At the time of writing, I am at home, suffering COVID-19.
I know you may well ask “Is that still a thing?”, but apparently, yes, as I have been ‘crook as’.
Now, in the current work climate, most people don’t test for it anymore and treat it just like the flu.
But when I woke up the other morning with what felt like a fair dose of the man flu, I had two choices: call it the flu or do a test.
I had a big week coming up: a wedding of some dear friends towards the end of the week, preceded by a few drinks the night before.
So, the flu would definitely be better than Covid when I did the maths on how many days I’d lose.
Coronas on Thursday night and Friday afternoon and an evening paid for by dear friends was way more inviting than coronavirus at home with You Know Who.
Then, coming up on Sunday, was a day at the races.
Again, Sunshine Coast races versus the virus at home with Old Mate?
Not a difficult decision to make.
Of course, amid all that was the fact that I had plenty to do at work.
But there lay the problem: a new job with folks I don’t know overly well in a confined workspace with poor ventilation, and me not knowing whether any of my new colleagues had underlying health issues.
So, those were all the things I was weighing up as I stood in the bathroom, looking at a test kit.
Possible fun for Ashley at the end of the week versus protecting my work colleagues and spending a week at home with Old Mate.
One hell of a decision to make.
I decided to go with the right one – hoping I was negative but positive of my luck, which works like this: what can go wrong will go wrong.
Of course, the test result was positive.
So, I have learnt a few things this week.
I am ‘soft as’ or this is the worst man flu going around.
I have learnt to stay away from Old Mate and have also learnt if she gets sick, I would have been better off just expiring during my illness as I will pay the price for eternity.
I also found out when I asked what was for lunch that I get one meal a day: dinner.
The rest is up to me, apparently.
Other little nuances: “Your mask is on inside out, upside down. How stupid are you? Don’t touch that. If I get sick, look out.”
Next time, definitely the flu.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.