opportunity to read a free book, grab it quickly!

I am grateful that the author, Mark Fermill, gave me a chance to have an advanced reader copy of his soon-to-be-published novel, Dating the Influencer.

I was fortunate to be one of the bloggers to receive a free copy of this book. Thank you, Sir Mark!

Blurb: 

Anica Fernandez relies on her strict schedule in order to survive. Matagal na niyang binura ang bersyon niyang baliw na baliw sa lalaki at tiwala siyang kahit sino man ang dumating sa buhay niya ay kaya na niyang baliwalain.

Not until Derrick Manalo takes notice of her. This famous fitness influencer comes into her life like a whirlwind, and Anica, who once promised herself to never fall in love again, is tested to eat her own words.

What could Derrick Manalo possibly want from her? Is it money? A simple favor? Or could it possibly be... love?

What I like about the story:

Meeting an Influencer.  Who thought that you'd meet a social media influencer in the most unexpected way? That's what happened to Anica when she met Derrick inside a bookstore. Well, that was not the meet and greet that Anica wanted, especially from an old crush.

Social media toxicity. In this age, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube are the biggest platforms to meet your idols, and these avenues are also places where people will judge you regardless of who you are. Anica is happy with her Youtube page and even her followers, but when Derrick suddenly called her up on his channel, her views and following were boosted. However, when an issue came out, netizens used these channels to destroy Anica's life and image.

Depression and Suicide.  This book not only focuses on Anica and Derrick's romance, but I commend it for touching on one of the most sensitive topics in society today. It was difficult for Anica to be in a relationship and trust another guy because of the guilt that she has been carrying since her best friend, Jonathan, killed himself. She didn't know that by opening and telling her experience through her vlog, she inspired a lot of people, particularly another boy who also tried to self-destruct himself.

How It Ends:

Anica is vlogging again, but like a confession type, and Derrick is ever so attentive!

Verdict:

I started reading this book last November, but at that time, I was not fond of Sir Mark's writing style, so I stopped reading it. Sorry! Yet, I gave it a new eye when I re-read it again, and I actually appreciated the first few pages. I continued it, and then I finished it! I was happy that I was able to meet Anica and Derrick and get a glimpse of their lives. It was like I was back to being a teenager again, that feeling of meeting your idol and stalking him on his social media accounts. It was fun! But more than that, this novel is an eye-opener about the toxicity of social media, who the influencers really are in real life, and how one mistake can change one's life, which can be prevented.

 

Congratulations, Mark Fermill, on your newest gem, "Dating the Influencers." This book will be out by next month! Perfect for a heart's day reading pleasure!